Shifting Gears

I really like Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, and so I was hopeful about their pairing as sitcom veterans in Shifting Gears. I like the premise too and find it relatable. It's challenging when you don't always see eye to eye with your parent but you love them regardless. And as someone who comes from a family with a mix of liberals and conservatives, I like shows that have characters from both sides of the table.

I will say, though...it could just be that it's the first episode and they need more time working together, but the chemistry of the actors seems off. Kat's not really giving me a "became a mom at a young age" vibe yet. Everyone just felt a bit awkard but I will say it's an awkward situation to have to ask your parent for help when your relationship isn't the best. But I couldn't help but feel everything was just a pinched forced.

Tim and the granddaughter connect well, though. She was the best out of all of them, in my opinion. She seemed to be the one that interacted with everyone the best and felt the most natural in the role. She has a bright eyed optimism that is refreshing to see that breaks from the stereotype of " kids these days are just spoiled screen zombies with zero social skills."

I still like the premise, though. And I still got a bit choked up at the end - it felt like Kat and Tim finally "clicked", not just as father and daughter, but as two actors telling a story. So maybe they will find their footing eventually? I'm going to give it more time. Hoping it becomes my comfort show.

Love both Kat and Tim, was really looking forward to this series premiering. However I can't figure out if I like or hate the show and it's because of the laugh track. A scene that may give the viewer a smile or light chuckle is overshadowed by boisterous canned laughter, not only inappropriate but Totally ruins the scene. Because I am a fan of both of these actors and have hopes the series will be enjoyable, next episode I'm muting the volume and turning on the closed captioning to be able to assess if I'm hating the show or just turned off the show by the canned laughter. Sad it has to come to this.

Everything they say isn't funny so PLEASE give us a break and scrap the laugh track. It's used so often it makes the show unwatchable, which is a shame because it's not off to a bad start as a new series.

The acting is good and the plotline allows room for the show to grow.

But for the show to evolve writers need to stop aiming for the quick easy laugh and develop the characters.

Mostly, tone down the laugh track. We can figure out the comedic lines all by ourselves.

There's good chemistry between Tim Allen and Kat Dennings and the actors who play the kids are quite good. Don't let the laugh track spoil it.

Painfully bad & clichés galore!

Kat D thinks her witty sarcastic attitude is always a flex,no matter what she gets cast in.. Would enjoy seeing if she can act,beyond just one style.

Tim seems to feel he can micromanage things from script,etc.. Unfortunately that's his downfall it leaves things stale,because it resembles his past series.

The laugh track doesn't make things funny,but more like your watching a play or guess what.. Cheesy sitcom.

The kids are wrongly cast & not good either.

Also boring another show about a widow getting his life complicated,with shocker.. Kids!

Sean(Former Apple Pie)wasn't great,but made things less insufferable.

I think better direction,script & casting may of improved things.. The acting was flat & you didn't connect with any main characters,because they felt unlikable.

Don't see this making it beyond season one,actually don't see myself making it for episode 2 but will give it another try.. "Maybe" it will find its place & become better.

I'm quite enjoying this sitcom so far. The laugh track does not bother me, actually I find sitcoms with laugh tracks to be enjoyable and light hearted. It's not about telling me when to laugh but rather about feeling like I'm laughing along with an audience. It makes me feel like I'm there and that it's more of a "show".

I'm very excited to see Tim, Kat, Seam and Daryl interact, they are all favourites from separate shows and were great in those so I expect they will be great in this one.

So far I've watched the first 2 episodes and I think it's getting into it's groove. They are getting more into their characters and it's getting funnier. Every show needs a few episodes for us to get to know them and their rhythm, so let's see how this one's gonna be.