Shifting Gears Season 2 premiere features Home Improvement stars

A returning fan favorite moment is on the horizon as ABC’s Shifting Gears plans a major blast from the past for its Season 2 premiere. Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn and Debbe Dunning will guest star opposite Tim Allen, who both headlines and executive-produces the series, with their appearance set for the season’s debut on October 1. The trio’s characters will support Matt Parker in an unspecified but pivotal way, heightening anticipation for a notable reunion of Home Improvement alumni.

Shifting Gears centers on Matt Parker, a stubborn, widowed owner who runs a classic car restoration shop. When his estranged daughter Riley moves back home with her kids, Matt’s personal life becomes as intricate as the engines he works on. Kat Dennings plays Riley, with Seann William Scott, Daryl Chill Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins and Barrett Margolis rounding out the core cast. The upcoming season will also feature returning guest stars Nancy Travis and Jenna Elfman, continuing the show’s habit of interweaving Allen’s past television worlds with his current work.

The forthcoming episode places three actors best known for their long-running roles on Home Improvement in new context. Richardson,...