Premieres October 18, 2024 on NBCUniversal
Ever since NBC’s comedy series, Reba, ended in 2007, the show’s executive producers, star Reba McEntire and Kevin Abbott, and the network have been looking for another project to return McEntire to the world of sitcom. She’s back! McEntire stars in the new NBC sitcom, Happy’s Place, which co-stars Belissa Escobedo (Blue Beetle). The series is scheduled to debut this fall o October 18th (8pm) and will air ahead of the season three renewal of Lopez vs Lopez (8:30pm) the same day. The series will then also stream on Netflix.
Happy’s Place, which features an impressive supporting cast, characters a bit more combative than her previous family comedy, Reba. However, it’s the tensions that provide fodder for the humor that follows. The fact that her supporting characters are a mélange of diverse co-workers rather than family members, only serves the hilarity.
When Bobbie (McEntire) inherits her late father’s tavern, Happy’s Place, she is shocked to learn that she has a co-owner– Isabella (Escobedo), the half-sister she never knew existed. Isabella is young, inexperienced and has some unusual new ideas about how to run the business.
Escobedo, whose last high profile gig was starring alongside Xolo Maridueña in the Warner Bros superhero film Blue Beetle, is a Gen Z , but proudly says, “I’m a Chicana from L.A.” Adding that she was a bit intimidated at the beginning, “I went into the first rehearsal with some nervousness, because, in the script, Reba’s character isn’t happy [with my]character. However, when I met Reba, she gave me a big smile and a hug. I immediately felt welcome.”
Escobedo made her TV acting debut in an episode of the 2016 comedy mini-series, Meet Me @ the Clinic and while still in high school Belissa was part of a spoken poetry team that performed Somewhere in America on The Queen Latifah Talk Show.
Her breakthrough role was in ABC‘s 2020 series, The Baker and the Beauty after which her her career began to take off. In 2021 she appeared in two episodes of American Horror Stories, going on to star as Izzy in Hocus Pocus 2.
Along with their Happy’s Place’s close-knit staff, Bobbie and Isabella need to figure out how to work together harmoniously. When Isabella sincerely tells Bobbie, “I’m just looking for a place where I belong,” Bobbie moves her toward the door and replies, “Safe travels.” But Isabella’s inability to recognize rejection, along with her relentlessly positive attitude only add to the humor.
The supporting cast features characters a bit more combative than Reba’s previous comedy family. There’s Gabby, the bartender, with a love of drama; Emmett, the cook, and man of few words; Takoda, the friendly waiter; and Steve, their brilliant yet eccentric accountant. However, it’s the tensions that provide fodder for the humor that follows. The fact that her supporting characters are a mélange of diverse co-workers rather than family members, only serves the hilarity.
Cast regulars include Melissa Peterman (also a regular on “Reba”) as Gabby the bartender who is the queen of the one-liner. Rex Linn, Tokala Black Elk and Pablo Castelblanco. In the opening episode, each character reveals a quirk that will provide mush comedy to the episodes. When Gabby hears Bobbie complain, “Daddy always said family is the most important thing,” Gabby deadpans, “Maybe that’s why he started two of them.”
Tokala Black Elk admits, “I’ve had a career playing villains, being a really scary bad guy.” Now he plays Takoda, the nicest waiter in Tennessee. Emmett (Linn), a taciturn cook, gives every evidence he will have more to say in the upcoming episodes.
Then there’s Steve (Castelblanco), the brilliant yet eccentric accountant, who has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and he’s a germaphobe. In the opening episode, the fact that the bar has a new co-owner has him a bit rattled at first. Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, Castelblanco moved to the United States by himself at only 17 to pursue his dream of becoming an actor, living in New York City and then Los Angeles. He was featured in the drama series, Alaska Daily, starring Hilary Swank.
The opening episode of Happy’s Place spends a bit too much time dealing with Bobbie and Isabella’s family issues. By the end of the first episode, however, they are getting used to the idea of working together. Isabella exclaims, “I’ve always wanted a big sister, even if you’re old enough to be my mother.” Bobbie chuckles and replies, “Oh honey, this is Tennessee, I’m old enough to be your great grandma.” As the series proceeds, it will eventually find its rhythm. What is clear is that each member of the cast has the goods to make this happen.
Happy’s Place is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. Writer Kevin Abbott executive produces with Michael Hanel, Mindy Schultheis, Julie Abbott and Reba McEntire
Happy’s Place premieres on NBC October 18. Check your local listing
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