Shifting Gears

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.

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.

We are trying to give this show a chance, but the canned laughter is awful. The lines aren't that funny to have constant laughter multiple times in a sentence breaking up the dialog. We aren't stupid. We know how to laugh if something is truly funny. The whole plot is kind of sad, from his daughter being a single mom, to him losing his wife, to the kids struggling with their issues, which makes it even more inappropriate to laugh all the way through it. I hope they read these reviews and treat the audience with more respect. We need more shows that are lighthearted and lift us up instead of dragging us down with endless vulgarity and violence, so I hope they improve the dialog and cut way back on the fake laughter.

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.

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.