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Tim Allen is talking candidly about the unexpected romance on his Hulu series and the awkward questions it raises. The 72-year-old actor opened up about sharing the screen with Jenna Elfman on Shifting Gears, the optics of their age gap, and how that storyline quietly reshaped the show.
Why viewers noticed the Matt and Eve romance
Fans and critics alike flagged the relationship between Allen’s character, Matt, and Elfman’s Eve. Allen admits the pairing can feel strange on screen. He points to production choices — lighting, wardrobe and camera angles — that can make the age contrast more or less apparent.
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- Allen compared the on-screen gap to his real marriage to Jane Hajduk, saying the numbers aren’t far apart.
- He noted that when cameras flatter Elfman, the pairing reads younger; other times, the contrast becomes more noticeable.
- Allen expressed caution about pushing the joke too far, especially when scripts lean on quips about a “guy your age.”
He stressed he doesn’t want the romance to come off as creepy, and that the creative team pays attention to how scenes are lit and dressed to avoid that image.
How the romance was woven into the show
The love story emerged organically rather than as a planned centerpiece. Allen originally envisioned Shifting Gears as a car-centric drama about a widower processing loss. Romance arrived later, after writers introduced Elfman’s character and audiences responded.
- Showrunner Michelle Nader helped steer the romantic thread into the series.
- Kat Dennings plays Allen’s daughter, offering a familiar family dynamic alongside the new relationship arc.
- Producers let the flirtation evolve on camera, and Allen embraced the surprising tonal shift.
The result: a show that still serves car enthusiasts but now offers romance and workplace comedy.
Behind the scenes: tone, casting and creative choices
Allen said he trusted the team’s instincts once Elfman joined the cast. He admitted to feeling occasionally self-conscious about side-by-side scenes, especially when lighting emphasizes youthfulness.
At times, the writers nudge the subject with jokes. Allen doesn’t hate that approach, but he prefers the humor to feel earned rather than mean-spirited.
What the cast brings
- Elfman’s presence introduced a new tone and drew in viewers who appreciate romantic beats.
- Kat Dennings provides emotional grounding as family, helping the show balance grief, cars and comedy.
Season 3 — where the writers might take Matt and Eve
With production set to resume late in the summer, Allen teased several possibilities for the couple’s next chapter. He said writers have surprised him before and might again.
- One option under consideration is cohabitation — who moves in with whom?
- Allen prefers letting the relationship develop slowly on screen.
- He confirmed the romance will remain a focus in the upcoming season.
Allen admitted his instincts as a comedian make him uneasy about certain directions, but he trusts the team because the storyline has proven popular.
Toy Story 5: Allen on returning as Buzz Lightyear
Before he returns to the Shifting Gears set, Allen is promoting Toy Story 5, where he reprises his iconic voice role. The actor reflected on carrying Buzz through decades and on the creative challenges the new film presented.
- He originated the voice decades ago and says the character remains integral to him.
- The new film features multiple Buzz figures, which complicated recording and storytelling.
- Allen described the movie as a warm story about friendship and a larger toy community.
Toy Story 5 opens in theaters on June 19.
Where to stream and when to tune in
Shifting Gears is available to stream on Hulu. Fans can catch Toy Story 5 in theaters this month.
- Shifting Gears — streaming now on Hulu.
- Toy Story 5 — theatrical release on June 19.
