Kat Dennings makes a comedy comeback on ABC’s ‘Shifting Gears,’ joining Tim Allen and performing in front of a live studio audience

In New York, Tim Allen is back on TV in his new sitcom “Shifting Gears.” You may remember him from “Home Improvement” and “Last Man Standing.”

The show revolves around Allen’s character, Matt, a widowed father who reunites with his estranged daughter, played by Kat Dennings. They navigate living together while repairing their strained relationship.

The show also marks Dennings’ return to comedy for the first time in nearly a decade.

Dennings portrays Riley, a young mother who finds herself in a tough spot after a series of unfortunate events. She turns to her father for help, seeking refuge with her children and aiming to rebuild her life.

Entertainment reporter Joelle Garguilo said the shows already has a familiar feel.

“That is the best compliment because I’ve done a lot of things and it doesn’t always feel that way right off the bat,” Dennings said. “This was like instant chemistry, instant like family with the crew. Also, like everybody feels like we’ve been doing this for like four seasons.”

The show is filmed in front of a live studio audience, giving it a classic old-school sitcom vibe.

“I did a sitcom for a long time and when it ended, I was like, I’m going to go back to single cam,” Dennings said. “And then I found myself like, oh, but sitcoms are so special, I do miss that. I would love to do that again. And then I got the call for this and I was like, that’s it. Good. Tim Allen, of course.”

Dennings said she loves having a studio audience.

“When I was doing ‘Two Broke Girls’ for the first two seasons, I was so nervous about the live audience that I took out my contact lenses for the audience show so I couldn’t see anybody because I was so nervous and I could only see like the other person in front of me,” Dennings said. “And then I got used to it and now I just love it.”

Dennings was asked what excites her most about working on the show.

“It’s like kind of a surreal feeling because, obviously, like most people, I grew up watching ‘Home Improvement.’ So it’s very, this is so crazy, I I’m in a show with Tim Allen,” Dennings said.

You can watch “Shifting Gears” on ABC at 8/7c and streaming the next day on Hulu.