Shifting Gears

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.