User reviews

This is a typical Tim Allen showcase with plenty of scope to turn into a decent show. Granted its only the first episode but so far i'm not a big fan. Canned laughter is killing it for me, it happens way to much and when things arn't even that funny. Lose it completely and maybe it will go the distance but in the format its in i can see it getting cancelled after one season which is a pity, i'm a big tim allen fan and love kat dennings. Cant beleive that the trial screening didnt point this out. Its maybe worth watching up to 3rd or 4th episode to see if it improves but if it dosnt then its a big miss for me.

Everything they say isn't funny so PLEASE give us a break and scrap the laugh track. It's used so often it makes the show unwatchable, which is a shame because it's not off to a bad start as a new series.

The acting is good and the plotline allows room for the show to grow.

But for the show to evolve writers need to stop aiming for the quick easy laugh and develop the characters.

Mostly, tone down the laugh track. We can figure out the comedic lines all by ourselves.

There's good chemistry between Tim Allen and Kat Dennings and the actors who play the kids are quite good. Don't let the laugh track spoil it.

Here I was thinking Tim Allen and Kat Denning, 2 actors I actually like, were going to blow it out of the park. 2 episodes in and all I can think is how long till they cancel this. Tim is the exact same character hes always been but theres no spring in his step. Its a stiff performance. Maybe he's trying to adapt to the character and hasnt nailed it yet.

Kat for the most part is phoning it in. Shes acting like shes in 2 Broke Girls but without the clever sexual innuendos. She was much better in Thor and Wandavision.

This just seems flat to me. I'll watch it for now, but I think this one wont get any legs to it. Its just not funny and the canned laughter is over done.

I really like Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, and so I was hopeful about their pairing as sitcom veterans in Shifting Gears. I like the premise too and find it relatable. It's challenging when you don't always see eye to eye with your parent but you love them regardless. And as someone who comes from a family with a mix of liberals and conservatives, I like shows that have characters from both sides of the table.

I will say, though...it could just be that it's the first episode and they need more time working together, but the chemistry of the actors seems off. Kat's not really giving me a "became a mom at a young age" vibe yet. Everyone just felt a bit awkard but I will say it's an awkward situation to have to ask your parent for help when your relationship isn't the best. But I couldn't help but feel everything was just a pinched forced.

Tim and the granddaughter connect well, though. She was the best out of all of them, in my opinion. She seemed to be the one that interacted with everyone the best and felt the most natural in the role. She has a bright eyed optimism that is refreshing to see that breaks from the stereotype of " kids these days are just spoiled screen zombies with zero social skills."

I still like the premise, though. And I still got a bit choked up at the end - it felt like Kat and Tim finally "clicked", not just as father and daughter, but as two actors telling a story. So maybe they will find their footing eventually? I'm going to give it more time. Hoping it becomes my comfort show.

My wife and I turned if off halfway through the first episode because of the laugh track. Who could have possibly thought that was a good idea. My guess is that the person running the laugh track was paid for each time it was used. It couldn't go longer than every two sentences and it was used. A lot of times the laugh track was used after every sentence.

If you haven't figured out that I detest this laugh track usage, then you weren't paying very close attention. The rest of the show seems VERY easy to predict, as many other reviews have already stated. Please, for every person's sake: LOSE THE SOUND TRACK!!!

I can't believe people are already giving 1 star when the show hasn't even started yet. It's been only 1 episode and people are already saying it's terrible. Like give the show a chance.

I like the Kat Dennings and Tim Allen paring because it's unexpected yet fun. I'm actually going to keep watching to see how the other episodes go before I make a decision.

I remember the same thing happening with the Equalizer starring Queen Latifah and at the beginning everyone hated it and now it's been on for 5 seasons.

It's not even about changing peoples minds, it's about voting fairly.

You guys need to relax.

I maybe the odd man out but I just don't think Kat is very funny. She always delivers one liner flat jokes that just don't land. She's picking up right after two broke girls and it just doesn't work. I love Tim Allen, loved him in home improvement, and last man standing and really wanted to like this show. After a couple episodes, I was really hoping this could be a great comedy that I would be able to watch every week. I just can't sit through this disaster any longer. The one liner are stupid jokes, and the laugh track just ruined the show. I also don't feel the plot is very strong.

I waited to review this after a few episodes, but it just does not seem to be getting any better.

I enjoyed the show. It doesn't have the usual PC nonsense that seems to be the blueprint for EVERY show now. Oh *GASP* in Shifting Gears they are doing jokes some of which lean conservatives, lordy lordy.

It's a good ol fashion feel-good sitcom style like we had in the late 80's and 90's and in front of a live audience. I've missed this type of show. Of course the first episode isn't as polished as it will become once they get comfortable acting in front of people again. Gotta get the dust off. But overall I enjoyed it and in the current crazy world we live in, I'm ready for a simple family show like this.

I'm quite enjoying this sitcom so far. The laugh track does not bother me, actually I find sitcoms with laugh tracks to be enjoyable and light hearted. It's not about telling me when to laugh but rather about feeling like I'm laughing along with an audience. It makes me feel like I'm there and that it's more of a "show".

I'm very excited to see Tim, Kat, Seam and Daryl interact, they are all favourites from separate shows and were great in those so I expect they will be great in this one.

So far I've watched the first 2 episodes and I think it's getting into it's groove. They are getting more into their characters and it's getting funnier. Every show needs a few episodes for us to get to know them and their rhythm, so let's see how this one's gonna be.

I can't even begin to tell you what's happening in this show because, frankly, I have no idea. It's nearly impossible to hear a single word the actors are saying over the relentless assault of the laugh track. And when I say relentless, I mean relentless. Every. Single. Line. They could say "hello" or sneeze, and like clockwork, the laugh track erupts as if it's the punchline of the century. It's maddening.

I'm not exaggerating-this isn't just distracting; it's borderline unbearable. I couldn't follow a shred of the plot in the first episode. How could anyone? Did no one in production notice this unholy cacophony? Did they think this was a good idea? The laugh track doesn't just accompany the show; it smothers it. It's omnipresent, like some kind of ghost, haunting every scene, every syllable.

The worst part is, the actors don't stand a chance. They could deliver the performance of a lifetime, but it wouldn't matter because the laugh track has already decided what's funny. It's not just ruining the show-it's dragging it into the abyss, and it's dragging us along with it. Terrible. Just terrible.

Love both Kat and Tim, was really looking forward to this series premiering. However I can't figure out if I like or hate the show and it's because of the laugh track. A scene that may give the viewer a smile or light chuckle is overshadowed by boisterous canned laughter, not only inappropriate but Totally ruins the scene. Because I am a fan of both of these actors and have hopes the series will be enjoyable, next episode I'm muting the volume and turning on the closed captioning to be able to assess if I'm hating the show or just turned off the show by the canned laughter. Sad it has to come to this.

No sitcom is perfect in the pilot. A sitcom needs several episodes to get into its own rhythm. I'm not going to write this one off yet. Tim Allen is a sitcom veteran. Kat Dennings is memorable from her role on two broke girls. They are perfect casting to play estranged father and daughter reunited after Riley and her kids need to move in with her father after the matriarch has passed away. I don't expect much from the first episode. There are few laughs though. Traditional sitcoms with audiences are a dying breed. We need them to make a comeback though. I'll watch it because I love Kat Dennings too. We will see where the show take us.

I think all the people that are saying horrible things and hating on the pilot episode don't understand how television works. The "pilot" episode is mainly made to show the network a rough idea of the writers idea of where a sitcom can grow from. Watch any (and I mean ANY) pilot from great shows like family guy or the office the pilots were nothing compared to how great the series became. People who brush the series off without watching 2 or 3 episodes are just tuning in to hate. I think the whole cast was great with the kids and Tim's storyline being hilarious.

Each episode is under 25 mins, imagine judging a movie off the first 10 minutes? I like to let a show expand before I hate it or love it.

Six stars is probably being overly generous. This sitcom is quite simply not good. I loved Tim Allen and the entire cast of "Home Improvement". "Last Man Standing" wasn't great in terms of writing, but at least the cast was interesting and talented. "Shifting Gears" is simply a car crash of a show. Outside of Allen, the casting and acting is terrible. Chemistry among the mother and her two teenagers is completely nonexistent. The writing is dull and predictable. Why any executive greenlit this show for more episodes after watching the pilot is a mystery to me. I've seen the first two episodes and have zero interest in any more.

Waited till 4th episode.and instead of getting better, it got worse. Love Tim Allens other shows and miss LAST MAN STANDING This show is just not funny, and the laugh track is so mechanical. The characters are woody (as in stiff).

Kat is uninspiring like most of the crew.

I just hope Tim can overhaul the show with better writing, And with real funny ep0isodes Did they use AI like ChatGPT to write the stories? It feels like that The concept of Tim having a car restoration shop feels like a great concept and somewhat of a continuation of LAST MAN STANDING, but it ends there, Characters like Ed. Alzate, Vannesa the girls, Chuck Larabee. Joe (Jay Leno) Maybe because of budget constraints there are fewer and less interesting characters Hoping it gets better and soon, cant even finish watching episode 4 its so bad.

I have to start by saying I love Tim Allen but not too crazy about canned laughter. It's the first show and they're doing some background which I think is all good. I think it would have been better if the grandson was a little younger but all in all the characters are believable and I think have good chemistry. Overall, I like the premise of Allen owning a car shop. It leaves open a great storyline. Also, I like the idea of the daughter returning home with the grandkids and trying to restore her relationship with her estranged dad. It's just the first show and I think all the people that write poor reviews need to give it a chance.

Update: Episodes 9 and 10 are starting to show promise, I actually enjoyed those. Writing feels different as well as camera work. Kat's acting doesn't seem 1 sided as I previously felt and Tim is starting to become funny again.

Past Review: I was excited to see the first episode and to me, it fell flat. Then on to the second and jyst watched the 4th. Unfortunately I don't see a future for this show. I feel the writing is off the mark, too dramatic and it has made me chuckle just a few times. The 4th episode, not a single laugh.

I personally feel Kat was a horrible casting choice to play against Tim. Her acting just seems very generic and deadpan, absolutely no depth and I just do not see any chemistry here at all.

Overall, im really disappointed. I am such a huge fan of Tim's movies and loved Last Man Standing, currently binging it again. I hope the writers can pull off some miracle here.

I couldn't make it through the episode the laugh track is super annoying. I know when I'm supposed to laugh, I don't need fake laughter to let me know something was supposed to be funny. Even stood that's not funny or shouldn't be funny gets a laugh track.

The show could have a decent premise, it has good leading actors Tim Allen still looks great as does Stiffler. However, I can't see anyone being able to appreciate the cast or the writing with the never ending fake laughter.

If I'm future episodes they remove the laugh track I will consider watching the show but for now I seriously can't watch this.

I enjoyed LMS with Tim Allen minus all the cast changes through the season, but it was wholesome. I'm a thriller series fan but need to balance out with sitcoms. Is this series cliche? Yea .. but aren't all sitcoms? Okay we won't ever get a who's the boss or any of the quirky 80's shows that would never have been shown today; but, by today's rigid standards, Shifting Gears makes the cut. I enjoyed the acting by all involved. The child actors have a bright future ahead for sure. I am glad this show touches on grief. Most can relate to grief, divorce, moving back with parent(s), etc. It's nice to see the classic cars and I am enjoying the shop dynamic. So much can be done around the kids in school. Loss of star for set design which is currently too sterile.

I hated Tim Allen in the 90s. Grew on me in 2000s. I'm a fan after Last Man Standing. Show started okay and will give it a try. Sadly, I cannot digest Kat Dennings. She's so dry and not funny. We need a shake up for S2 if we get there.

I agree with everyone else and the laugh track. It's annoying. Please please please lose it.

Also, lose the dark blue lighting. It makes the feel look terrifying. The dark tones inside the house feels so depressing. The kids are great. No issues with them. Also the supporting cast. Please kill off Kat and her unfunny lines. Perhaps a funnier actress that has a better chemistry with Tim!

Seriously. My face is cramped from cringing so hard at the LAME jokes and the even LAMER acting.

Tim Allen, Kat Dennings and Seann William Scott are so much better that this.

I'm shocked the series hasn't already been cancelled. I nearly stopped watching after episode 2.

I've watched the last 6 episodes on a side monitor and even then the urge to just turn it off has been overpowering.

The writing is horrible. The kids are pathetic (their "acting" and their scripts).

The humour is NOT "spontaneous" - it's forced.

They tell a lame joke and have to use a laugh track to make it seem funny when all it really does is make you want to change channels.

There is not one bit of this show that is worth watching.

Shocker - Allen, Dennings and half the writers are also the producers/executive producers.

Which goes a long way to explaining why it's so LAME.

Painfully bad & clichés galore!

Kat D thinks her witty sarcastic attitude is always a flex,no matter what she gets cast in.. Would enjoy seeing if she can act,beyond just one style.

Tim seems to feel he can micromanage things from script,etc.. Unfortunately that's his downfall it leaves things stale,because it resembles his past series.

The laugh track doesn't make things funny,but more like your watching a play or guess what.. Cheesy sitcom.

The kids are wrongly cast & not good either.

Also boring another show about a widow getting his life complicated,with shocker.. Kids!

Sean(Former Apple Pie)wasn't great,but made things less insufferable.

I think better direction,script & casting may of improved things.. The acting was flat & you didn't connect with any main characters,because they felt unlikable.

Don't see this making it beyond season one,actually don't see myself making it for episode 2 but will give it another try.. "Maybe" it will find its place & become better.

The cast is great. Sean William Scott needed a new sitcom. His role is perfect for him. Love Tim Allen and all the callbacks to his previous hits. Nice to see Daryl Mitchell again after NCIS NOLA was canceled. But Kat Demmings is the lag.

Riley's exactly the same character as Max from 2 Broke Girls. The same sarcasm and one liner style...same slutty/drunk/party girl backstory as Max. There's virtually no separation between the 2 characters. The only difference is Riley has loving parents and no yellow waitress uniform.

Demmings' character in 2 Broke Girls worked. But in this show...it's already getting old and I'm on the 7th episode now. Hopefully they can change it up a bit by the end of the season. It's funny but her character being soooo similar to her previous series...makes you feel like you're at the end of the series rather than the first season. I'm afraid there won't be a season two without some kind of change with her character. There's great potential with such a good cast.