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Jeopardy! debuts major change to set for Second Chance Tournament- decades after detail last featured

 

 

JEOPARDY! has announced a major change to the set just in time for the Second Chance Tournament.

On Tuesday, December 31, the iconic game show’s Instagram page reposted a fan’s request to bring back the “letters hanging on the ceiling.”

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Ken Jennings debuted the new Jeopardy! letters on Second Chance Tournament episode this weekCredit: Jeopardy!

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Giant letters spelling Jeopardy! now hang above Ken’s headCredit: Jeopardy!

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In the 90s, Alex Trebek stood in front of a red screen with large Jeopardy! lettersCredit: Courtesy Sony Pictured/Jeopardy!
“Two steps ahead of you, my friend,” the account captioned a short video of host Ken Jennings underneath giant letters spelling Jeopardy!

Fans immediately sounded off about the change in the comments- and most were supportive of the decision.

“Wow didn’t expect you guys to respond to me with a reel!! Loving the JEOPARDY! letters above Ken Jennings,” said the original commenter who requested the change, Jay_3085.

“It looks sick,” said another viewer.

The new feature is a callback to the studio design in the 90s until 2002, which fans affectionately call the “sushi bar set.”

During that time, massive letters spelling Jeopardy! were featured behind then-host Alex Trebek on a red screen.

Another fan demanded the show change the Jeopardy! sign back to the original colors.

“Man, I miss seeing those iconic letters go from red to white at the beginning of the show and the Jeopardy! round to blue to white during Double Jeopardy! round,” said the viewer. “Please, please, PLEASE make it permanent for Alex’s honor.”

Beloved host Alex hosted from 1984 until his tragic death from cancer in 2020.

Jeopardy! Set Secrets

Jeopardy! fans don’t see everything behind the scenes from watching on TV. These hidden set features make the show run smoothly:

Each podium has a hidden riser so that all contestants appear to be the same height.
After each clue is read, signal lights go off around the game board, indicating players can buzz in and respond.
Buzz in too early, and you’re locked out for .25 seconds.
The podiums have a small white light in the lower left corner, which tells Ken Jennings who goes next.
Contrary to popular belief, the player with control doesn’t have a buzzer advantage on the next clue.
To the game board’s left is a scoreboard so the players can see their opponents’ scores.
All contestants must bring three outfits to the studio, but only the host and returning champion change for the next episode.
There are wardrobe rules, including restrictions on busy patterns, solid white, purple (like the background), and logos.
Five episodes are taped in a single day, and sometimes more.
The categories, players (aside from the returning champion), and Final Jeopardy! for a tape day are all drawn randomly to ensure fairness.
Female contestants are asked not to wear makeup, which is applied backstage, and don’t wear mascara because of sweat.
Contestants fill out a questionnaire, and producers select five Q&A topics for the host.
Host Ken isn’t allowed to interact with the contestants until after the game.
Players can request to sit in a chair while competing without question.

JEOPARDY! PIVOT

Amid contestant Laura Faddah’s seven-day winning streak, the show paused to air the Second Chance Tournament- where this season’s contestants get another go at the game.

Regular episodes will resume in February.

Meanwhile, Pop Culture Jeopardy! is in full swing, with new episodes dropping on Wednesday on Amazon Prime.

The spinoff’s host, Colin Jost, has been praised for his “star power” and sense of humor.

Though fans initially feared the show would be “dumbed down,” from the original, OG Jeopardy! viewers were satisfied with the content.

“Colin Jost is a really good host,” one fan wrote on a Jeopardy! Reddit fan page. “I’m enjoying him immensely to be honest.

“I think Ken is really good too, but Colin is more telegenic and has a great sense of humor.

“Obviously, he has more star power than Ken too.”

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Jeopardy! showed off the change on their Instagram pageCredit: Jeopardy!

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Alex hosted Jeopardy! from 1984 until his tragic death from cancer in 2020Credit: AP

Reveal the date of wedding after Sean Hannity Proposes to Fellow Fox News Host Ainsley Earhardt on Christmas Week

Sean Hannity Proposes to Fellow Fox News Host Ainsley Earhardt on Christmas Week

Hannity popped the question at a church in his home state of Florida

Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt . Photo:Fox News Media

Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt are engaged.

After years of quietly dating long distance, Hannity, 62, proposed to Earhardt, 48, over Christmas week at a church in his home state of Florida.

“We are overjoyed and so thankful to our families for all of their love and support during this wonderful time in our lives,” the pair told Fox News.

Ainsley Earhardt and Sean Hannity.Ainsley Earhardt/Instagram

The two added that they had the blessing and support from their children, who “couldn’t be happier.”

Hannity shares two children, Patrick and Merri, with ex-wife Jill Rhodes, whom he wed in 1993 and divorced from in 2019.

Meanwhile, Earhardt has a daughter, Hayden, with ex-husband Will Proctor. The former couple got married in 2012, announced their separation in 2018 and finalized their divorce in 2019. Earhardt, who is based in New York, was also previously married to Kevin McKinney from 2005 to 2009.

The couple told Fox News that they “still get along well” with their ex-spouses and that they “made them aware this was happening ahead of time.”

Hannity and Earhardt said they bonded over their shared religious beliefs, and described the church as “the perfect place” to propose, according to the outlet. They met with their minister shortly after the engagement.

Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt.Roy Rochlin/Getty ; Gary Gershoff/Getty

Back in June 2020, a source in Hannity and Earhardt’s circle told PEOPLE that they had been “been seeing each other very secretively for years,” despite the pair publicly denying so.

“He’s very private because he’s very famous and he’s very controversial,” the source said at the time, “but it’s been an open secret that they have been seeing each other.”

“They’re together all the time, but in private … for years, not just months,” the source continued.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Earhardt hosted her Fox & Friends program from a studio in the basement of Hannity’s Long Island mansion.

In October 2019, Earhardt told PEOPLE she was ready to date again and open to having more kids.

“I would love to find love again and I want to demonstrate a loving relationship for Hayden one day,” she said. “But I’m not sure when that will be. I know that God will put the right man in my life if that’s his will and he’ll do it in his time.”

Ryan Seacrest falls down on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ stage during filming

Ryan Seacrest had his eye on the prize.

The “Wheel of Fortune” host, 50, took a nasty nosedive while chasing after cheese on his popular game show last week.

Seacrest informed the live-studio audience and those watching at home that he discovered the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Festival, held in the United Kingdom, and explained that participants race down a hill after a singular wheel of cheese.

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Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White on “Wheel of Fortune.” Wheel of Fortune

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Ryan Seacrest decided to play his own Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Festival. Wheel of Fortune
In the end, whoever nabs the wheel takes home the calorie-inducing dairy circle.

A video of his horrible spill was posted to the game show’s official Instagram page over the weekend.

“So what could be better?” Seacrest asked in the clip.

His co-host, Vanna White, wearing one of her infamous “Wheel of Fortune” dresses and heels, yubi, held up a fake wheel of cheese and asked him, “You ready to try it?”

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The “Wheel of Fortune” host took a nasty nosedive after losing his footing. Wheel of Fortune

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The audience watched helplessly. Wheel of Fortune
According to Seacrest, he “was born for this,” but his motor skills proved otherwise.

White, 68, then had the honor of rolling the cheese on the stage. Her co-host appeared ready, bending down in a runner’s position — but his preparation did him no good.

Seacrest took off running after the wheel but didn’t get far before he lost his footing and fell, doing a painful-looking belly flop on the stage floor.

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Ryan popped back up and ran the wheel to his co-host. Wheel of Fortune

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Even Vanna didn’t know how to react. Wheel of Fortune
The camera cut to White’s reaction as the TV vet lay on the floor.

The blonde longtime letter-turner appeared shocked, putting her hands over her mouth as she gasped.

“Oh no,” she shouted as Seacrest dusted himself and jumped up.

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Viewers at home loved Ryan’s belly flop. Wheel of Fortune

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The “Wheel of Fortune” host took a nasty nosedive after losing his footing. Wheel of Fortune

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Ryan Seacrest put on a brave face after the hard tumble. Wheel of Fortune
“Are you gonna be okay? Yes,” White asked her co-host as he came running toward her with the cheese wheel in hand.

“He’s gonna be okay,” she reassured the audience.

“He’s okay!” she excitedly reacted as Seacrest held the fake food prop high over his head.

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Vanna White looked concerned he was hurt – at first. Wheel of Fortune

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Ryan Seacrest was okay in the end. Wheel of Fortune
Vanna then said goodbyed to viewers at home as her co-star recovered from the fall.

While some might argue that Seacrest’s tumble looked fake, social media users ate up the stunt in the video’s comment section.

“Who in the wheel world knew that Ryan could run that fast for cheese?” one delighted fan wrote.

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“He’s okay!” Vanna screamed. Wheel of Fortune
“Ryan Seacrest is great!” a second person replied. “Tis but a scratch! He’ll live! 😂,” joked a third while another commented, “Ryan is wonderful. Wheel is where I’ve really learned and appreciated how awesome he is. Great choice!”

Others couldn’t help but poke fun at the game show host.

“Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, sorry Ryan… you are Humpty tonight,” a prankster wrote on the clip. Even the video caption read, “If we had a nickel for every time Ryan ended up on the floor this season… 🤣.”

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Ryan Seacrest looked a bit worse for wear after his flop. Wheel of Fortune
This isn’t the first time Seacrest has been in a compromising position since taking over as host of “Wheel of Fortune” after Pat Sajak’s departure, 78, in 2024.

Seacrest was put in a headlock by former wrestler “Big Bill” Page just weeks ago.

Unlike the cheese incident, he was able to tap out of that one.

Sajak announced he was retiring from the show after 41 seasons in 2023. Seacrest’s first episode as his successor aired on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in which he failed to mention the former longtime host’s name.

‘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, yubi, shook off the comment and smiled with a shrug as Carey added, “She can’t talk about it.”

 

Xem bài viết này trên Instagram

 

Bài viết do The Price Is Right (@therealpriceisright) chia sẻ

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

Price Is Right viewers in shock as unusual mishap occurs during live airing of show

The Price is Right, hosted by Drew Carey, is known for its seamless operation .

However, a rare blunder occurred during an episode aired on January 24th, 2017 that left everyone in shock. The mishap happened when a massive prize – an espresso machine , a thermal programmable coffee maker, and a coffee bean grinder by Cuisinart – was brought onto the stage on a flatbed pulled by a small-scale train engine.

As the shaky table holding the prizes was revealed by announcer George Gray, the contestants began guessing the price of the package. Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the studio as the entire prize fell and shattered into pieces.

The unexpected incident prompted gasps from the live audience and a nervous laugh from Carey, who humorously announced that the Price Train would be out of commission for a while.

In the comments section of a YouTube video capturing the moment, fans couldn’t help but chuckle. One viewer quipped: “The guy changing his bid to one dollar was the crowning touch. But I do have to give them credit for not even trying to edit the mishap out.”

Another fan chimed in with praise: “That guy who said ‘one dollar’ is the best person on that show this year,” while another laughed: “Buddy killed it with the ‘1 dollar’ line,” reports the Express US .

Someone else noted the smooth handling of the situation: “They handled that situation perfectly. It was awkward, or cringey or uncomfortable. Well done Drew and the $1 dollar guy lmao.”

Another comment highlighted the efficiency of the crew: “I just think it’s awesome that they have the crew so quickly ready to go to clean it up. Really goes to show you how much work and effort goes on behind the scenes people aren’t even aware of.”

The humor continued with another user joking: “Dude transitioned from retail to thrift store pricing in a heartbeat,” and yet another praised the behind-the-scenes team: “The tech crews on these shows are professionals, as are the writers and directors. They deserve our support during the strike.”

In a surprising revelation, this wasn’t the first on-air mishap for the game show. Price Is Right model Rachel Reynolds once accidentally drove a car into a wall during an episode.

Host Drew Carey was chatting with a contestant named Cameron when it was announced he’d be vying for a brand-new Ford Mustang, which was meant to be driven on stage and parked by one of the models. Rachel didn’t hit the brakes in time, sending the car careening across the stage and into a makeshift wall for the show. The vehicle appeared unscathed, but the wall was wrecked.

“I’m so sorry Cameron,” she apologized, her face flushing with embarrassment. Carey checked on Rachel, who was more worried about the car’s condition than her own.

“I think the car’s still okay,” she remarked. The veteran host reassured Cameron that he would get an undamaged, new car if he won.

“This is going to be a damaged, used car. We’ll get you a brand new one,” he promised.

The Price Is Right left in chaos after ‘awkward’ mishap sends fans into meltdown

The Price Is Right is not a show that is known for having major mishaps, but one did happen in 2017 that left host Drew Carey and the rest of the CBS game show team in disbelief

Price Is Right’s Drew Carey in disbelief as unusual mishap occurs during airing (Image: (Image: CBS))

The Price is Right, hosted by Drew Carey on CBS, is known for its seamless operation. However, a rare and significant blunder occurred during an episode aired on 24th January 2017 that left everyone watching the episode on TV in shock.

The mishap happened when the host introduced a new round with a grand prize: a Cuisinart espresso machine, thermal programmable coffee maker, and coffee bean grinder. These were brought onto the stage on a flatbed pulled by a small-scale train engine.

The prizes were placed on a shaky table on the flatbed, yubi, which proved to be a poor decision. As the contestants guessed the price of the package, the entire prize fell and shattered into pieces, causing gasps from the live audience.

Carey responded with a nervous laugh as the last contestant humorously adjusted his guess to $1. “Whoops,” Carey chuckled, informing viewers they wouldn’t see the Price Train for some time.

Drew Carey reacts to seeing his image on The Price is Right (Image: Getty Images)

Fans flooded the comments section of a YouTube video showing the blunder with laughter and praise. One viewer quipped: “The guy changing his bid to one dollar was the crowning touch. But I do have to give them credit for not even trying to edit the mishap out.”

Another joined in, saying: “That guy who said ‘one dollar’ is the best person on that show this year,” while a third howled: “Buddy killed it with the ‘1 dollar’ line.”

Someone else highlighted: “They handled that situation perfectly. It was awkward, or cringey or uncomfortable. Well done Drew and the $1 dollar guy lmao.”

A fellow fan commented: “I just think it’s awesome that they have the crew so quickly ready to go to clean it up. Really goes to show you how much work and effort goes on behind the scenes people aren’t even aware of.”

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With light-hearted spirit, another joked: “Dude transitioned from retail to thrift store pricing in a heartbeat,” and a different user praised: “The tech crews on these shows are professionals, as are the writers and directors. They deserve our support during the strike.”

In a stunning revelation, this wasn’t the first time a prize has been smashed on the live game show.

Price Is Right model Rachel Reynolds drove a car into a stage wall once. Host Carey was having a chat with contestant Cameron when he found out he was playing for a brand-new Ford Mustang, which was driven onstage by a model who then accidentally bumped into the set.

Rachel didn’t hit the brakes in time, causing the car to careen across the stage and smash into a makeshift wall built for the show. The vehicle appeared unscathed, but the wall was wrecked.

“I’m so sorry Cameron,” she apologised, her cheeks flushing with mortification. Carey checked on Rachel, who was more worried about the car’s condition than her own.

“I think the car’s still okay,” she remarked. The veteran host reassured Cameron that he’d get a pristine car if he won, not one that had been in a collision.

“This is going to be a damaged, used car. We’ll get you a brand new one,” he promised.

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Why the Cast of Modern Family Has Remained Close Five Years After the Series Wrapped

Success is one percent inspiration, 98 percent perspiration and two percent attention to detail. And regardless if that math is mathing, the Modern Family cast is thriving years after they signed off.

As a wise man once said, life is full of changes, some big, some small.

And for the cast of Modern Family, wrapping on their heartwarming comedy series after 11 seasons and some 250 episodes on April 8, 2020, proved to be a lot easier because they had people who loved them to help them face whatever life threw their way.

“We all love each other. It’s amazing,” Ariel Winter told E! News last October of her time spent as brainy Alex, the middle child of Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen’s Phil and Claire Dunphy. When “you spend so much time with people, you really do become the family that you portray.”

Which is why she still thinks of Nolan Gould (rambunctious Luke Dunphy) as her brother.

“He was my first best friend, which is a really beautiful thing,” she explained. “We met when he was 10 and I was 11, and we’ve gone through so many stages of life together. And we have stuck through it all, thick and thin.”

That tight-knit bond is the same reason Sarah Hyland’s now-husband Wells Adams sought two sets of parental blessings before dropping to one knee in 2019.

“He asked my mom and dad for their blessing,” Hyland explained of The Bachelorette alum. “Then he also hunted down Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell for their blessing. They really, really are like my second set of parents.”

Which means, yes, Bowen was among those on hand for Hyland’s 2022 wedding to Adams (Burrell was originally meant to officiate, but turned over duties to costar Jesse Tyler Ferguson when his work schedule prevented him from attending).

Bonnie Osborne via Getty Images

The whole brood—which also includes Ed O’Neill, Sofía Vergara, Rico Rodriguez, Eric Stonestreet and Aubrey Anderson-Emmons—communicates much in the same way you’d expect “your own real family,” Winter noted to E!. “It could be a week; it could be a month. But I do keep in touch with a lot of them quite frequently.”

Still, she misses their days of being one big happy, well, you know.

“You go from working with somebody almost every single day for 12 years, and then it’s kind of like, poof,” she acknowledged. “Now everybody’s everywhere. So we try to keep in touch as much as we can.”

Inside Tim Allen’s sprawling $1.4m Hollywood Hills home he shares with actress wife

The Shifting Gears star bought his home in 2012

Tim Allen has called his Hollywood Hills abode ‘home’ since he snapped it up for a relatively reasonable $1.4 million in 2012.

The Shifting Gears star’s impressive property is located just off famous Mulholland Drive and boasts three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and a stunning canyon view.

The home spans over 2,604 square feet and features an open floor plan that connects the living room, dining room, and den, and boasts French doors and expansive glass windows that offer a spectacular view of the surrounding canyons.

The interior mixes modern elements with classic accents and boasts luxurious amenities like state-of-the-art appliances in the chef’s kitchen and custom cabinetry alongside a stone island that seats 10.

For entertainment there is a home theater and sound systems throughout the house, or a relaxing private spa and fitness center.

Tim’s spacious master suite offers panoramic views and an en-suite bathroom with premium fixtures, a deep soaking tub, and a rain shower.

© Urban Splatter
Tim bought his home for $1.4m in 2012

The extensive outdoor space is just as impressive with landscaped gardens, sprawling lawns, an outside deck with a fire pit, a water feature, a private pool, and an outdoor shower.

Tim’s house is also sustainable with solar panels and water-efficient irrigation systems that promote eco-friendly practices.

© Urban Splatter
Tim Allen’s house offers the ultimate privacy

The actor lives with his actress wife Jane Hajduk, whom he married in 2006 after five years of dating, and their 15-year-old daughter Elizabeth.

Tim – whose real name is Timothy Alan Dick – also has an adult daughter, Katherine Dick, from his previous marriage to his college sweetheart, Laura Deibel. They were married for 15 years before they split in 1999 but didn’t finalize their divorce until 2003.

Tim and Jane married in Grand Lake, Colorado, on October 7, 2006, during an intimate, outdoor ceremony witnessed by just their family.

Sharing the secret to the success of their 18-year marriage in 2024, the couple admitted communication is key. “We talk,” Jane told People. Tim added: “That’s right, we talk. We do. And we’re good buddies.”

Tim and Jane have appeared in several movies together including the 2001 comedy-drama Joe Somebody and 2016’s The Shaggy Dog and Zoom.

© Getty Images
Tim with his wife Jane and daughter Elizabeth

Jane has also appeared in numerous TV shows like Benchmarks, Chicago Hope, NCIS, and Monk.

Their daughter has shown an interest in following in her parent’s footsteps and appeared in the 2022 Disney+ show, The Santa Clauses as her dad’s character Scott Calvin’s 13-year-old daughter, Sandra.

Speaking about Elizabeth’s audition on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2022, Tim said: “I just wanted her to read and say ‘Hi, Santa!’ as a Christmas gift as an elf. Just walk by once. Just for my wife and I to have.

© Getty Images
Elizabeth is following in her parents’ footsteps

“She’s great in school, my daughter’s real good in sports. We just didn’t want her getting into [Hollywood, but] she read it so well.”

Tim also recalled the acting advice he gave his daughter ahead of her first role, telling People: “The advice I gave to my daughter Elizabeth is that the writers, producers, and crew have the most important roles on a production.

“Being an actor is a wonderful craft, but we are just a part of a teamwork experience.”

Shifting Gears’ Last Man Standing Reunion Reveals The Harsh Truth About Tim Allen’s New Sitcom

Warning: this article contains SPOILERS for Shifting Gears episode 6.Shifting Gears has continued expanding its Tim Allen shared universe, but the latest guest star highlights the sitcom’s most concerning issue. Shifting Gears follows Allen’s Matt, a widower who owns a car restoration shop and unexpectedly reconnects with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings). Riley brings along her children, Carter (Maxwell Simkins) and Georgia (Barrett Margolis), who complete the oddball family. While Shifting Gears follows a classic sitcom formula, the end product has had mixed success. With Shifting Gears season 2 still unconfirmed, Tim Allen’s newest title needs to carefully evaluate its weaknesses as they come to light.

Although the sitcom has raked in impressive early ratings (likely due to Tim Allen headlining the Shifting Gears cast), the critical response has been less than favorable. Arguably the most recurring issue critics took with Shifting Gears was the main character himself, claiming that Tim Allen’s new character was indistinguishable from his past sitcom roles. Allen previously led Home Improvement as Tim Taylor and Last Man Standing as Mike Baxter, yubi,  both extremely popular titles that leave Matt Parker with generational shoes to fill. Unfortunately, Shifting Gears’s latest Allen-verse callback only highlights its Matt problem.

Shifting Gears Episode 6 Reunites Tim Allen With Last Man Standing’s Nancy Travis

Allen And Travis Were Last Man Standing’s Main Couple

Shifting Gears has included sporadic callbacks to Allen’s former work, like Mike Baxter’s truck appearing in Shifting Gears episode 3. The sitcom abandoned subtlety in Shifting Gears episode 6 by casting Nancy Travis as Charlotte, a widow who encourages Matt to be open to future romances. From 2011 to 2021, Nancy Travis played Tim Allen’s wife (Vanessa Baxter) in Last Man Standing. With Shifting Gears marking Allen’s first network television role following Last Man Standing’s finale, it makes sense to include major co-stars from past hits. However, the mere presence of Travis underscores the difficulty of Shifting Gears maintaining originality.

At first glance, Travis appearance is a fitting sendoff to Last Man Standing, with Charlotte helping Matt move on symbolically synchronized with Allen moving on from previous sitcoms with Shifting Gears. As Vanessa, Travis played Allen’s wife. As Charlotte, Travis played a character who helped Allen move on from his wife. Sadly, the casting distracted more than it aided, as seeing Travis and Allen interact on screen instantly diluted Shifting Gears episode 6 into a Last Man Standing reunion. Charlotte’s last line in the episode only pours salt in the wound.

Charlotte’s Joke About Matt Being Too Similar To His Ex Highlights How Similar Tim Allen’s Characters Are

Matt Hasn’t Stood Out Enough

Despite Charlotte consistently urging Matt to return to the dating pool in Shifting Gears episode 6, she clarifies they can’t pursue a relationship with each other. Charlotte says Matt reminds her too much of “the last man [she] was with,” an obvious nod to Travis and Allen’s history on Last Man Standing. While a clever acknowledgment of the elephant in the room, the truth behind the statement is cause for concern. The poor initial reviews for Shifting Gears can easily be summarized in a simple phrase: Shifting Gears follows a Tim Allen character, not a character played by Tim Allen.

Shifting Gears failing to set itself apart from Tim Allen’s past sitcoms could be a death sentence.

Shifting Gears has backed itself into a corner with the frequent Tim Allen references, withholding the freedom that the sitcom needs to develop its own identity. It’s entirely possible that a significant portion of the audience didn’t expect anything groundbreaking from the Shifting Gears premiere, but if the comedy wants a chance at longevity, it needs to find what makes it unique. In a world where titles like Abbott Elementary are redefining genres and High Potential is fundamentally changing the lead actor’s image, Shifting Gears failing to set itself apart from Tim Allen’s past sitcoms could be a death sentence.

How Shifting Gears Can Make Matt Parker Unique From Mike Baxter (& Tim Taylor)

The Sitcom Needs To Find Its Footing

While the continual nods to Last Man Standing, Home Improvement, and even The Santa Clause are good for a quick laugh, Shifting Gears needs to build a foundation for itself before inviting further comparison to Allen’s old hits. Despite Matt’s character reading similar to both Mike and Tim, Shifting Gears already has a few key distinctions that can help solidify a unique presence— if the sitcom just lets it. The introduction of Matt’s dramatic grief storyline in Shifting Gears episode 4 perfectly displays how there are original aspects that just need to be elaborated on, independent of scene-stealing references.

Actor
Shifting Gears Character

Tim Allen
Matt

Kat Dennings
Riley

Seann William Scott
Gabriel

Daryl “Chill” Mitchell
Stitch

Cynthia Quiles
Frankie

Maxwell Simkins
Carter

Barrett Margolis
Georgia

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Having emotional storylines helps to humanize characters, but Matt’s grief in Shifting Gears additionally helps him stand out. The more time Shifting Gears spends on exploring Matt as a character, the less he will pale in comparison to the decades-long reign of Mike Baxter and Tim Taylor. Though it may disappoint some, Shifting Gears needs to dial back its Allen callbacks. Unless the sitcom gives its characters time to cement themselves, Shifting Gears risks permanently living in the shadow of Tim Allen’s past roles, dooming the comedy and the rest of the cast in the process.

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The Cast of Reba: Where Are They Now?

Country legend Reba McEntire helmed the popular show from 2001 to 2007

‘Reba’ cast photo in 2001. Photo:Fox Television / Courtesy Everett

Back in 2001, Reba McEntire went from singing on our radios to making us laugh on TV screens weekly as the lead of her eponymous sitcom.

Reba followed the ups and downs of single mom Reba Hart — “who works two jobs, who loves her kids and never stops” — as she navigated her chaotic family through the ever-changing dynamics. Between co-parenting with her ex-husband, making nice with his new wife, managing her daughter’s teen pregnancy and everything in between, the show was an easy hub for laughs and became an instant hit.

However, it was canceled in 2007, following The WB’s merger with UPN, yubi, which formed The CW.

Over the years, fans of the show have often asked the country singer about a reboot — and she has revealed she’d be open to doing it again.

“We’ve really been trying hard,” McEntire said while on The Bobby Bones Show in September 2022, Billboard reported. “I really want to work with the people that I got to work with during that six-and-a-half years. It was fun, the cast, the crew, everybody we got to work with and play with, they were wonderful people. We wanted to get back together like a reunion and have fun. So, hopefully, that will happen one day.”

Now, as new audiences are being introduced to the show via Netflix, find out what the main cast of Reba has been up since the show went off air.

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Reba McEntire as Reba Hart

Reba McEntire on Reba in 2001 and in 2024.Greg Schwartz/Fox Television/Courtesy Everett; Griffin Nagel/NBC via Getty

Leading the show was Reba McEntire, who had long been a country musician before the series premiered in 2001. And while she was at ease playing sold-out arenas, she admitted while on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that acting was a bit of a learning curve.

“The memorization is hard for me cause it’s a new script every week. When I was singing, it rhymed, had a melody to it and none of these [lines] do,” she joked.

After the show went off air, McEntire went back to her music career. She released albums Love Revival, Keep on Loving You and All the Women That I Am in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and continued to tour.

The country legend, 69, shows no signs of slowing down. Earlier this month, she hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards for a whopping 17th time and continued her work as a mentor on The Voice. It was also announced that the Oklahoma native will be heading back to the small screen sometime this year, playing the lead in an NBC sitcom titled Happy Place.

McEntire has also found success in her private life and has been happily in love with fellow actor Rex Linn since 2020. She has one grown son, Shelby, with ex-husband Narvel Blackstock.

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Christopher Rich as Brock Hart

Christopher Rich on Reba in 2001 and in 2019.20TH CENTURY FOX TV / Album; Amy Sussman/Getty

Playing Reba’s ex-husband in the show was Christopher Rich, who also had a steady career before landing the role of Brock Hart.

Prior to appearing on Reba, he had acting credits in classics such as Another World, The Charmings, The George Carlin Show, Murphy Brown and more. Post-Reba, Rich went made several appearances on Boston Legal, Desperate Housewives, Melissa & Joey and several other shows.

His last acting credit was in 2021’s Spiked.

According to IMDb, he has been married to wife Eva Halina Rich since June 2000 and they have two daughters together. He is also dad to another daughter from his previous marriage to Nancy Frangione.

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Melissa Peterman as Barbra Jean Booker Hart

Melissa Peterman on Reba in 2001 and in 2024.20TH CENTURY FOX TV / Album; Leon Bennett/Getty

These days, people might recognize Melissa Peterman as Brenda Sparks from Young Sheldon. However, before she lent her comedic chops to the hit CBS show, she played Brock’s dim-witted, albeit big-hearted new wife, Barbra Jean Hart, on Reba.

In the years that followed, she starred in Pretty the Series, Baby Daddy and made several appearances on other shows. Peterman will also be reuniting with McEntire in Happy Place.

In real life, Peterman has been married to her husband John Brady since 1999. The couple has a son named Riley David, whom they welcomed in 2005.

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JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery

JoAnna Garcia on Reba in 2001 and in 2023.20TH CENTURY FOX TV / Album; Arturo Holmes/Getty

You may have seen JoAnna Garcia Swisher in shows such as Freaks and Geeks, Party of Five and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, but the actress truly broke through as Cheyenne Hart, Reba’s eldest daughter who ultimately raised a baby with her high school boyfriend turned husband, Van Montgomery.

After Reba, Garcia Swisher continued working, landing roles on Privileged, Gossip Girl, Better with You, The Mindy Project, The Astronauts Wives Club and many more. She is currently starring as Maddie Townsend on Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias.

The actress married her husband, former New York Yankees player Nick Swisher, in 2010. They welcomed their first daughter Emerson Jay Swisher on May 21, 2013 and followed up with their second girl, Sailor Stevie Swisher, on June 28, 2016.

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Steve Howey as Van Montgomery

Steve Howey on Reba in 2001 and in 2023.Fox Television / Courtesy Everett; Michael Bezjian/Getty

Steve Howey stole the hearts of many as Reba’s well-meaning, less-than-bright son-in-law and Cheyenne’s husband, Van Montgomery.

After the show wrapped in 2007, Howey continued his acting career, landing roles in Ctrl, Love Bites, Sons of Anarchy and many others. In 2011, he came back to the small screen full-time, starring as Kevin Ball in Showtime’s hit Shameless.

Howey married fellow actor Sarah Shahi in 2009. The couple welcomed three kids — son William Wolf, now 14, and twins Violet Moon and Knox Blue, now 9 — before calling it quits in 2020.

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Scarlett Pomers as Kyra Hart

Scarlett Pomers on Reba in 2001 and in 2009.20TH CENTURY FOX TV / Album; Angela Weiss/Getty

Scarlett Pomers had a solid résumé before she joined the cast of Reba as Kyra Hart, the sarcastic middle daughter. Among her most notable credits were roles in Erin Brockovich and Star Trek: Voyager.

Following her tenure on the show — which she left for a time to seek treatment for an eating disorder — Pomers pursued a music career and released an EP called Insane in 2010.

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Mitch Holleman as Jake Hart

Mitch Holleman on Reba in 2001 and in 2009.20TH CENTURY FOX TV / Album; Charley Gallay/Getty

Playing Reba’s young son, Mitch Holleman got the role of Jake Hart at only 7 years old. Like Pomers, the now 29-year-old has largely stayed out of the limelight since Reba went off the air in 2007; the last credit listed under Holleman’s name was in 2018’s Guadalajara.