After a successful debut forShifting Gears, season 2 appeared to be a lock for the series — until now.Tim Allen’s comeback sitcomrevolves around Allen’s Matt Parker, a widower who runs an auto restoration shop.At the beginning ofShifting Gears, Matt reconnects with his estranged daughter, Riley Parker(played by Kat Dennings), who asks him if she and her two children can move in with him. Riley and her husband are getting divorced, and she has nowhere else to turn to. So, Matt agrees, kicking off the show’s story, which seemed like it could continue for many seasons.
While waiting for season 2 renewal news, fans can catch up on all 10 episodes ofShifting Gearsseason 1 on Hulu.
The sitcom’s likely cancelation is shocking because it had an amazing start in January 2025.Shifting Gearsset a six-year viewership record for ABC—its pilot was the most-watched series premiere for ABC sinceThe Connersin October 2018.The first episode garnered 16.95 million views following a week of cross-platform viewing on ABC, Hulu, Disney+, and digital platforms. TheShifting Gearspremiere’s viewership totals earned a 173% increase over the comedy show’s original Live+Same Day ratings, which added up to 6.2 million. Despite this accomplishment, though, season 2 might not happen.
Shifting Gears Is Reportedly On The Bubble For Renewal
Season 2 Isn’t A Guarantee
According toDeadline,Shifting Gears' season 2 renewal is up in the air instead of a slam dunk. The report describes its status as “heavily on the bubble.” Whereas other ABCTV shows likeGrey’s Anatomy,9-1-1,The Rookie, andWill Trentare all pretty much a lock to score renewals,the future ofShifting GearsandDoctor Odysseyis more uncertain.Meanwhile, ABC has already renewedAbbott Elementaryfor season 5 andHigh Potentialfor season 2.9-1-1: Nashvillealso has a straight-to-series order, securing its place on ABC’s 2025–2026 TV programming schedule.
Unfortunately,Deadlineis seemingly confident that fans should be worried aboutShifting Gears' future. Even though it set an impressive record with its series premiere,ABC is reportedly seriously considering canceling the Tim Allen sitcom.There’s a high chance thatShifting Gearsseason 2 doesn’t happen, which is about as surprising and nonsensical as any renewal or cancelation news this TV season.
Why Shifting Gears Not Guaranteed A Season 2 Is Baffling
Tim Allen’s Sitcom Broke A Big Record For ABC
Shortlyafter theShifting Gearsseason 1 finale, many just assumed that a second season was a guarantee for the comedy series, despite ABC’s lack of a decision. The sitcom has star power — Tim Allen has proven himself to be perfectly capable of leading a successful network TV show (e.g.,Home ImprovementandLast Man Standing), and Kat Dennings is certainly no slouch herself, given her work on2 Broke Girls. Plus,theShifting Gearspilot breakingThe Conners' series premiere record speaks for itself.As a result, the fact thatShifting Gearsis “on the bubble” is baffling.
The network needs more comedies for the future, meaningShifting Gearsshould be an easy renewal.
ABC’s indecision concerningShifting Gearsis even more confusing sincethe network is significantly lacking in the comedy department.While it’s home to countless popular dramas (likeGrey’s Anatomy,9-1-1,High Potential, and more), ABC’s only renowned sitcom heading into the 2025–2026 TV season isAbbott Elementary.The Connersis ending after season 7, which airs in the spring of 2025, meaning ABC doesn’t even have theRoseannerevival to fall back on. The network needs more comedies for the future, meaningShifting Gearsshould be an easy renewal.
I’m So Sick Of Shifting Gears’ Oddest Recurring Gag, It’s The Laziest Joke In Tim Allen’s New Show
Shifting Gears has struggled to find its footing as a family comedy, but one recurring joke ruins any comedic momentum the Tim Allen sitcom has.
Sure,Shifting Gearsis critically panned(itsRotten Tomatoesscore is 47%), but the audience matters more. And the sitcom has the legs to grow a substantial following. Based on all this information, it simply doesn’t make sense why ABC would even consider cancelingShifting Gears.
Shifting Gears' Ratings Declined Throughout The Season, But It Still Ended With Strong Viewership
The Show’s Ratings Are Still Great
Per the aforementioned report,ABC might cancelShifting Gearsbecause of its declining ratings. While its start broke records, the sitcom’s viewership has been declining with each passing episode. Thepilot accumulated 6.1 million Live+Same Day viewers, but its finale only earned 3.8 million.Nevertheless, this isn’t a strong enough argument to cancelShifting Gears.
1
0.66
6.1 million
2
0.38
4.6 million
3
0.45
4
4.3 million
5
0.40
6
0.43
4.5 million
7
0.30
3.4 million
8
0.31
3.7 million
9
3.8 million
10
0.32
Almost every network TV series experiences a ratings decline following its premiere,with some, likeHigh Potential, being the exception. However, it’s unfair to measureShifting Gears' performance against rare phenomena. ABC can compare it toHappy’s Place, though, which puts out similar numbers to the Tim Allen sitcom. If NBC can renewHappy’s Place, surely ABC can order a second season forShifting Gears(especially if the network wants to ensure it has more than one comedy series in its future lineup).
Shifting Gears
Cast
Shifting Gears is a drama about Matt, a widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. Matt’s estranged daughter Riley and her teenage children move into his home, challenging him to rebuild both familial and personal connections.
