‘Happy’s Place’ Showrunner Reveals Season 2 Plans for a ‘Reba’ Reunion, Romance & More
Preview
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Happy’s Place Season 1 Episode 18, “Alarm Bells.”]
Happy’s Place may have wrapped its Season 1 run, but showrunner Kevin Abbott already has big plans for Season 2 which was previously announced by NBC.
“The network told us that we were picked up for Season 2 the night of our last taping,” Abbott recalls. “So just before we started taping at six o’clock that Tuesday night, they called us into the room and told us.” While the opportunity to continue telling these characters’ stories certainly excites Abbott, the pick-up shifts some of the planning.
“I’ll lay out arcs to see where we can get the characters to,” he notes of his process, and while they’re “not set in stone,” he says, “we generally land around those areas [that are mapped out]. And this season, because we didn’t find out we were getting a back order and how many [episodes that would include] until after we’d shot the original 13, I didn’t really have a chance to lay all the groundwork to get to where I wanted these characters to go.”
Casey Durkin / NBC
So, where will they go next? Abbott’s already begun planting the seeds that people have seen so far this season, but they’ll go even further in Season 2.
For those less acquainted with Happy’s Place, it tells the story of Bobbie (Reba McEntire), a woman who discovers she has a secret younger sister, Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) when their father’s will is read, bequeathing them with the titular bar he once oversaw. In addition to following Bobbie and Isabella, the fabric of this show also includes bartender Gabby (Melissa Peterman), cook Emmett (Rex Linn), worker Takoda (Tokala Black Elk), and regular patron Steve (Pablo Castelblanco).
As Abbott looks ahead to the future, he teases that Season 2 will further explore arcs like “Gabby’s motherhood [journey], the Bobbie-Emmett relationship, Isabella and her backstory… Steve’s becoming a really interesting character to me. We want to find out more about Takoda’s home life.”
“We wanted to spend a lot of time in Season 1 letting the audience get to know the characters,” Abbott says, “Then we’ll get to branch out a little bit more in Season 2 now.” Some ideas have been percolating for so long that Abbott reveals, “I’ve had in my head where I want these characters to go since before we actually wrote the pilot. So we’re getting there.”
After welcoming several Reba favorites into the mix with guest roles in Season 1 for Steve Howey and Christopher Rich, Abbott promises more reunions are on the horizon if it’s up to him. “We definitely want to bring Joanna [Garcia Swisher] in. We’ve been talking to her. It’s a matter of timing for her.”
What do you think of Abbott’s plans for Bobbie, Isabella, and the rest of the gang? Let us know in the comments section, below, and stay tuned for any possible updates as Happy’s Place Season 2 takes shape.
Happy’s Place, Season 2 Premiere, TBA, NBC
Conversation28 Comments
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I like all of the characters. I like that every character gets a spot. Would like to see more of Christopher Rich and Steve Howey, as well. I just love this show, it's up lifting. Would like to see Isabella wear more mature clothing.
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Please also bring back Park Overall too. And see if you can do a Christmas Carol episode too. And flashbacks of a younger Bobbie. But let’s not forget to get George Strait as Happy.
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I think a lot of people are sort of missing the point with the Isabella Character. I believe the lack of chemistry and the awkwardness of the character is intentional. If you’ve lived this situation you probably understand it better. IRL, there would definitely be a battle to have chemistry with people who knew nothing of your existence in their family. That’s incredibly awkward for all involved. (I’ve lived it) I love the dynamics of the characters and I love all the characters. I’m excited to see this little sitcom family grow with each other. I love how they tackle every day issues with actual comedy relief.
In regard to Isabella’s wardrobe, I again think this is intentional, she’s young, lost, doesn’t really know who she is or where she belongs and she’s just trying to be herself and fit in all at the same time. So of course the way she dresses should visually show that, IE.. frilly, ill fitting, a little thrown together etc.
I find myself relating to ALL the characters at some point during the season and have grown fond of them.
Cut Isabella some slack
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I don't mind Isabellas storyline. But for me, she looks nothing at all like Reba, her supposed half sister. I have a half sister and 8 cousins I never knew about and we all look similar to some extent.
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Best show on TV , Just wish it was an hour show. You people are so mean ! The clothes and the characters are what makes the personality. Everything doesn't always have to be to your taste. Don't tell people how to wear their clothes and hair. If ya don't like it , just don't watch because there are a lot of us who love it just the way it is. Be happy and enjoy life as it is. God bless 🙌
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Here's some great advice, get rid of the sister! Noone likes her, she can't act, she has no chemistry with anyone and she's not funny or cute. The person doing her wardrobe should also be fired! I've tried so hard to like this show but with her in it it's a hard no for me, every time she comes on I have to turn it off. It's sad really, I love Reba/Melissa & Rex and I wanted to love this show.
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I thought it was just me that couldn’t stand her outfits. They don’t fit her body type right, and the frills around every shirt is getting old.
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There is nothing I like about the sister. You summed it up nicely.
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I love the show! I love that they’re bringing a romantic relationship between Bobbie and Emmett, especially knowing that they’re a couple in real life. I like Isabella and how she gets Bobbie to look at things differently. I’m amazed at how different Gabby is from her character on Reba.
I miss Reba on The Voice, but now I look forward to seeing her on Happy’s Place.
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I agree. I miss Reba on the Voice too.
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Im in agreement About Isabella. There is absolutely no chemistry between her and Bobby she brings down the show and their storylines are awful. I would love to see Gabby and Christopher Rich have a romance. You need to bring him back. And of course, Bobby and Emmett would be a lot of fun. The other characters don’t really appeal to me.
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Happy Place is about Bobbie and Isabella if they take Isabella out of the picture then their is No Show because they Show is based on them Two Bobbie and Isabella
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I LOVE the show Reva as I watch it every morning and is sad cause I’ve seen every one so many times I can say there sentences before they do and I love the fact she is in it with Barbara Jean. (Melissa Peternan).
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I think everyone should lay off the character of isabella. Speaking from experience at almost 30 years old I found out I was adopted. It was not a normal situation 65 years ago and going from an only child to a total of nine half sisters and three half Brothers was overwhelming. I'm not the first person to be adopted nor will I be the last. However addressing the characters struggle to fit in to want to be included and difficult position of trying to find where you belong is going to be an awkward spot. Before anyone criticizes the use of Isabella and her struggle ask yourself how you were feeling that position either your parent or finding out for yourself.
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Isabella isn't adopted, but a true sister Gabby just didn't know about until after the death of their father
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She is Bobbie's sister Not Gabby's
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I absolutely love the show. Reba has always been a favorite of mine but I also love each character. Yae to a romance or two, a baby and just more fun. Thank you, and can't wait for season 2.
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LOVE this show & all the characters❣️❣️BRAVO to whole crew & cast👏👏👍💯❤️
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Isabella is great for the show
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The sister is a terrible actress . Sorry but I quit watching because of her. Reba is a gem.
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Wonderful show! Finally not a murder mystery or police or medical show. The characters are great too. Love all the actors and can’t wait for next season😃
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Steve isn't a regular patron, he's their accountant that does his work at the bar.
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I love the show. Every character brings a different outlook on every situation. It's also great to see Steve Howey n Christopher Rich with Melissa n Reba again. The chemistry is still there..and now that there will be a season 2, we will get to see Joanna(Cheyenne) on the show. It will be very interesting to see who she will play bc her n Reba playing mom n daughter was phenomenal. They clicked together wonderfully. We know Scarlet(Kyra) no longer acts but would be really nice to see her in an episode as well. Steve's character could have a reoccurring role too, celebrating things at the bar. No matter what way they take the characters we'll be watching. Bc it's a great show, and we need it these days. . Maybe a special, having an hour show..would be great!
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I would like to see Emma Kinney return on some type of basis. But, I'd like her to be gentler, friendlier. When I saw her on the episode where she came to visit her mom, I really didn't like her personality. Too off-putting!
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Happy Place is based on Bobbie (Reba McEntire) and Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) Half Sister's same Father different Mother's..You take Isabella off the show... Then they would have to re-write the whole show.. The First Episode explains the whole show and what it's based on... Those who went through this in real life can understand the show .. Put yourself in these Two Sister's shoes your father passed away and all of a sudden here comes a Sibling you know nothing about until your parent's funeral.. It's like on The Nanny when Maxwell Sheffield father died and they went to read the Will here comes a Sister He never knew he Had and his father's video explained that she is legit ..
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I absolutely love the show...I am looking forward to the second season...I would like to see some black people on the show...
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Get Reba aka Bobbie a haircut, the long hair doesn't suit her.
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I would like to see the sister leave the show, (moving) as the show and her do not mix well! If she would be left out , all the others click perfectly.
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