Grunt Work: THE Podcast about the TV Show Home Improvement

I’ve experienced the ying and the yang of this podcast over the years. Overall I’ve enjoyed the time they put into it and the time I’ve spent listening. (I’m a binge listener)!

I thought I had rated and reviewed this podcast years ago, but it seems I didn’t, and I’m ashamed. I’ve been a terrible fan, I’m sorry guys. Anyways, I just wrapped up listening to the FINAL episode of Grunt Work, and I’m actually a little misty eyed. I discovered this podcast on a long drive across the US in late 2017/early 2018 (I think), and I’ve been tuning in ever since. Despite its considerable flaws, I’m a huge fan of Home Improvement—it takes me back to the 90s, and I loved it then and continue to though now I look at it through a different point of view. Truman and Landon are fair in their criticisms as well as praise; they are neither super-fans nor hate-watching the show, so we get a pretty balanced perspective on this show in the 2020s. Also, they are huge fans of the great Richard Karn, by far the best thing about this show, which I love because I am too. Most importantly, they are skilled show hosts and funny guys with a fantastic range. They are thoughtful and sometimes provide some genuine insights on things you may not expect from a podcast about the show Home Improvement. Landon is skilled at keeping the pace of the show entertaining and listenable and Truman’s humor is lightning-fast and sharp. They are a great duo—they’re both smart and funny, and they have genuinely excellent chemistry together. While I’m sad that Grunt Work is coming to an end, I am thrilled to hear that they are working on a new show and I will check that out for sure. If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading my novella-length review. There is not a better podcast out there about Home Improvement, so if you’re just discovering this I have no doubt you will enjoy the sizable back catalog, from show episodes to fun (and maybe not-so-fun) show related movies and other things. FIVE STARS!

These guys are not fans of Tim Allen or much of the show. Be prepared to listen to a rewatch that does A LOT of complaining with pretentious banter. I’ll give them credit for not giving up when they should have years ago, but I guess if you’ve got nothing better to do….

I grew up watching Home Improvement and never thought that decades later, I would be enjoying this whole meta level of two people analyzing each episode in the most articulate but hilarious way! The episodes have been clocking in at about two hours, but it is well worth it to listen. Truman and Landen have great chemistry and yes, they scrutinize through the “woke” lens, ripping apart Tim’s boorishness and toxic masculinity in general. They have admitted on the show to identifying more with Al Borland than Tim Taylor. If you are or were a fan of the show but can also appreciate an insightful and humorous cross-examination, this podcast is a must! I am sad that they are approaching the series finale, but look forward to catching up on the old episodes that were released before I knew this existed.