Tim Allen‘s ABC sitcom Shifting Gears has allowed him to recruit familiar guest stars — including his former costars from Home Improvement and Last Man Standing.
The hit series, which premiered in January 2025, is set in a car restoration shop opened by Allen’s character, Matt. After reuniting with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), the duo work on cars — and repairing their relationship. In addition to having a full house, Allen is also able to cross paths with characters played by celebrities including Jenna Elfman, Brenda Song and Nancy Travis.
“I’ve worked with Tim before on a film, so I know he’s lovely. He’s so good at what he does,” Elfman, who plays Allen’s onscreen love interest, exclusively told Us Weekly in February 2025. “It’s like you don’t even see it happening, and then all of a sudden, it’s just brilliant.”
Elfman praised the show’s vision. “I loved [the] take on how to approach the family at the center of [Shifting Gears] and the generational divides culturally, politically and emotionally. It’s a sitcom but it’s grounded with talent who knows how to act and who knows how to deliver comedy,” she added. “At the same time, the writing really supports that as well. Everything felt right for me to come play, and I’m so glad I did because I had a very good time. We just finished filming the final episode last night, and it’s so good.”
Travis had a similar experience while reuniting with her former Last Man Standing husband.
“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 told Us in February 2025. “The director John Pasquin did so many episodes of Last Man Standing and is a personal friend. It was just so great to feel this sense of reunion.”
The actress didn’t rule out more Last Man Standing cameos on Shifting Gears, adding, “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.”
Keep scrolling for a full guide to every star-studded cameo on Shifting Gears so far:
Jenna Elfman
Elfman left a lasting impression when she starred on the hit sitcom Dharma & Greg, which scored her a Golden Globe and three Emmy nominations throughout its run. She has remained on our screens since then, but fans have been eagerly awaiting another multicamera project from the actress.
Shifting Gears allowed her to return to sitcoms as spirited choreographer Eve Drake, who owns a dance studio across from the classic car restoration shop run by Matt.
Brenda Song
After sharing the screen with Dennings on Dollface, Song played her former high school friend in season 1 on Shifting Gears.
Nancy Travis
Travis and Allen played husband and wife on Last Man Standing from 2011 to 2021 before reuniting on Shifting Gears as love interests.
Jay Leno
Before their Shifting Gears reunion, Allen and Leno worked together on multiple seasons of Last Man Standing.
Patricia Richardson
After playing Allen’s wife on Home Improvement, Richardson reunited with him on several episodes of Last Man Standing and then Shifting Gears.
Richard Karn
Karn, who played Al Borland on Home Improvement, is set to make a cameo in the season 2 premiere of Shifting Gears.
Debbe Dunning
Home Improvement alums Richardson, Karn and Dunning are set to appear in the October 2025 premiere to support Allen’s character, Matt, in an “unexpected way.”
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