Jill Taylor (Home Improvement)

This article is about the character in the TV sitcom Home Improvement.

For the model who was Playboy magazine's playmate of the month for January 1970, see Jill Taylor (model).

For the Neuroanatomist, see Jill Bolte Taylor.

Jill Taylor
Home Improvement character
First appearance	"Pilot"
Last appearance	"The Long and Winding Road"
In-universe information
Alias	Jill Patterson Jillian Patterson
Family	Husband: Tim Taylor = Mother: Lillian Patterson
Children	Brad Taylor Randy Taylor Mark Taylor

Jillian "Jill" Taylor (née Patterson) is a character in the TV sitcom Home Improvement played by Patricia Richardson. Jill is Tim Taylor's wife. Jill helps Tim raise their three sons (Brad, Randy, and Mark).

Background

Due to her father being in the Army, Jill and her four sisters grew up in a rigid environment. In order from oldest to youngest, they are Tracy, Linda, Jill, Carrie, and Robin. Jill and her siblings appear together in "Jill and Her Sisters" and "Taps".

Jill and Carrie were close as children, but grew apart in adulthood thus causing them to have trouble getting along due to mutual jealousy.

Personality

It is established early in the series that Jill serves as the voice of reason for her husband and children. Jill is known for her common sense, but is also in-tune with her emotions. However, she is also known to give bad advise with positive intentions. Jill loves sophisticated art forms such as ballet and opera. Jill offers a dichotomy to Tim's lovably-inept persona.

College and career

Throughout the course of the series, Jill progresses from being a fairly typical housewife to a career-focused working woman. Early in the series, Jill frequently has problems finding employment; in the pilot episode of the series, she laments to Tim about how she was passed over for a job interview. However, Jill ultimately goes back to school, majoring in Psychology.

Politics

Jill's feminism is emphasized throughout the series, especially in its latter seasons. She and Tim would sometimes argue about a man and woman's "place" in the household. Despite Tim's frequent reluctance to understand Jill's point of view, he usually tries to compromise with her.

It is also revealed in "Taps" that Jill is a Democrat. In other episodes, Jill mentions attending protest rallies as a young woman without her father's knowledge. However, being the daughter of an Army father has influenced her personality somewhat. For example, in "Tanks for the Memories", she exhibits great skill in driving a tank.

Running gags

• Her cooking talent, or lack thereof
• Whenever she address her husband or sons by their full name, it is a sure sign they are in trouble.
• Whenever Tim wants to make changes to an appliance, Jill refuses to let him.
• Tim often makes fun of her on Tool Time, which occasionally leads to arguments
• Jill being an enthusiastic (albeit unsuccessful) matchmaker.
• Jill being more logical and perceptive than Tim.
• Her propensity to promote the women's movement/feminism
• Psychological counseling/messing up relationships