After 23 years, Reba McEntire’s new sitcom,Happy’s Place, can finally fix one of the most uncomfortable aspects ofReba. The Queen of Country Music has also excelled in the acting space by starring in various small screen projects over the years. She was last seen reprising her role as June, the ex-wife of Craig T. Nelson’s Dale, in theYoung Sheldonfinale. As it turned out, however, that was just a tease for McEntire’s eventual return to the sitcom sandbox as she spearheads another comedy that is about to premiere this fall on NBC,Happy’s Place.
InHappy’s Place, McEntire breaks some of the tropes that she is known for. The new NBC series will see her playing Bobbie, who inherits her late father’s bar. While figuring out a way to run it, she learns that she has a step-sister, Isabella (Belissa Escobedo). This is amajor departure from McEntire’s usual divorced mom characteron TV, which she first popularized in Reba. While she is veering away from that type of character, she won’t be able to fully separate from her eponymous sitcom as Melissa Peterman reunites with her as part ofHappy’s Place’s cast.
Reba McEntire & Melissa Peterman’s Reba Relationship Explained
Reba & Barbra Jean’s Relationship Was Off-Putting At Times
After working together inReba, Peterman and McEntire maintained a good relationship, regularly spending time with each other. The 2001 sitcom was about McEntire’s character moving on from an unexpected split from her long-time husband. She was left raising three kids on her own, which made things much trickier. Her husband, Brock (Christopher Rich), had an affair with his assistant, and because she got pregnant, he was forced to marry her. That mistress was Peterman’s Barbra Jean.
While sitcoms are known for happy-ever-afters, it was always uncomfortable howRebaminimized the impact of Brock and Barbra Jean’s affair.
As if the whole situation wasn’t difficult enough for Reba, Brock and Barbra Jean remained a constant part of her and her kids' lives moving forward. Despite her transgressions, Peterman’s often-slow character would innocently treat Reba as a friend, and while she was initially repulsive about it, the women eventually developed a proper friendship. While sitcoms are known for happy-ever-afters, it was always uncomfortable howRebaminimized the impact of Brock and Barbra Jean’s affair. This clouded what was otherwise a sweet dynamic between Reba and her ex-husband’s new wife.
How Happy’s Place Fixes McEntire & Peterman’s Reba Relationship
Bobbie & Gabby Are Better Friends Than Reba & Barbra Jean
Because they maintained their friendship after their six-year stint in Reba, the pair continued to find a way to share the screen again in a sitcom. It took them many years, but now, McEntire and Peterman are reunited in Happy’s Place. In the new show, Peterman plays Gabby, Bobbie’s right-hand person in the bar. Based on theHappy’s Placetrailerreleased by NBC about the show, the pair seems to have the ideal dynamic that Barbra Jean wanted to have with Reba in the first place. This time, however, it’s far easier to enjoy watching them because of their circumstances.
Admittedly, the premise ofHappy’s Placeis supposed to center on Bobbie and Isabella. That said, it’s difficult to imagine Peterman’s Gabby not stealing some scenes, especially considering her established chemistry with McEntire. That was exactly what happened in 2001’sReba, and because they have kept in touch throughout these years, it’s safe to say that it will also shine through in their new show. The great thing now is thatHappy’s Place’s Bobbie and Gabby are not in the same predicament as Reba and Barbra Jean inReba, effectively making their friendship so much easier to accept.
Which Other Reba Character Should Return In Happy’s Place
Other Members Of The Hunt Family Need To Appear
McEntire and Peterman sharing the screen again inHappy’s Placeis a thrill for fans ofReba. That said, it would be so much better if any of the Hunts could also show up in the upcoming sitcom for a bigger reunion. At the top of the list is Rich coming back, considering that Brock was the primary instigator of Reba and Barbra Jean’s dynamic in the 2001 sitcom. It would be funnier if NBC’sHappy’s Placecould also add some meta-commentary on how he looks familiar to Bobbie and Gabby.
After Rich,Happy’s Placecan also bring back JoAnna García and Steve Howeyto reunite with McEntire and Peterman. The pair played Cheyenne Hunt-Montgomery and Van Montgomery in theRebacast. While any kind of cameo from the aforementioned actors would be a big treat for those who followed their love story in the 2001 sitcom, it will be better if they make an appearance in the new show together. This allowsHappy’s Placeto once again shine a light on their fantastic chemistry.
Reba
Cast
Reba stars Reba McEntire as a single mother navigating life after her husband’s affair disrupts their marriage. Set in Houston, the series blends humor with the complexities of blended families, showcasing Reba’s resilience and wit as she handles life’s curveballs.
Happy’s Place
Happy’s Place: In 2024’s Happy’s Place, Bobbie unexpectedly inherits her father’s restaurant and navigates unforeseen challenges alongside the half-sister she never knew existed. The series explores themes of family and partnership amid the bustling backdrop of restaurant life.
