Home Improvement (1991)

About Home Improvement

Home Improvement is a popular American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 17, 1991, to May 25, 1999. The show centered around the daily trials and tribulations of the main character Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, a television show host and family man.

The plot of Home Improvement revolves around Tim, his wife Jill, and their three sons – Brad, Randy, and Mark. Tim hosts a local television program called "Tool Time," where he embodies the traditional masculinity of the American everyman with uncanny ability for mishaps and blunders. This comic theme of do-it-yourself domestic life set the stage for many episodes.

Making / Production

Home Improvement was created by the comedy team of Carmen Finestra, Matt Williams, and David McFadzean. Notably, the show's humor and themes were largely influenced by Tim Allen's stand-up comedy. The series was produced by Wind Dancer Productions and distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

Actors

• Tim Allen as Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor - Allen portrays the show's main character, a quirky yet lovable family man who is characterized by his clumsiness and overwhelming ambition.
• Patricia Richardson as Jill Taylor - Richardson plays Tim's level-headed, rational wife, who often checks her husband's overzealous behavior.
• Richard Karn as Al Borland - Karn plays Tim's co-host on "Tool Time," a role characterized by his expertise, patience, and contrasting personality to Tim.
• Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Zachery Ty Bryan, and Taran Noah Smith as Randy, Brad, and Mark Taylor - They played Tim and Jill's sons, each with their own distinct personalities that evolve throughout the series.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series is based on Tim Allen's stand-up comedy, where he played a character obsessed with power tools.
• 'Home Improvement' was the sitcom that introduced the world to actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas.
• The character of Al Borland is named after a real-life hardware store in Michigan.
• Tim Allen and Richardson both received Golden Globe nominations for their roles.

Awards

Home Improvement won numerous awards during its run. The show won a Primetime Emmy award for Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) and a BMI TV Music Award. Tim Allen won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in 1995.

Quotes

• "If it doesn't have a motor, then it's not a sport."
• "It's always harder when you have to think."
• "A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish."

Music

The show's main theme, "Iron John's Rock," was composed by Dan Foliart.

Soundtrack

• Episode specific songs such as "The Look of Love" by Burt Bacharach
• "Bad Boys" by Inner Circle
• "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers