Reba McEntire's Reba from Reba smiling in front of two Emmys

Reba McEntire’s new show Happy’s Place has a chance to right one major wrong from ‘00s TV history as the series brings the iconic star of Reba back to television. Reba’s cast of characters were some of the best sitcom characters of the ‘00s, but the show’s eponymous heroine was its true star. Reba McEntire shone as Reba, a hard-working mother who found out her husband was cheating on her with a younger woman when the series began. While this premise might sound downbeat, Reba managed to mine many laughs out of Reba rebuilding her life as a single mom.

While Reba McEntire’s new show Happy’s Place shares numerous stars and producers with Reba, the upcoming sitcom isn’t a mere clone of the ‘00s hit. Happy’s Place follows McEntire’s character Bobbie, who inherits a bar from her father after he dies. Much to her surprise, Bobbie also learns that she has a far younger half-sister, Isabella, who has an equal stake in the establishment. Sparks will fly between the two characters, who are united by family but divided by a generation or two. In the process, Happy’s Place can make up for a disappointing trend in its star’s career.

Happy’s Place Can Finally Give Reba McEntire An Emmy Nod

Reba Never Earned Its Star An Emmy Nomination

Barbra Jean and Reba sitting on couch in Reba

As shocking as it might sound, Reba McEntire was somehow never even nominated for an Emmy during her seven years in Reba. Reba was a ratings success throughout its run, often earning over 4 million viewers in its first four seasons. Even in the show’s final two seasons, Reba rarely dipped below 3 million viewers and had an average viewership of 3.5 million. Despite this, Reba wasn’t nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series between 2001 and 2007. Now, Reba McEntire’s upcoming new sitcom Happy’s Place can change that when the series debuts.

Happy’s Place has a premise that perfectly balances comedic conflict and poignant family drama, which is ideal for an Emmy competitor. In recent years, the Emmys have honored both straightforward sitcoms like Abbott Elementary and dramedies like Hacks and The Bear when it comes to nominees for the award, so McEntire could reasonably expect Happy’s Place to earn some recognition in 2025. While it is shocking that McEntire never even earned an Emmy nomination before, Reba did air during a historically strong era for television comedy. Reba faced competition from Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends, Will & Grace, and Sex and the City.

Why Reba McEntire Was Never Nominated By The Emmys For Reba

McEntire Faced Stiff Competition Throughout Reba’s Run

Reba points the finger at herself while at the bar in Happy's Place

Within this context, it makes sense that the series struggled to stand out. Desperate Housewives, Malcolm in the Middle, Ugly Betty, and 30 Rock were all also nominated in the years that Reba McEntire’s hit sitcom was eligible, so it is understandable that the series was overlooked despite its ratings success. Nonetheless, given how enduringly popular Reba has proven in the years since its run ended, it is clear that McEntire deserves awards recognition for her work in TV sitcoms. Hopefully, Happy’s Place can get Reba’s star the award nomination she has needed since her most iconic role.

Happy’s Place premieres on October 18, 2024, on NBC.