Warning: this article contains SPOILERS for Shifting Gears episode 3.Shifting Gearsepisode 3 referenced Tim Allen’s breakout role on the big screen with a hilarious ending scene. Allen leads the illustriouscast of characters inShifting Gears, but the actor has a long list of memorable roles leading up to the ABC sitcom. Aside from past TV sensations likeHome ImprovementorLast Man Standing, Allen has a filmography dating back to the early 90s.
DespiteShifting Gearsreceiving poor initial reviewsfollowing its first two episodes, the comedy has continued to rake in millions of viewers each week. Whether the bulk of the audience is there for the show itself or simply to watch Tim Allen is another question, but there’s no doubtShifting Gearshas potential for commercial successif not critical. With such a significant audience, it’s possible the clever ending ofShifting Gearsepisode 3 didn’t land for every viewer, but fans of the actor will certainly get its importance.
Matt’s Last Line In Shifting Gears Is A Nod To Allen’s Role in The Santa Clause Franchise
Tim Allen Debuted The Role In 1994
Shifting Gearsepisode 3 (“Jobs”) followed Riley’s (Kat Dennings) search for a career while she clashes with Allen’s Matt over how to monitor her children. In the final scene, Matt pretends to track Riley’s son Carter (Maxwell Simkins) to a liquor store and tattoo parlor. After she runs out of the door, Carter and Matt laugh about how gullible Riley is. Matt responds:“You don’t know how many years it took to convince her that I wasn’t Santa Claus.”The uproarious laughter that followed confirmed it was meant as a subtle callback toThe Santa Clause.
Tim Allen’s Comeback Sitcom Flips The Premise Of George Lopez’s 3-Season NBC Comedy
Tim Allen’s new sitcom casts a light on a strained father-daughter relationship, but Shifting Gears is reminiscent of George Lopez’s ongoing comedy.
Shifting Gearshas made casual callbacks to Allen’s previous roles before, like Mike Baxter’s emerald green truck fromLast Man Standingbeing the repair shop’s latest project. So explicitly mentioning his role inThe Santa Clausefranchise, however, is a tribute to the actor’s lengthy career.Playing Scott Calvin/Santa Claus catapulted Tim Allen’s fame to new heightsin the mid-90s, with the role still ongoing a few of decades later.
Allen’s Return As Scott Calvin In The Santa Clauses Season 3 Remains In Limbo
Disney Has Yet To Renew The Series
In 2022, nearly 30 years after the original film, Allen reprised his role as Scott Calvin to lead the cast ofThe Santa Clauses.The Disney series followed his version of Santa Claus as he returned from retirement, with his unique family dynamics coming to the forefront. After airing two seasons,The Santa Clauseswent on an indefinite hiatus. Disney hasn’t confirmed season 3 will happen, butThe Santa Clauseshasn’t been canceled, either.
Tim Allen’sThe Santa Clausesco-star is Elizabeth Mitchell, who originated the role of Carol Calvin/Mrs. Claus inThe Santa Clause 2(2002).
Tim Allen likely spent 2024 filming forShifting Gears, which could explain whyThe Santa Clausesdidn’t air a new season last year. WithShifting Gearsseason 2 still up in the air,it’s possible Allen could return toThe Santa Clausesbefore filming more episodes of his streamer comedy. Regardless of if or when Scott Calvin returns,Shifting Gearsepisode 3’s ending was a nice moment to appreciate the decades of Allen’s Santa Claus.
Shifting Gearscontinues Wednesday at 8 ET on ABC.
Shifting Gears
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.
The Santa Clauses
Tim Allen returns as Scott Calvin in The Santa Clauses, a mini-series follow-up to the original Santa Clause trilogy. Scott has spent thirty years spreading Christmas cheer and managing operations in the North Pole as Santa Clause, but he notices a change is coming. With Christmas’s popularity declining and Scott’s inability to keep up with the pressures of his job and be a capable father, Scott discovers there may be a way to step down from his role. Scott begins his search for his new successor so that he can finally adjust his priorities for his family.
