Log In

Best TV Shows Starring Tim Allen in a Lead Role, Ranked

Published 13 hours ago6 minute read

is proof that arriving late on the stage doesn’t necessarily mean one will have fewer chances of success. The 53-year-old actor had his first screen role in 1988, a time when most of his peers had already established themselves in their careers. Still, he became a big deal. The actor and comedian attracted much praise while starring in the ABC sitcom Home Improvement, a role that earned him a Golden Globe Award. His voice role in the Toy Story franchise also made him a darling for animation fans across the globe.

Today, Allen continues to shine on both the big and small screens. He’ll be a part of Toy Story 5, coming out in 2026, and is currently making all the headlines with his performance in the sitcom Shifting Gears. Allen’s work on television is extensive, but only 6 shows have him in a lead role. And here’s how they rank against each other.

The Santa Clauses Season 2 Poster
The Santa Clauses

2022 - 2022

CBS

Jack Burditt

Jack Burditt

Leo Benvenuti, Jack Burditt

A sequel to the 2006 movie, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, finds Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) in a tough spot. . Even worse, his teenage children aren’t easy to deal with. He thus who he hopes will institute a great new social agenda for Christmas. Unfortunately, forcing Scott to try and reclaim his throne.

For this legacy sequel, series creator Jack Burditt addresses a tumultuous time in the world when Christmas has lost meaning, focusing this. Credibly embodied by Allen, our Santa envisions a future where Christmas will be even better without him; but his choices only seem to drive him down disastrous paths. And even though he is used to playing funny guys, .

However, The Santa Clauses . A few of the plots require audiences to be familiar with the previous material, so new fans might struggle. Besides that, the arcs never feel as strong as the performances. Even so, the show is guaranteed to impress any child. No wonder it was nominated for nine awards at the Children's and Family Emmy Awards.

​​​​​​

2:04

The 10 Longest-Running Sitcoms of All Time

Related

The 20 Longest-Running Sitcoms of All Time

These are the longest-running situational comedies that have left a lasting legacy in American television.

03232270_poster_w780-1.jpg
Shifting Gears

January 8, 2025

ABC

John Pasquin

Julie Thacker, Mike Scully

follows Matt Parker (Tim Allen), . Thankfully, he has something to keep him busy: his classic–car restoration garage. Life gets a lot more interesting when . Unsurprisingly, her progressive parenting style doesn’t sit well with Matt, resulting in frequent clashes. But daddy and daughter have to learn how to get along.

With that also includes Kat Dennings and Sean William Scott, Shifting Gears ms. And t, whether they are automobiles or family bonds.

The sitcom . It , amassing nearly 17 million multi-platform viewers in its first seven days across ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+, and digital platforms. This made it the network’s strongest debut since The Conners. However, the jokes will need to improve if the fans are to stay. Stronger characters will also need to be introduced, because Matt and his daughter tend to take most of the glory.

03186918_poster_w780.jpg
More Power

June 29, 2022

History

Hosted by Tim Allen, April Wilkerson, and Richard Karn, is . Each episode covers a specific tool or machine. Allen and Karn mostly infuse humor into the analysis, while Wilkerson goes into the practical aspects.

Allen’s decision to host More Power came as no surprise given his Home Improvement background. . The show (with a title born out of a catchphrase from his popular '90s sitcom) will crack you up and inspire you. Above all, it is that tells a universal Physics-inspired story.

is a competition reality show focusing on DIY activities. Tim Allen and Richard Karn serve as hosts, alongside woodworking YouTuber April Wilkerson. . The final creations are then judged on quality, design, and functionality.

Few things are as fun as watching Allen review tools. This is the kind of show his fans would totally eat up. However, it’s . One can’t help but feel that they’d be better commentators if they were right there at the center of the action. Nonetheless,. Viewers will also feel inspired to be creative.

Tim Allen stars in as Mike Baxter, a senior executive at an outdoor-sports retail chain in Denver. He is . Mike even uses a vlog to air opinions on parenting, politics, and masculinity, but his conservative views rarely align with those of his liberal family members, resulting in several hilarious moments.

Last Man Standing is. The unsparing camera not only captures the desperation that such a tenuous existence creates for the sole man in the house, but also includes several scenes of uplifting warmth and emotion. And.

So popular was the show that fans protested online, asking for it to be renewed when ABC canceled it after the sixth season. Thankfully, FOX took over, producing a seventh, eighth, and ninth season. If you want a good-looking sitcom, be sure to check it out. It received several Emmy nominations for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series. And Allen is excellent as always.

Tim Allen as Santa Claus

Related

Best Tim Allen Performances, Ranked

From Buzz Lightyear to Santa Claus, Tim Allen has brought his affable everyman self to many movies and shows, and these are his best.

0353707_poster_w780.jpg
Home Improvement

1991 - 1998

ABC

Tim Allen

Peter Bonerz, Andrew Tsao, Andy Cadiff, Albert Alarr, Patricia Richardson, Richard Compton

Lloyd Garver, Jennifer Celotta, Charlie Hauck, Eric Horsted, Susan Estelle Jansen, David Maples, Tracy Gamble, Peter Tolan, Allison M. Gibson

Matt Williams, Carmen Finestra, David McFadzean

is all about Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor (Tim Allen), titled Tool Time. In it, he frequently attempts to showcase his expertise with power tools and other home improvement techniques, only for him to comically fail. At home, Tim is a husband and dad to three boys. He struggles with family life, too, but often receives advice from his neighbor, Wilson (Earl Hindman).

Few ‘90s sitcoms trump Home Improvement in popularity. The show was a huge success, grossing over $500 million in syndication revenue, according to the Los Angeles Times. Additionally, it was nominated for numerous awards, including seven Emmys.

Look hard and you are unlikely to find any sitcom character like Tim. Allen partly tailored his performances to his own real-life experiences, and it worked beautifully. Despite never having had much acting experience, he handles the character smoothly. There are also plenty of fun cameos, including one from Jimmy Carter. Beyond that, this isn’t just a comedy. There are plenty of life lessons. Call it Life Improvement.

Origin:
publisher logo
MovieWeb
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

You may also like...