Why Tim Allen Avoided Dating on Shifting Gears Before Reuniting with Jenna Elfman

Shifting Gears fans might be surprised to learn that the ABC sitcom initially opted not to have Tim Allen‘s character engage in dating before welcoming back Jenna Elfman as his romantic interest.

In the finale aired on Wednesday, February 4, Matt (Allen) attempted to meet someone new after his breakup with Eve (Elfman) by signing up for a traditional values dating app. Unfortunately, TradSwipe didn’t go as planned for Matt, culminating in a disastrous date with Lynn (Angela Kinsey). A chance encounter with Eve at the bar reignited their connection following a surprising split.

“It had to be her. It literally had to be Eve,” revealed showrunner Michelle Nader in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly regarding Allen’s long-term love interest. “But we have a widower — played by Tim Allen, who has always been married on his previous shows.”

Nader emphasized that there was never any intention for Matt to dive deeply into the dating scene, stating, “Tim isn’t really a guy who would be comfortable dating a lot of women. The idea was, ‘Should we create a show about an older guy dating?’ Considering it’s primarily about family, dating was inevitable.”

Shifting Gears cleverly navigated Matt’s romantic life without making it the central theme.

“In the season 2 finale, that kind of date is entertaining. Angela — who is incredible and hilarious — was a great choice, but I don’t believe it would suit Matt’s character to be constantly dating a younger woman since that’s just not who he is,” Nader elaborated. “We needed to determine the right person for viewers to root for, and then we found Jenna, and the chemistry was undeniable.”

She added: “Initially, I thought it would be one way, but it turned out to be something special. They truly enjoy working together and have great chemistry.”

The ABC show, which debuted in January 2025, is notable as it marks the first time Allen has led a sitcom where his character isn’t already in a committed relationship. (Allen’s previous roles in popular series Home Improvement and Last Man Standing began with him in established partnerships.)

After grieving the loss of his wife, Allen’s character, Matt, formed a bond with Eve. The couple dated through the second season before separating due to long distance. Their relationship blossomed again in the season finale, leading to Matt deciding to join Eve on the road for her job.

“Tim trusts me, and I trust him. He once mentioned, ‘I wouldn’t want to be in a long-distance relationship at my age,’” Nader recounted to Us. “I didn’t quite get it at first, but I was like, ‘Okay, understood.’ We managed to craft something meaningful, and I believe it resonated well.”

Nader confirmed that bringing Elfman, 54, back was always part of the plan, stating, “Sometimes in life—especially as you age—things become more complex than they were in your 20s. I intended to honor that Matt is a widower and still holds fond memories of his late wife. It was crucial to provide him the respect he deserves, especially since he wasn’t entirely ready to fully commit.”

It was only after Elfman’s character was introduced that the series underwent a transformation.

“Let’s discuss that magical person. She was the right fit,” Nader said. “The beauty of sitcoms lies in the inner emotions that people seem to think are exaggerated. But they’re authentically heightened during real moments — otherwise, they won’t resonate.”

Nader also shared insights on collaborating with Allen, 72, to shape the storyline. “There’s a sense of authenticity in his character that mirrors who Tim is. We’re quite different, of course, and approach things from male and female perspectives,” she remarked. “We definitely have strong opinions and engage in discussions, but ultimately, Tim must feel comfortable with how the character is portrayed.”

Shifting Gears is currently available for streaming on Hulu.