With Netflix bringing back some of our most beloved TV shows from the past like Full House and Gilmore Girls, we begin to get nostalgic. The 90s were a mecca for great and revolutionary television. One of those beloved shows is Home Improvement, featuring the one and only Tim Allen as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor. He was funny, he was wacky, he knew how to use power tools. It was a show you could watch as a family, and that’s one of the reasons it has held a place in the hearts of its viewers.
After the recent reunion of Tim and Jill, we thought we would cover the greatest lessons we learned from one of the greatest 90s TV shows, aside from NOT touching a live wire. Here they are.
Accidents happen, so be careful.
As we know from the hilarious missteps taken by Tim throughout the series, accidents happen. Whether it was falling through a roof, losing control of a power tool or spraying Al with some black goop, Tim pretty much had every accident possible, short of severing limbs. If we learned anything from this, it’s to be extra careful.
Family means everything.
One of the lasting elements of this show is the bond between Tim, his wife Jill and their three boys. Though this family goes through their fair share of difficulties, from health scares to mishaps, they always work through them together.
Always be a good role model.
While he wasn’t always the most handy of handymen, Tim always strived to be a good role model to his three boys. From helpful (or not so helpful) advice to fatherly love to discipline when needed, the boys knew they could turn to their father, and they respected him. Plus, he taught them the importance of grunting. We’ll cover that later.
Good friends are priceless.
Al and Tim might have bickered and disagreed at times, but ultimately they were always there for each other. They were even arrested together in one episode. Al serves as the level-headed man to Tim’s outlandish character. When Al goes through a rough time with his then fiancee, Ilene, Tim was there for him with helpful advice.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best.
The live audience enthusiastically recited Tim’s mantra, “More Power!”, but that doesn’t mean that more power is always the right course of action. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. Although we don’t think Tim ever quite learned this lesson.
Grunting is essential to life.
From the first episode to the last, grunting was a huge part of the show. It was about being a man! It also added some comedic relief. Ultimately, whether you are man or woman, grunting every now and then is good for the soul. So go ahead. Give a little grunt.
Always be neighborly.
Oh, Wilson. The philosopher of 90s television. He was always around, with his face half-covered, to offer advice to various members of the Taylor family. Mostly, he was a voice of reason to the affable Tim, although he often turned Wilson’s neighborly advice into a reason to do something outrageous. For instance, instead of asserting his manhood in an appropriate way as Wilson suggested, Tim replaced the dishwasher in the first episode, leading to a massive kitchen explosion and an angry wife. Then again in the same episode, he also publicly apologized to his wife using Wilson’s advice almost verbatim. It’s all about balance.
It’s okay to ask for help.
One of Tim’s biggest problems was that he used too much power and never asked for help. If we can learn anything from the many hilarious mistakes made by the Toolman, it’s to ask for help when we aren’t sure of our next step. (Like hiring one of our gutter technicians instead of cleaning the gutters yourself. Subtle hint.) After all, being safe is better than being sorry.
Have fun with life.
You have to admit, Tim knew how to have fun. From his job to his family to his friends, he cherished life and all of the laughable qualms that come along with it.
It’s tool time!
What was your favorite part of Home Improvement? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Don’t forget to clean your gutters this summer!
