NBCUNIVERSAL EVENTS — TCA Press Tour, NBCU Portrait Studio — Pictured: Tokala Black Elk, “Happy’s … [+]

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Who doesn’t love Reba McEntire? So, when the news arose of Reba’s return to the network sitcom genre in Happy’s Place (after the successfull Reba and the one season Malibu Country), this personal fan could not wait for another weekly dose of the legendary country western singer. Three episodes in and the first word in the title of this NBC entry is exactly how I feel after watching it: happy.

“I love the sitcom genre. Out of all the things I get to do, this is my favorite because of the camaraderie, the fun, you get to go to work and play, and it’s creative,” said Reba McEntire at a panel for Happy’s Place at the 2024 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour. “It’s very comforting to me. I absolutely love it and get to work with these folks. Icing on the cake.”

Rex Linn, Belissa Escobedo, Pablo Castelblanco, Reba McEntire, Tokala Black Elk and Melissa Peterman … [+]

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Anchoring NBC in the Friday 8 p.m. ET half-hour, the multi-camera Tennessee-set Happy’s Place owes its roots, no doubt, to the legendary Cheers. The scoop: When Reba McEntire as Bobbie inherits her late father’s tavern “Happy’s Place,” Bobbie is shocked to learn that she has a new co-owner — Isabella (Belissa Escobedo), the half-sister she never knew existed. Isabella is young, inexperienced and has some unusual new ideas about how to run the family business.

Also featured on Happy’s Place are Gabby (Melissa Peterman), the bartender, who is similar to Peterman’s role as Barbra Jean in Reba; Emmett (Rex Linn), the cook and man of few words; Takoda (Tokala Black Elk), the friendly waiter; and Steve (Pablo Castelblanco), the eccentric and obsessive-compulsive accountant.

Happy’s Place reunites Reba with producers Kevin Abbott, Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis from her first sitcom as well as co-star Melissa Peterman.

Needless to say, the actual concept behind Happy’s Place is, well, a bit of a stretch stretch. Given the ages of the actresses in real life – Reba is 69 and Belissa Escobedo is 26 – the 43 age difference between these newfound half-siblings is possible but highly unlikely. But Reba is her usual sitcom-esque spitfire self: sharp, uptight, on her game, and loaded with zingers. Belissa is young and unsure of herself, yet full of ideas. And the two very different characters play well against each other as they develop their relationship.

Of course, the real magic in Happy’s Place, is Reba and Melissa Peterman, who have a Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) vibe from I Love Lucy. Maybe, perhaps, it might have been funnier if Reba discovered that Peterman’s Gabby was her half-sister.

Belissa Escobedo, Reba McEntire, Melissa Peterman at NBC Celebrates Fall Comedy held at NBCUniversal … [+]

Variety via Getty Images

Regardless, the vibe on Happy’s Place feels like an old shoe: comfortable and relaxing. It is a perfect sitcom vehicle to wind down with. I am excited to learn more about the supporting characters (particularly Rex Linn as Emmett). And, based on the early audience tallies from Nielsen Media Research, Happy’s Place could be the next long-term sitcom hit for Reba McEntire.

The bottom line: Chances are you’ll want to be at this new sitcom pub where “everybody knows your name.”