The Voice Secrets Revealed: Prize Money, Song Choices, Chairs and More

The Voice, now in its 28th season, finds ways to keep the competition fresh while sticking to its tried-and-true formula. But find out what has always made the show tick behind the scenes.

The Voice coaches stocked up on secret weapons heading into the show’s 28th season.

Michael Bublé came to play sporting a pair of socks with Reba McEntire‘s face on them (and advised Niall Horan not to ask about his underwear), while Snoop Dogg—who’s still hoping to notch his first win—started bringing his French bulldog puppy Baby Boy Broadus to the set, a good-boy luck charm if we ever saw one.

Snoop also reported for duty this summer with custom jewelry for his fellow coaches, to complement his own “S” bling and the “T” (for team) necklaces he’s gifting to his squad of artists.

“I really missed the camaraderie of the coaches,” Reba, who’s back after skipping last season, told Snoop, Michael and Niall (who’s back from a three-season hiatus) during a Sept. 8 NBC roundtable ahead of the season 28 premiere. “I missed the excitement of turning around after you hear a new voice, and getting to decide. It’s kind of a scary, powerful thing that you can turn around and make a difference in somebody’s life by saying yes or no.”

Well, if the country icon hadn’t been looking forward to that part she would’ve been in trouble, because The Voice hasn’t strayed far from its tried-and-true formula since it premiered in 2011 with Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green and the ever-bickering Adam Levine and Blake Shelton holding court in four red chairs built to swivel in service of fulfilling an aspiring artist’s wildest dreams.

And you never know what might happen when a singer starts speaking.

Ashley Osborn/NBC via Getty Images

“I will say that there have been times…where I’ve been so into somebody and then once they’ve started talking, I was like, ‘Wow,’” Kelly Clarkson, a four-time winner during her nine seasons as a coach, told People in 2018 of finding out that a compelling voice didn’t always mean an artist was ready for prime time, personality-wise.

But even if the coaches end up with what Adam dubbed “chair-turner’s remorse,” they’re the professionals in the room.

“You still have to do your job,” Blake explained to People. “But nine times out of 10, people with that mentality never really last that long.” Adam agreed, noting that if some artists didn’t want to listen to him, “let them do whatever they want, because that’s going to send them home.”

With the blind auditions underway, Reba, Niall, Michael and Snoop are all hoping that their fine-tuned ears serve them well this season.

But now host Carson Daly is part of the selection process thanks to the newly implemented Carson Callback card, which allows the only star of The Voice who’s been there since the beginning to give an artist who didn’t get a chair to turn around during their blind audition another chance at impressing the coaches.

Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Images

“I’m like, ‘What left-field move is this?’” Snoop quipped to his fellow coaches during the NBC roundtable. But they were all in favor of the shake-up, Niall marveling that it took 28 seasons for Carson (who’s also a producer) to obtain this power.

For the record, Ryan Mitchell was honored with the first ever Carson Callback card—and promptly used it to secure a spot on Team Reba.

I’m Still Baffled At This 1 Happy’s Place Storyline, But Thankfully They Changed Steve Howey’s Part In It

Happy’s Place has marked a welcome return to comedy for sitcom star Reba McEntire. She portrays Bobbie, who inherits half of a Knoxville, Tennessee bar called Happy, founded by her father of the same name. She also gets to know her paternal half-sister, Isabella. Her Reba co-star, Melissa Peterman, is another standout as the consistently funny bartender Gabby. For Gabby, she’s a woman with nonstop humor who insists on doing things her way and standing out from the crowd.

There’s an intriguing storyline for Gabby regarding her desire to have a baby. This plot would’ve included a potential sperm donor portrayed by Steve Howey, another former cast member from Reba. According to Happy’s Place showrunner Kevin Abbott, Howey ended up appearing in one episode of Happy’s. Rather than play a sperm donor, Howey played Danny, a wealthy business owner Gabby met at a dog park and encouraged him to host a Christmas party at Bobbie’s tavern. The sperm donor storyline would’ve been interesting, but it may come up again since Happy’s Place has been renewed for season 2.

Gabby Wanting To Be A Mother Arc In Happy’s Place Is Difficult To Believe

Gabby’s Mom Storyline Will Be A Challenge To Incorporate Into The Show

Gabby is a hilarious character who tends to poke fun at her friends and coworkers, including Bobbie and Emmett, the cook at Happy’s. However, there are also times when Gabby expresses her feelings of worry, including her intentions of being a good mother. This is shown in season 1, episode 12, “Baby Doll,” where Gabby reveals her uncertainties regarding motherhood. In order to face her fear of being a good mother, Gabby gets an AI baby doll to help her practice caring for a baby, along with assistance from Bobbie and her expertise as a mom.

While Gabby’s baby storyline is intriguing and unveils the character’s emotional complexity, it may be a challenge moving forward because of Gabby’s advanced age, making her past the time of childbearing and likely not having enough money for IVF. If Gabby were to follow through in having a baby, another additional challenge for her would be in balancing her work as a bartender and her responsibilities as a mom. However, the benefit of Gabby continuing her pursuit of being a parent would allow her character to be fully fleshed out, displaying her sentimental qualities and not just being a bartender.

Steve Howey Was Supposed To Be Gabby’s Donor (But His Role Was Changed)

Howey Instead Played A Business Owner In The Show’s Christmas Episode

Steve Howey had a major Reba reunion with his former co-stars, McEntire and Peterman, on Happy’s Place. Howey’s chemistry with Peterman is especially evident when he made his sole appearance thus far on Happy’s in season 1, episode 7, “Ho-Ho-Howey.” While Howey was supposed to play Gabby’s sperm donor so she could potentially have a baby, he instead played Danny, a rich business owner. Gabby tries to persuade Danny to hold a Christmas party at Bobbie’s tavern in order to raise funds for the staff at Happy’s so they can afford health insurance for the year.

Happy’s Place Character
Happy’s Place Actor

Bobbie
Reba McEntire

Isabella
Belissa Escobedo

Gabby
Melissa Peterman

Emmett
Rex Linn

Steve
Pablo Castelblanco

Takoda
Tokala Black Elk

Danny
Steve Howey

Show more

Howey’s changed role from sperm donor to wealthy business owner was warranted for the sake of providing a funny storyline for the show’s Christmas episode. According to Abbott, if the sperm donor storyline were to be included, the holiday episode wouldn’t have been considered suitable for kids and younger audiences. Howey’s role as Danny is also funny here because he is slightly fooled by Gabby, as she makes him believe that she is Bobbie so he can hold the party at the tavern. In return, Danny pretends to be Emmett to get Bobbie’s attention.

Howey was also only available to star in Happy’s for a brief period of time, causing the network to do a Christmas-themed episode rather than have him play Gabby’s sperm donor. The Christmas episode was a better choice at the time in order to establish the chemistry and hilarity between Danny, Gabby, and Bobbie (with a reference to the actors’ days on Reba). However, given that Happy’s Place will return for season 2, Howey could reprise his role as Danny in order to further develop his friendship with Gabby, and to potentially help her become a mother.

What Are More Interesting Storylines For Gabby In Happy’s Place Season 2

Season 2 Can Focus On Gabby’s Backstory And Potential Future Interests

While Gabby’s mother plotline could return in Happy’s Place season 2 with Danny’s help, there are other storylines for Gabby that may be explored in the show’s sophomore year. For instance, Gabby’s family history and backstory could be explored further, especially after Gabby and Bobbie learn that they are sisters in Happy’s Place season 1, episode 10, “The MacAllister Girls.” Gabby’s journey to becoming a bartender at Happy’s could also be shown with flashbacks that establish her interest in bartending, as well as what she went through in her young adult life.

Whether it’s Gabby’s goal to be a mom or her future aspirations, Gabby is a funny and multidimensional character who will continue to be one of the driving forces behind Happy’s Place and its successful run thus far.

Gabby’s other interests should be included in season 2 of Happy’s Place. This includes her expertise at auctions, which was introduced in season 1, episode 16, “Whiskey Business,” where Gabby saved Bobbie and Isabella from selling an old whiskey bottle found at Happy’s. Gabby could have a future as an auctioneer that leads to big business for herself and Happy’s. Whether it’s Gabby’s goal to be a mom or her future aspirations, Gabby is a funny and multidimensional character who will continue to be one of the driving forces behind Happy’s Place and its successful run thus far.

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‘Happy’s Place’ Finale: Showrunner on Bobbie & Emmett Set Up for Future Romance (Exclusive)

‘Happy’s Place’ Boss on Setting Up Bobbie & Emmett’s Future Romance With Finale

Spoiler Alert

Casey Durkin / NBC

[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Happy’s Place Season 1 Episode 18, “Alarm Bells.”]

Happy’s Place may be ending for the season, but it’s going out with a bang of sorts as the finale installment, “Alarm Bells,” sets the stage for romance between Bobbie (Reba McEntire) and the titular bar’s in-house cook, Emmett (Rex Linn).

As a real-life couple, McEntire and Linn certainly have the right chemistry to make this pairing work, and while Bobbie’s sister Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) encourages the arrangement, the rest of the Happy’s Place team works against it, claiming at first that Bobbie and Emmett could never be a thing before admitting the duo are definitely into each other.

The fear is that allowing Bobbie and Emmett to get together, could upset the balance of the team’s metaphorical ecosystem. But what sparks the debate, to begin with? When security concerns are raised at Bobbie and Isabella’s place, Emmett offers to help, but Bobbie’s stubbornness leads to a competition of who is a better protector.

When they turn to a shooting game at the local arcade, viewers get a peek into the simmering romantic tension as Emmett attempts to teach Bobbie how to shoot in the game. While no declarations are made, nor dates scheduled, Emmett asks if he can look in on Bobbie to make sure she’s safe from time to time, the implication being that he’ll be dropping in for visits here and there at her home.

Casey Durkin / NBC

With a second season to look forward to, showrunner Kevin Abbott notes, “The season finale was always going to be about that relationship,” but he adds that in the original vision he had in mind the romance “was going to be further than this.”

Instead, he’s holding it back for future episodes, and Abbott teases that it’s something “I actually love, that I don’t think anybody’s going to see coming… So that’s coming up in Season 2.” As for exploring this romance between Bobbie and Emmett, Abbott, who previously collaborated with McEntire on Reba, acknowledges that she may have had her relationships on that series, but that they were often failures.

“For whatever reason, Reba can do almost anything, but she couldn’t do that,” Abbott says of her onscreen relationships in the previous show, “and it used to bug the heck out of me.”

Now with Emmett, there’s a chance viewers could see longevity in their relationship. “Before we had [cast] Rex, I had incorporated Emmett as a possible love interest for Bobbie, hoping… and then when Rex came into the picture it was [like] maybe this is the key we’ve been missing all along.”

As Abbott puts it, “The sparks you see in the season finale for me are just delightful and wonderful.” But when it comes to mixing work and real life, he admits, “There’s a certain amount of trepidation… [but] right now it is working marvelously, the two of them. Rex could not be more fun to work with.”

According to Abbott, Linn is quite different from his curmudgeonly onscreen persona as Emmett as he says “[They] are not the same character at all. Emmett’s a man of few words. Rex will talk your ear off and he is just this lovely man who’s not grouchy or anything.”

Bobbie has Isabella to thank for the romance because, without her intervention, she’d still be dancing around the idea of Emmett rather than facing him head-on. “Isabella’s role is to open her up, to make her take risks,” Abbott says of the character’s purpose of widening Bobbie’s scope of the world.

Likewise, Bobbie is meant to provide Isabella with a home base support. “They will each feed something important in the other, and we’ll get into a lot more of that in Season 2,” Abbott promises. Stay tuned for updates on Season 2 as it takes shape and let us know what you think of the Season 1 finale in the comments section, below.

Happy’s Place, Season 2 Premiere, TBA, NBC

“It’s a New Experience for Me”: Kat Dennings and Tim Allen Cried While Making ‘Shifting Gears’

Even though Shifting Gears is a massive hit that makes ABC viewers laugh out loud every week, the sitcom doesn’t shy away from some serious moments that resonate with its massive audience. The jumping point of the show is pretty easy to relate to: Riley (Kat Dennings) is forced to move back into her estranged father Matt’s (Tim Allen), house with her two kids after getting a divorce and going broke.

In the very first episode, father and daughter confront each other about their past mistakes, and it gets emotional really fast. During an interview on the Not Gonna Lie podcast, Dennings revealed that both of them cried for real during filming.

On the podcast, Dennings talked about the experience of playing a mother for the first time in her career, even though she joked she’s still “12.” She revealed that trying something new was one of the reasons why she decided to jump into Shifting Gears. The bonus for saying yes was getting to act with Allen, and Dennings commented that he’s always “very present” and “really feeling these things.” She described their emotions in the first episode:

“We were both dreading it. We were like, ‘Oh God, we have to cry. What is this?’ It’s like, I looked at him and I started crying, he looked at me and he started crying. It was real. In the first episode, we both get emotional and it was real. It’s incredible to deal with him and the kids. I mean, everybody is really amazing. That just makes the funny parts even funnier and such a relief to do. It’s just been a very good, organic-feeling show to me. Which is new, it’s a new experience for me.”

Is ‘Shifting Gears’ Renewed For Season 2?

Whatever they are feeling, the audience seems to be feeling it too. Last month, viewership data from Nielsen revealed that Shifting Gears averaged more than 11 million viewers on Wednesdays, which is a lot more than tough competitors like CBS hit supernatural comedy Ghosts and Young Sheldon‘s sequel series Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.

Despite its immense popularity, ABC has not announced a Season 2 renewal for the sitcom.

What’s curious about Shifting Gears is that ABC hasn’t been clear on the series’ episode count from Season 1, and from the looks of it, the network only ordered 10 so far.

For a show this popular, an announcement of new episodes or new seasons would have been made at this point, but for now fans will have to wait and see what ABC has in store for the future of the hit series.

The next (and last?) episode of Shifting Gears is slated to air next Wednesday, March 19. You can stream the series on Hulu.

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

Show more

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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Happy’s Place Cast Update Sets Up A Major Reba Reunion, 18 Years After The Comedy Series Ended and fans are very excited and looking forward to it

Happy’s Place Cast Update Sets Up A Major Reba Reunion, 18 Years After The Comedy Series Ended

The new cast update for Happy’s Place confirms a Reba reunion. The new 2024 comedy series follows Bobbie (Reba McEntire), a woman who unexpectedly finds herself partnering with her lost half-sister, Isabella (Belissa Escobedo), in running her late father’s tavern. Since its release in October 2024, Happy’s Place has earned mostly positive reviews and solid viewer retention. On top of that, McEntire has already reunited with several Reba cast members, and now it appears that list will grow.

Now, Variety reported that Christopher Rich and Justina Machado will have guest roles in Happy’s Place. This casting news marks a Reba reunion between McEntire and Rich, who portrayed the role of Brock Hart, the ex-husband in the 2007 sitcom.

In Happy’s Place, Rich will portray Maverick, a funny tattoo artist who can only do tattoos with his right hand due to a stroke. On the other hand, Machado, known for her roles in Jane the Virgin, One Day at a Time, and Queen of the South, plays Maritza, Isabella’s mother and a successful lawyer.

What This Means for Happy’s Place and Its Characters

Happy’s Place Is Tapping Into Recognizable Talent

Rich and Machado’s casting reaffirms Happy’s Place’s commitment to tapping into familiar and veteran talent. Rich and McEntire’s reunion is clearly not the first, as the series has already brought many familiar Reba cast members to the spotlight, including Melissa Peterman and Steve Howey.

While Howey has just a guest role as Danny, Peterman portrays the main character, Gabby, a bartender who helps Bobby at the tavern. However, Rich is major since this would mark his reunion with McEntire after the 2001 comedy series ended 18 years ago.

On the other hand, Machado’s involvement enriches Happy’s Place’s ensemble with a new character who brings depth, strength, and a no-nonsense attitude.

With the key premise focused on Bobby learning about her lost half-sister, the introduction of Isabella’s mother could establish more details about the relationship between her and Happy. However, it’s uncertain when either Machado or Rich will make their guest appearances.

Our Take on Happy’s Place’s Guest Star Announcement

New Characters Promise New Relationships & Dynamics

Bringing Rich and Machado into Happy’s Place further strengthens the show’s character-driven approach. Rich’s appearance provides a nostalgic nod to their time on Reba together, while Machado adds a revived dynamic to the series, particularly how it will impact Isabella and Bobbie.

These additions demonstrate the sitcom’s commitment to diversifying its character roster and creating a viewing experience where humor and heart coexist. As Happy’s Place continues to evolve, guest roles will likely contribute to its overall success and audience engagement.

Source: Variety

‘Happy’s Place’: Emma Kenney on Jumping From ‘The Conners’ to Play Reba’s Daughter Gracie (Exclusive)

‘Happy’s Place’: Emma Kenney on Jumping From ‘The Conners’ to Play Reba’s Daughter

Spoiler Alert

Casey Durkin / NBC

[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Happy’s Place, Season 1 Episode 10, “The Macallister Girls.”]

Happy’s Place made way for the introduction of another member of Bobbie’s (Reba McEntire) family as her daughter Gracie (Emma Kenney) returned home for a visit.

A member of the military, Gracie had been stationed at a base in Qatar and made the long journey home to reunite with Bobbie, Abby (Melissa Peterman), and more, but not necessarily the new aunt she never saw coming, Isabella (Belissa Escobedo). Upon her arrival, Gracie is pressured to connect with Isabella who couldn’t be anymore different from her in personality, at least when Bobbie is putting the pressure on them.

Eager to try and make it work, the self-professed psychology expert Isabella finds an in with Gracie when they relate over having overbearing moms. While this revelation doesn’t please Bobbie, it brings Gracie and Isabella closer together and forces Bobbie and Gracie to confront the grief that tore their family apart.

Casey Durkin / NBC

As Gracie admits in the episode, her father’s death was one of the things that drove her away from home, and Bobbie finally gets some closure over that idea, allowing the mother and daughter to reconnect in a way they hadn’t in a long time. Overall, it’s a very touching and uniting episode filled with hope for the future. Below, Kenney opens up about Gracie’s introduction, hopes for her return, reveals what it was like following in the footsteps of her former Shameless castmate on the NBC comedy, and the experience of taking on a multi-camera comedy other than ABC‘s The Conners.

What was it like stepping onto the Happy’s Place stage though?

Emma Kenney: Stepping onto the Happy’s Place set at Universal was so welcoming. Everybody was so kind and wanted to make sure I was comfortable and felt I had everything I needed, and I was really lucky for that. I’m not used to going to a set as the newbie coming onto an already established cast. So I was a little nervous going into it, but as soon as I met everyone, my nerves were really made at ease.

Your Shameless costar Steve Howey already guest-starred this season. Did you get to connect before your arrival as Gracie?

Yeah, we did. I love Steve. We keep in touch frequently. He just told me how wonderful the cast was and how much fun he had on that set. He has known Reba for years and has always spoken so highly of her. So I definitely knew I was going into a safe space, but once I actually stepped foot there, I was like, “Okay, this is a really warm, good environment. I feel very comfortable and happy here.” No pun intended.

Would you like to reconnect with him on this show by guesting at the same time?

Of course. I mean, I love Steve. I love him on and off camera. He’s so much fun to work with and hang out with in general, especially on set. So yeah, that’d be a dream. I would love it.

Casey Durkin / NBC

Bobbie really wants her daughter to get along with Isabella, but the niece and aunt have a tough time connecting. What was it like finding common ground in Isabella and Gracie’s dynamic with Belissa Escobedo?

I definitely felt there was a big character growth in this one episode. When I read the script, I could see it, but I wanted to make sure it was received. Gracie starts at one note, her relationship with each character kind of evolves a bit, specifically with Reba and Belissa’s characters, and I wanted to make sure that you could see some heart in her and see the growth, which I had a really good time creating with Reba and Belissa.

Considering Gracie’s role as Bobbie’s daughter, did you approach the character with the idea that you might return down the line? Would you like to?

Yeah, definitely. We wanted to establish the energy between my character Gracie and everybody in Happy’s Place. So I wanted to make sure that was very much in the forefront of my mind and her toughness contrasts with her moments of vulnerability, which I feel makes her relatable and a multidimensional character.

Bobbie and Gracie address the hurdles between them by facing their shared grief over the loss of a husband and father. Would you like to explore that story more onscreen? Perhaps there’s room for a flashback episode to introduce their family patriarch?

That would be a great idea and would bring a lot of explanation to who Gracie is and who Bobbie is now as well. [That] scene I felt was so beautiful on camera with Reba and an emotional one. It was one of the first scenes I shot that week with her, and it was rewarding. And I felt starting with that scene gave me a stronger point of view on my character, especially after doing it with Reba versus just preparing it on paper with my acting coach.

You star in The Conners, how did your experience on this multi-camera comedy differ from that?

Yeah, I definitely understand the multi-camera world pretty well. But I learned a lot from each performer and how warm the environment was, and we do our live shows on different nights, which also I thought was interesting to see the difference doing a show on a Tuesday versus a Friday.

Happy’s Place, Fridays, 8/7c, NBC

‘Jeopardy!’ host Ken Jennings ripped for ‘extremely problematic’ sexist clue, apologizes to female player

The questionable ‘Jeopardy!’ phrase was from famous female poet Dorothy Parker

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“Jeopardy!” fans are heavily criticizing host Ken Jennings for a “sexist” clue.

During Monday night’s episode, the “Jeopardy!” category “Complete the Rhyming Phrase” quickly turned the game into an awkward situation.

When Jennings read the clue, “Men seldom make passes at…”,  returning champion Will Wallace correctly answered, “Girls who wear glasses.”

Jennings recognized the prompt may have made female contestant Heather Ryan uncomfortable since she wore glasses on the show.

“A little problematic, sorry, Heather,” Jennings remarked.

“Jeopardy!” champion Wallace chimed in and added, “Very,” as he defended the female contestant.

The questionable phrase was from acclaimed poet Dorothy Parker.

Game show fans were quick to react to the tense situation on social media.

“‘Yeah, a little problematic’ – Ken… Um, then why didn’t you bring that up to the writers before the game?” one comment read on X.

Another viewer wrote, “More like extremely problematic!”

“Frankly, I don’t need to hear Ken read an obviously outdated and inappropriate clue and then call it ‘problematic,’” a fan wrote on Reddit. “Maybe he can use his position to get it switched out before it goes out over the air.”

While another “Jeopardy!” viewer added on X, “Still angry about this. She’s used her intelligence to get on here, only to be insulted by a sexist and rude comment.”

“Jeopardy!” fans recently blamed Jennings for robbing a contestant after a “messy” answer.

Earlier this month, during a “Final Jeopardy!” round, players were faced with the category “College Towns.”

Jennings read the prompt, “Two schools in the Southeastern Conference are located in cities with this same name but in different states.”

A contestant named Rishabh, an Illinois native who is currently a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, played against environmental attorney Jay Eversman and associate professor Rachel Cassidy.

Two contestants, Rishabh and Rachel, both answered correctly with “What is Columbia?”.

However, game show fans were quick to call out Jennings’ ruling and argued that the winner’s answer was “totally illegible.”

Rishabh’s written answer to “Columbia,” appeared to some to be simply a jumble of letters. The original answer he jotted down was also scribbled out.

Meanwhile, Rachel’s answer to “Columbia” was easier to read on screen.

But since Rishabh wagered $9,801, he took home $20,201 for his two-day win.

The Price Is Right host Drew Carey apologizes to contestant for making mistake during game

The Price Is Right host Drew Carey quickly recovered from a mistake during a game. Pic credit: CBS
Drew Carey quickly recovered from a flub during The Price Is Right that could’ve crushed a contestant’s hopes.

Carey, 66, is coming up on 17 years as host of the popular game show, which features pricing games and sometimes even unique contestants.

That includes a The Price Is Right contestant fans called out on social media for “bullying” and “disgusting” behavior when she appeared on another TV show.

Viewers have also seen Carey get involved in kicking a game when it wouldn’t work correctly for a contestant.

More recently, viewers saw a clip where a man participated in a game with a brand-new car on the line.

Carey’s sudden mistake during the reveal of the game results came with an apology to the contestant and a quick recovery.

Drew Carey made a key mistake during a pricing game

During the popular Dice Game, a contestant, Joseph, attempted to roll a die to determine each number in the price of the car he was playing to win. Rolling a one or six is ideal in the game because it requires no guessing. The number is correct, lower than a six, or higher than a one.

His first two rolls resulted in a three and a two. The contestant consulted with audience members and selected “higher” for the numbers in the car’s price slots.

His third roll was six, and Carey automatically said it had to be “lower than a six,” so it was a “winner.”

The final roll of the die resulted in a two, and again, the contestant said he’d go “higher” for the final number in the car’s price. From there, Carey began to ask for the reveal of each number.

“Let’s start out with this one higher than a six, please,” he incorrectly announced since it’s supposed to be lower.

“Oh, sorry, lower than a six,” he quickly said, adding, “Haven’t had my coffee.”

“Lower than a six is a four,” he announced after the reveal of the number.

Carey recovered after his mistake, correctly asking for the reveal of other numbers.

Three of the numbers were correct, so it came down to the final number in the price of the car. The contestant had rolled two and chose “higher” for that number.

“Surely this wouldn’t be a one after all that, Joseph,” Carey said to dial up the suspense.

Thankfully for Joseph, the final number was higher, and he won that brand-new car despite the earlier mixup from Carey!

Viewers previously called out another Dice Game winner

While some viewers love seeing the Dice Game as part of The Price Is Right, others feel contestants might easily win using a strategy or even that the game is “rigged.”

Monsters and Critics reported that fans called out a previous winner for seemingly having a trick for rolling the die to get one or six each time.

The “EPIC dice game sweep” video below shows that the contestant rolled six, six, one, and six.

“You got a car!” Carey announced, adding, “That was insane. That was amazing.”

However, commenters reacted with some bringing up his technique. One commenter mentioned that “he started every roll with the six facing the wall” and called it “a smart move.”

Others claimed he had “dice at home that he rolls” for practice or called it “obviously rigged” somehow.

Despite those claims, The Price Is Right keeps going, with a recent Emmy nomination for the game show and a nomination at the 11th Annual American Reality TV Awards.

Meanwhile, fans await the return of new episodes of The Price Is Right, as it’s been on a summer break with only repeats airing.

An official premiere date for daytime episodes is unknown, but The Price Is Right at Night will return with a new episode on Monday, September 23, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

‘Price Is Right’ Drew Carey Accepts Harsh Insult From PhD Student

The Price is Right host Drew Carey is a comedian, so he knows when someone says something that is truly funny. This includes when the jokes are aimed directly at him. This happened on an episode of the game show this week when a PhD student was playing the game.

Here is what the student said to Carey and why it had him almost falling over laughing.

PhD Student Bashes Drew Carey On The Price Is Right

On a recent episode of The Price is Right, Drew Carey brought a new contestant named Lillian Brown to the stage. He saw she was wearing a Northwestern University shirt and asked if she had graduated from that college. She responded she was a third-year PhD student there.
YouTube/The Price Is Right
Drew seemed very impressed as he repeated, “Oh, a PhD student.” He then looked at Lillian and said he was thrown out of college twice. “What’s the opposite of a PhD?” he asked. Without missing a beat, Lillian answered, “A talk show host.”

That caused Drew Carey to start cracking up as he bent over laughing. He responded, “You know what? I’m not smart enough to be a talk show host.” Lillian and the audience in attendance joined Carey in laughing, and it was a lighthearted moment in the episode. Before The Price is Right, Drew starred on The Drew Carey Show and then hosted Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Drew Carey attended Kent State University, but the school kicked him out for a low GPA. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve and eventually became a TV star. Kent State eventually gave Carey an honorary degree.

Drew Carey Sent A Contestant Home Later On The Same Show

While this was a nice moment, later in the show, Drew Carey cost a contestant a chance to move to the final round. This happened during the Big Wheel spin round of The Price is Right.
Drew Carey on The Price is Right | YouTube
The goal is to spin the wheel twice and get closest to 100 without going over. However, the wheel has to go a full rotation. There was a moment in the past when a woman couldn’t get it to go around after multiple tries, so she was just eliminated on the spot.

In this episode, a contestant named Roni Gardner struggled to spin the Big Wheel. Her first spin landed on 90, but Drew pointed out it didn’t do a full spin. Drew helped her spin it and it landed on 15. Drew then helped again, and it hit 95, sending the contestant home.

“I’ll take the blame for that. Roni, I’m so sorry,” Carey said as she left.

What are your thoughts on Drew Carey’s reaction to the PhD comment by Lillian on The Price is Right? Are you enjoying Carey as the host of the popular game show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.