When Home Improvement aired in the ’90s, it framed Tim Taylor as an average family man who enjoyed simple, “manly” pursuits like power tools. Allen’s comic tic involved grunting, either in confusion or delight at wielding tools of varying powers.
Today, Allen is still in the sitcom game, leading Last Man Standing as Mike Baxter, the marketing director of a sporting-goods chain. He loves guns and work boots and the American flag, and lives in a big house with his wife and three daughters.
Home Improvement
In the ’90s, Home Improvement was one of the most popular sitcoms on TV. It starred Tim Allen as cocky Binford Tools salesman and TV host, Tim “the Tool Man” Taylor. He hosted his own show-within-a-show called Tool Time with co-host Al Borland (Richard Karn). The series also featured a recurring character named the Tool Girl—first Pamela Anderson, then Heidi, played by Debbe Dunning.
The 204 episodes of the ABC comedy ran from 1991 to 1999 and spawned spin-offs and sequels. It also launched Allen’s successful film career.
During the show’s run, Allen feuded with Bob Vila—the OG TV handyman. The two would visit each other’s sets and face off in trivia contests, a series of unorthodox races involving souped-up lawn mowers, and more. Their rivalry was a running gag throughout the show. It’s unclear whether the pair will reunite for a reboot. Currently, Allen stars in Last Man Standing on Fox and Disney+’s The Santa Clause.
Cars
From dune buggies to fancy Cadillacs, if it has wheels, Allen can soup it up. The actor also builds hot rods and specialized wheelchairs. For example, he created a Dragonfly wheelchair for his niece that features anodized aluminum foot pads, black perforated leather upholstery and four-wheel engineering to navigate sand, snow and mud.
Allen got his start in stand-up comedy on a dare while he was at Western Michigan University, but it wasn’t until his acting career took off that he started writing jokes for the screen. He’s since starred in numerous television shows and movies.
Allen is best known for his role as Tim Taylor on Home Improvement, but he’s also starred in the ABC sitcom Last Man Standing and appeared in top-grossing movies like The Santa Clause franchise. The real-life father of two has even made a name for himself as an author. He’s also a frequent guest on talk and variety shows.
Wheelchairs
A wheelchair is a form of mobility aid that allows people who have difficulty walking to get around. They can be used by kids or adults who have spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and other conditions. Today’s wheelchairs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and offer a range of features to ensure that the user is comfortable. Some include adjustable backrests, footplates and front caster outriggers. Others have added support for limbs and the head and neck.
Wheelchairs can be used inside or out and are designed to fit into tight spaces. They can also be modified to help with specific needs. Some wheelchairs have accessories such as multifunction bags and eating trays to help with everyday activities. Other wheelchairs are designed for outdoor use and feature wheels that can handle rough terrains like gravel, grass and paved paths. Most wheelchairs are lightweight and can be easily folded up for transport.
Women
The show’s main character, Tim Taylor (Tim Allen), is a cocky, over-ambitious, accident-prone know-it-all who loves power tools and cars. He’s a huge fan of the Detroit professional sports teams, wearing Lions, Pistons, and Red Wings gear often.
Jill, his wife, is an intelligent, practical, and mature woman who shares his love of cars and tools. She also enjoys opera, theatre, and ballet. She tries to get involved in his hobby of fixing things, but often finds herself at a loss when it comes to basic knowledge and skills. She is good at match-making, though she’s had mixed results.
She and Tim decided to end Home Improvement after eight seasons as they feared it was becoming stale. She currently stars in and executive produces the History Channel series Assembly Required. She reteamed with former co-star Richard Karn for the project, which premiered on Wednesday, June 29. The 10-episode show focuses on the evolution of cool, iconic tools.