LOS ANGELES – ABC has officially ordered the Tim Allen and Kat Dennings comedy “Shifting Gears” to series, marking Allen’s return to television after his successful run on “Last Man Standing.” However, the announcement comes with a surprising twist: showrunners Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully have departed the project.

The news of the series pickup follows a strong pilot presentation, which saw Allen and Dennings deliver a chemistry-filled performance as a father and daughter with contrasting worldviews. Allen plays Ray, a seasoned auto mechanic who is forced to adjust his traditional ways when his estranged daughter, played by Dennings, returns home and joins his business.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tim and Kat back to ABC,” said Karey Burke, President of ABC Entertainment. “They are both incredibly talented performers and we are confident that ‘Shifting Gears’ will be a hit with audiences.”

While the network is excited about the project’s potential, the departure of the Scully duo raises eyebrows. The reasons for their exit haven’t been made public, but industry sources suggest creative differences with the network may have played a role.

“Shifting Gears” is set to be produced by 20th Television, with Allen serving as an executive producer alongside his longtime collaborator, Marty Kaplan. The series is currently in the process of finding a new showrunner to replace the Scullys, who previously served as showrunners on “The Simpsons” and have a successful track record in comedy.

The departure of the Scullys presents a significant challenge for the series. Despite the strong chemistry between Allen and Dennings, the success of “Shifting Gears” will heavily depend on the creative vision of the new showrunner. Will the network find a strong replacement to maintain the original spirit of the show? Only time will tell.