Tim Allen revealed why he found it challenging to be a mentor to his TV sons on Home Improvement. "It was new to me and it took a while for me to be that [father figure]. I felt like more of a funny, mischievous older brother for quite a while - especially to the boys on Home Improvement," Allen, 72, exclusively told Us Weekly about working with Zachery Ty Bryan, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Taran Noah Smith. Allen addressed the lessons he learned at the time. "It's difficult because I said when it was easy to be a TV parent, it's easy.