As someone who has watched more than their fair share of sitcoms and country music videos, I can confidently say that Reba McEntire‘s new series “Happy’s Place” is a bit like trying to dance the two-step with a cowboy who’s got one boot in Nashville and the other in Burbank.
Even though I’m not an extremely devoted fan of Reba McEntire, it feels like we, as a society, don’t deserve her. Her talent spans across country singing, acting in sitcoms, hosting award shows, and serving on reality show panels – all at exceptional levels. In her leisure time, I can only imagine that she consistently achieves perfect 300 scores in bowling, masterfully prepares Beef Wellington, and has developed a social media platform free of any Nazi content, filled with profound discussions and radiant personalities instead.
It seems that the new NBC series, “Happy’s Place,” doesn’t seem to fully utilize Reba McEntire’s exceptional skills… and it looks like many others share this opinion.
Let’s change the unreasonable parameters, then.
Compared to typical NBC sitcoms like Cheers, Happy’s Place seems less impressive in the two previewed episodes. However, it may not be entirely fair to make this comparison, considering how exceptional the Cheers pilot is and the remarkable run of the series that followed, spanning over 274 episodes.
Moreover, it’s important to note that “Happy’s Place” isn’t like “Undateable” or “Abby’s”, two NBC sitcoms aired after them on the network, which surprisingly didn’t raise the bar very high in terms of quality and entertainment.
As a gamer, I’ve got to say, “Happy’s Place” has an intriguing premise and a standout lead character that hooked me right from the start. However, the episodes themselves feel lackluster, failing to develop the central setting and its characters in a meaningful way. I’ve seen my fair share of mediocre sitcoms, and while “Happy’s Place” isn’t quite there yet, it’s certainly not far off from being labeled as one. For those who aren’t die-hard Reba McEntire fans, this show might as well be invisible.
To clarify, as I mentioned earlier, the comedy Kevin Abbott developed revolves around a character named Bobbie (McEntire), who manages Happy’s Place, a watering hole in a Nashville-adjacent area that was started by her father. When her father passes away, Bobbie is thrilled to finally take over. However, it seems unclear why this excites her, as there’s no suggestion she has a deep affection for the establishment. Nevertheless, let’s move on.
Nonetheless, issues surface unexpectedly when Belissa Escobedo, identified as Isabella, arrives at Happy’s Place following a puzzling lawyer’s call. She’s taken aback to learn that her father was shared by Bobbie too, and that they both inherited half of the business. It appears that Bobbie is equally stunned by this revelation as Isabella.
Isabella, a young Latina woman with no experience in bar management, clashes with the tradition-bound Bobbie. It’s only natural that amusement would arise from their contrasting perspectives.
Ask the first two episodes of Happy’s Place, which deliver only two good moments.
In the opening scene, Bobbie ponders over the past 15 minutes of shock and bewilderment, remarking, “You seem to see in me the father you long for. And when I gaze upon you, I lose sight of the father I once believed in.” This succinctly captures the heart of the story’s core tension, making it a strong foundation for a series. Upon hearing this line, I couldn’t help but agree and think, “This is an effective central conflict for a show.” Interestingly, this very dynamic forms the crux of Starz’s acclaimed series Vida. While it may not be suitable viewing for everyone due to its explicit content, it’s definitely worth watching. However, I wouldn’t recommend it as family entertainment.
In the second episode, after approximately 20 minutes of being unkind towards Isabella, Bobbie delivers an intense soliloquy. Her delivery implies she’s criticizing her half-sister harshly, but the dialogue and McEntire’s performance demonstrate that it’s actually a deeply self-critical rant. Watching this monologue, I found myself thinking, “Wow, Reba McEntire is truly talented at sitcom acting.” She possesses a unique ability to deliver conventional jokes powerfully, all while maintaining an authenticity as both a person and a character. She seems genuinely comfortable in this performance format.
Absolutely, the entire production of this show is tailored to McEntire’s preferences, right from its Nashville backdrop to collaborating with familiar faces like Melissa Peterman, a seasoned actress from Reba on The WB, and Rex Linn, who has partnered with McEntire for quite some time. There’s nothing amiss about that, and I can quickly introduce their roles. He portrays a quiet chef, running a restaurant named Happy’s Place that offers vague cuisine at unspecified times of the day, doling out words of wisdom. On the other hand, she is the manager who yearns for Bobbie’s affections.
In addition to the main cast, there are two other characters who seem more like background players: Takoda (Tokala Black Elk), a perpetually cheerful waiter who seldom seems to serve anyone and takes on odd tasks, and Steve (Pablo Castelblanco), an accountant who, despite his social anxieties, works diligently amidst the bustle of a busy commercial establishment. It’s puzzling as to why such a seemingly minor venue would require a full-time accountant. Nevertheless, these characters are sketched out enough in the text for me to visualize them. However, they don’t quite come across as fully fleshed-out characters.
In terms of Isabella Escobedo’s role in this comedy, much like how she shares equal ownership in the bar, she is portrayed as a young, psychologically-educated character typical of Generation Z. Regrettably, I can’t confirm whether Escobedo delivers humor effectively or describe Isabella’s comedic style. Similarly, it remains unclear where the character originates or what her life story entails, which initially seemed vague until she unexpectedly reveals in episode two that she has been residing at a motel.
It’s regrettable that I must revisit the first episode of Cheers once more, but within just 30 minutes, the Charles brothers and Jimmy Burrows skillfully present a comprehensive tour of each employee and numerous regular patrons. They also establish the consistent theme for the upcoming sitcom, ensuring you are well-acquainted with who works behind the bar and who frequents it. If someone were to comment in the second episode about something not being how things usually unfold at Cheers, you’d immediately understand the reference.
As a gamer, I’ve never met the folks at Happy’s Place, nor do I know their roles. I can’t even guess who the regular patrons are. Bobbie cracks a joke about Isabella not earning much, despite there being plenty of extras in each scene. Honestly, it feels like you could tell me that Happy’s Place hosts weekly raccoon mud wrestling or that it’s the mayor’s favorite hangout spot, and I’d find both tales equally plausible. To me, Happy’s Place doesn’t have the vibe of a long-standing Nashville institution. Instead, it seems more like a generic bar straight out of a studio lot, and its staff feel like characters from a casting call, with a dash of Reba McEntire sprinkled in.
The series has potential for further development, yes. As for its cast, there might be room for growth. Frankly, I don’t feel compelled to follow Happy’s Place‘s progression. However, I may revisit it when the second season begins.
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2024-10-19 01:25