Happy's Place
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{for|the afternoon children's TV program|Happy's Place (1980s TV program)}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Happy's Place (2024 TV series) Title Card.png
| genre = Sitcom
| creator = Julie Abbott
&
Kevin Abbott
| based_on =
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Reba McEntire
- Belissa Escobedo
- Melissa Peterman
- Rex Linn
- Pablo Castelblanco
- Tokala Black Elk
}}
| opentheme = "You Belong at Happy's Place" by Reba McEntire
| endtheme =
| music = Doug Sisemore
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 18
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Kevin Abbott
- Mindy Schultheis
- Michael Hanel
- Reba McEntire
- Pamela Fryman
- Matt Berry
- Julie Abbott
}}
| producer =
| cinematography = Gary Baum
| editor = Kris Trexler
| camera =
| runtime = 21 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist|
- RM Business Inc.
- NestEgg Productions
- Acme Productions
- Universal Television
}}
| network = NBC
| first_aired = {{Start date|2024|10|18}}
| last_aired = present
| related =
}}
Happy's Place is an American sitcom television series that premiered on October 18, 2024, on NBC. The series is created by Kevin and Julie Abbott and stars Reba McEntire, Melissa Peterman, Belissa Escobedo, and Rex Linn. It is about a woman who inherits a bar from her father after his death, then discovers she has a half-sister who also has a share of the inheritance. In February 2025, the series was renewed for a second season.
Plot
Bobbie McAllister inherits half-ownership of a Knoxville, Tennessee bar (named "Happy's Place") from her father, Happy. A young woman is proven to be Bobbie's half-sister, Isabella, who was the result of an affair Happy had with a woman named Maritza Sanchez. In view of their shared ownership of the bar, they begin running it together.
Cast and characters
= Main =
- Reba McEntire as Bobbie, a woman who inherits half of a Knoxville, Tennessee bar founded by her father, Happy, following his death, and Isabella's paternal half-sister{{cite news|url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/2024/10/17/watch-reba-mcentire-knoxville-set-nbc-sitcom-happys-place/75692091007/|title=Reba McEntire's new TV show Happy's Place is set in Knoxville. Here's how to watch|last=Turner|first=Devarrick|work=Knoxville News-Sentinel|date=October 17, 2024|access-date=December 28, 2024}}
- Belissa Escobedo as Isabella, Bobbie's Mexican American paternal half-sister, who also inherits half of Happy's Place following his death
- Melissa Peterman as Gabby, a bartender at Happy's Place. Peterman and McEntire have also co-starred in Reba (2001–2007).
- Rex Linn as Emmett, the soft-spoken cook at Happy's Place and a longtime friend of Happy's
- Pablo Castelblanco as Steve, the germophobic, obsessive-compulsive Hispanic accountant for Happy's Place
- Tokala Black Elk as Takoda, the Native American waiter at Happy's Place
=Notable guest stars=
- Michael O'Neill as Jim Jackoway, Happy's lawyer who reveals to Bobbie and Isabella their familial relationship
- Steve Howey as Danny, Gabby's friend. Howey also has previously co-starred with McEntire in Reba (2001-2007)
Episodes
{{Episode table |total_width= |background=#EC7600 |overall= |title= |titleR= |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateR={{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/happys-place/listings/|title=Shows A-Z – happy's place on nbc|website=The Futon Critic|access-date=March 4, 2025}}{{cbignore}} |country=U.S. |viewers= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Pilot
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = {{WritingCredits|order=t|t=Kevin Abbott|s=Julie Abbott & Kevin Abbott}}
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|10|18}}
|ShortSummary = Bobbie, already mourning the loss of her father, Happy, gets a further shock when she unexpectedly meets her half-sister Isabella and learns that Happy jointly left his tavern to the both of them, forcing the set in her ways Bobbie and the cheery Isabella to navigate their new relationship as sisters. Isabella meets the eccentric staff of the tavern: Gabby, the talkative bartender; Steve, the nervous and germophobic accountant; Emmett, the soft-spoken cook and a longtime friend of Happy's; and Takoda, the well-meaning Native American waiter.
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = Tapped Out
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Kevin Abbott
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|10|25}}
|ShortSummary = Bobbie gets irritated by the changes Isabella wants to make around the tavern. Bobbie tries to get her lawyer to talk Isabella out of taking half ownership of the tavern but it backfires, forcing a confrontation between the two of them.
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Don't Sweat It
|DirectedBy = Joanna Kerns
|WrittenBy = Gemma Baker
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|11|1}}
|ShortSummary = Bobbie offers to let Isabella move in with her when she struggles to find a place to live but Emmett warns her that Isabella is now a roommate instead of a guest and will try to change things. When his words prove to be true and Bobbie loses her cool, Isabella moves back out and Bobbie realizes she misses her.
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Fish Fry Monday
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Matt Berry
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|11|8}}
|ShortSummary = Emmett wants to revive Fish Fry Mondays, a tradition where he used to go fishing on Sundays with Happy and fry up the catch the next day. Bobbie is less than excited when Emmett wants to take her along because it means leaving the tavern in the staff's hands until Emmett reveals the real reason he used to drag Happy along with him. Meanwhile, Isabella learns bartending from Gabby and Gabby gets drunk with power.
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Ladies' Night
|DirectedBy = Victor Gonzalez
|WrittenBy = Erin Berry
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|11|15}}
|ShortSummary = When Gabby has her latest in a long string of heartbreaks, Bobbie and Isabella offer to help improve her dating profile. When that doesn't work, they throw a ladies' night at the tavern and are shocked when it inspires Gabby to have a baby.
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = Happy's House
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Matt Berry
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|11|22}}
|ShortSummary = Bobbie finally reluctantly decides to take Isabella to see Happy's house so she can get to know her father but it makes Bobbie question who Happy really was. Gabby tags along in search of a rumored valuable penny Happy had collected. Emmett and Steve spend their day off together at the tavern and unexpectedly find themselves bonding.
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|Title = Ho-Ho-Howey
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Pat Bullard
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|12|6}}
|ShortSummary = When the tavern loses out on a big holiday party that was going to pay the staff's health insurance for the year, Gabby offers an alternative plan that involves her friend Danny (Steve Howey). There's one small catch, though: Danny thinks that Gabby is Bobbie and vice versa and that Isabella is French. Steve decides to amuse himself by pretending to be Emmett and Takoda is unnerved by all the dishonesty.
Note: Steve Howey played Reba's son-in-law, Van Montgomery, on her earlier show Reba, and has a throwaway line near the end of the episode referring to that.
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|Title = Dear Jack
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Brittany Miller
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|12|13}}
|ShortSummary = When Isabella wants to break up with her long distance boyfriend Jack, she struggles to figure out how to do it until Bobbie offers to write a Dear John letter to him. The letter backfires and inspires Jack to move to Tennessee to work things out with Isabella, who is even more reluctant to break up with Jack in person. Meanwhile, a local magazine article praises Emmett's cooking but Gabby is upset when she sees her name misspelled in the article.
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|Title = Emcee Squared
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Erin Berry
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|3}}
|ShortSummary = Happy's Place prepares for their annual anniversary party where Happy would traditionally roast the regular patrons. Now that he is gone, Bobbie and Gabby each compete for the coveted emcee position. They respectively recruit Isabella and Steve to help them, leading the two to engage in a wager. If Bobbie wins, the germaphobic Steve has to kiss a dollar bill. If Gabby wins, Isabella has to go an entire day without bringing up her college education.
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|Title = The MacAllister Girls
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Jon Haller
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|10}}
|ShortSummary = When Bobbie's daughter, Gracie (Emma Kenney) returns home from military deployment, Isabella tries her best to get along with her strong willed niece, which ends up bringing out some long simmering issues between mother and daughter as Isabella tries to strengthen family ties. Meanwhile, the rest of the staff compete to see who can give Gracie the best homecoming present.
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 11
|Title = Heart of the Matter
|DirectedBy = Robbie Countryman
|WrittenBy = Gemma Baker
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|17}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 12
|Title = Baby Doll
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Helen Fernandez
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|31}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 13
|Title = Mama Drama
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Brittany Miller
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|7}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 14
|Title = Accountability
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = TJ Martell & Tommy Wright
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|14}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 15
|Title = Sisters Ink
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Brittany Miller & Erin Berry
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|21}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 16
|Title = Whiskey Business
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Eugene Garcia-Cross
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|7}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 17
|Title = The Doctor Is Out
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = John D. Beck & Ron Hart
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|14}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 18
|Title = Alarm Bells
|DirectedBy = Pamela Fryman
|WrittenBy = Kevin Abbott
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|21}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = EC7600
}}
}}
Production
=Development=
The series is created by Kevin Abbott, who will serve as showrunner and executive producer. The other executive producers are Michael Hanel, Pamela Fryman, Mindy Schultheis and Julie Abbott.{{Cite web |last=Manno |first=Jackie |date=July 9, 2024 |title=All About Reba McEntire New NBC Sitcom, Happy's Place |url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/reba-mcentire-happys-place-premiere-date-cast-trailer-news-details |website=NBC |access-date=Aug 19, 2024}} Reba McEntire is also an executive producer. On January 29, 2024, the series received a put pilot commitment by NBC.{{cite web|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|title=Reba McEntire Reunites With 'Reba' Team on New NBC Comedy Pilot|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/reba-mcentire-nbc-comedy-pilot-1235808110/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 29, 2024|access-date=May 12, 2024}} On May 7, 2024, the series had been given a series order and reveals the title as Happy's Place. Universal Television produced the series.{{cite web|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|title=Reba McEntire Comedy 'Happy's Place' Lands Series Order At NBC|url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/reba-mcentire-happys-place-nbc-1235908257/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 7, 2024|access-date=May 12, 2024}} On November 15, 2024, the series was given additional script orders, making the season total of 13 episodes.{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title='Happy's Place' & 'Lopez vs. Lopez' Get Additional Script Orders From NBC|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/happys-place-lopez-vs-lopez-script-orders-nbc-1236178585/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 15, 2024|access-date=November 15, 2024}} On November 21, 2024, the series added 5 episodes, giving it an 18-episode full first season order.{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Reba McEntire NBC Comedy 'Happy's Place' Gets Full-Season Order With Pickup Of 5 More Episodes|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/reba-mcentire-happys-place-season-1-episode-count-1236184227/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 21, 2024|access-date=November 21, 2024}} On February 20, 2025, NBC renewed the series for a second season.{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Happy's Place Renewed For Season 2 By NBC|url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/happys-place-renewed-season-2-nbc-1236295935/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 20, 2025}}
=Casting=
McEntire, who helped develop the pilot, plays the lead role of Bobbie. On March 18, 2024, Melissa Peterman and Belissa Escobedo were cast in main roles for the pilot.{{cite web|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|title=Melissa Peterman To Reunite With Reba McEntire, Joins NBC Comedy Pilot Alongside Belissa Escobedo|url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/melissa-peterman-reba-mcentire-nbc-comedy-pilot-belissa-escobedo-cast-1235861582/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 18, 2024|access-date=May 12, 2024}} Announced later the same day, Rex Linn, Tokala Black Elk and Pablo Castelblanco were cast in main roles for the pilot.{{cite web|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|title=Reba McEntire's NBC Comedy Pilot Adds Tokala Black Elk, Rex Linn & Pablo Castelblanco|url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/reba-mcentire-nbc-comedy-pilot-cast-tokala-black-elk-rex-linn-pablo-castelblanco-1235861662/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 18, 2024|access-date=May 12, 2024}} McEntire and Peterman previously were co-stars on the sitcom Reba.
=Filming=
Happy's Place is filmed at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California, but it is set in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Broadcast
Happy's Place premiered on October 18, 2024, on NBC.{{cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|title=NBC Fall Premiere Dates: The Voice, One Chicago, Law & Order Dramas, Happy's Place, NFL & More|url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/nbc-fall-premiere-dates-2024-1236004900/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 9, 2024}}
In Canada, new episodes air one day earlier than the American airdate on CTV.{{Cite web |title=Happy's Place |url=https://www.ctv.ca/shows/happys-place |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=CTV}}
Reception
=Critical response=
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 73% approval rating with an average rating of 5.8/10, based on 11 critic reviews.{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=happys_place|title=Happy's Place|type=tv|season=1|access-date=January 13, 2025|publisher_hide=y}}{{cbignore}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 60 out of 100 based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.{{Cite Metacritic|id=happys-place|title=Happy's Place|type=tv|season=1|access-date=October 18, 2024|publisher_hide=y}}{{cbignore}}
== Accolades ==
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Award !Category !Nominee !Result !Ref. |
| 2025
|Favorite Female TV Star (Family) |Reba McEntire – Happy's Place as Bobbie |{{Pending}} |
=Ratings=
{{Television episode ratings
| refs_col = y
| title1 = Pilot
| date1 = October 18, 2024
| rs1 = 0.4/5
| viewers1 = 4.03
| dvr1 = 0.2
| dvrv1 = 1.47
| total1 = 0.5
| totalv1 = 5.50
| title2 = Tapped Out
| date2 = October 25, 2024
| rs2 = 0.3/4
| viewers2 = 3.49
| dvr2 = 0.1
| dvrv2 = 1.50
| total2 = 0.4
| totalv2 = 5.00
| title3 = Don't Sweat It
| date3 = November 1, 2024
| rs3 = 0.3/4
| viewers3 = 3.48
| dvr3 = 0.1
| dvrv3 = 1.32
| total3 = 0.4
| totalv3 = 4.79
| title4 = Fish Fry Monday
| date4 = November 8, 2024
| rs4 = 0.3/4
| viewers4 = 3.48
| dvr4 = 0.1
| dvrv4 = 1.27
| total4 = 0.4
| totalv4 = 4.76
| title5 = Ladies' Night
| date5 = November 15, 2024
| rs5 = 0.2/4
| viewers5 = 2.95
| dvr5 = 0.2
| dvrv5 = 1.25
| total5 = 0.4
| totalv5 = 4.20
| title6 = Happy's House
| date6 = November 22, 2024
| rs6 = 0.2/4
| viewers6 = 3.07
| dvr6 = 0.1
| dvrv6 = 1.20
| total6 = 0.4
| totalv6 = 4.27
| title7 = Ho-Ho-Howey
| date7 = December 6, 2024
| rs7 = 0.4/5
| viewers7 = 3.39
| dvr7 = 0.1
| dvrv7 = 1.24
| total7 = 0.5
| totalv7 = 4.63
| title8 = Dear Jack
| date8 = December 13, 2024
| rs8 = 0.3/4
| viewers8 = 3.35
| dvr8 = 0.1
| dvrv8 = 1.15
| total8 = 0.4
| totalv8 = 4.50
| title9 = Emcee Squared
| date9 = January 3, 2025
| rs9 = 0.2/3
| viewers9 = 3.36
| dvr9 = 0.1
| dvrv9 = 0.94
| total9 = 0.3
| totalv9 = 4.31
| title10 = The MacAllister Girls
| date10 = January 10, 2025
| rs10 = 0.3/3
| viewers10 = 3.30
| dvr10 = 0.1
| dvrv10 = 1.20
| total10 = 0.4
| totalv10 = 4.42
| title11 = Heart of the Matter
| date11 = January 17, 2025
| rs11 = 0.2/3
| viewers11 = 3.45
| dvr11 = 0.1
| dvrv11 = 1.21
| total11 = 0.3
| totalv11 = 4.67
| title12 = Baby Doll
| date12 = January 31, 2025
| rs12 = 0.3/5
| viewers12 = 3.52
| dvr12 = 0.1
| dvrv12 = 1.08
| total12 = 0.4
| totalv12 = 4.61
| title13 = Mama Drama
| date13 = February 7, 2025
| rs13 = 0.3/4
| viewers13 = 3.34
| dvr13 = 0.1
| dvrv13 = 1.17
| total13 = 0.4
| totalv13 = 4.50
| title14 = Accountability
| date14 = February 14, 2025
| rs14 = 0.3/4
| viewers14 = 3.13
| dvr14 = 0.1
| dvrv14 = 1.08
| total14 = 0.4
| totalv14 = 4.20
| title15 = Sisters Ink
| date15 = February 21, 2025
| rs15 = 0.2/3
| viewers15 = 3.11
| dvr15 = 0.1
| dvrv15 = 1.08
| total15 = 0.3
| totalv15 = 4.18
| title16 = Whiskey Business
| date16 = March 7, 2025
| rs16 = 0.3/4
| viewers16 = 3.25
| dvr16 = 0.1
| dvrv16 = 1.04
| total16 = 0.4
| totalv16 = 4.29
| title17 = The Doctor Is Out
| date17 = March 14, 2025
| rs17 = 0.3/5
| viewers17 = 3.34
| dvr17 = 0.1
| dvrv17 = 1.03
| total17 = 0.4
| totalv17 = 4.37
| title18 = Alarm Bells
| date18 = March 21, 2025
| rs18 = 0.2/3
| viewers18 = 3.19
| dvr18 = 0.1
| dvrv18 = 1.12
| total18 = 0.3
| totalv18 = 4.31
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Wikiquote}}
- {{Official website}}
- {{IMDb title}}
{{Reba McEntire}}
{{NBC programming (current and upcoming)}}
Category:2020s American multi-camera sitcoms
Category:2024 American television series debuts
Category:American English-language television shows