Price is Right contestant makes obscene gesture before winning $10k on first try

During the latest episode of The Price is Right, Drew Carey was in shock after a contestant won $10,000 on her first try.

The Price Is Right player celebrates after winning car

A recent Price is Right contestant’s obscene gesture might have given her some luck.

Contestants are starting to win big on rarely-won games and it might be because many fans think they’ve cracked the code to one of the show’s toughest challenges.

During the latest episode of the CBS game show, another player left Drew Carey speechless with their unbelievable luck.

Contestant Janice was chosen after guessing the right price on a flat screen TV.

Once she realized she guessed correctly, she ran up on stage and pledged her love for the host.

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Price is Right contestant Janice ran up on stage and pledged her love for Drew Carey (Image: Getty)

“I love you so much,” she said.

Janice’s admiration grew once she realized she was chosen to play the beloved Plinko. She then ran around the stage and screamed in joy.

She admitted: “This is a dream come true.”

The famous game consists of dropping chips down a peg board to win cash prizes.

Before she could guess the price of several grocery items, Carey gave the contestant one to start. To focus on the game, she stored it in a peculiar place. Once she was handed the chip, she placed it in her bra.

Her gesture caused a burst of laughs from the crowd and a humored look from the host.

It seems her holding spot might have given her luck as she was able to guess the right price to two items, giving her three tries to play and win.

The Price is Right contestant Janice ended up winning $10,000 in Plinko on first try. (Image: CBS)

She didn’t need the extra chances as she won big on her first try.

Janice walked up the flight of stairs and placed her first chip on the board. Most people don’t get lucky during the classic game but that was the case for the contestant.

Her chip made it to the bottom and slid into the $10,000. She shocked the audience and Carey who responded: “That’s unbelievable.”

The play even stunned Janice as she asked: “Did I just win $10,000? Seriously?”

She jumped up and down before continuing to play and receiving another $1,000 from her other two chips.

Her luck continued later on in the show when she spun the Big Wheel and landed on the $1, which means she won an additional $1,000, a Bonus Spin and a spot in The Showcase.

Unfortunately, she did not win the final round but she still went home with $22,000.

Price Is Right fans expose behind the scene details after making their ‘dream’

Amidst the buzz of a Los Angeles layover, The Price Is Right fans Andrew and Amanda stumbled into a world of dreams and surprises on the iconic set.

The Price Is Right’s fans have shown off behind the scene of the show. (Image: Getty)

A couple made a long-time dream come true when they took a detour on their way to Japan to attend a taping of The Price Is Right.

Andrew and Amanda, who posted a vlog of their experience on YouTube, walked fans through every moment of their day on set, from standing in line to the final spin of the wheel.

“Apparently, I am too excited about this trip. In every clip, I am grinning from ear to ear because it’s been a life-long dream to get on The Price Is Right,” Andrew said.

The couple’s journey had started months earlier.

They submitted their applications in December, and in March, during a layover in Los Angeles, they finally made it to the famous stage.

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They came dressed for the occasion, wearing blue shirts that read “Spay and neuter your pets.”

“Ever since kindergarten, I would have my chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwich and watch The Price Is Right. I wanted to be on the show, or at least the studio audience,” Andrew said.

The show is filmed in the back of a church in the suburbs of L.A., Andrew shared.

After arriving, they filled out paperwork on a laptop, signed a waiver, and were given contestant numbers.

Andrew pointed out that your nametag must match the name on your driver’s license.

inside, they waited in a viewing room where they could see a live taping.

Andrew guessed the show films about three episodes a day.

As they waited, producers interviewed potential contestants.

They were seated near a group of people named Ryan, which made Andrew think they were part of the March 12 episode — the one where Drew Carey joked about forming a “Ryan club.”

Before stepping on set, the couple posed with mock Showcase podiums and oversized $25,000 bills.

Snacks and drinks were available in a nearby lobby, and another round of interviews followed, though they weren’t allowed to film that part.

Eventually, they passed by Carey’s trailer and surrendered their phones, which were placed in secure bags.

From there, it was time to enter the studio.

‘The Price is Right’: Drew Carey Baffles Fans With Odd Joke to Model Before Big Win (VIDEO)

CBS

The Price is Right host Drew Carey made an interesting wisecrack at the expense of the beloved model Manuela Alvarez during a recent segment. And fans were at a loss, even if it was all in good fun.

In a clip shared by the game show’s Instagram on Wednesday (November 6), a player named Michelle played the Let ‘Em Roll game. The game involves dropping five giant dice from atop a slide. If all five land on the side with a car picture, the player wins the new whip.

Michelle dropped the dice, landing on three cars and two $1,000 sides. Carey explained that she could roll the two $1000 dice again and “try to get two more cars” or walk away with the $2,000. Michelle decided to risk it for the car prize and roll again.

Alvarez, who was glistening in a gold gown, brought the contestant the dice for her second roll. After thanking her, Carey joked, “Manuela used to work in a casino in Colombia.” He specified, “Back when she was young.” Alvarez, who is Colombian, shook off the comment and smiled with a shrug as Carey added, “She can’t talk about it.”

 

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Michelle went on to drop her two remaining dice, which both landed on the car side, so she won the flashy new car. As she rushed over to her prize in joy, Carey gave Alvarez a high-five handshake to ensure there were no hard feelings.

In the comments section of the clip, fans celebrated the big win and expressed their surprise at Carey’s joke, wondering what Alvarez did to deserve the shade.

“This man just roasting Manuela for no reason,” the top comment read with 300 likes.

“Why the fu** would you say that about Manuela,” wrote another.

“Manuela is a SAINT! He needs to show some damn respect!” wrote a third.

“He has beef with Manuela,” joked a fourth.

“For real! ‘When she was young,’” replied a fifth.

Alvarez, however, also chimed into the comments section. Playing into the joke and making clear she wasn’t offended, she wrote, “Shhh” with a laughing emoji.

Meanwhile, if Carey can get overly casual with any TPIR model, it’s Alvarez. She joined the game show in 2009, two years after he took over for Bob Barker in 2007. She’s become a favorite among fans, and she boasts a winning resume.

Her bio from the game show’s website is as follows: “Born in Medellín, Colombia, she moved to the United States in 2006. She was a finalist in The Price Is Right Model Search of 2008, which is when she gained the attention of the show’s producers. Eventually, she was added into the rotation of regular models.

In addition to her role on The Price Is Right, Manuela has appeared on television’s The Bold and the Beautiful and in the motion picture Jack and Jill. She is featured in Diddy/Dirty Money’s music video for “Loving You No More,” and can also be seen in Robin Thicke’s music video “It’s in the Mornin’.” She was a Trophy Model at the 54^th Grammy Awards and was named the number one Hottest Game Show Eye Candy by Complex Magazine.”

The Price Is Right, Weekdays, 11am ET/10am PT, CBS

Wheel of Fortune fans call out show for ‘lame’ rule change in Toss-Up Challenge

During the last episode of Wheel of Fortune, viewers were upset as they took to Reddit after realizing the show had changed the rules for the Toss-Up Challenge.

Wheel of Fortune fans are questioning why a long-standing rule has been changed.

Since Ryan Seacrest took over for Pat Sajak, fans feel the game show “feels different.” They have claimed the already-difficult bonus puzzles have gotten tougher and the prizes are now “cheap.”

Now, the fans are upset that there has been a sudden rule change so far into the season.

During the latest episode of Wheel of Fortune, three contestants participated in the beloved Toss-Up challenge. During the game, letters are steadily revealed as the players are prompted to quickly guess before the entirety of the phrase is shown on the board. When they have an answer, they must buzz in.

While Seacrest orchestrated the game, two contestants took a chance at guessing the puzzle but, unfortunately, were incorrect. This left the final player with the last and only option to win.

When contestant Jenn guessed “Well-balanced meal” correctly, Seacrest quickly followed by saying “Buzzer?” to the judges. A sound effect that exposed an incorrect response.

The host stopped the game while the audience groaned in disbelief. After consulting with the judges, he informed the player: “No, sorry. You gotta buzz in for that. ‘Well-balanced meal’ was the correct answer there, but you gotta use that little device.”

It wasn’t soon after the segment aired for fans to compare the moment to a similar one that happened in a previous season with Pat Sajak.

In the past round, Sajak responded to a contestant that did the same and said: “No, you were the only one left. It’s all fine, all clear. We’re not going to jail or anything.”

On Reddit, viewers debated how fair the ruling was to the contestant.

One said: “Really????? Lame technicality ruling. Common sense would be evident if your the last person in the round there would be no need to buzz. DUH!”

Another disagreed: “True, but buzzing in also pauses the letters from filling in any further.

Someone else pointed out it was Seacrest’s previous comment that caused the contestant to not buzz in.

They mentioned: “That’s a Ryan fail because he called on her, said her name, ‘It’s down to you Jenn, take your time’ I wouldn’t have buzzed either.”

Fortunately, Jenn was still able to go home with over $20,000.

Maggie Sajak could take over Wheel of Fortune hosting job from Ryan Seacrest if he ‘can’t work out new contract’

WHEEL of Fortune social media correspondent Maggie Sajak could end up taking over Ryan Seacrest’s hosting job if he doesn’t sign a new contract.

Ryan, 49, took over Maggie’s dad Pat’s longtime job this fall after the iconic star hosted the game show for over 40 years.

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Maggie Sajak stunned in a red gown for a charity Wheel of Fortune game in May 2023.Credit: Getty

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Ryan Seacrest, here on the season 42 premiere in September 2024, took over Pat Sajak’s longtime jobCredit: Wheel of Fortune

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Maggie is still very close to dad Pat, who still serves as a consultant on the showCredit: Getty
Despite her beloved dad’s departure, Maggie, 29, has remained on Wheel of Fortune in her role as social media correspondent.

Maggie has proven popular with viewers, and has created buzz for the show through her use of Instagram and TikTok.

“It’s important to allow Maggie to develop her own voice when it comes to the Wheel fan base, and that makes her incredibly valuable to Sony TV,” an insider told The U.S. Sun.

“Because the whole point of bringing in Ryan Seacrest was to reach more young people.”

UNCERTAIN FUTURE

As The U.S. Sun previously reported, Ryan’s arrival on the show has brought a major boost in ratings.

But he has only reportedly signed an official contract for two years, leaving Wheel of Fortune’s future uncertain.

“Sony loves the ratings and wants to negotiate a much longer contract for Ryan, but right now they have to have contingency plans in place in case Ryan simply decides to move on,” the insider claimed.

“Maggie has positioned herself to help out if there’s a hosting vacancy, and the franchise is in her blood and her appreciation for the world of Wheel of Fortune is genuine.”

Whether Ryan stays or goes, Wheel of Fortune execs hope to keep Maggie on the show for years to come.

“Maggie’s already proven herself to be a super-valuable member of the Wheel family, especially during this time of transition,” the insider said.

Wheel of Fortune’s Maggie Sajak takes fans on behind-the-scenes tour of new set & reveals detail that will stay the same

LAWYER LIFE

In addition to her job on Wheel of Fortune, Maggie also recently became a licensed attorney.

“Thank you to everyone who supported me through this journey,” she proudly posted in November.

“Excited to do some good with this in the future.”

As The U.S. Sun exclusively reported, Maggie’s law license was issued on September 7, 2024, by the State Bar of California.

She graduated from Georgetown University Law School in Washington, DC in May 2023.

Wheel of Fortune’s big changes

The game show has undergone a major transformation now that Ryan Seacrest has taken over hosting duties for Pat Sajak.

-Ryan and Vanna White now host on a brand-new set, featuring a blue-toned stage, a green screen and art-deco wheel design.

-Ryan and Vanna make their big entrance from behind new sliding, brightly lit doors.

-Vanna turns – or now, touches – a modern, digital puzzle board controlled by lasers.

-Ryan brings a new hosting style, and has ditched Pat’s signature cue cards.

-The prizes have also been upgraded, and now include tickets to NFL games, and tickets to A-list concerts.

VANNA’S REPLACEMENT?

In May 2023, Maggie filled in for longtime Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White, and fans thought she could take over upon the 67-year-old beauty’s eventual retirement.

Vanna seemed to hint Maggie could take on her legendary position standing next to the letterboard in the future.

“I think she’s a good replacement if I can’t be there for some reason,” she told E! in October 2023.

“She’s been around it her whole life, so I think she can fill in for me for sure.

“She’s precious, she’s beautiful, she’s very good.

“I think she learned a lot from her father because he’s such a good interviewer. I think she’s good for our show.”

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Maggie offered fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the contestants’ point of view behind the wheelCredit: Instagram/maggiesajak

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Pat is is still the host of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, which filmed earlier this year but will air in 2025Credit: Getty

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Maggie and Pat posed together on set in 2023Credit: Getty

Reba McEntire reveals the SPECIAL TACTIC she uses to get Christopher Rich to return to TV after his stroke

How Reba McEntire Convinced Christopher Rich to Return to TV After His Stroke

The star thought he was out of the acting game for good until Happy’s Place.

As many viewers are well aware, there are many common elements between Happy’s Place and Reba McEntire’s cult classic early-2000s sitcom Reba — like Christopher Rich.

The longtime actor made a guest appearance in a recent episode of Happy’s Place, but it took a lot of convincing on McEntire’s part to get Rich on board with the role. The reason? Rich suffered a debilitating stroke in 2018 and thought he’d never act again.

“I mean, I’ve basically taken the last decade off,” he told ET during a discussion alongside his cast mates. “And if anybody was going to drag me out of the dark corner of the closet, it would be the redhead.”

The stroke left the star without the use of the left side of his body and unable to walk.

Thankfully, the star regained most of his motor functions through extensive rehab and physical therapy. Still, Rich was unsure of returning to the bright lights of Hollywood until McEntire — and her real-life bestie and co-star Melissa Peterman — convinced him that Happy’s Place would be the perfect place for him to get back into the swing of things.

During the interview, he said the show’s team made him feel safe enough to “trot [his] broken body out again.”

Bobbie (Reba McEntire), Gabby (Melissa Peterman), Maverick (Christopher Rich) and Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) on Happy’s Place Season 1 Episode 15. Photo: Casey Durkin/NBC

It was a bet that paid off. Fans loved Rich in his role as tattoo artist Maverick. For someone who spent all six seasons alongside the Queen of Country Music in Reba, it was incredible to see the two friends on-screen together once again.

Rich recalled that McEntire and Peterman were instrumental in his recovery process immediately following his stroke.

“I feel so bizarre recovering from the stroke thing that I didn’t even want to go out of my house for a lot of the time,” he explained. “But, [McEntire and Melissa Peterman] got me back out. They would invite me to parties and reunion things…I mean, they came to my hospital bed; they sent me gifts. Melissa used to come over and bring me treats all the time in the hospital… and she was such a great supporter.”

As Rich admitted, it’s been a “long journey” — but all his hard work and perseverance has paid off.

NBC announces Happy’s Place Season 2 renewal

Belissa Escobedo, Reba McEntire, and Melissa Peterman attend the NBCUniversal Summer Press Tour for “Happy’s Place” in Pasadena, Calif. on July 14, 2024. Photo: Todd Williamson/NBC

Fans of the hit comedy — especially the 17-million-plus who tuned in for the Season 1 premiere — are celebrating because Happy’s Place is officially greenlit for another season in 2025-2026!

NBC made the announcement on February 20 — and viewers will be happy to know that the show isn’t the only one returning for another go-round. St. Denis Medical is also returning for Season 2! (We’re keeping track of all the renewals here.)

New For Fall: No Cheers For Reba’s NBC Bar Sitcom

In the premiere episode of Reba McEntire’s new sitcom, “Happy’s Place,” two characters feel the need to comment on Reba’s race.

“What happened in there? You’re whiter than usual!” says an employee of Happy’s Place, the show’s titular tavern owned by Reba’s character, “Bobbie” (no last name provided).

The employee character — “Takoda” (no last name) — is reacting to the way Bobbie emerged from the bar’s back office after hearing some shocking news.

The remark is supposed to be light-hearted. But at the same time, offhand comments about a TV character’s whiteness have become as ubiquitous in TV comedy as references to penises and vaginas. They are just as unwelcome too.

The character making the remark, Takoda — played by actor Tokala Black Elk — is apparently Native American, although neither the character’s race nor ethnicity is specified in the premiere episode of “Happy’s Place” that I previewed on Monday. 

Episode One establishes the situation in this situation-comedy. Bobbie is the daughter of a long-time local tavernkeeper in Tennessee who has recently died.

He bequeathed the bar to Bobbie, who has worked in it all her life. But in the premiere episode, Bobbie’s lawyer shows up to inform her that her father’s will also stipulated that the business be split 50-50 with another heir, a half-sister Bobbie never knew she had.

Enter the half-sister. Played by Belissa Escobedo (pictured, left, with Reba, above), she is much younger than Bobbie. The news of this half-sister is what caused Bobbie to turn more white than usual. Ha, ha.

The sister is named Isabella, and there is no apparent reason to suggest she is non-white. But she feels the need to play a race card anyway when she implies in a conversation that a white woman should not complain about being denied opportunities.

Despite the uproarious laughter heard as background noise every time Reba opens her mouth, there was little to laugh at in the premiere of “Happy’s Place.” The “comedy” consists of little more than Reba making faces and yelling at everybody. 

If the Tennessee setting of “Happy’s Place” is meant to appeal to residents of the Volunteer State and the rest of the mid-South, then even they might take offense when Reba remarks on the old cliché that Tennesseans marry a lot younger than other people. Ha, ha.

Not only do Tennesseans marry young, they prefer whiskey to their morning coffee — or so says Bobbie when she happily informs Isabella that “Tennessee coffee” is just another way of saying “whiskey.” Cue the laugh track. 

“Happy’s Place” premieres Friday, October 18, at 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC.

Reba McEntire Brought to Tears After Emotional Surprise from Her Son

The star celebrated her 70th birthday on March 28.

Reba McEntire just celebrated a huge personal milestone—turning 70! The country legend marked another year around the sun this March and let’s just say her friends and family sure know how to throw a celebration.

Even on her birthday, Reba didn’t take the day off. Instead, she spent it with fans while on tour in Connecticut. That didn’t stop her family from organizing a special surprise that had the “Fancy” singer in tears. Luckily for us, she shared the precious moment with her followers on social media.

The crowd helped ring in the star’s 70th with a spirited singalong and a card stunt that spelled out “Happy Birthday” among the fans. But the best part? Seeing her reaction to boyfriend Rex Linn pushing out her birthday cake on stage.

She quickly embraced him and said “Thank y’all very much. To get to be here with y’all, my friends, people I am so blessed to get to work with. Oh, and Rex Linn, I just love you with all my heart.” Little did she know, this wasn’t the only birthday surprise of the day!

Reba’s son, Shelby Blackstock, and his wife Marissa, helped organize part of the birthday surprise and successfully caught the singer off guard after telling her they wouldn’t be able to attend her show. “She had NO idea we were coming!!!,” the couple wrote in a joint Instagram post.

Throughout the entire show, Reba had no idea her son and daughter-in-law were in the crowd.

Even backstage, it took a moment for Reba to finally notice them, but needless to say, her reaction to seeing them was absolutely priceless and she instantly got emotional.

Fans loved the touching moment and left comments like, “Awww her reaction to you guys, made me cry ❤️” and “Why did her crying make me cry?! What a fun surprise!! 😍.”

Happy birthday, Reba! Here’s to many more!

Tim Allen’s ‘Shifting Gears’ Is at Risk of Cancellation Despite Record-Breaking Debut

Shifting Gears made waves back in January when it launched with a massive 17 million viewers across platforms in just seven days — which was actually the biggest multi-cam comedy debut in ABC history. But according to a new report from Deadline, the Tim Allen and Kat Dennings-led sitcom may be headed for an unexpected stall. Despite its strong start, the show is now at risk of cancelation due to declining ratings and the cost of its star-studded cast. Yes, a show that successful might not be renewed. Madness.

Created by Julie Thacker Scully and Mike Scully, with Michelle Nader as showrunner, Shifting Gears follows estranged father and daughter Matt (Allen) and Riley (Dennings) as they try to rebuild their relationship. The ensemble cast also includes Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis.

While the series launched to massive numbers — pulling in 6.1 million live viewers and 7.38 million total viewers for its premiere episode, “Restoration” — the audience didn’t hold. By the finale, live viewers had dropped to 3.77 million, with multi-platform totals also sliding. That steady decline, paired with the show’s high-profile and likely expensive cast, is what’s fueling speculation that Shifting Gears might not return for a second season.

Is There Hope For ‘Shifting Gears’?

There is still a glimmer of hope for Shifting Gears. While live ratings have dipped, the show consistently sees a bump in delayed viewing. Episodes like “Valentine’s” and “Career” each gained more than 1.5 million viewers after their initial airing. Though still a drop from the early high, this suggests the show has an audience — just not one that tunes in live.

And adding to the uncertainty of it all is the current state of ABC’s comedy slate. With The Conners wrapping up in a few weeks and Abbott Elementary already renewed, the network is light on sitcoms. No new comedy pilots are on the way, and Shifting Gears is one of only two multicam comedies on ABC’s lineup. That will hopefully work in its favor going forward.

ABC’s recent track record might also help. The network is taking its time with renewals, with Will Trent, 9-1-1, and The Rookie also still waiting on official greenlights. The success of High Potential, another drama that saw delayed-viewing boosts, led to a renewal — and Shifting Gears could follow a similar path. ABC’s final decisions on renewals are expected in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the fate of Shifting Gears.

Tim Allen gives the buzz on ‘Toy Story 5,’ talks season 2 of ‘Shifting Gears’ ahead of Fallsview show

With his television show “Shifting Gears” having just been renewed for a second season and “Toy Story 5” on the way, Tim Allen is getting back to his roots, embarking on a comedy tour, which includes an April 25 stop at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario. WIVB caught up with Allen ahead of the show to discuss all three projects.

“All of this centers around the comedy that I’ve been doing since I grew up in Denver, moved to Detroit, and when I was a young guy in Detroit, started doing standup comedy for the Comedy Castle there,” he said. “And all of this keeps coming back to me, especially on the East Coast, touring this whole area when I was a kid. And ‘Home Improvement’ started from my act and my act started — I was the only guy talking about lawn mowing, tools, grunting, all of that. And so ‘Home Improvement’ started there.”

Actor and comedian Tim Allen is seen on the sideline during pregame of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Allen recalled spending many summers of his youth in the Canadian province, specifically the village of Bayfield. He also noted that his great grandmother was from London, Ontario.

“It occurred to me, every time I go back to Canada, ‘Why do I know so much about Canada?’ Because I think half my family’s Canadian, and we never even think about that,” he said, joking about the differences in car names in the Great White North and his relatives calling him a “downstater.”

Allen said he feels very at home in Ontario and is looking forward to playing Fallsview next Friday, as this will be his first tour on the East Coast in a few years. He said his material has evolved quite a bit over the past 30 years and noted his admiration for Richard Pryor as his inspiration for wanting to get his audiences laughing.

“I absolutely had a life-changing experience many, many years ago at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan, with Richard Pryor,” he recalled. “And I said, ‘If I can get anywhere near what he did to me, to other people — I laughed so hard.’ I changed everything about — laughter is the best medicine. Forget about everything that was going on in my life and have a sense of humor about it.”

Allen’s Niagara Falls show comes on the heels of the April 3 announcement that his ABC show “Shifting Gears” will be coming back for season 2. The show stars Allen as Matt Parker, alongside Kat Dennings as his newly separated daughter Riley, as well as Seann William Scott and Daryl Mitchell as Gabriel and Stitch from Parker’s shop, Parker Custom Cars.

Allen said in his time on television, from playing Tim Taylor on “Home Improvement,” to Mike Baxter on “Last Man Standing,” now to Matt Parker on “Shifting Gears,” he has learned that with each project, his characters have become more centered around his own comedy.

In terms of helping create the shows, each has centered around an interest of his. He noted that with “Home Improvement” and “Last Man Standing,” the shows featured an out-of-balance family, with more children than parents. They also featured loving relationships with his character’s wives. The biggest difference with “Shifting Gears” is that Allen’s character is a widower, and to this point in the series, is mostly dealing with his daughter and two grandkids.

“This time the guy lost his wife, so he’s dealing with grief,” he said. “Life is changing, where people that do stuff with their hands aren’t as appreciated as I wish they were. So I deal with that and a dance studio next door that is invigorating because it’s it’s about the live arts, which I find — my niece is a ballet dancer in Washington, and I never really understood ballet until I see how much work she does and how people do it for the love of that craft.”

He said that, different from his pragmatic and business-minded characters, Matt Parker is a designer, an artist, who never got to fulfill his true passion after taking over his father’s business. Allen said ultimately, the show is about fixing things — from old cars to broken relationships.

On the horizon for Allen is also “Toy Story 5, which is scheduled for a June 19, 2026 release and has already begun production. Allen wasn’t going to give any spoilers about the film, but he did give a very general plot outline.

“I can tell you that it’s a lot about Jessie,” he said. “Tom [Hanks] and I do — Woody and I — do realign. And there’s an unbelievable opening scene with Buzz Lightyears. I can give you that, but I can’t give you much more.”

Most immediate for Allen, however, is the current comedy tour.

“I’m really geeked about coming up [to Niagara Falls],” he said. “Last time we were here, I think my opening act forgot his passport. We got to the gate that and we had a horrible event to try to get back through because they don’t want you coming through the border without a passport.”

Lowell Sanders is set to open for Allen at this year’s Fallsview Casino show, provided he is better at packing his passport than Allen’s last opener.

Allen said there’s “nothing like” Niagara Falls, referring to the waterfall, but also said there’s nowhere like Southern Ontario and Western New York as far as communities go. Tickets to Allen’s show at Fallsview Casino can be purchased at this link. The full interview can be viewed in the video player at the top of this page.

Adam Duke is a digital contributor who joined WIVB in 2021. See more of his work here.