'I Was Mad at Tim': Home Improvement Star Reveals the Real Reason the Sitcom Ended (2024)

Home Improvement star Patricia Richardson recalled how the comedy series could have gone on for at least one more season. However, she had wanted the series to end by that point, and used the pay disparity between her and Tim Allen to help get the series canceled.

Richardson addressed the situation in a new interview with the Los Angeles Times. She remembered feeling like she just didn't have it in her to come back for a ninth year of the sitcom. According to Richardson, Allen was up for returning for another season, and he was offered $2 million per episode for a 25-episode season. Richardson was offered half as much at $1 million per episode, but she wasn't as keen on returning, as she wanted to spend more time with family following a divorce. She said that she countered the offer by asking for what Allen was making along with an executive producer credit, knowing that the series would sooner be canceled before that ever happened.

"I told everybody, 'There's not enough money in the world to get me to do a ninth year," Richardson explained. "This show is over. It needs to end."

On the counter-offer she asked for from Disney, Richardson added, "I knew that Disney would in no way pay me that much. That was my way to say 'no' and was a little bit of a flip-off to Disney. I'd been there all this time, and they never even paid me a third of what Tim was making, and I was working my ass off. I was a big reason why women were watching."

Richardson admitted that she was upset with Tim Allen at the time. This was partly because she was left to be the only cast member saying she wouldn't return, essentially making her feel like the "bad guy."

"I was mad at Tim because he was leaving me alone, being the only person saying no, which made me feel terrible and like the bad guy, and he was upset with me for leaving," as Richardson explained.

Patricia Richardson and Tim Allen Reunited for Last Man Standing

Richardson later reunited with Tim Allen by appearing on his comedy seriesLast Man Standing. She said that she's "never stopped loving working with him," though she also shared how she hasn't since kept in touch with the actor. Richardson would also say how Allen's political leanings may have tarnished the way a lot of people now view Home Improvement, though she's still proud of the sitcom and its legacy.

"Hollywood hates our show,” Richardson said. “When they talk about what the best shows of the ‘90s were, they will not give Home Improvement credit... I think it’s about Tim, and it’s about his politics."

She added, "I’m really proud of what it meant to our audience. I don’t care what anybody says, I’m proud of the legacy.”

Home Improvement is streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

Source: The Los Angeles Times

Home Improvement

TV-PG

Family

The daily trials and tribulations of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, a television show host raising three mischievous boys with help from his loyal co-host, loving wife, and eccentric neighbor.

Release Date

September 17, 1991

Cast

Tim Allen , Earl Hindman , Taran Noah Smith , Zachery Ty Bryan , Patricia Richardson , Richard Karn , Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

8

Cinematographer

Donald A. Morgan

Creator

Carmen Finestra, David McFadzean, Matt Williams

Producer

John Pasquin, Gayle S. Maffeo, Alan Padula

Production Company

Wind Dancer Productions, Touchstone Television

Number of Episodes

203

Network

ABC