Jenna Elfman Breaks Down How ‘Shifting Gears’ Debut Featured an Easter Egg About Her Career (Exclusive)

Shifting Gears found a unique way to nod at Jenna Elfman‘s career — but did you catch that Easter egg?

During the Wednesday, February 26, episode of the hit ABC sitcom, Elfman’s character Eve is introduced as a choreographer, who owns a dance studio across from the classic car restoration shop run by Tim Allen‘s Matt. Eve is seen practicing her dancing skills when Matt storms in to confront her about an issue in their shared alleyway, which was inspired by Elfman, 53.

“I loved having the chance to get to dance in the episode. Dance was my first professional accomplishment [where I learned about] getting really good at something,” Elfman exclusively told Us Weekly. “I was a professional dancer [in the past], and it felt so cool to come back into a multi-cam with so many familiar faces and dance.”

Elfman called it “a full bucket of joy” that Shifting Gears found a way to incorporate her personal interests, adding, “Now that you say that, I’m realizing how much they nod to things with Tim regularly and with some special guest stars coming up too. That’s really fun. You don’t see that in sitcoms very often.”

She continued: “You don’t see Easter eggs [often], and I just feel like they’re pushing the limits of a sitcom. They are bringing in [new] elements — while maintaining what works in a sitcom — and just expanding it within our current culture and humor. It just works. It’s so great.”

While reflecting on her recurring arc, Elfman had nothing but praise for Shifting Gears, saying, “We all love a good sitcom, but it has felt hard to do in terms of streaming and social media and the great sitcoms were before all of that. I really love the format. So I’ve been interested in doing one, but I didn’t feel hopeful that it could be done well or fresh or new.”

The actress credited showrunner Michelle Nader for creating a show that stands out.

“I’ve worked with Tim before on a film, so I know he’s lovely. He’s so good at what he does. It’s like you don’t even see it happening and then all of a sudden it’s just brilliant. But Michelle Nader and I had a phone conversation, and she was walking me through what her plan is in terms of the sitcom and making it feel fresh, which is so hard,” she recalled. “So Michelle — and the rest of the cast and crew — are just kicking ass. It’s so good. She just wanted to have a fresh take on what a strong woman looks like. Everything she said resonated with me. It felt like home for me.”

Elfman expressed excitement at reprising the role of Eve later in the season, adding, “I loved her take on how to approach the family at the center of the series and the generational divides culturally, politically and emotionally. It’s a sitcom, but it’s grounded with talent who knows how to act and who knows how to deliver comedy. At the same time, the writing really supports that as well. Everything felt right for me to come play, and I’m so glad I did because I had a very good time. We just finished filming the final episode last night and it’s so good.”

Shifting Gears airs on ABC Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Hulu.