Tim Allen’s Latest Sitcom Debuts with Rotten Tomatoes Score

Tim Allen’s Shifting Gears: Analyzing Its Rotten Tomatoes Score and Reception

Tim Allen’s latest sitcom, Shifting Gears, recently launched and has already garnered attention for its Rotten Tomatoes score. This new series, which premiered on ABC in January, is the brainchild of creators Mike Scully, Julie Thacker Scully, and showrunner Michelle Nader. The show focuses on the dynamics between a father, played by Tim Allen, and his daughter, portrayed by Kat Dennings, famous for her roles in WandaVision and 2 Broke Girls. Set against the backdrop of a car restoration shop, Matt, the father, navigates life as a widower allowing his daughter Riley and grandchildren to return home despite their complicated past. Tune in on Wednesdays at 8 PM ET, with episodes available for streaming the next day on Hulu.

How Does Shifting Gears Measure Up?

As the inaugural season progresses, Shifting Gears has amassed a Rotten Tomatoes rating that indicates a challenging start. Currently, the sitcom holds a score of 43% based on 7 reviews, with four negative and three positive assessments. This translates to a score of 3.80 out of 10, reflecting some particularly harsh critiques. For context, this rating places Shifting Gears above the first season of Last Man Standing (14%) but well below the debut of Home Improvement (64%).

Reception of Shifting Gears: What the Critics Are Saying

Familiar Themes and Premises

Tim Allen and Kat Dennings in a scene from Shifting Gears

Featuring a cast that includes Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis, along with guest appearances from Brenda Song and Jenna Elfman, Shifting Gears has drawn praise for its acting. Dave Nemetz of TVLine comments on the surprising strength of the show’s construction, noting, “It’s built surprisingly well, with a lot of the credit going to co-star Kat Dennings, who proves she can go toe-to-toe with Allen and match him jab for jab.” However, some reviewers express that the show’s familiar elements might discourage potential viewers, ultimately labeling it as being reminiscent of Allen’s previous successes.

Critics suggest that future episodes could see the show develop further. Daniel Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter states, “I watched Shifting Gears thinking that it was Last Man Standing without the guts to come right out and just be Last Man Standing.” Despite the capable cast, some critics argue that the premise lacks originality. It’s noteworthy that only two episodes have been screened, leaving room for potential growth as the season unfolds.

Our Perspective on Shifting Gears

What Viewers Can Expect

While the initial reception of Shifting Gears suggests it may not be the strongest sitcom on air, it is still in its early stages. Notably, the shift in creative leadership with Michelle Nader stepping in as showrunner following the pilot could lead to positive changes. A sitcom that offers a familiar structure yet is buoyed by solid performances might still resonate with audiences. After all, that was the key element to the success of both Home Improvement and Last Man Standing.

For ongoing ratings and reviews, visit Rotten Tomatoes.

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