Comedy SAVED MY LIFE

The Shifting Gears star on success, staying grounded and more!

- Lindsay Hoffman

When he conceptualized the character of Shifting Gears’ Matt Parker, Tim Allen wanted to have a shared passion with him. He landed on his own appreciation of classic automobiles. “I love cars, and I have a shop in North Hollywood,” Tim, 71, tells Closer of his hobby of restoring and building hot rods. “The shop on the show is pretty much designed after mine.”

Since its January premiere, Shifting Gears, a comedy which centers around a widowed father’s relationship with his estranged adult daughter (played by Kat Dennings) has become a ratings hit. It follows up his previous successes with the long-running series Home Improvement and Last Man Standing. He thinks he understands why viewers enjoy his shows. “You get 23 minutes to resolve [a problem],” Tim says. “It’s really easy [on the show], but it’s not so easy in real life.”

How did you first get into comedy?

My father was very funny. My uncle was very funny. My grandpa was very funny. I've been attracted to funny people, men and women, my whole life. If they're funny, I love them.

Do you remember the moment you wanted to become a professional comedian?

I saw Richard Pryor on stage and it changed my life. That guy made me laugh so hard that deep in me it opened up a pathway. It cleared out everything. I wanted to do what he did on stage. And I needed that. At that time, I was really in a lot of trouble. But I came back from it and said, “What could I do? I could do that.” Or at least try. I will never think I am as funny as Richard.

Your new show Shifting Gears is a hit. Why do you think the shows you've starred on have been so well received?