Tim Allen back on ABC!

[Street Novelist]

There's just no pleasing some people.

 

[valvashon]

How does this cokehead keep getting a TV show? We watched a few minutes of it the other night when whatever it was we were watching ended and it's terrible- even worse than Home Improvement or that other forgettable show that's on endless repeats everywhere. I'd be surprised if it lasts a season but what do I know? In 1993 I thought The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. was going to be the big hit franchise for Fox and that the X-Files would last about 6 episodes. I worked at a Fox affiliate at the time and the 1 and 2 minute "filler" promos for Brisco made the show look like the best thing on TV and the ones for the X-Files made it look terrible and cheap.

I was similarly incorrect about the long term viability of Bakersfield P.D. and Police Squad!

 

[gr8oldies]

How does this cokehead keep getting a TV show? We watched a few minutes of it the other night when whatever it was we were watching ended and it's terrible- even worse than Home Improvement or that other forgettable show that's on endless repeats everywhere. I'd be surprised if it lasts a season but what do I know? In 1993 I thought The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. was going to be the big hit franchise for Fox and that the X-Files would last about 6 episodes. I worked at a Fox affiliate at the time and the 1 and 2 minute "filler" promos for Brisco made the show look like the best thing on TV and the ones for the X-Files made it look terrible and cheap.

I was similarly incorrect about the long term viability of Bakersfield P.D. and Police Squad!

6 episodes and 3 movies later.....and don't call me Shirley.

 

[Don CT]

6 episodes and 3 movies later.....and don't call me Shirley.

Airplane is basically the same humor.

 

[Don CT]

I enjoyed Home Improvement, but that show worked in the 90s. The premise is played out and doesn’t work today.

 

[landtuna]

Watched episode 2 and discovered why Kat Dennings is in the cast; she's the producer. Probably explains the lame cast too.

I'm gone. Sorry Tim!

 

[radiofan2023]

Haven’t watched a minute of any of Tim Allen’s shows.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Interesting but at the same time I remember hearing about a Home Improvement reboot being considered at one point. Then again since the reboot is cancelled and became this new series. Overall agreed with the premise that what worked in the 1990’s no longer works.

'Home Improvement' star Patricia Richardson says doing a reboot 'would be very weird'

"Home Improvement" star Patricia Richardson is opening up about why she isn't interested in doing a reboot of the '90s sitcom starring Tim Allen.

www.usatoday.com

 

[landtuna]

Interesting but at the same time I remember hearing about a Home Improvement reboot being considered at one point. Then again since the reboot is cancelled and became this new series. Overall agreed with the premise that what worked in the 1990’s no longer works.

'Home Improvement' star Patricia Richardson says doing a reboot 'would be very weird'

"Home Improvement" star Patricia Richardson is opening up about why she isn't interested in doing a reboot of the '90s sitcom starring Tim Allen.

www.usatoday.com

Would the premise work? Yes, of course but not in the same vein that made "Home Improvement" a hit. But "Home Improvement" is not at all related to "Shifting Gears". Two totally different shows. Different even than HI and "Last Man Standing". Both previous shows had outstanding casts which would be very difficult if not impossible to re-create. SG has one cast member worth watching - the little girl. Zero magnetism from the rest, even Tim Allen.

 

[Don CT]

Would the premise work? Yes, of course but not in the same vein that made "Home Improvement" a hit. But "Home Improvement" is not at all related to "Shifting Gears". Two totally different shows. Different even than HI and "Last Man Standing". Both previous shows had outstanding casts which would be very difficult if not impossible to re-create. SG has one cast member worth watching - the little girl. Zero magnetism from the rest, even Tim Allen.

It’s all the same premise based on his standup routine.

Tim Allen is a one trick pony. He doesn’t have acting range. He plays the same character in everything.

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

It’s all the same premise based on his standup routine.

Tim Allen is a one trick pony. He doesn’t have acting range. He plays the same character in everything.

Truthfully, he’s not alone in that regard. There are people who make a nice little career out of basically playing variations on the same part.
Oh sure, the backstory and setting changes, but some people play the same fundamental role. Nice work if you can get it, so more power to those who do.

 

[landtuna]

It’s all the same premise based on his standup routine.

Tim Allen is a one trick pony. He doesn’t have acting range. He plays the same character in everything.

I disagree. His HI role was a narcissistic inept dumbass who fancied himself a tool guy but really wasn't. His role on LMS was a frustrated father of a family of females. The HI role was taken directly from his stand up comedy routines but the majority of the LMS shows were not. IMHO the LMS cast was a ton stronger than HI and that's what made the show more enjoyable. "Shifting Gears" doesn't seem to be similar to HI although it hasn't been on long enough to truly evaluate its direction. I doubt I'll be watching it long enough to tell.

If you're going to criticize an actor for lack of range there are literally hundreds that would qualify including some of the most popular. I always disliked Jerry Lewis for that reason but Lucille Ball was pretty much the same over the years and I liked her. Likewise John Wayne and Humphery Bogart. Hard to tell what floats everyone's individual boat. Guess that's why we have so many different actors.