Lori Greiner joins Shifting Gears Season 2: Here’s all you need to know about her casting in the sitcom

ABC’s Shifting Gears Season 2 is set to make its return on October 1, and one of the biggest surprises in the lineup is the addition of Lori Greiner. Known to millions of viewers as one of the most recognizable faces on Shark Tank, Greiner will appear as herself in the multi-camera sitcom, according to Variety.

This isn’t her first foray into scripted comedy either, she previously popped up as herself in Dr. Ken and later made cameos in shows like Grace and Frankie, Little America, and Baskets. Her casting in Shifting Gears builds on that trend, bringing her entrepreneurial persona into a family comedy led by Tim Allen and Kat Dennings.

Season 2 is already shaping up to lean heavily on callbacks and special appearances, with other guest stars including Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Allen’s Home Improvement co-stars Patricia Richardson, Debbe Dunning, and Richard Karn, Dennings’ former Dollface co-star Lilly Singh, and even LA Dodgers star Mookie Betts.

Greiner’s episode will add a different flavor to the mix, bridging the gap between ABC’s reality powerhouse and its scripted slate. For a show built around family, second chances, and Allen’s love of cars, her cameo represents another layer of ABC synergy.

Lori Greiner will bring her Shark Tank persona to Shifting Gears Season 2

Lori Greiner’s appearance in Shifting Gears Season 2 is part of ABC’s strategy to keep the comedy fresh with recognizable personalities stepping into the storyline. Unlike some sitcom cameos that feel random, her role as herself fits well into the show’s structure. Shifting Gears centers on Matt Parker, played by Tim Allen, who runs a car restoration shop while adjusting to life with his daughter Riley, played by Kat Dennings, and her kids.

The series thrives on bringing outsiders into Matt’s world, whether they’re customers, old friends, or unexpected visitors. Greiner’s casting takes that setup and connects it directly to ABC’s own talent pool, since she remains a high-profile presence on Shark Tank.

Showrunner Michelle Nader has emphasized that Shifting Gears Season 2 would be packed with callbacks, Easter eggs, and career tie-ins for its stars and guest actors. That makes Greiner’s presence more than just a stunt cameo.

She has built her reputation as an inventor and brand builder, and in this sitcom space she gets to play a heightened version of that public persona. It’s a way of grounding the comedy in real-world pop culture while letting the audience enjoy the clash between Matt’s no-nonsense personality and a big TV name who deals in pitches and ideas.

Greiner joins a guest star lineup that reflects how much ABC is investing in the series. Gabriel Iglesias, who recently shared the screen with Allen in The Santa Clauses, is also set to appear. There’s a full-on Home Improvement mini-reunion about to happen in Season 2 with Patricia Richardson, Debbe Dunning, and Richard Karn, while Jenna Elfman continues her arc as Eve.

Even athletes like Mookie Betts are being woven into episodes. In that context, Greiner’s casting stands out because she represents an entirely different corner of the entertainment industry, one that connects Shifting Gears to ABC’s unscripted programming.

This approach also lines up with ABC’s decision to expand the season order from 10 to 13 episodes. More episodes mean more room for side plots, cameos, and character interactions that aren’t just tied to Matt and Riley’s family drama.

Greiner’s involvement gives the show another angle to explore, reminding viewers that it’s not just about fixing cars but also about how unexpected people cross paths in that setting. For fans, her guest spot adds curiosity about how the sitcom will use her entrepreneurial flair in a comedic way.

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