Television

America wasn't just looking in on the Taylors all these years — we were living with them.
On September 17, 1991 the broadcasted pilot for ABC's Home Improvement introduced millions of viewers to Tim Taylor, befuddled husband and father, and the well-meaning but mishap-prone host of a home-repair show called Tool Time. Home Improvement was an instant hit with television fans, finishing in the top 10 in ratings its first season 1st in the 1993-94 season—topping all other series.

The Show

Born out of Tim's stand-up comedy routine, Home Improvement found much of its humor in Tim Taylor's fascination with hardware stores, hotrods and power tools — and, of course, his never-ending quest to find better hardware stores, faster hotrods and bigger power tools. Tim's exclamations of "More Power!" and grunts of "Arrh! Arrh! Arrh!" became the show's signature, and his penchant for rewiring, klutzy mishaps and bad judgment served as the framework for most of its comedy.

Tim Taylor was in his comfort zone when hosting Tool Time but had a tough time exerting his power around his own home. It was his ever-patient wife, Jill (Patricia Richardson), who aptly supplied the rye comebacks, affectionate teasing, and was wise enough to have the fire department's number on speed dial! With a drill in hand and the best intentions at heart, Tim attempted to solve any crisis that came his way. As a father, Tim tried to teach his sons Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan), Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), and Mark (Taran Smith) about the joys — and requirements — of manhood, while at the same time, he tried to understand the psyche of that elusive species … women. Tim often found guidance from his eccentric, philosophizing over-the-fence neighbor, Wilson (Earl Hindman), who was always ready with a piece of wisdom or a funny anecdote. On his "Tool Time" show—the only place where he could truly "reclaim the male spirit"—Tim was assisted by Al Borland (Richard Karn), a quiet bachelor-carpenter who was devoted to his mother, and Heidi (Debbe Dunning), the hot-looking resident Tool Time Girl.

In addition to Tim's antics, later episodes involved thought-provoking treatments of a variety of serious subjects including drug use, cancer, hysterectomies, vasectomies, grown children leaving for college and mothers re-entering the workplace—and even these shows found a humorous angle. Home Improvement won numerous awards throughout its run and the People's Choice Award for "Favorite male Performer on Television" went to Tim for eight years in a row.

Home Improvement Says "Good-Bye"

It had a remarkable eight-year run and on May 25, 1999 Home Improvement bid an emotional farewell with an hour and a half Series Finale special entitled "The Long and Winding Road." The episode was introduced with a half hour nostalgic look back at snippets over the years and was followed by a half hour of behind-the-scenes interviews and never-before-seen bloopers called "Back Stage Pass."

In Tim's Own Words

A few weeks before the show ended an emotional Tim commented: "I'm happier here than almost anyplace else—other than my bathroom. I don't want to end this, but I've watched Michael Jordan and I've watched Seinfeld. I've seen other people that have moved on, and there's just no good time to ever do this. The show has been like a mistress; a love affair; a family member. All this is very difficult on me as a funny guy. I'm saying goodbye everyday but I really don't want to go there. The eight years on Home Improvement are irreplaceable."

Home Improvement Fun Facts

• The show ran for 8 seasons and had a total of 204 episodes.
• Tim originally envisioned the show as This Old House combined with a Myrna Loy-type wife to a William Powell-type husband from "The Thin Man" movies from the forties.
• In 1990, Tim copyrighted a general description formatting his idea for a show and presented to to Disney. (For original document, see Press Archives)
• The show was originally called "Hammer Time" but after the phrase "Hammer Time" became so strongly associated with Rapper MC Hammer, the name was changed.
• The role of Jill Taylor initially went to actress, Frances Fisher, but after a week of rehearsals the role was replaced with Patricia Richardson just a few days before the pilot was taped.
• Richard Karn was initially a temporary fill-in for Al until they found the right actor, but after creating such a great rapport with Tim on Tool Time, he became a mainstay and by the 2nd season was added to the regular cast member credits. He became a certain favorite after uttering his first of many deadpan deliveries of the words "I don't think so Tim."
• Earl Hindman (Wilson) was previously on the TV soap Ryan's Hope for a decade. His face was revealed for the first time on the last Series Finale.
• Pamela Anderson was the first buxom Tool Time Girl, Lisa, and left the show in 1993.
• Debbie Dunning first appears in the 2nd season as a beautiful woman at a restaurant named Kiki. She became Heidi, the Tool Time Girl at the start of the 3rd season.
• The "Tool Time" audience was Home Improvement's actual live studio audience.
• Colleges and universities in Michigan sent Tim sweaters and T-shirts to wear on the air, and he did.
• The very funny and well known comedian, Lowell Sanders, made 3 guest appearances throughout the 8 season run.
• Wilson's last name was Wilson. Yes, it was Wilson Wilson.
• The show's original pilot was shot on Stage 4 at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank and that remained its home throughout the 8 seasons.
• The show made a notable breakthrough in sitcoms with its inventive computer-generated one-of-a-kind scene transitions.
• The animated character in the scene transitions was known as "Homey."
• In the 6th Season, they shot an episode aboard the USS Constellation aircraft carrier as part of their Salute to Engines.
• During the last season, every cast and crew member received a Home Improvement class ring and a yearbook. The gold ring is embossed with the show's logo on the top and the years it aired on the sides. Inside, the inscription reads, "Love, Tim and Pat."
• The song used in the series finale during the clip montage was "We've Got it All" performed by Kenny Rogers and written by Dan Foliart specifically for the show.
• Tim was 45 years old when they taped the Series Finale.
• For sentimental reasons, Tim had the show's "Tool Time" set reassembled at his speed shop and it resides there today.

Home Improvement Guests

Celebrity Guest Stars included: Jay Leno, Oprah Winfrey, Drew Carey, Bob Vila, Ernest Borgnine, Ann Miller, Jimmy Carter, Victoria Principal, Dave Chappelle, Janeane Garofalo, Rodney Dangerfield, Tom Poston, Morgan Fairchild, Michael Eisner, Leeza Gibbons, Dan Aykroyd, Penn & Teller and musical performances by The Beach Boys, Manhattan Transfer and Alan Jackson. Also Commander Kenneth Bowersox with the NASA Endeavor Space Shuttle Crew and the Columbia Space Shuttle Crew.

Celebrity Sports Figures included: Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Al Unser Sr, Al Unser, Jr., Al Richard Unser, Jack Arute, Robby Gordon, Isiah Thomas, Grant Hill, John Elway, Eric Hipple, Sean Jones, Kenny O'Brien, Bill Pickel, Kelvin Pritchett, David Krieg, Chris Spielman, Derrick Walker, Cory Everson, George Foreman, Evander Holyfield and Payne Stewart.