Tim Allen's 'Shifting Gears' Approved for Series by ABC

Tim Allen is officially making a comeback to ABC with a new show. The network has greenlit a series titled "Shifting Gears," which features Allen as a widower running a classic car restoration business. His character's adult daughter, played by Kat Dennings, and his teenage children move back in with him. This new series marks Allen’s return to ABC, where he previously starred in the 1990s hit "Home Improvement" and "Last Man Standing," which later moved to Fox.

"Shifting Gears" will proceed with a new showrunner, as Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully, who initially wrote and led the pilot, have stepped down. Despite their departure, they will remain as executive producers for the pilot and continue working with the show’s producer, 20th Television. A new showrunner is expected to be announced soon.

Meanwhile, ABC has decided not to move forward with another comedy pilot, "Forgive and Forget," which starred Ty Burrell from "Modern Family" as a man trying to reconnect with his adult son after a surprising medical diagnosis.

The cast of "Shifting Gears" includes Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis. Alongside Allen, the show is executive produced by Marty Adelstein, Becky Clements, Richard Baker, Rick Messina, and pilot director John Pasquin. The Scullys will also serve as executive producers for the pilot.

"Shifting Gears" and "Forgive and Forget" were the only two half-hour pilots developed by ABC for the 2024-25 season. The show joins a limited comedy lineup at the network, which also features "Abbott Elementary" (returning for its fourth season) and the final season of "The Conners" (scheduled for early 2025).

Allen is represented by Messina Baker Entertainment, WME, and Ziffren Brittenham, while Dennings is with Gersh, Linden Entertainment, and Sloane Offer.