Garver helps find constant ‘improvement’ on top-rated show

Garver helps find constant ‘improvement’ on top-rated show

Creative consultant for show speaks tonight as part of Extension
series

By Rodney Tanaka

The writers of "Home Improvement" once approached Tim Allen with
an idea for a show where his wife Jill wants to buy him an
emotional birthday gift. They suggested she give him a hood
ornament for his hot rod. Allen asked for some time to think about
it. He came back later and suggested Jill arrange for Tim to take a
ride in a tank.

"There is nobody else involved with the show, or maybe living in
this world, that would have thought going for a ride in a tank
would be an emotional gift from a wife to a husband," says Lloyd
Garver, creative consultant for "Home Improvement."

"But for this particular character he was exactly right."

Garver will share anecdotes and insight into the popular sitcom
today in UCLA Extension’s "Tune in Tonight." The Extension series
features open discussions with executives from popular comedy shows
like "Ellen," "The Simpsons" and "Mad About You." "Home
Improvement" follows the the exploits of Tim the "Tool Man" Taylor,
his wife and their three sons.

Garver works with a team of writers on script development and
polishing. He believes the personal touches added by Allen help
make the show a success.

"Tim Allen is much more involved in the specific minutia of
every episode than any other actor I’ve worked with," Garver says.
"All the stuff having to do with cars and tools are things he takes
very seriously. The character that he plays is very close to his
own person."

Allen makes the entire crew feel comfortable on the set. "He
seems to feel, just as he would on stage, that its his job to
entertain everyone around him." Garver says. "If you’re unhappy or
being mistreated by somebody he’d try to change the situation."

A sense of camaraderie permeates the set. Garver explains that
the "Home Improvement" family makes no clear division between the
crew and the actors and producers.

"It really feels like everybody is in this together," Garver
says. "One of Tim’s closest friends on the show is the prop man
rather than some network executive. He sets the tone."

Garver views his own role as one element in a collaborative
effort. Throughout a typical week he and a team of writers will
constantly polish and revise the week’s script with the input of
the director and the actors.

"Its an environment that is conducive to dissent," Garver says.
"No matter who’s making the suggestion, if you think its a terrible
suggestion you feel pretty free to voice that opinion."

Garver’s opinions spring from more than 20 years of experience
working in television. He was an original writer and producer on
"Family Ties," and he also worked on the original "Bob Newhart
Show," "Anything but Love" and "Alf." Yet the star of "Home
Improvement" is as unique as that furry orange alien from Melmac
named Alf. Garver describes an episode where Tim Taylor soups up a
garbage disposal, putting in all sorts of inappropriate items,
including shoes and wood.

"You see a smile on his face saying, ‘I just wanted to see what
would happen.’, the same way a 7- or 8-year-old would say that when
they got caught doing it," Garver says. "A lot of the show is his
childlike interest, excitement and awe of things."

Allen’s personality has translated into more than just success
on television. The past year has witnessed his success in movies
("The Santa Clause") and in the publishing world ("Don’t Stand Too
Close to a Naked Man"). Both projects reached number one on their
respective charts. "His competition in the book world was the
Pope," Garver says. "I don’t think a few years ago Tim Allen would
have thought he’d be battling the Pope for anything in
particular."

The Pope should take heed. Tim Allen has tank experience.

UCLA Extension: "Tune In Tonight," featuring Lloyd Garver on
Jan. 30. Evening admission is $30 or $165 for the series; $5 per
evening with valid student ID For more info call (310)
825-9415.