The latest update for Shifting Gears confirms a big reunion for lead star Tim Allen. The new ABC multi-cam comedy, about a father reconnecting with his estranged daughter, has already included a few notable reunions. Allen reunites with his Galaxy Quest co-star Daryl “Chill” Mitchell. Co-lead Kat Dennings reunited with Brenda Song after the two led the Hulu dramedy Dollface. But for an episode, two former on-screen spouses will again try to find that spark — albeit as different characters.

Us Weekly reveals that Allen will reunite with Nancy Travis, who played his wife Vanessa Baxter in the nine-season sitcom Last Man Standing. Travis will appear in an episode of Shifting Gears, playing a spirited widow named Charlotte who will reconnect with the widower Matt (Allen). Although the exact episode is not yet known, it marks the first time they've reunited since Last Man Standing ended in 2021. Check out the photo from the episode below:

What The Last Man Standing Reunion Means For Shifting Gears

The Spirited Widow May Cause Friction

Shifting Gears is focused on the tense relationship between Riley (Dennings) and Matt, as Riley is forced to move back in with her father after a period of estrangement. Matt reluctantly accepts, welcoming his two grandkids as well. Still, the car restoration shop owner has his misgivings. But part of what allows them to start to reconcile is that they are both mourning: Riley still misses her mom and Matt still grieves for his late wife. It's easy to see how Travis' arrival, as a potential love interest, could prove to be a hurdle.

The ABC show, which has broken viewership records, hails from showrunner and executive producer Michelle Nader. It has one advantage with the Charlotte storyline. It'll be the first time that Allen will have a love interest in a sitcom, as he's portrayed married men in both Home Improvement and Last Man Standing. This could prove to be significant as well, in case Travis sticks around and recurs for the likely Shifting Gears season 2.

Our Take On Shifting Gears Welcoming Nancy Travis

It Continues A Trend

There were significant Home Improvement reunions on Last Man Standing, with Allen even briefly reprising the role of Tim Taylor for an episode. Shifting Gears keeps up that tradition, though it will be interesting to see just how big of a role Travis plays either directly as Charlotte or in of influencing the core father-daughter relationship.

New episodes of Shifting Gears air Wednesdays on ABC at 8 PM EST and stream on Hulu the next day.

Source: Us Weekly