Why Tim Allen And Richard Karn’s Home Improvement Relationship Was Key For Their New Show
Even though Tim Allen and Richard Karn hadn't worked together on a full-time basis in over 20 years prior to 2021, it was already obvious that the relationship they built up on Home Improvement's eight-season run was one to last a lifetime. The evidence was on display during Karn's pair of Last Man Standing episodes, and it's one of the biggest selling points behind the duo's new History Channel series Assembly Required.
To be sure, Assembly Required definitely isn't an attempt to simply ape Home Improvement's "Tool Time" segments, but the competition series definitely does derive a lot of its enjoyment from the actors' dynamic as they witness and judge a slew of home builds from its batch of contestants. During this year's Television Critics Association panel for Assembly Required, Tim Allen talked about how his longtime relationship with Richard Karn was a pretty essential piece of the puzzle, even though he initially didn't think Karn would do it. In his words:
That all sounds right on par with expectations. A lot of Tim Allen's characters are the type who seem like they'd mentally snap after being stuck in an unfortunate situation for slightly too long, so it's understandable that Allen himself would have a more limited cache of patience than some of his co-workers. Especially when compared to someone as effortlessly affable as Richard Karn, who could be a figure in Mount Nice-more alongside Mr. Rogers and Jim Henson. Opposites do attract, after all, and it's awesome that Allen and Karn's personalities fell right back into that balance for Assembly Required.
Ever the gentleman, Richard Karn didn't take full credit for keeping the show on the rails, and pointed to the magic of television for why the show looks as presentable as it does.
One can only hope there are some outtakes out there during which Tim Allen appears ready to blow a gasket, only to have Richard Karn magically step in as the Grunt Whisperer to reverse his co-star's frustrations. And I can't quite explain it, but I'm also picturing a lawnmower being involved.
Producer Brent Montgomery was also on hand for the panel – as was Tim Allen and Richard Karn's co-host April Wilkerson – and he gave an outsider's opinion about why Allen and Karn's friendship was such a big win to everyone behind the scenes.
While Home Improvement's Tim Taylor was usually more quick to one-up someone's handiwork rather than show genuine appreciation for it, Tim Allen is often very visibly impressed by the things that contestants are putting together on Assembly Required, and fans are as well. So check out all the cool creations Allen and Richard Karn are judging – when they're not playfully judging each other – when Assembly Required airs Tuesday nights on History Channel at 10:00 p.m. ET. Will this series get viewers any closer to a legitimate Home Improvement revival?
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Nick is a Cajun Country native and an Assistant Managing Editor with a focus on TV and features. His humble origin story with CinemaBlend began all the way back in the pre-streaming era, circa 2009, as a freelancing DVD reviewer and TV recapper. Nick leapfrogged over to the small screen to cover more and more television news and interviews, eventually taking over the section for the current era and covering topics like Yellowstone, The Walking Dead and horror. Born in Louisiana and currently living in Texas — Who Dat Nation over America’s Team all day, all night — Nick spent several years in the hospitality industry, and also worked as a 911 operator. If you ever happened to hear his music or read his comics/short stories, you have his sympathy.