ABC’s new sitcom, ‘Shifting Gears’ is a nostalgic throwback to the family sitcom, writes Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal for Parents.
The show blends humor with hear in an intergenerational family story.
About ‘Shifting Gears’
Tim Allen stars as Matt Parker, a widowed auto shop owner whose estranged daughter Riley, played by Bryn Mawr’s Kat Dennings, unexpectedly returns home with her two kids—teen Carter (Ambler’s Maxwell Simkins) and young Georgia (Barrett Margolis). Their generational divide fuels the comedy, from parenting debates to technology clashes. The show airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Hulu.
Relatable Characters and Real-Life Lessons
Simkins and Margolis, rising young actors, say the show balances humor with real-life struggles like grief, divorce, and adjusting to change. “It’s about pushing through, being a family, and never letting your family go,” says Margolis.
Allen’s old-school parenting style—skeptical of tracking apps and Uber reliance—adds comedic tension, while Dennings offers guidance both on-screen and off, encouraging the young stars to to do what they love.
For families looking for a show to watch and laugh together, Shifting Gears just might be the perfect ride.
Read more about the family-friendly ‘Shifting Gears’ in Parents.
