Critics Have Seen Tim Allen’s Shifting Gears, And They Got Real About Whether This ABC Sitcom Is Running Smoothly Or Staling

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As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Tim Allen is gearing up for his comeback on the small screen in the upcoming 2025 TV schedule with the much-anticipated sitcom titled “Shifting Gears“. However, as critics start voicing their opinions about this new comedy from the revered actor, it seems there’s a consensus that the show might not have what it takes for a lasting run. Therefore, let’s delve into the insights that these critics are sharing about this new ABC comedy.

All in all, there’s been quite a buzz around the show “Shifting Gears”. With two well-loved actors, Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, on board, and an intriguing concept of a humorous tale about a rigid widowed car shop owner trying to reconnect with his long-lost daughter, expectations were high. However, several critics find that the series might not quite live up to its potential.

Daniel Fienberg of THR stated that he initially thought “Shifting Gears” was “Last Man Standing” without the courage to straightforwardly title it as “Last Man Standing”. Earlier in his review, he mentioned that the show seemed similar to sitcoms previously created by Allen, and there wasn’t much about it that truly stood out for him, as he put it: “There wasn’t much shifting of gears for me.

The title and concept of Shifting Gears appear to revolve around adjusting life’s and mindset’s direction, yet the two episodes provided to critics indicate a focus on delivering exactly what viewers anticipate – if you’re yearning for a comedic series starring Tim Allen featuring an irascible Baby Boomer venting about general topics because modern youth is perceived as problematic, Shifting Gears caters to your needs. However, if this description sounds unappealing, it’s unlikely that your perspective on the show will change.

At IndieWire, Ben Travers expressed his disapproval towards the show “Shifting Gears“. The headline highlighted that he felt the show was “stuck in neutral”, meaning it wasn’t moving or progressing. In a detailed analysis, he outlined several factors he believed contributed to the show’s failure and assigned it a grade of D+, reflecting his negative opinion. To substantiate his viewpoint, Travers elaborated on these reasons.

As a cinephile, I must express my thoughts on ‘Shifting Gears’, a movie that appears to have a straightforward, universally relatable plot – a mature adult returning home with their own kids. One might expect this setup to effortlessly lead to engaging humor and heartfelt moments. However, the narrative seems to prioritize the character Matt’s lengthy diatribes about modern-day youth quirks, which, unfortunately, fail to elicit much laughter.

As a film critic for USA Today, I, Kelly Lawler, wasn’t blown away by “Shifting Gears”. Despite my initial expectation that the show might be even worse, I can’t say it left me particularly impressed. Comparing it to “Last Man Standing”, where Tim Allen plays an overzealous patriarch with a couple of daughters, this sitcom didn’t resonate with me at all. It simply wasn’t my cup of tea.

‘Gears’ (Aired Wednesdays at 8 EST/PST, rated ★½ out of four) – produced by Mike Scully and Julie Thacker-Scully, known for ‘The Simpsons’, falls short in both originality and humor. Instead, it offers a predictable and only mildly amusing collection of generational cliches and repetitive dialogue between Allen and Dennings. The dialogues, available for review in the two episodes, are so unremarkable they could have been generated by an AI. They fail to ignite excitement in any way, but also avoid being so bad that they become offensive to the senses.

She additionally clarified that she isn’t particularly fond of the main actor, but those who appreciate Tim Allen’s films and series might find this comedy appealing – as the headline suggests, she believes it is tailored specifically for fans of Tim Allen. Consequently, opinions on Shifting Gears may differ.

According to TV Line’s Dave Nemetz, Tim Allen seems particularly well-suited for his role in the new ABC series, and overall, he found the show quite enjoyable. Although it doesn’t break new ground, Nemetz appreciated its charm.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but be drawn in by the delightful chemistry between Allen and Dennings. They certainly don’t disappoint when it comes to providing laughs, making them an enjoyable comedy duo. This show may not strive for groundbreaking innovation, but it certainly knows how to polish and freshen up the classic formula quite nicely.

In a similar vein, Robert Lloyd from The LA Times points out that Shifting Gears delves into age-old themes of generational and political disparities. It’s not groundbreaking or innovative, instead, it effectively carries on the tradition, as Lloyd puts it.

It’s not a surprise or a criticism that there’s nothing new in this series; family political disagreements portrayed in sitcoms have been around for a long time. For instance, “All in the Family” ended more than a decade before Dennings was born, yet such themes are as old as television itself. Shows like “Lopez vs Lopez,” which is currently in its third season on NBC, often explore adult children living with parents or vice versa – a theme that has been common on TV for years. Television seems to enjoy cramming multiple generations into a small set, and this formula persists because it consistently delivers predictable, familiar results.

In summary, while not considered a top-tier sitcom by most, “Shifting Gears” has its share of fans who appreciate its humor and find it enjoyable for approximately 20 minutes (plus commercial breaks).

I previously pointed out that opinions might differ regarding Tim Allen and Kat Dennings’ new comedy. If you’d prefer to form your own opinion, tune in to Shifting Gears tonight, January 8, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC or catch it the following day with a Hulu subscription if streaming is more convenient for you.

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2025-01-09 01:07