Kaitlyn Dever just pulled off the kind of sitcom crossover moment fans dream about: she quietly slipped onto the set of Tim Allen’s new ABC comedy Shifting Gears and shocked her former TV dad in front of a live studio audience.
A Surprise in the Sitcom Kitchen
During a recent taping of
Shifting Gears, Tim Allen walked into the on-set kitchen expecting to see his current TV daughter, Kat Dennings – and instead found
Kaitlyn Dever rummaging in the fridge.
According to behind-the-scenes reports, Allen literally stopped in his tracks, then turned to the audience and shouted,
“Kaitlyn Dever is here!” as the crowd erupted. The moment was first teased in a video posted to the official
Shifting Gears Instagram account, showing Dever’s unannounced visit and Allen’s genuine reaction.
The reunion doubles as a little in-joke: on
Last Man Standing, Dever played Eve Baxter, youngest daughter of Allen’s Mike Baxter. On
Shifting Gears, Allen now plays Matt Parker, with Kat Dennings starring as his new sitcom daughter Riley – another “K.D.” in his on-screen family.
From ‘Last Man Standing’ to Prestige TV
If it
feels like Dever has been everywhere since
Last Man Standing, that’s because she has.
- She played one of the leads in the acclaimed teen comedy
Booksmart, which helped cement her reputation as a breakout film star.
- On the TV side, she earned major praise for intense, grounded performances in Netflix’s
Unbelievable and Hulu’s
Dopesick.
- More recently, she has continued that trajectory with roles in the hit series
The Last of Us and
Apple Cider Vinegar.
During the later Fox years of
Last Man Standing (2018–2021), Dever shifted from series regular to recurring so she could pursue these high-profile projects, returning periodically while building a serious dramatic résumé.
Why This Reunion Matters for Fans
For longtime
Last Man Standing viewers, this quick gag on
Shifting Gears is more than a cute cameo – it’s a mini time machine.
- It taps straight into the nostalgia of fans who watched Dever grow up on screen from 2011–2017 on ABC, then through the show’s Fox relaunch.
- It also underlines the real-life bond between Dever and Allen, who she has credited – along with on-screen mom Nancy Travis – for their
professionalism and comedic mentorship early in her career.
With
Shifting Gears now in its
second season on ABC after premiering in January and returning in October, the show is clearly stable enough to start playing with these meta, fan-pleasing moments. Dever’s appearance doesn’t just boost nostalgia; it signals that she’s still game to revisit the comedy roots that launched her.
What’s Next for Kaitlyn Dever?
Dever’s surprise drop-in comes at a moment when she’s firmly transitioned from “sitcom kid” to
sought-after leading actor in both film and television. Given her recent turns in prestige dramas and high-profile genre titles, don’t expect her to settle back into a traditional multi-cam sitcom any time soon.
But this reunion suggests a few likely trends:
-
More special appearances and reunions: If fan response stays strong, ABC and Allen may be tempted to bring Dever back for a proper guest arc on
Shifting Gears.
-
Continued mix of comedy and drama: Dever’s ability to bounce from hard-hitting limited series to lighthearted sitcom moments is becoming part of her brand – and it keeps her options wide open.
-
Ongoing franchise and event projects: With credits like
The Last of Us on her slate, she is already in the conversation for big, culturally resonant projects going forward.
For now, though, fans are just enjoying seeing Eve Baxter step through a familiar kitchen door, remind Tim Allen who his
other TV daughter is, and give everyone a quick, warm hit of sitcom nostalgia.
Sources
1. Kaitlyn Dever Visits 'Shifting Gears' Set for a 'Last Man Standing ...
2. 'Shifting Gears': Kaitlyn Dever Surprises Tim Allen on Set - TV Insider
3. Kaitlyn Dever surprises former TV dad Tim Allen with “Last Man ...
