‘Happy’s Place’ Is the Perfect Reba Reboot You Didn’t Know You Needed

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Country music legend and actress Reba McEntire is back on scripted TV with the new NBC sitcom titled “Happy’s Place“. While it might not be the funniest show of Fall 2024, it may stir memories for fans of her earlier series, “Reba“, which aired from 2001 to 2007. Interestingly, the creators of “Happy’s Place“, including Kevin Abbott who was the showrunner for “Reba“, are also on board, along with some of the same executive producers. Their proven formula for sitcoms appears to be working, at least based on the initial reactions to the first season of “Happy’s Place“, which has garnered reviews that are somewhat better than average from both viewers and critics.

In “Happy’s Place,” we find Reba McEntire as Bobbie, a Tennessee woman who inherits a tavern from her late father, affectionately known as Happy. Along with the establishment, she unexpectedly gains a half-sister, Isabella (Belissa Escobedo), who shares ownership of the bar. Isabella, a young Latina with a psychology degree, is starkly different from Bobbie’s rugged southern character and has little experience running a tavern. The contrast between their generational, geographical, and ethnic backgrounds presents numerous opportunities for conflict and growth. To make matters more interesting, a newfound family dynamic adds another layer to the storyline.

In a simpler, more conversational style: Just like the popular sitcom Cheers, there’s a bar and a psychologist giving advice, whether people want it or not. However, Isabella is quite different from Frasier in many ways. But let me be clear, Happy’s Place may not have the same enduring appeal or achieve legendary status like Cheers – at least, not yet. Instead, this new show shares more similarities with Reba, and it’s not just because of the redhead lead character.

‘Happy’s Place’ Is Heavily Influenced by ‘Reba’

Beyond several writers, producers from Reba, and actress Melissa Peterman herself, have now joined Happy’s Place. It’s not the first time McEntire and Peterman have collaborated, but it’s definitely one of the most thrilling instances. In Reba, their characters (the stiff single mom and her ex-husband’s goofy yet endearing new wife) were a big part of what made the sitcom entertaining. It appears that the camaraderie between these two ladies (McEntire and Peterman have a close bond off-screen as well) is also benefiting Happy’s Place. However, it could just be because they are essentially reprising their same characters.

In this reimagined setting, Peterman portrays Gabby, the chief bartender at Happy’s Place, whose physical comedy remains as hilarious as ever. Similar to her character Barbra-Jean from “Reba,” Gabby may not be the sharpest, but she’s kind-hearted and has an unyielding affection for McEntire’s character. Bobbie, played by McEntire, frequently finds herself frustrated by Gabby’s excessive personality, yet at heart, they remain family. In a conversation with ScreenRant, Peterman discussed the dynamic between her and McEntire’s characters and their similarity to their “Reba” relationship: “We’ve carried over the chemistry that exists between us as real people and friends into these new roles. It’s impossible to separate that connection. So in a way, we’re just playing the same people in a different story.

A Failed ‘Reba’ Reboot Led to Happy’s Place

It’s not surprising that McEntire and Peterman’s characters in “Happy’s Place” seem like their old ones from “Reba,” given that “Happy’s Place” was initially conceived as a reboot of “Reba” that didn’t pan out due to financial issues. The creator, Kevin Abbott, had already planned many of the same actors for this new project, and some cast members like JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Steve Howey were ready for the reboot. Since they were prepared for the “Reba” reboot, the producers of “Happy’s Place” were delighted to have them appear in the show. In fact, Steve Howey appears in Episode 7 as Danny, Gabby’s friend, and makes a subtle nod to his “Reba” character, Van Montgomery, with a wink towards the audience.

‘Happy’s Place’ Is More Diverse Than Its Predecessors

In addition to Mckenna Grace as Happy, the remaining characters in “Happy’s Place” include Rex Linn, who portrays Emmett, a serious yet wise cook and best friend to the deceased Happy. Pablo Castelblanco plays the role of the Hispanic, germaphobic, OCD-afflicted accountant who works at the bar. Lastly, Tokala Black Elk is cast as the friendly Native American waiter whose soothing demeanor permeates through the screen. Despite each character possessing unique traits, similar to a popular sitcom setup, “Happy’s Place” offers more diverse storytelling possibilities than the singular white, middle-class family from “Reba.

The main topics in “Reba” and “Happy’s Place” share significant similarities, largely because of the shared viewpoints of creators Patricia Heaton (Reba) and Melanie Lynskey (Happy’s Place). Heaton said to ScreenRant, “When I work with Reba, we focus on telling stories in a specific way, emphasizing themes like family, forgiveness, and accountability towards others.” However, it’s worth noting that “Happy’s Place” explores aspects not seen in “Reba,” most notably diversity and the chance to tell tales from multiple perspectives. Since the characters in “Happy’s Place” don’t all belong to the same family, they come from various ethnic backgrounds, have distinct life experiences, and face unique challenges that make for a richer and more engaging storyline. As Abbott put it:

“When I collaborate with Happy, we aim to tell stories by focusing on diverse characters, their different cultural backgrounds, personal histories, and hardships, which offer a more profound and intriguing setting.

We often discover shared aspects between individuals that may not initially seem apparent. Our aim is to unite people by focusing on what they have in common rather than their differences […] We sought diverse viewpoints to celebrate these similarities and demonstrate that while we may differ, we are more alike than one might think.

Something Borrowed, Something New

In summary, if you’re searching for something fresh to watch during late nights, “Happy’s Place” could be an excellent pick that offers a comforting, low-pressure sitcom experience – particularly appealing to those yearning for the warm, heartfelt ambiance of “Reba”. However, whether it will endure and eventually become a classic sitcom worthy of multiple rewatches remains to be seen. Although “Happy’s Place” may draw inspiration from the sitcoms of yesteryears, its unique angle might just make it stand out – but don’t expect it to rival the greatness of “Cheers”.

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2025-01-17 04:05