“Home Improvement” had a quality that all sitcoms look for: chemistry between the protagonists Tim Allen and Richard Karn.
Allen, now 67, and Karn, now 65, starred together in the hit comedy series for eight seasons from 1991-1999. They played Tim Taylor and Al Borland, respectively – hosts for the fictional television series “Tool Time”.
Now, the two are getting together for a new reality show, “Assembly Required”, for the History Channel, which will see them overseeing competitors repairing and refurbishing everyday household items.
On the show’s TCA panel on Thursday, the co-stars reflected on their chemistry on the screen.
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“When we started doing ‘Home Improvement’, we had an audience watching ‘Tool Time’ who hadn’t seen the show at all,” recalled Kern. “Our relationship kind of happened before we knew what it was. We took our hints from the public’s reactions to us, but we didn’t know that there was anything really remarkable about how we were playing against each other.”
The actor added that he and Allen were simply doing their job, but “the writers were able to watch and support and write for it”.
Kern also remembers Allen once admitting that he “would never be friends with Al” at the beginning of their work time together.
“We really weren’t in the same circle of friendship at the time, but they kept writing about it, leaning towards him,” he added. “And as we got to know each other, I think that relationship just blossomed.”
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Allen then praised his co-star, calling him a “consummate professional and a genuinely calm person”, who helped him make the transition to the live format of “Mandatory Assembly”.
The “Last Man Standing” star said that their relationship is now very similar to what it was during the days of “Home Improvement”.
“This is the most unusual experience,” said the comedian about filming a reality show. “But [Karn] was able to bring it back down and be just like we were on ‘Tool Time’. It’s amazing how this is an expansion of that relationship. “
Tim Allen (left) and Richard Karn (right) in ‘Home Improvement’. (Photo: Walt Disney Television by Getty Images Photo Archives / Walt Disney Television by Getty Images)
Meeting after three decades was also big business for the duo, although when Allen was developing the show, he “never” thought about involving Karn until someone suggested that he offer him a show as a co-host.
“He took the chance,” shared Allen. “It has become the two of us, a kind of live version of ‘Tool Time’, if you will.”
Allen also addressed whether he is really a handyman himself, and although he said he likes to “take things apart” and even has a store in his house, there is a renovation project that always seems to confuse him.
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“Strangely, I’m very confused about plumbing. I don’t know what plumbing means,” he admitted. “We just closed our big sink and found a piece of something in there … Plumbing is my big problem.”
The star said his interest in practicality was a “natural thing” for him, as he followed in the footsteps of his late father, a car enthusiast.
“I’ve always loved workshop classes, I’ve always liked building things and I’ve always been through workshop teachers who spend an excessive amount of time setting up and cleaning part of it,” he shared.
One difficulty the pair faced was filming in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, which they did remotely, filming in their stores. However, it was not all bad.
Richard Karn (left) and Tim Allen (right) are getting together for a series of home remodeling competitions, ‘Assembly required,’ for the History Channel. (Photo by Leon Bennett / FilmMagic)
“It was an unintended positive consequence to go to these people’s stores,” explained Allen, noting that “all protocols were kept in place.”
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Karn added: “Because we were forced to do this in our separate space, you also realize across the country that wi-fi and that the ability to access the outside world is not so easy for everyone. I mean, schools are finding that out right now. But we … sometimes we had to wait a while to make sure that the wi-fi and the cameras and everything, we were giving back all the information. “
He explained that viewing the projects remotely before seeing them in person resulted in “a little disconnect” as they realized that the competitor’s projects were more complex than they originally appeared.
Filming was also an exciting experience.
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“It was very exciting. I’m not a big fan of judging art or movies or anything, and that was really difficult because the interest and dedication for these men and women was unbelievable, ”said Allen. “However, we prepared the show to have a winner and it was very difficult for me … to judge people.”
“Assembly Required” starts airing on February 23rd.