Hey sitcom fans remember Reba and Barbra Jean from the iconic show Reba? Well get excited because Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman are together again and it feels so good! They have a brand new show called Happy's Place on NBC and trust me it's bringing back all those warm funny vibes we loved.
'Happy's Place': More Than Just a Bar It's a Reunion of Sitcom Royalty
Set on Stage 33 at Universal Studios Happy's Place is all about Bobbie played by the queen Reba McEntire. Bobbie suddenly finds herself owning her late father's bar in Knoxville Tennessee. And guess who is right there with her? Melissa Peterman! Peterman plays Gabby the quirky bartender and Bobbie's friend. If you loved their dynamic in Reba prepare for even more fun.
This new show is not just rehashing the old days though. While it definitely captures some of that Reba magic Happy's Place is its own thing. Peterman herself said it was important to make Gabby different from Barbra Jean. Gabby is quirky in her own unique way and her flaws are somewhere else which Melissa really appreciates.
Reba feels right at home as Bobbie. She says it's almost like she is Bobbie because the writers write to her strengths. And with Melissa by her side the chemistry was instant. They brought in Belissa Escobedo who plays Isabella Bobbie's newly discovered half-sister and bam it felt like they had been a TV family forever.
Behind the Scenes at 'Happy's Place': Friendship Laughter and Maybe a Few Tears
The cast of Happy's Place is not just Reba and Melissa though. There's a whole crew of lovable characters. We've got Rex Linn who plays Emmett the cook and Bobbie's love interest. Fun fact Rex and Reba are actually a couple in real life which adds some extra sweetness to their on-screen romance. Then there's Tokala Black Elk as Takoda the waiter and Pablo Castelblanco as Steve the accountant. Each character brings something different to the bar and the show.
The humor in Happy's Place comes from the characters figuring things out together especially Bobbie and Gabby learning to run the bar. But it's not all just laughs. They also get into some more real stuff. Gabby thinks about being a mom Isabella wants to learn about her dad and Steve deals with OCD. It is a mix of heart and humor that feels just right.
Melissa Peterman loves working with the younger cast members Belissa and Pablo. She enjoys watching them have fun and figure out the multi-cam sitcom world. She feels like she can offer them some guidance and encouragement which is really heartwarming.
One of the show's strengths is Tokala Black Elk who plays Takoda. He is often the calm voice of reason amidst all the chaos. His character has this ability to blend with everyone else's energy making him a key part of the ensemble.
Reba and Melissa's "Amazing" Dishes and Real-Life Chili Cook-Off Secrets
Off-screen Reba and Melissa's friendship is just as delightful. Melissa jokes that having Rex Linn Reba's boyfriend on set has upped Reba's cooking game! Apparently Reba and Rex host a chili cook-off every year in Nashville. Melissa revealed Reba's chili recipe is chicken-based with olives. Reba also makes a banana pudding with vanilla wafers and peanut butter that Melissa calls "amazing". Sounds delicious right?
Working on Happy's Place feels like a second chance for Reba and Melissa. Melissa said getting a pilot picked up is like "winning the lottery" and having a show run for six seasons like Reba is even rarer. They feel super lucky to get to do it all again and with new friends too. Reba even joked that there is "not a butthole" among the entire cast which is high praise indeed!
Mark Your Calendars: Watch the 'Happy's Place' Season Finale and Get Ready for Season 2
If you are not already watching Happy's Place you are missing out! The Season 1 finale aired on March 21st on NBC. But don't worry there is good news! Happy's Place has been renewed for a second season! The cast was thrilled when Reba announced the renewal right before they filmed the finale. Melissa said "I don’t think anyone’s stopped smiling" since they heard the news.
Season 2 promises even more fun. Melissa teases we might meet family members and see more guest stars. She even has a dream guest star in mind: Jean Smart from Hacks. Wouldn't that be incredible? Season 2 will really open things up for all the characters now that the audience is hooked. So catch up on season 1 and get ready for more laughs from Happy's Place!
Where to Watch 'Happy's Place' and Catch Up on All the Fun
- Watch Season 1 Finale: Check local listings or stream online.
- Stream on Peacock: Catch episodes the day after they air on NBC.
- NBC App: Use the NBC App to catch up on recent episodes watch live TV and explore more content.
- Tune in for Season 2: Keep an eye out for announcements about the premiere date of season 2 on NBC and Peacock.