Why Tim Allen’s Truss Character Isn’t a “Man’s Man”

Tim Allen Take pride in how Shifting gears The character differs from his previous sitcom roles – starting with him not being a typical “man’s man”.

“He’s more like me. I’m more of an artist. I was a design student and a philosopher and my standup comedy is about messing with people in a good way,” Allen, 71, told EXCLUSIVELY US Weekly. I come from a huge family run by women. So my perspective is completely different from men. I don’t think we manage things. So I want to be that guy. He’s not a ‘man’ in that term, and he wasn’t trying to be anything other than what he is.”

The actor noted that Matt is “not like the other guys.” Bring to life.

“This is a new character and it’s closer to that (who I am). I’ve gone through grief in my life with losing my father.” “I was blessed to be a comedian and this is who this (character) is. If I did it again, I wanted to get closer to (the man) that I am.”

Before Matt, Allen was known for playing Tim “The Toolman” Taylor on the ABC sitcom Home improvementwhich lasted from 1991 to 1999. Go to Last man standingwhere he played Mike for nine seasons on ABC. Shifting gearsMeanwhile, it follows widowed father Matt (Allen) and his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dunnings), as they find themselves living and working together Fix their relationship.

“From the beginning, (the creative team said) we had never seen Tim Allen in a sitcom with a romantic interest. And I said, ‘Well, I just lost my wife so I wouldn’t see her.’ So I like who we are,” Allen told we. “I said, if it happens over time and it happens organically with two people who aren’t trending, that’s OK. I’m just really careful with this. I just want it to happen where it’s organic and healthy.”

In addition to Allen and Dennings, 38, Shifting gears Also the stars Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins and Barrett Margolis. Jenna ElfmanMeanwhile, He was cast in a recurring role As the “choreographer” is Eve’s father-in-law Drake, who owns a dance studio across from the classic car restoration shop that Allen’s character runs.

we She exclusively revealed earlier this month Shifting gears Hosts a reunion between Allen and Nancy Travis. The duo previously shared the screen Last man standingwhere Travis, 63, She played Allen’s wife on screen.

“The Nancy Travis story is really clever,” Allen teased before reflecting on his off-screen friendship with Travis. Nancy Travis once told me (something) after I called her during… Last man standing. I said, “Did you talk to the girls (who play our girls) over the summer?” Then there’s this long pause and you go, “Tim, these are not our girls and I’m not actually your wife.”

He quipped: “She was so great about it because sometimes when they’re having trouble with the show, I’ll go, ‘How do you think they feel?’ And she was like, “Tim, they’re actors.” We just read (what’s on the page but) it’s not really sad. “

While Allen enjoyed shaping his character gear shifting, He admitted it He wasn’t sure at first Join the show.

It was a complicated decision. I was doing Disney+ Santa Claus series at the time and I said, “I can’t really think about this now.” “Do I want to do linear TV? I was so depressed about how broadcast TV was hitting it. So if I do it, I want to elevate it.”

The last sitcom was that Finally caused Allen To reconsider. “I did Mike Baxter (on Last man standing) and Tim Taylor (on Home improvement“If I did it again,” he noted, “I would set up three things: I want someone who recently lost their spouse, so they deal with grief; I want a man with family who does not get along; Then he has a custom car shop. “

Shifting gears It airs on ABC Wednesdays at 8pm ET before airing the next day on Hulu.