Shifting Gears Showrunner Michelle Nader on Blending Hard Laughs With Real Emotion

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Michelle Nader, the mastermind behind Shifting Gears, had a chat with Tyler Treese, ComingSoon’s Editor-in-Chief, about ABC’s upcoming sitcom. This side-splitting series, starring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, is set to air for the first time on January 8, at 8 p.m. ET. Following its television debut, you can catch it streaming on Hulu the very next day.

In the description for Michelle Nader’s Shifting Gears, it is mentioned that Tim Allen plays Matt, a hardheaded classic car workshop owner who has lost his spouse. An unexpected event occurs when Matt’s long-lost daughter (Kat Dennings) and her children relocate to his residence, marking the start of the actual transformation in Matt’s life.

Interlocutor: Having collaborated with Kat Dennings on the show 2 Broke Girls, you seemed to have an enjoyable experience. What’s it like reconnecting with her again and having the opportunity to create some more comedic gold together in a familiar setting?

As a gamer, it’s pure enchantment to collaborate with someone as gifted as Kat, whom I had the pleasure of working with on shows like 2 Broke Girls and Dollface, and even co-writing a pilot with her. My admiration for her talent is beyond words, and I can’t help but crave more opportunities to work alongside her. It was almost destiny that didn’t allow me to be part of the pilot we wrote together initially. I was occupied elsewhere. However, the leadership change in the show led me to revisit the pilot, where I found Kat and Tim sharing a unique chemistry that felt exceptionally rare and precious.

This situation is about the chemistry, especially for comedies, and it felt like everything was aligning that this decision was the right one for me. Reconnecting with her was unexpected as when I saw she was involved, I thought, “Oh my goodness, Kat’s going to do something without me. That would be sad.” However, it turned out to happen just as I suspected. So, it’s unclear who or what magical force helped, but I’m thankful for the intervention.

One aspect that stood out to me while watching the initial episodes is the balanced blend of humor and a deep, heartfelt bond between the father and daughter characters. Their emotional journey, which also includes the exploration of grief, adds depth to the show, making it more than just a comedy. Could you discuss how these layers were intentionally incorporated into the series?

Absolutely, you’ve got it right! That final scene with the flour sifter in the pilot was a significant inspiration for me. I wanted to approach grief in a unique way within a sitcom format, which hadn’t been done before. Additionally, the strained relationship between an estranged father and daughter resonated deeply with me personally, and I found their portrayal in that scene incredibly authentic. If I’m going to watch a sitcom, I thought, I want it to offer both humorous moments and genuine emotion, those “hard laughs” as you put it.

It struck me that these individuals are ideally suited for the task at hand, possessing the necessary abilities. The tales we could spin from this would be captivating, truly showcasing their skills. Hence, my conclusion is affirmative – this is exactly what we should pursue. As we progress, our focus will be on delving into grief, and one episode will center around them dealing with the loss of her mother and his wife. There’s a lot more to it than just getting along and understanding their relationship dynamics. Those aspects are challenging and authentic, and I believe many people can relate to them.

In a more conversational style: What makes Tim Allen stand out is his exceptional skill in his field, particularly in sitcoms, where he has an innate sense of timing that few others possess. Working with someone of such experience, you naturally anticipate brilliance from them. Was there anything unexpected about collaborating with him?

Absolutely! It’s quite amusing that we share the same sentiment about him, as I work alongside him and we brainstorm our stories, scripts, and more. Naturally, this leads to filming. So one would assume I’d be well-versed in his activities. However, each time I view his footage, I’m always amazed by the specific details he includes, which are often unexpected. This man is incredibly talented – I won’t hide it. He has a depth that can be deceptive; you might think he’s just being humorous, but there are numerous layers to him.

In the series, Tim often delivers humorous monologues, such as his joke about Jesus not using Uber which left me in stitches. When crafting these episodes, how do you ensure there’s ample room for those comedic moments since fans look forward to and appreciate them? You certainly seem to fulfill that expectation well.

Absolutely! He sure does talk about an unusual topic – pickleball. You’d think it’s not worth mentioning, but his unique take on various subjects, including politics and even pickleball, is quite amusing. Many people can identify with his eclectic interests. After all, who wouldn’t want to see someone discuss such diverse topics? His daughter’s character, Kat, will have a contrasting viewpoint, which resonates with many families, reflecting generational differences.

You’ve successfully identified the intergenerational dynamic, which I find intriguing as Kat seems to be contributing equally while also taking in this conversation. There’s a lively exchange between them. Would you elaborate on those contrasting perspectives? Since they view the world differently, and this disparity leads to some disagreements. However, they both share a common trait – being open-minded and expressive about their opinions.

Essentially, they’re the same individual but view things differently. This contrasting viewpoint fuels their relationship’s dynamic. Our goal is to discover shared interests as well, since everyone appears quite divided these days; we’ve been living in a divided society, and if these two can find common ground, perhaps we all could.

It’s a good message, for sure.

Indeed, it’s not your typical packaged sitcom-like situation. Instead, they genuinely seem to engage in heated debates and express their differing viewpoints sincerely. This authenticity is undeniable. Consequently, I believe the essence of this portrayal lies in stepping out of the shadows of such confrontations and addressing the underlying issues head-on. In other words, let’s dive into it, let’s tackle it straight on.

I was wondering, given that you have two well-known sitcom stars, Kat and Tim, who are appreciated for certain aspects of their performances, yet audiences also enjoy being surprised. How do you strike a balance in utilizing their strong points without simply repeating what they’ve done before?

As you pointed out, they are undoubtedly among the top-tier sitcom actors of this millennium that we’ve had the pleasure to watch. Although their characters may share some similarities in voice, it is not only due to their roles but also because of their unique personalities. What sets them apart now is their dynamic, which I find intriguing because I can’t recall two powerful personalities co-starring in a sitcom before. It’s like watching Godzilla and Mothra face off – they are both giants, and you wonder who will come out on top. The anticipation is palpable, and it leaves me feeling both excited and apprehensive.

Brenda Song makes a great, early guest-star appearance. How was it working with her again?

Wow, Kat, Brenda, and I are all part of Dollface! Working with such amazing talents like Brenda never fails to impress me. When I asked her if she’d join us, she was immediately on board – and let me tell you, she’s so busy making waves in the industry. Our goal is to gather even more talented individuals for this project. I have a feeling it will work! Plus, Jenna Elfman has agreed to join us as well. It seems everyone is eager for the return of network comedies, just like we used to cherish them.

Thanks to Shifting Gears’ Michelle Nader for taking the time to talk about the new sitcom.

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2025-01-07 22:10