Jonathan Taylor Thomas, who recently bowed out of ABC's "Home Improvement," has returned this week to tape the Christmas episode, reports syndicated columnists Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith. While series star Tim Allen was glad to have his "middle son" back, he also said, "I love the kid, but he said he was leaving to study for college. Instead, he's been making movies. What he did didn't sit well with me. It was misleading for everyone." Thomas' "I'll Be Home for Christmas" opened Friday to generally negative reviews.