Tim Allen’s “Shifting Gears” Eyes Jennifer Coolidge as Future Guest Star
In an exclusive interview at the ABC Summer Soirée, “Shifting Gears” showrunner Michelle Nader revealed exciting plans for the hit sitcom’s future guest appearances. While already boasting an impressive roster of celebrity cameos, Nader has her sights set on bringing “The White Lotus” star Jennifer Coolidge to the show. “A couple of people are telling us [that they want to join the show],” Nader shared with Us Weekly, though remaining tight-lipped about specific names. “We want to get Jennifer Coolidge in the show. We have a lot up our sleeve.” This potential casting would add to the show’s already star-studded lineup and continue its tradition of featuring beloved television personalities.
The showrunner also teased that viewers should keep an eye out for meaningful Easter eggs throughout the series, explaining their intentional approach to modern sitcom storytelling. “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,” Nader explained. She emphasized their commitment to developing relationships gradually “in a romantic comedy way,” promising that audiences will eventually see “real results from those Easter eggs.” This blend of traditional sitcom structure with contemporary narrative techniques has become a hallmark of the show’s appeal, allowing for both immediate laughs and longer storytelling arcs.
“Shifting Gears,” which premiered in January, centers around Tim Allen’s character Matt, who opens a car restoration shop and reconnects with his estranged daughter Riley, played by Kat Dennings. The father-daughter duo works together not only on restoring classic cars but also on rebuilding their fractured relationship. The show’s premise provides a natural setting for interesting guest appearances, with Allen’s character regularly crossing paths with colorful personalities portrayed by well-known actors including Jenna Elfman, Brenda Song, and Nancy Travis. This format has allowed the show to maintain a core family dynamic while continually refreshing the series with new character interactions.
Jenna Elfman, who plays Allen’s love interest on the show, shared her experience working with the veteran comedian in a February interview. “I’ve worked with Tim before on a film, so I know he’s lovely. He’s so good at what he does,” Elfman told Us Weekly. “It’s like you don’t even see it happening, and then all of a sudden, it’s just brilliant.” She particularly praised the show’s approach to addressing “generational divides culturally, politically and emotionally,” noting that while “Shifting Gears” maintains the familiar sitcom format, it’s “grounded with talent who knows how to act and who knows how to deliver comedy.” This balance of humor with authentic emotional moments has become one of the series’ defining strengths.
Nancy Travis, who previously starred alongside Allen in “Last Man Standing,” echoed similar sentiments about reuniting with her former co-star. “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 revealed. She even suggested that Allen’s loyalty might lead to more familiar faces appearing on the show: “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.” This comment hints at Allen’s commitment to creating a sense of community both on and off screen, potentially building a shared universe of characters from his various television projects.
As “Shifting Gears” prepares for its return to ABC on Wednesday, October 1, at 8 p.m. ET (with episodes streaming the following day on Hulu), fans can look forward to more character development, surprise guest appearances, and the resolution of storylines set up through carefully placed Easter eggs. The show’s success thus far appears to stem from its ability to honor traditional sitcom elements while incorporating modern storytelling techniques—a balance that Nader and her team seem determined to maintain. Whether Jennifer Coolidge will join the “Shifting Gears” family remains to be seen, but the possibility adds another layer of anticipation for viewers eagerly awaiting the show’s return this fall.
