Tim Allen’s New ABC Series Just Added A Former Disney Child Star, And I Think It’s A Great Fit

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As a long-time sitcom enthusiast who’s grown up with the likes of Tim Allen and Brenda Song on my screen, I can’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia mixed with anticipation for ABC’s “Shifting Gears”. The prospect of seeing Kat Dennings, Song, and Allen sharing the same set once more is almost too good to be true.

2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for me as a gamer, with Tim Allen making his comeback on primetime TV after wrapping up “Last Man Standing”. Jumping right back onto the small screen via ABC’s multi-camera comedy, “Shifting Gears”, it looks like he’s not the only one returning to familiar grounds. Disney Channel’s beloved alumni is all set to grace our screens in a guest role for this new series, and I can hardly wait to witness her stellar performance in yet another hilarious comedy series!

According to Deadline, Brenda Song is planning to star in a new family-oriented sitcom on the Alphabet Network. This move will give her a chance to act alongside her Dollface co-star Kat Dennings once again. Additionally, this will mark the second time Song works with showrunner/executive producer Michelle Nader, who is behind this upcoming comedy and also produced the previously mentioned Hulu series.

Changing Directions

In this TV series, Brenda Song will portray Caitlyn, a previous schoolmate of Riley’s who has advanced to become the assistant principal at their old high school. The exact number of episodes Song will feature in hasn’t been specified yet, but her presence, even for just one episode, is undeniably advantageous for the show. Given that she was an exceptional comedian during her time at Disney, particularly in multi-camera setups filmed with a live studio audience, it comes as no surprise. After all, who can forget her outstanding performance as London Tipton on Zack & Cody?

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel thrilled about the intriguing history between Riley, a character from Dads, and its impact on both her children and her father. With her upcoming role as a principal, I wonder if she’ll embody the nurturing yet firm approach of Ava from Abbott Elementary or take on a more challenging persona, potentially stirring up fresh conflicts with Riley. The potential scenarios are limitless, and I can hardly contain my excitement to watch these relationships unfold!

It appears that the upcoming show “Shifting Gears” boasts a strong cast with three experienced actors (Allen, Dennings, and Song), suggesting a promising lineup of talent. The show is slated to premiere on ABC on January 8th at 8 p.m. ET, sharing the evening with “Abbott Elementary ” as part of an hour-long comedy block. Given that “Abbott Elementary” was the only comedy on ABC’s fall schedule for 2024, this addition could prove beneficial. Furthermore, it is expected that “The Connors’ ” seventh and final season will return to the network in March 2025 and join the lineup at that time.

I’m really hoping that “Shifting Gears” becomes another success for Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, similar to their previous projects. This could potentially revive the comedy-focused Wednesday night schedule on the Alphabet network. As a lover of television, I’d hate to see multi-camera sitcoms disappear. Here’s to hoping the show resonates with viewers and Brenda Song delivers an outstanding performance in her role.

Before the upcoming debut, you have a chance to sample the hilarious duo of Song and Dennings by watching their highly entertaining Hulu original series, “Dollface.” Don’t miss out on revisiting Allen’s past sitcoms, namely “Last Man Standing” and “Home Improvement,” which can be streamed with a Disney+ membership.

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2024-11-19 00:39