"Tool Time" Star's Anxiety Over Pamela Anderson's Surprise Return

The upcoming 2025 season premiere of "Shifting Gears" will feature a highly anticipated "Home Improvement" reunion, with Tim Allen at the center. One of the guest stars set to appear is Debbe Dunning, who played the helpful "Tool Time" assistant Heidi for the majority of the hit sitcom's run.

However, Dunning's return to the small screen has not been without its challenges. The actress revealed that she experienced significant anxiety earlier in her career when she learned that her former co-star, Pamela Anderson, might be making a comeback to the show. Dunning's worries were heightened by the combination of post-childbirth hormones and the stress of raising a newborn.

Hearing that Allen had met with Anderson in Las Vegas and was interested in bringing her character, Lisa, back onto the show on a regular basis, Dunning became visibly distressed. Her emotional state was so apparent that the stage manager had to intervene, assuring her that the two female "Tool Time" characters would not be paired together. Dunning even had to take a break to have her makeup retouched after crying on set.

Fortunately, a producer was able to calm Dunning's fears, explaining that Allen's comments were off-the-cuff and did not necessarily reflect the show's plans. In the end, Anderson did return for a reunion episode in Season 6, but Dunning's role as Heidi remained intact.

As Dunning reflects on this experience, she acknowledges the immense impact that "Home Improvement" had on her life and career. Fans of the beloved sitcom are eagerly awaiting the "Shifting Gears" premiere, which will feature not only Dunning, but also other guest stars like Lilly Singh, MLB player Mookie Betts, and Shark Tank's Lori Greiner.