Reba McEntire is making a grand return to the sitcom world with her new show, “Happy’s Place.” The multi-cam comedy, which has been picked up by NBC, is set to premiere on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 8/7c. McEntire, who is also an executive producer, will be joined by Kevin Abbott, Michael Hanel, Mindy Schultheis, and Julie Abbott in bringing this new series to life. “Happy’s Place” is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
The storyline of “Happy’s Place” centers around Bobbie, played by McEntire, who inherits her father’s restaurant. To her surprise, she discovers she has a new business partner in the form of a half-sister she never knew existed. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, McEntire shared her excitement about the show, describing it as a fun and heartfelt comedy. “It’s lots of fun. I love all genres of entertainment. But the sitcoms are so much fun, cause it’s a brand new script every week. And you’re just having fun. It’s really hard memorizing dialogue you have to do, but it ain’t my first rodeo. I do love it. And it’s just playtime. We have a blast with it,” she said. She added that the show will be both funny and touching, promising fans a mix of silliness and heartfelt moments.
The cast of “Happy’s Place” includes some familiar faces. Melissa Peterman, who starred alongside McEntire in the hit sitcom “Reba,” will be joining the cast. Peterman played Debra Jean in “Reba,” and she and McEntire have also appeared together in other projects like “Young Sheldon,” “Working Class,” “The Hammer,” and “Baby Daddy.” McEntire’s real-life boyfriend, Rex Linn, will also be part of the cast, playing the role of a short-order cook who has been with the tavern the longest. Other actors in the series include Belissa Escobedo, Pablo Castelblanco, and Tokala Black Elk.
NBC has added “Happy’s Place” to its fall lineup, which includes two other new comedies: the hospital mockumentary “St. Denis Medical” and the medical drama “Brilliant Minds.” McEntire, who has been a coach on NBC’s “The Voice” for the past two seasons, will be pulling double duty with her new sitcom and her role on “The Voice,” which has been renewed for season 26.
“Happy’s Place” will air on Friday nights after “Lopez vs. Lopez,” the comedy starring George and Mayan Lopez, which NBC renewed for Season 3. The show will be part of a strong lineup of returning NBC series, including “Chicago Med,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Law & Order,” and “Law & Order: SVU.”
In addition to her role in “Happy’s Place,” McEntire will also be singing the theme song for the show. This is a nod to her previous sitcom “Reba,” which featured the popular theme song “I’m a Survivor.” McEntire revealed that the theme song for “Happy’s Place” has already been written and will be recorded soon.
The creative team behind “Happy’s Place” includes Kevin Abbott, who worked with McEntire on “Reba.” McEntire expressed her enthusiasm for reuniting with Abbott and Peterman, saying, “Ever since we stopped doing Reba, we’ve been looking for another project to do. I love the sitcom genre. Out of all the things I do, this is my favorite.”
While “Happy’s Place” shares some similarities with “Reba,” such as the involvement of Abbott and Peterman, the new show has a distinct storyline. “Reba” was about a mother of three whose husband leaves her for another woman, while “Happy’s Place” follows Bobbie as she navigates the challenges of inheriting a bar and working with a half-sister she never knew she had.
NBC has released the first images from “Happy’s Place,” showcasing McEntire as Bobbie, Peterman as Gabby, Escobedo as Isabella, and Linn as Emmett. The photos capture the characters in various emotional states as they deal with each other and their new shared workspace.
“Happy’s Place” is one of three new originals hitting NBC this fall, alongside “Brilliant Minds” and “St. Denis Medical.” The show is set to air on Friday nights at 8/7c, promising viewers a mix of comedy, heart, and the undeniable charm of Reba McEntire.
Source: Entertainment Tonight, NBC
