Here's why Tim Allen has been spending so much time in Louisville

If you've been jonesing for "more power," get ready for a double dose of funny man Tim Allen. 

The comedian and actor best known for "Last Man Standing" and "Home Improvement" ("more power" was Allen's catchphrase on the television show) will perform Friday, Aug. 5, at the Louisville Palace. Tickets for the show start at $48 and are on sale.

But before his one-man comedy act lands in Louisville, the voice of "Toy Story's" Buzz Lightyear (we'll get to that fiasco in a moment) will appear in an episode of The History Channel's "More Power," which features Louisville's FirstBuild. The innovative space on the University of Louisville campus is designed for inventors and makers focused on home appliances and is backed by GE Appliances.

What is 'More Power' with Tim Allen?

"More Power" is a 10-episode series that looks into the history and evolution of what's described as "the coolest, most powerful and iconic examples" of tools. Co-hosting the unscripted show alongside Allen is his "Home Improvement" co-star Richard Karn.

“We both share a great appreciation of people who can solve a problem not by talking about it," Allen said, "but by ‘doing’ it with creativity and amazing skills.”

The History Channel's new show premiered June 29 and the episode featuring FirstBuild is set to air at 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 13.

Allen and Karn are joined on the show by woodworking YouTube star April Wilkerson, who also co-hosted their previous History Channel series, the 2021 reality competition "Assembly Required."

Although specifics about the upcoming episode produced at FirstBuild will remain under wraps until showtime, we can tell you there may be someone you recognize from Louisville on the show. Each episode features real-life operators of machines used as tools in everyday life and toolmakers are invited to modify some familiar objects in what promises to be "mind-blowing" ways.

Why is Tim Allen not voicing Buzz in 'Lightyear'

Speaking of mind blowing, if you bought a movie ticket for Pixar's recently released "Lightyear" then you know Allen, who originated the voice of Buzz Lightyear in 1995's "Toy Story," was not cast in the new film. He was replaced by actor Chris Evans in the new film, which is the origin story of earnest space ranger Buzz Lightyear.

Evans' Buzz in "Lightyear" is a fictional film character who was then turned into the toy Andy is given in the first of the four Pixar "Toy Story" films.

"Tim really is the embodiment of the toy Buzz, and this ("Lightyear") isn't the toy world, so it really doesn't make sense," producer Galyn Susman told The Hollywood Reporter of the change. "There's not really a role. It would just cause more confusion for audiences instead of helping them understand the movie we're trying to tell."

In an interview with "Extra," Allen commented on the new "Lightyear" film: "It's a wonderful story; it just doesn't seem to have any connection to the toy."

Louisville fans disappointed the comedian was left off the film still have plenty of opportunities to catch Allen this summer. First on "More Power" on The History Channel Wednesday and next at the Louisville Palace Aug. 5.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville. 

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Tim Allen hosts The History Channel's 'More Power' in Louisville