Happy’s Place Premiered On October 18, 2024
Reba McEntire returned to her sitcom roots with the show Happy’s Place on NBC. She stars alongside her Reba co-star Melissa Peterman, real-life boyfriend Rex Linn, Belissa Escobedo, Tokala Black Elk, and Pablo Castelblanco.
They all play employees of a bar, Happy’s Place, which was owned by Reba’s character’s father, Happy. Her character, Bobbie now runs the bar/restaurant, and also found out her dad fathered a much younger child in an extra-marital affair. Her half-sister received half the bar in Happy’s will, so the two women get to know each other while simultaneously running the business together.
The show is witty, funny, and has a ton of heart.
Happy’s Place Has Welcomed Former Reba Stars
Since Melissa Peterman and McEntire are reunited, fans have wondered if any of their other Reba co-stars would stop by for a cameo. And much to their excitement, Steve Howey has already made an appearance, and it’s been confirmed that Christopher Rich will appear. Howey and Rich played Van and Brock in Reba, respectively.
When Howey appeared on the show, he couldn’t help but break character and reference their Reba characters. It got a huge laugh from the audience and from the actors themselves!
The writers also referenced McEntire’s other job on The Voice, so it’s clear they love a good Easter Egg!
The Former Reba Co-Stars Sang The Theme Song During A Live Taping
The January 31st episode, titled “Baby Doll,” shows Peterman’s character, Gabby, testing herself with a robotic baby doll to see if she is ready for motherhood. In a previous episode, she expressed a desire to become a mother.
Gabby brought the doll to work to simulate if her babysitter ever called out sick, so she enlisted in the help of her Happy’s Place coworkers to get through her shift while bringing her baby to work.
As always, there were some hiccups along the way, but by the end of the episode, she realized you are never fully ready for ready for motherhood, ut she’s as ready as she will ever be thanks to a little pep talk from Bobbie after work. But as Bobbie is leaving Gabby’s house, Gabby stops her and asks for her tips from her shift earlier.
“I’m gonna need those,” Gabby says referring to the tips. “I’m gonna be a single mom.”
Without hesitation, Peterman and McEntire began singing, “Who works two jobs, who loves her kids and never stops. With gentle hands and the heart of a fighter. I’m a survivor.”
Those, of course, are the lyrics to McEntire’s song “I’m A Survivor,” which served as the theme song for Reba during the entirety of its seven season run.
The audience, and even the crew, burst out in laughter and applause! Fans at home loved it too.
Watch that moment HERE!
And watch the full scene in the video below.