On September 17, 1991, “Home Improvement” made its debut on ABC, marking the beginning of a cultural phenomenon that defined television in the 1990s.

For those who didn’t experience the ’90s firsthand, it’s difficult to grasp the immense popularity of “Home Improvement.” The show stood out for its genuine humor, avoiding the pitfalls of formulaic sitcoms. Its widespread appeal bridged diverse audiences—men and women, children and parents, and both blue-collar and white-collar workers found something to enjoy. Adding to its allure, especially for male viewers in the early seasons, was Pamela Anderson’s role as Lisa, the original “Tool Time girl,” known for her signature cropped t-shirts and overalls.

At its height, “Home Improvement” captivated more than 30 million viewers each week, consistently securing a spot among the top 10 television shows. During its third season, it soared to the #2 position in Nielsen ratings, trailing only “60 Minutes.” For comparison, just two weeks ago, Game 7 of the World Series attracted about 26 million viewers, while around 20 million tune in for Sunday NFL games on major networks like CBS, Fox, or ABC. Today, “60 Minutes” remains the leading non-sports program, averaging roughly 14 million viewers—a stark contrast to the audience “Home Improvement” once commanded.

The show’s influence extended far beyond television ratings. Even now, more than 25 years since the series concluded, a simple imitation of Tim Allen’s iconic grunt is enough for those over 35 to instantly recognize and respond with the series’ trademark sounds.

The cast, including Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Zachery Ty Bryan, Taran Noah Smith, and Richard Karn, became familiar faces in households across the nation.

By the show’s final season, Tim Allen was the highest-paid actor on television, earning $1.25 million per episode. With 28 episodes in that season, his earnings totaled $35 million, equivalent to approximately $68 million today when adjusted for inflation.

Much to her frustration, for the entire series, Patricia Richardson earned exactly half of Tim Allen’s salary. That tension resurfaced midway through the eighth season when ABC approached her about returning for one final, ninth season. To entice her, the network offered $1 million per episode, or roughly $25 million for a full season—about $50 million in today’s dollars.

Unfortunately, Patricia soon learned that ABC had offered Tim $2 million to come back. AKA $50 million for the season. AKA $100 million after adjusting for inflation.

Upon hearing that, Richardson politely told ABC she would return only if she and Allen were paid equally. The network declined, and the show ended after eight seasons.

Standing up for herself wasn’t just about money. At the time, Richardson was a recently divorced single mother of three, balancing her career with raising her kids and caring for an ailing parent. As she later explained, if she was going to spend more time away from home, it had to be under fair and extraordinary circumstances.

After the show ended in 1999, Richardson retreated from the spotlight and focused on family life. During the height of her Home Improvement fame, she had purchased a charming Cape Cod–style mansion in Los Angeles’s Brentwood neighborhood for $1.1 million. It became her sanctuary—a place where she raised her children, hosted family weddings, and even held SAG-AFTRA events during her tenure with the union.

Now, nearly 30 years later, that same 6,600-square-foot home has hit the market for just under $10 million. The seven-bedroom, nine-bath estate features classic 1930s architecture, manicured gardens, and a resort-style pool with a waterfall grotto bar. Unclear if it needs any improvement, or if it comes with a friendly neighbor whose face is never shown 🙂

Here is a video tour: