The Two 'Dads' Of Shane Gillis' 'Tires': Why Phil (and The Shop's Real Owner) Are Key To The Netflix Hit

The phrase "Tires Shane Dad" has become a central point of discussion among fans of the hit Netflix comedy series *Tires*, and it refers to more than just one character. As of December 2025, the show, co-created by and starring comedian Shane Gillis, has cemented its place as a cult favorite, largely thanks to the hilarious and often awkward dynamic between Shane, Will, and the various father figures—both real and fictional—who influence the Valley Forge Automotive Center. The most prominent of these is the character Phil, Shane's wealthy, deadpan father, whose arrival in Season 2 completely upended the shop's chaotic ecosystem.

This deep dive will explore the full context of the "Tires Shane Dad" phenomenon, from the on-screen relationship between Shane and his father, Phil, to the real-life story of the auto shop where the series is filmed, which belongs to the father of co-star Steve Gerben. It’s a story of comedy, family business, and a massive career rebound for one of stand-up's biggest names.

Shane Gillis: A Stand-Up Comedian's Biography and Career Rebound

The success of *Tires* is inextricably linked to the unique comedic voice and career trajectory of its co-creator and star, Shane Gillis. His journey from the local comedy circuit to a Netflix headliner is a fascinating narrative of resilience and raw talent.

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• Full Name: Shane Michael Gillis
• Date of Birth: December 11, 1987
• Place of Birth: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
• Profession: Stand-up Comedian, Actor, Writer, Podcaster
• Key Career Milestones:
  • 2019: Named a "New Face" at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival.
  • 2019: Briefly hired and then famously fired from *Saturday Night Live* (*SNL*) before ever appearing on air due to past controversial comments.
  • 2021: Released his self-funded debut special, *Shane Gillis: Live in Austin*, which quickly gained widespread acclaim.
  • 2023: Released his second special, *Beautiful Dogs*, on Netflix, produced by his company Dad Sick Productions.
  • 2024: Co-created and starred in the Netflix series *Tires*, which was an immediate hit and quickly renewed for a second and third season.
  • 2024: Hosted *SNL* in a highly-publicized return, performing the show's highest-rated episode of the season.
• Production Company: Dad Sick Productions, which he runs with his long-time comedy partner John McKeever.

The Character Phil: The Wealthy, Disruptive 'Shane Dad'

The core of the "Tires Shane Dad" discussion centers on the character Phil, who is introduced in the second season of the show. Phil is the father of Shane’s character and represents a completely different world from the blue-collar chaos of the Valley Forge auto shop.

Thomas Haden Church’s Perfect Casting

Phil is played by veteran actor Thomas Haden Church, a casting choice widely praised by fans for its perfect, deadpan comedic fit. The character is described as Shane's wealthy father, and his arrival in Season 2 is a major plot point. Phil doesn't just show up; he attempts to both mend his relationship with his son and "help" the financially struggling business, which mostly involves introducing ludicrously expensive and ill-conceived business ideas.

The dynamic between Shane and Phil is a masterclass in awkward, generational tension. Phil is often oblivious to the realities of the shop, offering advice that is completely out of touch with the everyday struggles of the mechanics. This new dynamic added a crucial layer of topical authority to the show, exploring themes of generational wealth, strained family relationships, and the clash between corporate ideas and blue-collar work ethic. The "Shane Dad" storyline is a key reason Season 2 was a critical success, deepening the characters of both Shane and Will (Steve Gerben).

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The Real-Life 'Dad' Behind the Tires Auto Shop

To fully understand the *Tires* universe, one must recognize the second, and arguably more foundational, "dad" in the story: the father of co-star Steve Gerben, who plays the shop's nervous, unqualified manager, Will.

Filmed at a Real Auto Body Shop

The Valley Forge Automotive Center, the primary setting for the entire series, is not a set built on a soundstage; it is a real, functioning auto repair shop in Pennsylvania. This shop is owned by the real-life father of Steve Gerben. The show's creators, Shane Gillis and John McKeever, opted to film in an authentic location, which lends the series its distinct, grimy, and realistic blue-collar atmosphere.

This production choice is a testament to the show's commitment to its grounded, regional comedy. The real-life connection to the shop's owner adds a layer of LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) relevance, connecting the fictional narrative to genuine auto-repair culture and the struggles of a family-run business. The series itself was initially self-funded and released on YouTube, filmed in this authentic location before Netflix picked it up, highlighting its grassroots origins.

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The Significance of Dad Sick Productions

Further solidifying the theme of "dad" and family in the production is Shane Gillis's company, Dad Sick Productions, which co-produced *Tires* with John McKeever and Steve Gerben. The name itself, "Dad Sick," is a playful, evocative term that perfectly captures the show's blend of juvenile humor and the underlying themes of adult responsibility and generational anxiety. The company's name is a key entity in the Gillis comedy ecosystem, having also produced his stand-up specials.

The Future of 'Tires': Season 3 and Beyond

The latest and most crucial update for fans of the "Tires Shane Dad" dynamic is the official renewal of the series. Following the massive success of Season 2, which premiered on Netflix in June, the streaming giant quickly greenlit the show for a third season.

While the quick renewal is a sign of the show's popularity, fans will have to wait a bit for the next installment. Current projections suggest that *Tires* Season 3 is likely to arrive sometime in 2026. This delay is typical for high-demand productions and will give the writers, including Gillis, McKeever, and Gerben, time to craft the next chapter of the Valley Forge saga. The return of Thomas Haden Church as Phil is highly anticipated, as his character's wealthy, misguided interference provides some of the show's best comedic material and topical authority.

The continuation of *Tires* for a third season confirms that the show's blend of crude, workplace humor, and surprisingly heartfelt family dynamics—centered around Will's anxiety and Shane's complex relationship with his father, Phil—has struck a chord with a massive audience. The "Tires Shane Dad" storyline is set to evolve, promising more hilarious clashes between the shop's blue-collar reality and Phil's silver-spoon business ideas.