Comedian-actors Shane Gillis and Steve Gerben recently discussed how their personal history working with cars informed their roles in the Netflix series "Tires".
The connection between the actors' real-life experiences and their fictional roles is central to the show's attempt to capture the specific atmosphere of the automotive industry. By leveraging their backgrounds, the creators aim to provide a grounded depiction of a struggling family-owned auto-repair chain [2].
Filming for the series utilized locations that mirrored the actors' personal ties to the trade. The first season was filmed in the autobody shop owned by Steve Gerben’s father [1]. Later production moved to the Valley Forge Automotive Center in West Chester, Pennsylvania [1], [2].
Gillis and Gerben said the hands-on nature of their previous work and those memories translated into their performances. This commitment to realism extends to the setting, as the show focuses on the frictions of managing a business within the repair industry [2].
The series first premiered on May 23, 2024 [3]. Following the initial release, the production expanded, with a trailer for Season 3 appearing in early August 2024 [2].
The shift in filming locations from a private family shop to the Valley Forge Automotive Center suggests a scaling of the production as the series progressed. This transition allowed the show to maintain its focus on the gritty reality of the automotive world while accommodating the needs of a larger television set [1], [2].
“The creators aim to provide a grounded depiction of a struggling family-owned auto-repair chain.”
The reliance on personal history and authentic locations indicates a trend in modern comedy toward hyper-specific, blue-collar realism. By using actual automotive shops and actors with industry ties, the production avoids generic tropes, potentially appealing to a demographic that values professional accuracy over stylized sitcom settings.
