The Story Behind How Reba’s New Happy Place Sitcom Spent Millions, Then Asked For Unheard-Of Reshoots: ‘Sorry NBC!’

The Story Behind How Reba’s New Happy Place Sitcom Spent Millions, Then Asked For Unheard-Of Reshoots: ‘Sorry NBC!’

As a longtime fan of Reba McEntire and her captivating performances, I can’t help but feel both anxious and excited about her upcoming projects on NBC. The fact that she’s juggling not one, but two demanding productions – “The Voice” and “Happy’s Place” – is nothing short of impressive, especially considering the challenges they faced during the creation of “Happy’s Place.”


This fall, Reba McEntire is juggling two roles at NBC: she’s been busy shooting both “The Voice” and her upcoming sitcom, “Happy’s Place,” ahead of their scheduled premieres in 2024. Not only does this filming schedule demand a lot, but her new sitcom has also encountered significant hurdles. As the singer shared, they needed to re-shoot parts of the pilot after investing substantial funds into it.

What Happened With The Happy’s Place Pilot

In January, it was revealed that the network had commissioned a pilot episode for “Happy’s Place”, but creating it turned out to be more challenging than expected.

Kevin Abbott, the executive producer, shared with TV Insider that he and the writing duo of Mindy Schultheis and Michael Hanel spent a full year brainstorming concepts for a new series revolving around McEntire. However, when the pilot finally materialized, Abbott expressed his dissatisfaction with it.

Have you ever completed a project you were particularly proud of, only to find yourself thinking at night, ‘If only I had approached it differently?’ Well, that’s what happened to me, except the cost was around two million dollars. My apologies, NBC!

Occasionally, a TV show or movie might require additional filming, but it’s not something that happens frequently. For instance, popular series like “Game of Thrones” and “The Big Bang Theory” re-filmed their pilot episodes, which ultimately turned out to be beneficial for them in the long run.

It’s important to mention that it’s quite normal for things to differ between the first episode (pilot) and the second one. Often, details like appearances and sets can vary after filming the pilot. However, considering the reshoots, I can also imagine that there will be consistency between the premiere and the second episode.

It does suck that millions were already spent on the pilot, though. However, it seems to have worked because last spring, NBC gave Happy’s Place a series order.

What Came From The End Result

Despite the substantial financial investment made initially for the pilot and potentially during reshoots, Kevin Abbott’s main focus was ensuring the series was flawlessly executed, a decision that proved beneficial. A pilot serves as the foundation of a series, providing networks and studios with their first glimpse to decide if it’s worth investing further. Although we’re unaware of the specifics of the initial episode, the end product is what truly matters.

Presently, Abbott has revealed the details about “Happy’s Place”, and I’m excited to see how it unfolds! Essentially, their efforts seem to have been worthwhile, as they’ve developed a concept and setting they can be satisfied with.

As a storyteller, I find joy in creating narratives that mirror the everyday challenges people face, infusing humor into their tales. Drawing from my personal experiences and growth, I strive to weave these elements seamlessly into my stories. Unlike before when family settings were more common for us, now that our children are grown, a tavern atmosphere seems more appealing. However, despite the adult tone, these stories are designed for all audiences to enjoy.

The TV series “Happy’s Place” revolves around Reba McEntire’s character, Bobbie, who inherits her father’s bar. However, an unexpected twist unfolds as she discovers she has a half-sister, also a co-owner of the establishment. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t a reboot of “Reba”, but rather a sitcom that reminisces about McEntire’s comedic past in the country music scene.

In this new series, Belissa Escobedo takes on the role of Reba’s half-sister, Isabella, while Melissa Peterman joins forces with her former ‘Reba’ co-star to portray bartender Gabby. Joining them are Rex Linn, who is in a relationship with McEntire and previously starred on CSI: Miami, Pablo Castelblanco, and Tokala Black Elk.

All in all, it’s genuinely thrilling to learn about the extensive efforts behind this production, as I have no doubt that their fervor and perseverance will be evident on-screen.

Viewers can look forward to catching their favorite cast members and their amusing, relatable anecdotes, along with the results of those reshoots, when Happy’s Place makes its debut on Friday, October 18 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Additionally, you can enjoy the show with a Peacock subscription.

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2024-08-30 22:07