‘Shifting Gears’ Lures Jay Leno For Cameo Role​on February 12, 2025 at 12:15 am

Tim Allen is shifting gears by bringing in another stand-up comedian to help generate some laughs on his ABC sitcom.

Jay Leno will make a cameo as himself in episode 109 of Shifting Gears, Allen’s new comedy in which he plays a stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. Leno brings his car into Allen’s shop, Parker Customs, for repair. No word on whether car came from Leno’s actual fleet.

The episode will air March 12.

Kat Dennings plays Allen’s daughter in the comedy that revolves around Allen’s Matt, who allows her and his grandkids to move into his house. The rest of Shifting Gears main cast includes Seann William Scott as Gabriel, who also works at the shop, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell as Stitch, Maxwell Simkins as Carter and Barrett Margolis as Georgia.

Jenna Elfman recurs as Eve Drake, a spirited choreographer and owner of the dance studio across from Parker Customs. Brenda Song has also guest-starred on the sitcom.

Shifting Gears, which premiered Jan. 8, is averaging 11.4M viewers per episode after seven days of viewing.

Allen executive produces Shifting Gears alongside Michelle Nader, Marty Adelstein, Becky Clements, Richard Baker, Rick Messina, John Pasquin, Jim Patterson, Bob Daily and John Amodeo. Dennings is a producer. 

The ABC series is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios.