Sources indicate that ABC executives are seriously considering the cancellation of Tim Allen’s highly anticipated new sitcom. This potential axing raises questions about network strategies in a competitive landscape and the challenges faced by even established stars in launching successful new projects

Shifting Gears Season 2 Is Confirmed After ABC Reportedly Considered Cancelling Tim Allen’s New Sitcom

Shifting Gears season 2 has been confirmed to be happening after ABC reportedly considered cancelling the new Tim Allen sitcom after season 1 aired. In a previous report, it was indicated that ABC was considering axing Shifting Gears due to a drop-off in ratings since its premiere. This is despite Shifting Gears season 1 ending on multiple game-changing cliffhangers, including Matt (Allen) potentially starting a romantic relationship with his neighbor, Eve (Jenna Elfman), and Riley (Kat Dennings) deciding to divorce her husband.

Now, Variety has reported a multitude of ABC TV show renewals, with one of those being Shifting Gears season 2. Despite reports that the show’s dipping viewership would mean it wouldn’t get renewed, the series is confirmed to be coming back for another batch of episodes. This is good news for the Allen-led show, as it proves its ratings drop hasn’t caused ABC to lose faith in the show’s current level of success.

What Shifting Gears Season 2 Means For The Sitcom

Plenty Of Stories Are Still Yet To Be Told

Shifting Gears has seen an unfortunate dip in ratings since the show began, its premiere garnering 6.10 million live viewers, while its finale only reached 3.77 million live viewers. Even with this dip in viewership, though, the sitcom has managed to pull in more live viewers on average than The Conners season 7 and Abbott Elementary season 4. While this doesn’t account for streaming numbers for all three shows, when it comes to the show’s linear broadcast, Allen’s series is the most popular on the network.

This is good news for the stories the characters in Shifting Gears will be going through as well. While Riley is divorcing Jimmy (Lucas Neff), she’s also hoping to start a relationship with Gabriel (Seann William Scott), who wants to wait until the time is right for them to get together. It’s also unclear where Matt and Eve’s potential romance will go, too, especially given their rivalry over the course of season 1. Executive producer Michelle Nader also previously said season 2 could introduce Sam, Matt’s son and Riley’s sister, shaking up the story even further.

Our Take On Shifting Gears Season 2 Getting Confirmed

The Series Avoids A Disappointing Fate

With Shifting Gears season 2 confirmed, the sitcom has managed to avoid its potential fate of cancellation, confirming new stories for the Parker family are on the horizon. Although it’s unclear what direction their respective plots will go, the series’ continuation is a sure sign they’ll continue in a satisfying way. With season 2 now just around the corner, it sounds like Allen’s sitcom isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Alongside Shifting Gears season 2, ABC also confirmed 9-1-1 season 9, Grey’s Anatomy season 22, The Rookie season 8, and Will Trent season 4. High Potential season 2 and Abbott Elementary season 5 were previously confirmed.

Source: Variety