Tim Allen‘s Shifting Gears has had several high-profile guest stars — but which The White Lotus alum does showrunner Michelle Nader want to bring onboard?
“A couple of people are telling us [that they want to join the show]. I can’t say who and we’re thinking of how to get the right role. But we also have our people that we want to see,” Nader shared during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at the ABC Summer Soirée on September 5. “I want to get Jennifer Coolidge in the show. I want to get some of those people to come around. We have a lot up our sleeve.”
Nader went on to hint that viewers are in for some surprises — especially when it comes to onscreen Easter eggs.
“We were very intentional about those things because what we want to do in a modern sitcom is bring the elements of modern television — like serialization and streaming,” she explained. “So we felt like we really wanted to slow play these relationships in a romantic comedy way. So yes, you’re going to see some real results from those Easter eggs.”
The hit series, which premiered in January, is set in a car restoration shop opened by Allen’s character, Matt. After reuniting with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), the duo work on cars — and repairing their relationship. In addition to having a full house, Allen, 72, is also able to cross paths with characters played by celebrities including Jenna Elfman, Brenda Song and Nancy Travis.
Jennifer Coolidge in “The White Lotus.” Fabio Lovino/HBO
“I’ve worked with Tim before on a film, so I know he’s lovely. He’s so good at what he does,” Elfman, 53, who plays Allen’s onscreen love interest, told Us in February. “It’s like you don’t even see it happening, and then all of a sudden, it’s just brilliant.”
Elfman praised the show’s vision. “I loved [the] take on how to approach the family at the center of [Shifting Gears] and the generational divides culturally, politically and emotionally. It’s a sitcom but it’s grounded with talent who knows how to act and who knows how to deliver comedy,” she added. “At the same time, the writing really supports that as well. Everything felt right for me to come play, and I’m so glad I did because I had a very good time. We just finished filming the final episode last night, and it’s so good.”
Shifting Gears is coming back for season 2 — but what can fans expect after Tim Allen and Jenna Elfman‘s surprising onscreen kiss? The ABC series, which premiered in January 2025, is set in a car restoration shop opened by Allen’s character, Matt. After reuniting with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), the duo work […]
Travis, 63, had a similar experience while reuniting with her former Last Man Standing husband.
“Tim is nothing if not loyal. So it was great to walk on that set and see most of the crew was from Last Man Standing,” Travis told Us that same month. “I wouldn’t be surprised if everybody from Last Man Standing shows up on Shifting Gears in one way or another. If Tim has his way, he’ll make sure that everybody from [costar Kat Dennings’] 2 Broke Girls comes on too.”
Shifting Gears returns to ABC Wednesday, October 1, at 8 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Hulu.
