Tim Allen is set to return to television with the second season of “Shifting Gears,” which will premiere in January as part of the 2026 TV lineup. As the show enjoys its winter break, Allen has completed filming for Season 2 and shared his feelings of gratitude on social media.
Just before the holiday season, Allen posted a photo of himself next to a “Shifting Gears” poster on X, expressing his appreciation for his cast and crew, as well as for the unique experience of performing in front of a live audience. “Wrapped second season. Love this crew, staff and fellow actors. Blessed to be doing a live audience show,” he wrote, highlighting the joy of his sitcom experience.
Live audience performances have been celebrated by many sitcom actors for their immediate feedback, which helps gauge audience reaction to jokes. Reflecting on the show’s success just before Christmas, Allen’s sentiments come during a pivotal time for “Shifting Gears.” Following an initially strong premiere that attracted 6.1 million viewers, Season 1 suffered a drop, concluding with only 3.8 million viewers by its finale. Despite concerns over viewership, the show was renewed for a second season, and its overall audience reached over 10 million when factoring in streaming.
As the series heads into the latter part of its second season, there are still questions surrounding a potential Season 3. While ABC has not made an official announcement regarding its renewal, some metrics show positive trend lines. In 2025, the series recorded a 2.16 rating for adults aged 18 to 49 in Live+35 data by Nielsen, indicating a stable audience among key demographic groups.
With just a few episodes left in the second season, the decision regarding the fate of “Shifting Gears” remains unclear. However, Tim Allen’s heartfelt reflections suggest a strong connection to the project, and fans are hopeful for more to come, especially with Kat Dennings joining him in the cast. In the meantime, viewers can catch up on all episodes of “Shifting Gears” available for streaming on Hulu.