When he conceptualized the character of Shifting Gears’ Matt Parker, Tim Allen wanted to have a shared passion with him. He landed on his own appreciation of classic automobiles.
“I love cars, and I have a shop in North Hollywood,” Tim, 71, exclusively tells Closer of his hobby of restoring and building hot rods. “The shop on the show is pretty much designed after mine.”
Since its January premiere, Shifting Gears, a comedy which centers around a widowed father’s relationship with his estranged adult daughter (played by Kat Dennings) has become a ratings hit. It follows up his previous successes with the long-running series Home Improvement and Last Man Standing.
He thinks he understands why viewers enjoy his shows. “You get 23 minutes to resolve [a problem],” Tim says. “It’s really easy [on the show], but it’s not so easy in real life.”
How did you first get into comedy?
My father was very funny. My uncle was very funny. My grandpa was very funny. I’ve been attracted to funny people, men and women, my whole life. If they’re funny, I love them.
Do you remember the moment you wanted to become a professional comedian?
I saw Richard Pryor on stage and it changed my life. That guy made me laugh so hard that deep in me it opened up a pathway. It cleared out everything. I wanted to do what he did on stage. And I needed that. At that time, I was really in a lot of trouble. But I came back from it and said, “What could I do? I could do that.” Or at least try. I will never think I am as funny as Richard.
Your new show ‘Shifting Gears’ is a hit. Why do you think the shows you’ve starred on have been so well received?
I really think it’s because they were grounded. I’ll give myself some credit. The ideas were a good set up.
Your first show, ‘Home Improvement,’ lasted eight seasons.
I think the foundation [of that show] was really good. I wanted the marriage to be really affectionate — not bickering all the time. I wanted the three boys to be three boys, not two boys and a girl.
On ‘Last Man Standing,’ you played the father of three girls.
Same thing. The relationship with [TV wife] Nancy Travis — I wanted to be very affectionate, [but they] have three girls, not three boys. So, I had to deal with all one gender. It was wonderful to do that.
Do you have any favorite memories of making ‘Home Improvement’?
Oh, so many! I didn’t know anything about television. I didn’t know that you had to memorize 40 pages of dialogue. I had no idea how to do that stuff. That first week, it hit so hard that it was so new to me. I think we followed Roseanne, and pretty soon we surpassed her in ratings. We were off and running. It was a huge hit. The funny thing was that it was typical of my successes. Critically, people hated it. It was too pop, too stupid. [They said], “There’s no way this guy can grunt his way through 12 episodes.” It became iconic stuff although that wasn’t the plan. The plan was just to entertain.
Do you keep in touch with anyone from the show?
Yeah. Jonathan Taylor Thomas just stopped by the set of this last episode. He hasn’t aged a bit. Zachery Ty Bryan’s been in some trouble. I’m still there to support him however I can. And the Last Man Standing group is literally like a family to me. Nancy Travis, 63, was on an episode of Shifting Gears.
Tell us about your sideline as a hot rod designer and restorer.
I’m a process artist. I don’t have the talent like the guys that are doing [the work]. I just sort of point, “Could you move that fender over that way and bring it out a little bit?” It’s not as fulfilling as doing the work, but I like restoring cars.
How do you like working with Kat Dennings on ‘Shifting Gears’?
Kat is a brilliant actor — same birthday as mine, many years apart! Her character, Riley, got pregnant in high school and all her plans changed. She was going to go to law school. Instead, she went off to be a musician and had two kids. And things didn’t go very well. Now, she crawls back home. [My character doesn’t] think it’s a good idea, but I can’t say no to her.
In real life, you’re the father of two daughters. What did that teach you?
It’s been a long history in learning how to listen. You really have to not say anything. My younger daughter and I just last night had this conversation. She sat at the bottom of the stairs, I sat at the top. I said, “I will just listen.” And I did. I just listened. Then she said, “Now you tell me what you think.”
Is fatherhood easier the second time around?
Yes, because I’m sober. I’ve been sober for 27 years. My first daughter, unfortunately, was not around a sober guy. So, they’re very different relationships.
What did you learn from sobriety?
I have nothing but gratitude. Somebody said if you’re going to do things that you have to say you’re sorry for tomorrow, don’t do it. So I don’t do things like that. It’s been a struggle because not being able to hide behind drugs and alcohol was difficult for me. Now I deal with stuff. It’s moment by moment.
You’ve been married to your wife Jane since 2006. What makes your marriage work?
We really like the same things. I admire so much of what she does. We are very, very different people, but the things we like to do and what we like about other people are the same.
Do you have a secret for opening up the lines of communication in marriage?
Just like with the kids, we’ve both learned to listen. We’ve also learned the really valuable lesson: Don’t escalate, de-escalate. Just listen. You may not agree with it, but at least you heard the whole thing without interrupting.
