‘Shifting Gears’ Officially Gets Series Order From ABC, Original Writers Leaving

Tim Allen is returning to ABC in another rugged sitcom, this one entitled Shifting Gears. ABC ordered a pilot back in March, and now on July 29, the network officially ordered a full series, bringing Shifting Gears yet another step through the production process.

71-year-old Allen is a very familiar face on ABC, thanks most famously to his role as the manly yet mildly hapless Tim “The Toolman” Taylor on Home Improvement. Last Man Standing also made him a network fixture before moving to Fox. Here is the latest on his return to familiar stomping grounds.

ABC officially gives a series order for the new Tim Allen sitcom ‘Shifting Gears’

ABC is formally picking up Shifting Gears and giving it the much-desired series order months after ordering a pilot. However, Deadline reports, Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully are parting ways with the sitcom. Allen is still expected to serve as executive producer.

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In the producer’s chair, he’s joined by Becky Clements, Richard Baker, Marty Adelstein, Rick Messina and John Pasquin, who also directed the pilot episode.

Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully are executive producers for the pilot and will still receive the appropriate credits, while Dennings is a producer. By time of writing, there is no official word on who will replace the Scullys, but Deadline reports that Allen has been looking for a showrunner for weeks as of July 29.

Something familiar and something new

Shifting Gears will also undergo another change in front of the camera as it makes its way onto ABC. Actor Froy Gutierrez was slated to play the role of Nick in the pilot, but that role will be recast, according to Variety. By time of writing, the outlet has not reported who will play Nick instead.

Some constants can be counted upon, however, such as Allen starring as Matt, “the stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop,” as described by the show’s logline. It goes on, “When Matt’s estranged daughter,” who will be played by Dennings, “and her teenage kids move into his house, the real restoration begins.” Dennings is also serving as a producer.

The studio running the show is 20th Television. Will you be catching the upcoming pilot for Shifting Gears when it’s on ABC?