The first pilot filmed was produced in April 1991, with Frances Fisher playing the character of Jill Taylor. Fisher, known primarily as a dramatic actress, was well qualified for the role of co-star, but the studio audience considered her unfunny and too serious in her line of performance. The producers tried to work with Fisher to adapt to the situation comedy scenario, but soon after the pilot finished post-production, they decided to change the role. Tim Allen's hit comedy series, Home Improvement, recently finished shooting while on location above Kernville, California.
The opening episode of the season is a comedic rafting adventure for the Taylor family on the infamous Kern River. The cast and crew greatly enjoyed filming on location while enjoying the beauty of the Kern River Valley and its natural environment. Allen even autographed and donated his lifesaver and the episode's script for display at the Kern Valley Museum. The locals of Sierra South Mountain Sports and Hyside Inflatables created a special boat, which provided the necessary equipment and consulting services to complete the difficult rafting scenes on the river.
We thank Tom Moore, from Sierra South, for providing us with the following photos while we were in the area of limestone from the Kern River. The 25-disc collection includes all 204 episodes of the series, as well as all the special features contained in previously released seasonal sets; it comes in a special collectible package, a home improvement toolbox with a Binford All-In-One Tool measuring tape. This popular mantra wouldn't be uttered after the seventh season of Home Improvement, until Tim's last line in the series finale. When ABC committed to the project in early 1991, Allen and his team had already changed the title to Home Improvement.
Each episode includes Tim's own home improvement program, called Tool Time, a metaprogram or a show within of a program. The series introduced by Tim Taylor in the screenplay for Home Improvement was still called Hammer Time when the first pilot with Frances Fisher was filmed in April 1991. In Germany, Home Improvement was broadcast on ARD, RTL and VOX, and repeats are currently being broadcast on private channels RTL II and Super RTL. I've been watching Home Improvement for the nostalgic effect (I usually watch old, silly comedies while working, so I don't have to think about what I'm watching: Home Improvement, Perfect Strangers, Family Ties, things like that).
