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The Wait is OVER! Kelly Clarkson FINALLY Speaks Out About “The Voice” – What She Said Will Surprise You! Fans have been holding their breath, and now, after a period of personal reflection, the powerhouse vocalist Kelly Clarkson has finally addressed the burning question: Will she return to “The Voice”? Her candid statement offers a revealing glimpse into her mindset and the factors influencing her decision

Kelly Clarkson, 41, breaks her silence about The Voice return after her tumultuous divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock

Kelly Clarkson has shed light on her decision to leave The Voice after nine seasons as one of the four celebrity coaches on the singing competition show.
The pop star, 41, spoke to YB, USA Today in the wake of her personal and professional upheaval.
The Since U Been Gone songstress finalized her divorce from producer and executive Brandon Blackstock in March 2022 – and also just moved her eponymous talk show from LA to New York City for its fifth season, which premiered this week.
Kelly and Brandon, 46, who met in 2006, were married for nearly seven years before the singer filed for divorce in June 2020.

Kelly Clarkson, 41, has shed light on her decision to leave The Voice in an interview with USA Today

Kelly and her now-ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, 46, had been married for nearly seven years before the singer filed for divorce in 2022

They share two children: River Rose, nine, and Remington Alexander, seven.
In the meantime, balancing duties for The Kelly Clarkson Show along with her commitment to The Voice over the past several years began to feel unmanageable, she told USA Today.
‘Full disclosure, I put on a smile a lot of those times because I was struggling a lot in my personal life,’ Kelly said of her performance during the first four seasons of her talk show.
‘I’ve learned a lot about what I’m capable of handling, and also what you should not handle. That was me saying “bye” to The Voice and having this big move. I love that family, but I was like, “I’m struggling. I can’t smile anymore. I don’t feel like smiling.”‘
Kelly appeared as one of four coaches on The Voice for the first time in 2018, making her debut on Season 14.
She stayed on through until Season 21, skipping Season 22 before officially ending her time on the reality series with its 23rd season, which concluded in May this year.
Speaking about her fresh start – both in the aftermath of her divorce and in relaunching The Kelly Clarkson Show out of New York City for its fifth season – Kelly gushed that the current moment in her career had felt like a ‘beautiful gift.’
‘What’s cool for me with Season Five [of The Kelly Clarkson Show] is I am in such a great place, not only with my kids, but with me personally and with the show,’ she told USA Today.

The Since U Been Gone songstress appeared on nine seasons of the singing-competition show, with her first being Season 14 in 2018

Kelly debuted her eponymous talk show in 2019. The first four seasons were filmed out of a studio in Los Angeles – while its fifth season will be shot and produced out of NYC

‘I feel like a weight has lifted. That move was very needed. I think the thing I’m most excited about with Season Five on a selfish level, is just showing up to work smiling and actually meaning it. That’s a beautiful gift that you don’t realize until you’re out of it.’
She further admitted that she’d initially thought that moving to NYC would be a ‘horrible decision.’
‘I’ll be real honest: I thought I was making a horrible decision,’ she said.
‘I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn’t be in LA. I really wanted to be in Montana, but you can’t really do a show from there quite yet. So I was like, “The only other option would probably be New York.”‘
But only a few weeks in, her initial apprehension already felt like a distant memory.
‘I genuinely love it, and I love that my kids love it,’ she said.

Gwen Stefani’s Sinister Plot to Sabotage Reba McEntire EXPOSED by Outraged Fans! Brace yourselves for a shocking behind-the-scenes drama as “The Voice” descends into chaos! Furious viewers are unleashing their wrath on Gwen Stefani, accusing her of masterminding Reba McEntire’s disastrous new approach on the show.

The Voice fans slam Gwen Stefani for influencing Reba McEntire’s ‘terrible’ change to her appearance on show

GWEN Stefani has been slammed for apparently influencing fellow The Voice coach Reba McEntire’s new look.

Country star Reba, 58, declared that she was “twinning” with Gwen, 54, as she proudly showed off her new black and white fake nails.

Gwen Stefani has been slammed for apparently influencing fellow The Voice coach Reba McEntire’s new lookCredit: Yubi/NBC

Critics slammed Reba’s ‘terrible’ looking new fake nailsCredit: Instagram/gwenstefani

Both stars shared videos on Instagram backstage at The Voice before the playoffs.

In the clips, the former No Doubt frontwoman and country music icon posed side-by-side, showing off both their outfits and their long nails.

Reba had a black and white checkerboard pattern on the end of her nail tips while Gwen was sporting beige chrome on hers.

Gwen posed in a wildly patterned matching outfit, which included a puff sleeve detail and a ruched mini skirt.

Reba, meanwhile, was sporting a black blazer with bejeweled details and a matching pair of pants.

Critics slammed Gwen for appearing to “rub off” on Reba’s look in the comments.

One wrote: “Reba please don’t change. Get rid of the claws so unattractive.”

Another added, “NO REBA. Don’t let that rub off on you,” and a third agreed: “No no no they look terrible.”

Someone else critiqued: “Looks so cheap.”

Others praised Reba’s funky new manicure, however, with one user commenting: “This is so cute.

“I love Reba just picking up little things from each of you and enjoying it.”

Gwen has made no secret of her appreciation for Reba, who replaced her husband Blake Shelton as a new judge this season.

Last month, she praised the singer for receiving 100 million streams of her song, Fancy.

BEST BUDS

Gwen said in a video on Instagram: “Oh my gosh, we are celebrating 100 million streams of Fancy, like what does that feel like?

“I’m so excited for you, I love you. Congratulations.”

The Hollaback Girl singer also commented: “Ahhh congrats 2 our QUEEN Reba! luv uuu !! gx.”

Earlier this month, Gwen faced harsh criticism from fans over her apparently indecisive judging style when she had to send her team members home.

The Sweet Escape singer returned to the show in Season 24.

On October 2022, her husband Blake, 47, announced his exit from the show, which he had been planning for many years.

They slammed Gwen for ‘rubbing off’ on RebaCredit: Instagram/gwenstefani

Reba replaced Gwen’s husband Blake Shelton on The Voice (from left, Niall Horan, Reba, John Legend, and Gwen)Credit: Getty

Blake announced last year that he was leaving The VoiceCredit: Getty

A significant portion of “The Voice” fanbase has voiced serious concerns and accusations of a manipulated result following Gwen Stefani’s controversial choice. This escalating distrust threatens the show’s credibility.

The Voice fans slam Gwen Stefani for ‘rigged’ knockout round pick and demand a ‘logical explanation’ for choosing BIAS

GWEN Stefani has made a difficult choice on tonight’s episode of The Voice, but some fans online think her choice was made before the contestants started singing.

The 54-year-old set three of her top performers against each other during tonight’s knockout competition.

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Gwen Stefani has some explaining to do after this week’s knockout pickCredit: NBC

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For one Team Gwen knockout session, only BIAS’ performance was shownCredit: NBC
One of the competitors, BIAS, seems to be Gwen’s favorite singer of this season’s The Voice.

During the coaching, she even said: “I love your energy. I love your voice. I love your truth.

“And I think you are, in some ways, the most, I think, original person that’s on the show.”

He performed the song You Should Probably Leave by Chris Stapleton.

After he sang, Gwen said: “BIAS, it’s really rare to have someone that just has this kind of ‘it’ factor.

“Your vocal is so great, but you don’t even really pay attention to it. You’re just paying attention to you, and that’s what an artist is.”

BIAS was up against Jason Arcilla and Jenna Marquis, but their performances were not shown.

BUT, WHY?

Fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, were very confused as to why BIAS won and why the other performances weren’t shown.

One said: “BIAS’ knockout round was montaged because the other two wiped the floor with him but Gwen won’t let that man go home.

“Like no way he performed better than Jason… just straight riggory.”

Another replied and said: “I needed a logical explanation for that and this makes the most sense to me because I was so confused.”

A third added: “What is Gwen’s obsession with Bias…??? why and how does he manage to beat everyone in every round?? he’s awful????”

Someone said: “Bias can’t sing. I can’t believe she picked him. Gwen likes guys better for sure.”

TONIGHT’S LOOK

Gwen has also received criticism after wearing a bright outfit while filming The Voice.

She recently posted a video of her new outfit on Instagram, and fans were quick to share their thoughts.

The No Doubt performer started the video by showing several close-up shots of her outfit.

The singer wore a pink, checkered dress on top of a long-sleeved and formal white button shirt.

She a accessorized with a pink necktie over and held a matching pink check coat in her hand.

Gwen completed the look with long, tight, thigh-high boots and dark tights.

In the comments of the social media post, viewers slammed Gwen’s unique outfit.

One said: “Fire your stylist. Missing the mark.”

Another said: “You do realize that there are other styles of hosiery other than fishnets, right?”

Someone shared a screenshot from the film Clueless with the caption: “Ugh, as if!”

A fourth said: “Where does she get those costumes she wears.”

A fifth said: “It looks like you forgot your pants.”

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BIAS went up against the talented artists Jason Arcilla and Jenna MarquisCredit: NBC

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Fans of the show believe the round was rigged and BIAS should have been sent homeCredit: NBC

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Gwen has also been called out for her questionable fashion choicesCredit: Instagram/gwenstefani

Remember “Modern Family”? You Won’t BELIEVE What Happened To The Cast! The Pritchett-Dunphy clan stole our hearts for over a decade, but where are they now? Discover which actors landed blockbuster roles, which ones embraced unexpected passions, and which former child stars are all grown up and unrecognizable! Get ready for a nostalgic yet jaw-dropping update on your favorite TV family – their real lives are more dramatic than any episode!

Where is the Modern Family cast now? See what the stars are doing 15 years after the beloved sitcom premiered

The ensemble cast carried the series for 11 seasons on ABC.

Credit:Bob D’Amico/ABC

01 of 11

Julie Bowen (Claire Dunphy)

Bob D’Amico/ABC; Getty Images for Baby2Baby

Julie Bowen won two Emmys as type-A mom Claire. The actress almost passed on the role after telling her reps not to send her to comedy auditions.

“I was like, ‘I can’t tell a joke, I’m not funny — don’t give me those three-jokes-a-page kind of things,’” Bowen said in 2024. “My managers were always very supportive, like, ‘You know what? Helen Hunt isn’t funny.’ I go… ‘She just won like five Emmys.’ They’re like, ‘Yes. So she’s funny in a different way. She’s not three-jokes-a-page funny. And yet she is wildly funny. Try to be Helen Hunt.’”

Prior to Modern Family, Bowen was best known as Adam Sandler’s love interest in Happy Gilmore (1996) and as one of the stars of Ed (2000–2004). She also had a brief arc on ER (1998–1999) and recurred as Jack’s ex-wife on Lost (2005–2007). The actress also flexed her comedic muscles in Horrible Bosses (2011) and Life of the Party (2018), opposite Melissa McCarthy.

After saying goodbye to Claire, she reunited with Sandler in Hubie Halloween (2020), costarred in the time-travel horror-comedy Totally Killer (2023), and landed a main cast role in Peacock’s occult comedy series Hysteria! (2024–present). Next year, she’ll be back on the links in Happy Gilmore 2.

Bowen was married to real estate investor and software developer Scott Phillips from 2004 to 2018. They have three sons. Like a Modern Family plotline, she and Jesse Tyler Ferguson both made separate trips to the ER on Thanksgiving with their children in 2024.

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Ty Burrell (Phil Dunphy)

Danny Feld/ABC; Getty

“Cool Dad” character Phil Dunphy was written specifically for Ty Burrell. Despite this, he was rejected by ABC executives several times before they finally relented. He wound up winning two Emmys.

“My agent and wife both advised me that I was being disrespected by ABC. They said, ‘Forget it. Let it go. You don’t need to be doing this,’” Burrell said in an oral history of the series. “My wife, being an amazing person, was trying to protect me from going in and having my feelings crushed for a fifth time.”

Before his star-making turn, Burrell had small, memorable roles in Dawn of the Dead (2004), In Good Company (2004), National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007), and The Incredible Hulk (2008). The actor was also a veteran of two short-lived sitcoms, Out of Practice (2005–2006) and Back to You (2007–2008).

After Modern Family raised his profile, he landed parts in the indie darling The Skeleton Twins (2014), opposite Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, and Muppets Most Wanted (2014) while lending his voice to Finding Dory (2016) and the Fox series Duncanville (2020–2022).

Burrell and his wife, Holly, have been married since 2000 and are parents to two daughters.

03of 11

 

Ed O’Neill (Jay Pritchett)

Karen Neal/ABC; Disney via Getty

Ed O’Neill earned three Emmy nominations as the curmudgeonly patriarch Jay Pritchett.

In 2013, he told the Television Academy that he knew the show was special at the first table read: “I remember at one point early on like looking up and like, what the hell is going on here? These people are good. I didn’t expect them to be that good… I didn’t know them… So that was amazing. That reading was at a level that’s higher than most first readings.”

O’Neill was already a TV icon thanks to playing Al Bundy on Married…With Children (1987–1997). His big-screen endeavors include major roles in sports movies — Blue Chips (1994), Little Giants (1994), and Prefontaine (1997) — and a recurring spot in David Mamet’s acting troupe, namely The Spanish Prisoner (1997), Spartan (2004), and Redbelt (2008). The veteran actor recently starred as former L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling in the miniseries Clipped (2024).

He has been married to Catherine Rusoff since 1986. They have two daughters.

Melissa Peterman and Christopher Rich, Co-stars on “Happy’s Place,” Unveil Significant Revelation Regarding Reba McEntire’s Professional Conduct. In a recent interview, Peterman and Rich alluded to a previously undisclosed aspect of McEntire’s behavior on set, suggesting a dedication to her craft that extends beyond public perceptio

Did Reba McEntire’s ‘Reba’ Co-Star Just Imply She’s Not a Real Redhead?

Reba McEntire‘s red hair has been her signature look for her whole career — so much so that all you need to do to pull off a convincing Reba Halloween costume is to don a red wig!

But during a recent ET Online interview with McEntire and her Reba co-stars Melissa Peterman and Christopher Rich, Rich took some lighthearted shots at both the women, including a joke that implied McEntire’s hair color might not be quite what it seems.

It actually started as a joke aimed at Peterman, where Rich said, “Well, wait, you’re not really blonde, though.”

But then, he turned in McEntire’s direction, adding, “I’m giving away too much. Because she’s actually more blonde than you are, in real life.”

“She was a little towhead, this one. Back in Oklahoma. Back in the day,” he said, patting McEntire on the leg.

Rich stopped there, though throughout the interview, yubi, he cracked a few more jokes at their expense, including one jab about how his entire paycheck from his acting roles might not cover the cost of their makeup.

Of course, Rich has known McEntire and Peterman for decades, since he starred as Brock Hart — McEntire’s character’s ex-husband, who leaves her for Peterman’s character — on the beloved 2000s sitcom.

They’re all close friends, and in the same interview where Rich joked about McEntire’s hair, he also credited her with helping him restart his career after he suffered a devastating stroke years ago.

Rich added that during his years-long healing process, McEntire and Peterman never stopped inviting him to industry events or spending time with him as friends. He credits her with his eventual decision to return back to acting after a hiatus of about a decade, to make a guest spot on her new Happy’s Place sitcom.

He also says that he frequently spends time with McEntire and her boyfriend Rex Linn, including watching football games together.

“I spend a lot of time at her and Rex’s place, watching the Longhorns. Hook ’em! They didn’t make it though,” he explains with a sympathetic gesture toward McEntire.

As for the question of McEntire’s a real redhead? Well, only her hairdresser knows for sure — though you’d be hard pressed to find old photos of her with any shade of hair lighter than strawberry.

“Shifting Gears” Just Ended, But What Happens Next Will BLOW YOUR MIND! Did you love the high-octane drama of “Shifting Gears”‘ pilot season? Get ready for a complete game-changer! The network has just revealed that Season 2 will feature a major change so dramatic, you won’t believe it’s the same show. Will fan favorites return? Exclusive details and behind-the-scenes scoops on the shocking evolution that promises to make “Shifting Gears” the most talked-about show on television. Don’t miss this incredible transformation!

Shifting Gears Finale’s Strangest Callback Hints At A Major Change In Season 2

Warning: SPOILERS for Shifting Gears episode 10.The pilot season of Shifting Gears has come to an end, but one moment in the finale implies the sitcom may be changing its trajectory for the better. The ABC sitcom follows Tim Allen as Matt Parker, widower and owner of an auto restoration shop run by the affable Gabriel/Gabe (Seann William Scott), witty Stitch (Daryl “Chill” Mitchell), and underdeveloped but present Frankie (Cynthia Quiles). The inciting incident of the comedy comes when Matt’s daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), suddenly moves home with her children, Carter (Maxwell Simkins) and Georgia (Barrett Margolis), to escape a failing marriage.

Though the premise wasn’t anything groundbreaking, Shifting Gears garnered impressive viewership off the bat, yubi due in no small part to Allen’s leading role. After 10 episodes, Shifting Gears season 1 wrapped up with a soft conclusion and many purposefully unresolved storylines. While Shifting Gears season 2 has still yet to be officially confirmed by ABC, it’s difficult to imagine that the network won’t renew the comedy given the substantial ratings it’s pulled in since January. The ending of Shifting Gears season 1 left much up in the air, but one quick scene could have subtle implications for the sitcom’s future.

Seann William Scott’s “Dude, Where’s My Car?” Reference In Shifting Gears Episode 10 Explained

A Single But Significant Line

While Tim Allen may have been the headliner, one character has been a scene-stealer in Shifting Gears since the pilot: Gabe. From his endearing naivety to reliable comic relief, Gabe is undeniably one of Shifting Gears’ best side characters thanks to the work of Seann William Scott. The Shifting Gears season finale even references one of Scott’s most iconic roles when Riley walks into the auto shop, looks at Gabe, and asks: “Dude, where’s my car?” Scott starred in a film of the same name alongside Ashton Kutcher, and it remains one of the most memorable titles in Scott’s filmography.

The absurd mix of science fiction and comedy earned Dude, Where’s My Car? poor critical reception, but the film garnered a cult following that persists decades after its initial release.

Shifting Gears made many not-so-subtle callbacks to Allen’s past roles throughout the pilot season, even setting up a Tim Allen shared universe in Shifting Gears set designs and guest stars. However, Riley’s on-the-nose reference to one of Scott’s biggest roles is a blissful departure from Shifting Gears’ Tim Allen tunnel vision. The callback didn’t require any extra meandering to draw attention to it, just a line from Riley and a quick reaction shot from Gabe. The scene then continued without delay, but the quick wink to Scott could indicate a new and necessary direction for Shifting Gears season 2.

Shifting Gears Season 1 Finale’s Non-Tim Allen Reference Hints At Its Season 2 Story Approach

The Sitcom Is Broadening Its Scope

While ABC marketing Shifting Gears as a Tim Allen sitcom was undeniably the most logical move, the comedy needs to expand its horizons if it wants long-term success. There are many talented actors in the Shifting Gears cast of characters, and the Dude, Where’s My Car? reference indicates the sitcom realizes this as well. The plot can’t stray too far from the Parker family, but it doesn’t have to in order to celebrate its ensemble. In fact, exploring individual characters would inevitably lead back to Matt, given he’s connected to everyone as a father, grandfather, boss, or neighbor.

Actor
Shifting Gears Character

Tim Allen
Matt

Kat Dennings
Riley

Maxwell Simkins
Carter

Barrett Margolis
Georgia

Seann William Scott
Gabriel

Daryl “Chill” Mitchell
Stitch

Cynthia Quiles
Frankie

Jenna Elfman
Eve

Seann William Scott is only one member of the Shifting Gears cast with iconic past roles that can be playfully worked into the script. Kat Dennings is recognizable to many as Max from 2 Broke Girls, Daryl Mitchell and Jenna Elfman (Eve) both worked on Fear the Walking Dead, and even Maxwell Simkins is widely remembered as Zane from Bizaardvark. While Jenna Elfman’s character in Shifting Gears hasn’t been around long enough to necessarily warrant a callback, it’s reassuring to know the sitcom has at least opened the door to acknowledging its full cast.

Why Shifting Gears Expanding Its Narrative Beyond Tim Allen Is Great

The Ensemble Cast Could Be The Key To Longevity

Beyond callbacks and inside jokes, the entire Shifting Gears cast deserves more screen time in general. Matt’s character in Shifting Gears doesn’t have to be sidelined, but letting others shine will help the sitcom in the long run. There are only so many iterations of Riley and Matt clashing heads that Shifting Gears can air before it becomes exhausting. Frankie, Stitch, and Gabe could get into a fight, leading to an episode where the auto shop can’t function. Georgia and Carter could have a sibling squabble, leaving Matt and Riley to defuse the situation. Inevitably, some much-needed originality would ensue.

Admittedly, the sitcom has already vastly improved from the early reviews of Shifting Gears that seemed to spell doom for Tim Allen’s return to network television. Certain episodes of Shifting Gears season 1 did focus on other characters— albeit only partially— and were irrefutably better because of it. Of course, there’s still room to improve and make Shifting Gears the fun family comedy it has the potential to be. Involving its diverse cast more, even with something as small as a one-liner reference, is the first step to Shifting Gears embracing its ensemble and setting season 2 up for success.

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Remember the “Home Improvement” Kids? You WON’T BELIEVE What They Look Like NOW! The 1990s were all about “Tool Time” and the hilarious Taylor family. But what happened to those adorable child actors who grew up on our screens? Click here to see the incredible THEN & NOW photos of the “Home Improvement” cast that will leave you utterly nostalgic and maybe a little surprised! Find out who stayed in Hollywood, who left the spotlight, and what Tim Allen’s TV kids are up to today. Your favorite Detroit family is all grown up – prepare for a major blast from the past!

The Cast of Home Improvement: Where Are They Now?

The beloved 1990s series about a semi-famous family in Detroit starred Tim Allen and made household names out of its child actors

The Cast of ‘Home Improvement’ in 1995. Photo:ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Kids of the ’90s will never forget that unique theme song: whistles, electric guitar and that unmistakable Tim Allen grunt.

Home Improvement was a primetime mainstay, running on ABC from 1991 to 1999 with Tim Allen’s Tim Taylor at the helm as host of home series Tool Time, and child actors Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Zachery Ty Bryan and Taran Noah Smith rising as the series’ popularity grew. The show earned three Emmy nominations for outstanding comedy series and Allen often talks about his desire to do a reboot.

In the years since it ended, many of its stars have retreated from the spotlight, but the love for the sitcom remains.

Here, catch up with the stars of Home Improvement, then and now.

01 of 09

Tim Allen as Tim Taylor

Tim Allen on ‘Home Improvement’ and now.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Tim Allen was best known as a comedian when he stepped into the role of Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor on Home Improvement. But the work never stopped coming afterward: the Golden Globe Award winner has starred in the Santa Clause franchise, Jungle 2 Jungle, Joe Somebody, Wild Hogs, Last Man Standing and perhaps most famously, the Toy Story movies.

In a 2020 chat with Kelly Clarkson, he said people on the street still ask him to grunt (even cops!) in a nod to Taylor’s trademark.

His earlier years weren’t so sunny: after a 1978 arrest for cocaine possession at a Michigan airport, Allen spent two years in jail. He also opened up about his alcohol addiction in a 2019 interview on CBS Sunday Morning. Now, he has been sober for more than 20 years. “It doesn’t happen overnight,” he told Clarkson. “It’s a day to day thing.”

Allen’s love for Home Improvement continues to run deep: he showed CBS that he kept the Tool Time set and in 2018, told ET he was “very interested” in bringing the series back. He actually played Taylor again on a 2021 episode of Last Man Standing, and welcomed Home Improvement costars to the show during its run.

Allen, now 70, is a father to two daughters, one with ex-wife Laura Deibel and one with current wife Jane Hajduk.

02 of 09

Patricia Richardson as Jill Taylor

Patricia Richardson on ‘Home Improvement’ and now.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Paul Archuleta/Getty

A theater veteran with some TV work under her belt, Patricia Richardson joined the cast as Tim’s strong and steady wife Jill — taking over for the first actress chosen for the part, Frances Fisher.

“I didn’t audition for it. They just came and said, ‘We want you to start tomorrow,’ ” Richardson recalled to ET in 2020. “I didn’t know anything [about the show]. I’d never heard of [Tim]. Immediately, I loved him. Everything that we dealt with in terms of marriage and family and kids … were just really classic, ongoing deals. [Tim] wanted that show to go on forever.”

Richardson went on to earn four Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe Award nominations for her work. The actress next tackled parts on Strong Medicine, The West Wing and Allen’s latest series, Last Man Standing. She also earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her role in Ulee’s Gold.

Richardson, 73, has three grown children with ex-husband Ray Baker.

03 of 09

Zachery Ty Bryan as Brad Taylor

Zachery Ty Bryan on ‘Home Improvement’ and now.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

The actor behind oldest Taylor sibling Brad, Zachery Ty Bryan had a few television roles on his résumé when he joined the series. In a 2018 Access Hollywood interview, he recalled growing up on set around his TV family, in the same orbit as other child actors.

“We were like brothers. We either loved or hated each other,” Bryan said of the dynamic. “I remember Disney was really good to us at the time,” he added. “They gave us a full basketball court, a gaming room. We could get a lot of our extra energy out.”

In the years since, he’s continued working steadily in TV and film, with parts on Smallville, Veronica Mars and Boston Public and the movies First Kid and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. He also moved into producing, including on the films Skin and The Kindergarten Teacher.

However, the father of seven, now 42 years old, has also faced some personal battles. A lengthy 2023 piece by The Hollywood Reporter detailed ups and downs with cryptocurrency and allegations of fraud.

On Feb. 17, 2024, he was taken into custody by La Quinta, California, police around 2:30 a.m. on a felony DUI charge, as well as a misdemeanor for alleged contempt of court. In July 2023, Bryan was arrested and charged with fourth-degree felony assault, third-degree robbery and harassment after an hours-long dispute with a woman was reported to police. He was ordered to serve seven days in jail after pleading guilty to the felony assault charge while the second count was dismissed as a term of a “negotiated resolution.”

In 2020, Bryan was arrested on a similar charge for allegedly strangling a woman, whom he later confirmed to be his fiancée Johnnie Faye Cartwright. His sentencing included 36 months of “bench probation” and participating in a program called Bridges2Safety.

“Zach is a great kid who has grown into a complex man,” former TV dad Allen told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023. “All you can do is step aside and let somebody go through their process.”

04 of 09

Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Randy Taylor

Jonathan Taylor Thomas on ‘Home Improvement’ and now.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

The heartthrob of his time, Jonathan Taylor Thomas played middle Taylor child Randy, leaving the series before its end to attend school. (To make it work on TV, his character moved to Costa Rica.)

“I’d been going nonstop since I was 8 years old,” he told PEOPLE in 2013. “I wanted to go to school, to travel and have a bit of a break.”

His career started with some TV and voice work before Home Improvement launched his star, leading to major roles in The Lion King, Man of the House, Tom and Huck and Wild America, among others.

In the nearly a decade away from the limelight through the early 2000s, save for some bit TV parts, he attended Harvard, Columbia and St. Andrew’s University in Scotland. He returned to Los Angeles to try his hand at writing and directing, though did get back in front of the camera with Allen for a guest spot on Last Man Standing.

“I never took the fame too seriously,” Thomas added to PEOPLE in 2013. “It was a great period in my life, but it doesn’t define me. When I think back on the time, I look at it with a wink. I focus on the good moments I had, not that I was on a lot of magazine covers.”

The 42-year-old has managed to keep his personal life under wraps; he was last publicly photographed on a walk with his dogs in 2021.

05 of 09

Taran Noah Smith as Mark Taylor

Taran Noah Smith on ‘Home Improvement’ and now.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Stephen Shugerman/ Getty

Home Improvement was pretty much the beginning and finale of Taran Noah Smith’s acting career. Just 7 when the show started, he portrayed youngest Taylor son Mark until the series ended in 1999.

Two years later, he sued his parents over the money he made as a minor, alleging they were squandering his trust fund. His parents denied the accusation and at 18, he gained access to the money. He and his mother later cowrote a book about navigating childhood fame: Stardom Happens: Nurturing Your Child in the Entertainment Business.

In 2012, Smith was arrested for DUI and drug possession, according to a TMZ report. He was later “sentenced to a 12-hour program for the DUI offense, and a 6-month drug diversion program for the weed charge,” TMZ reported at the time. He was placed on three years probation, as well.

A LinkedIn profile for a Taran Smith, 39, lists a current occupation of sea recovery technician at SpaceX. Smith was married as a teen but is now divorced.

06 of 09

Richard Karn as Al Borland

Richard Karn on ‘Home Improvement’ and now.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Richard Karn played Al Borland, Tim Taylor’s punching bag of a Tool Time costar. Home Improvement marked the actor’s big break; he went on to a slew of movie and TV performances — including the Air Bud series, the show Ctrl and most recently, PEN15 — and hosted game shows including Bingo America and Family Feud.

He and Allen have remained close through the years and recently reunited for the History Channel home workshop show Assembly Required and its follow-up, More Power.

“I wanted to have Richard a part of this because it seemed like a reality extension of what Tool Time really was, where I add more power to it, I break something, he’d be the reality side of it, and it was a good fit,” Allen explained of Assembly Required at the time. “This [show] is improv for 12 hours a day and I’m out of my mind. It’s just like Al Borland and Tim Taylor.”

Karn, 68, has one grown child with wife Tudi Roche.

07 of 09

Pamela Anderson as Lisa

Pamela Anderson on ‘Home Improvement’ and now.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Samir Hussein/WireImage

Pamela Anderson had been busy with TV guest spots before landing the role of Lisa “the Tool Time girl” on Home Improvement. She stayed for the first two seasons of the series before famously moving on to Baywatch.

In her 2023 memoir Love, Pamela, she alleged that Allen flashed her on the first day of filming as she walked through the hallway.

“He said it was only fair, because he had seen me naked. Now we’re even. I laughed uncomfortably,” she wrote. In a statement to Variety, Allen denied the allegations.

Baywatch truly launched Anderson info the stratosphere, with roles on V.I.P. and Stacked and dozens of movies following. She also appeared in the 2017 Baywatch movie.

Now 56, Anderson has two grown sons with her ex-husband Tommy Lee: Brandon and Dylan.

08 of 09

Debbe Dunning as Heidi Keppert

Debbe Dunning on ‘Home Improvement’ and now.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

After grabbing a few bit parts on popular sitcoms, model Debbe Dunning stepped in for Anderson beginning in 1992 as Heidi “the Tool Time girl,” staying through the end of the show’s run. She popped up on Baywatch, too, in addition to Sabrina the Teenage Witch and The Jamie Foxx Show, though has largely stayed out of the spotlight since the early 2000s.

Dunning, now 57, has three children with her ex-husband, volleyball player Steve Timmons. Per her Instagram account, she appears at fan events from time to time and is hopeful for that rumored Home Improvement reboot.

09 of 09

Earl Hindman as Wilson Wilson, Jr.

Earl Hindman on ‘Home Improvement’ and in the late 1990s.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Before joining Home Improvement, theater actor Earl Hindman was best known for his work as Lt. Bob Reid on the series Ryan’s Hope, which ran from 1975 to 1989.

As Wilson Wilson Jr. on Home Improvement, he was actually never fully seen, instead mostly hiding behind the fence to give Tim Taylor neighborly wisdom. He died in 2003 at 61 years old following a lung cancer diagnosis. He was survived by his wife and siblings.

Allen later told EW that “Earl meant the world to me and everyone at Home Improvement.”

The Unbreakable Friendship You Didn’t Know About: Melissa Peterman’s Heartfelt Tribute to Reba McEntire Will Warm Your Soul! Get ready for a touching and inspiring journey into the deep and enduring friendship between comedic actress Melissa Peterman and country superstar Reba McEntire. Peterman shares heartwarming stories and surprising details about their connection, revealing the genuine affection and mutual admiration that has blossomed over years of laughter and shared experiences. Discover the secret to their lasting bond and prepare to be moved by this beautiful testament to the power of true friendship in the dazzling world of entertainment.

Melissa Peterman Reflects on Longtime Friendship With Reba McEntire and Celebrates Their New Show (Exclusive)

The actress also shared with ET why she takes a ‘little credit’ for setting Reba up with her beau, Rex Linn.

Melissa Peterman and Reba McEntire are headed back to TV together!

The longtime friends and Reba co-stars are set to reunite on a new sitcom, Happy’s Place, and on Tuesday, ET’s Deidre Behar was the first to break the news to Peterman that their pilot had been picked up to series by Peacock.

“Amazing!” the actress reacted. “I get to work with Reba and our team and I’m so excited!”

While the new series won’t be related to Reba in any way, there are familiar faces both in front of and behind the camera. In addition to Peterman, most of the creative team leads — executive producers Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis, as well as writer Kevin Abbott — also worked on McEntire’s eponymous sitcom, which ran on The WB and The CW from 2001-07.

“It’s whole new characters, a whole new scenario and a lot of our same team,” Peterman said of Happy’s Place. “The dynamic is gonna be that dynamic that we have, that natural one.”

“You’re lucky if you get one chance to work with people you love and have it be received so well and still sort of live on,” she reflected, “but I’ve had more than that and I mean, I feel like the luckiest.”

Reba McEntire and Belissa Escobedo in ‘Happy’s Place.’ – NBC
Happy’s Place — on which McEntire also serves as an executive producer — will star The Voice coach as Bobbie, a woman who inherits her father’s restaurant following his death. Things get interesting — and presumably hilarious — when she discovers that her business partner in the endeavor is a half-sister she never knew she had.

Hocus Pocus 2 star Belissa Escobedo stars as Bobbie’s younger half-sister, Isabella, while Peterman plays Gabby, a bartender at Bobbie’s newly inherited restaurant. Happy’s Place is also set to star Pablo Castelblanco, Tokala Black Elk, and McEntire’s real-life beau, Rex Linn — who previously co-starred with Peterman on Young Sheldon.

Of her matchmaking abilities between her co-star and her longtime pal, Peterman admitted, “I like to take a little credit.”

Reba McEntire and Rex Linn at the 2022 CMA Awards. – Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Mostly, the actress admitted, she’s happy to see McEntire happy in her new relationship — remarking how much their decades-long friendship has meant to her.

“She’s like coming home,” Peterman shared, tearing up. “I think that in this business, we have a lot of ‘Hollywood friends’ — friends that you share just the good stuff with. I think I knew that when we started sharing real-life stuff, that it was forever. I know she’s got my back whether we ever work together again. She is on my side always, and she knows I’m on her’s.”

Country King CRASHES “Happy Place”! Blake Shelton’s Wild Cameo with Reba – The Hilarious Hookup You HAVE to See! Get ready for a side-splitting collision of country charm and sitcom chaos as Blake Shelton unexpectedly rolls into Reba McEntire’s “Happy Place”!

Reba McEntire Hints at Blake Shelton Cameo on New TV Sitcom ‘Happy Place,’ Shares Trailer

Reba McEntire‘s two television worlds may collide after she hinted that her former The Voice co-star and coach Blake Shelton may appear on her upcoming NBC sitcom Happy Place, which premieres fall of 2024.

“You think he’ll do it?” said McEntire after being asked if Shelton would make a cameo on her show. “For you, yes. Alright, Blake. You heard it.” Since leaving The Voice after 23 seasons in May 2023, Shelton has taken time off to spend with family at his ranch in Oklahoma, along with wrapping up his Back to the Honky Tonk Tour in spring 2024.

“He’s worked so hard and for so long, on the what 23 seasons on ‘The Voice,’” added McEntire. He deserves a break.”

Though it’s still unclear whether McEntire and Shelton will have a TV reunion, along with starring in Happy Place, McEntire has already signed on to coach season 26 of The Voice, alongside Shelton’s wife and returning coach Gwen Stefani and newcomers Michael Bublé and Snoop Dogg.

Along with the possibility of working with Shelton again, McEntire, who recently performed her new single “I Can’t” on The Voice, said she would also love to collaborate with Stefani. “We’re gonna work on it,” said McEntire, “because I’d love to sing with Gwen.”

For McEntire, who recently hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards for the 17th time, Happy Place picks up where she left off on her hit comedy Reba, which ran for seven seasons from 2001 through 2007. The series follows Bobbie Jo (McEntire) who inherits her father’s restaurant and has to run it with a half-sister she never knew she had, played by Belissa Escobedo (Hocus Pocus 2).

Happy Place also reunites McEntire with her former Reba castmate Melissa Peterman Barbra Jean on the sitcom.
WHITES CREEK, TN – MAY 31: Singers and Songwriters Blake Shelton and Reba Mcentire attend a Barn Party Bonfire Celebration of two #1’s “OVER YOU” & “DRINK ON IT” hosted by Miranda Lambert & Blake Shelton at Cowboy Town on May 31, 2012 in Whites Creek, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville)
Since Reba ended, McEntire also starred in several films and TV shows, including Malibu Country in 2012, the third season of Big Sky, and a recurring role on Young Sheldon, among other roles. McEntire first started showing off her acting skills in “mini-movie” music videos in the mid-’80s, beginning with “Whoever’s in New England” in 1986 and “Is There Life Out There” in 1992, which starred McEntire as a single mother and waitress who goes back to school and later turned into a TV movie. Reba also played a Navy officer who falls for her sergeant in the video for her 1993 duet, “The Heart Won’t Lie,” with Vince Gill.

In 1990, McEntire made her film debut in Tremors, alongside Kevin Bacon, and later starred in the 1991 TV movie The Gambler Returns, The Luck of the Draw with Kenny Rogers, along with The Man from Left Field (1993), North (1994), The Little Rascals (1994), Buffalo Girls (1995), Forever Love (1998), Secret of Giving and One Night at McCool’s in 2001, and dozens of other roles leading up to The Voice in 2023.

With Happy Place, McEntire is also returning to her element: TV sitcoms. “I love all genres of entertainment, but the sitcoms are just so much fun because it’s a brand new script every week, and you’re just having fun,” said McEntire. “It’s really hard memorizing all the dialogue you have to do, but … it ain’t my first rodeo. I do love it. It’s just playtime. We have a blast with it.”

Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

 “Happy’s Place” Season 2 Trailer! Get ready to have your mind BLOWN! The first look at the new season is HERE, and it’s absolutely INSANE!

Happy’s Place Trailer: Reba McEntire Reunites With Former Sitcom Co-Star For New Series

Summary

Reba McEntire returns to sitcoms in an upcoming multi-cam comedy on NBC.
The show is called Happy’s Place and focuses on McEntire inheriting her father’s restaurant with a surprise half-sister as a partner.
It reunites McEntire with former Reba co-star Melissa Peterman.

The trailer for the Reba McEntire comedy Happy’s Place reveals the country’s star return to sitcoms. The original Reba ran for six seasons from 2001 to 2007, starting on The WB and later on The CW. Though there have been occasional rumors that a revival of the family comedy is in the works, nothing has materialized. With her latest project, however, McEntire does reunite with Reba‘s executive producer and former co-star Melissa Peterman.

NBC has now revealed the trailer for Happy’s Place, which will premiere later in 2024. An exact premiere date has not been announced. Check out the trailer below:

The preview puts the country artist and television star front and center, previewing the premise, which centers on what happens when a father’s inheritance comes with an unexpected twist.

What To Know About Happy’s Place

It Hails From Reba’s Creative Team.

But the news is soured once she learns of her unexpected business partner: her half-sister Isabella, played by Belissa Escobedo, a sibling that she didn’t even know she had.

The premise of Happy’s Place sees McEntire portray Bobbie, a woman who inherits her father’s restaurant. But the news is soured once she learns of her unexpected business partner: her half-sister Isabella, played by Belissa Escobedo, a sibling that she didn’t even know she had. For her part, Isabella is an enthusiastic person around her 20s. She loves psychology and analyzing people and is thrilled to work at the restaurant. She even has some ideas about how to really bring the place to life.

As for Peterman, who played Barbra Jean in Reba, she’ll play Gabby in Happy’s Place. A bartender who has worked at the restaurant and tavern for quite a bit, she’s described as dramatic and takes to Bobbie like a sister. The cast also includes Pablo Castelblanco, Tokala Black Elk, and Rex Linn.

The multi-cam, which hails from Reba executive producers Kevin Abbott, Michael Hanel, and Mindy Schultheis, joins returning NBC comedies Night Court and Lopez vs. Lopez, in addition to the new mockumentary St. Denis Medical. Although it won’t debut for a few more months, Happy’s Place is getting an early promotional push that leans on McEntire’s status as a popular sitcom star.

Source: NBC