Reba McEntire returns to network TV withHappy’s Place, and she’s bringing along one of herformerRebacastmates, whose new character has one glaring issue.The NBC sitcom, created by Kevin Abbott, features McEntire (who is also an executive producer) as Bobbie, the new owner of Happy’s Place. Bobbie’s father, the tavern’s former owner, died, and she inherited it following his death. However, the twist inHappy’s Placeis that Bobbie has a long-lost half-sister, Isabella, who shows up at the bar as their father left the spot for both of them to co-own.
NBC releases new episodes ofHappy’s Placeon Fridays at 8 pm ET.
Aside from Bobbie and Isabella, the new co-owners of the tavern, the othercharacters inHappy’s Placeare those who work at Happy’s Place. From its accountant to the chef, the NBC sitcom seemingly has every job covered at the bar.One of the bartenders inHappy’s Placeshould look familiar to those who have watchedRebaas she is played by one of the older TV show’s main cast members.
Happy’s Place Stages An Exciting Reba Reunion
Reba McEntire & Melissa Peterman Star In Happy’s Place
Melissa Peterman, who played Barbra Jean Hart inReba, reunites with her former costar, Reba McEntire,17 years afterRebaended inHappy’s Place.Peterman stars as Gabby, one of the bartenders at Happy’s Place,in the main cast of the NBC sitcom. Gabby is a side character since she is one of Bobbie’s employees, and McEntire’s character is (unsurprisingly) the face of the comedy series, similar to the two actresses' dynamic in their former TV show. Nevertheless,Happy’s Placesets the stage for a thrilling reunion between two of the most notable cast members fromReba.
Happy’s Place Review: Reba McEntire’s New Comedy Proves She Is Made To Be A Sitcom Star
More than 17 years after the Reba series finale, Reba McEntire has a new show coming to network television – the NBC sitcom Happy’s Place.
As those who watchedRebawill remember,Peterman’s Barbra Jean and McEntire’s Reba Hart had a special relationship in the 2000s sitcom.The series begins with Reba learning that her estranged husband, Brock Hart, had an affair with another woman, who consequently became pregnant. Barbra Jean is the other woman (who Brock later married), so, it’s easy to see why the two characters have a unique dynamic. Now,23 years after the sitcomRebaended, McEntire and Peterman join forces again inHappy’s Placeon NBC.
Melissa Peterman’s Happy’s Place’s Gabby Is Too Similar To Barbra Jean
Gabby Shares Many Traits With Reba’s Barbra Jean
While seeing Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman share the screen again is exciting,theirHappy’s Placecharacters' dynamic feels similar to Reba and Barbra Jean inReba.This is likely because Gabby and Barbra Jean are almost identical. Sure,Happy’s Placeis McEntire’sRebareplacement sitcom, but that doesn’t mean that the two shows have to share certain qualities. Instead, it should be the opposite. The newer comedy TV series should be doing as much as it can to separate itself fromReba,since many will be comparing the two shows upon arrival.
It’s easy to compare Gabby to Barbra Jean, which is a major and disappointing problem for McEntire’s new sitcom.
InHappy’s Place, Peterman’s Gabby is a bit airheaded, gullible, and desperate to be Bobbie’s best friend,similar to the actress' character inReba. Of course, their situations are quite different. Barbra Jean is Reba’s ex-husband’s wife, and Gabby is Bobbie’s worker, who she seems to tolerate. Bobbie is much more friendly towards Gabby inHappy’s Placethan Reba is towards Barbra Jean inReba(which isn’t saying a lot). However, McEntire’s characters are both distant from Peterman’s characters to varying degrees. As a result, it’s easy to compare Gabby to Barbra Jean, which is a major anddisappointing problem for McEntire’s new sitcom.
How Happy’s Place Can Fix Gabby
There’s Still Time To Differentiate Gabby From Barbra Jean
It’s still early on in NBC’sHappy’s Placeseason 1, meaning that change is possible. Gabby doesn’t have to be a completely different person than who she is in the pilot, but adjustments need to be made to her character. For starters,the writers can easily fix the dynamic between Bobbie and Gabby.Instead of making it seem like Bobbie is annoyed by Gabby (while Gabby wants to be close to her boss), the sitcom can reframe their relationship so that the two are actually great friends who can more than tolerate one another.
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Happy’s Placeshould also make Gabby less ditzy and more self-aware. It would be wise for the writers toinstill a bit more intelligence and agency into Gabby to separate her from Barbra Jean,who, while lovable, wasn’t the smartest character inReba. Ultimately, viewers have only seen a glimpse at Peterman’s Gabby inReba McEntire’s new sitcom, meaning there is time for the writers and producers to fix this character problem.
Happy’s Place
Cast
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.
