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Is There an Extended ‘Friends-of-Reba’ Universe?

For years, fans of the beloved sitcom Reba have speculated whether there’s an extended ‘Friends-of-Reba’ Universe—a shared world where characters, actors, and storylines from the show connect with other series.

With many of the show’s cast members appearing in other sitcoms, and some characters sharing similarities across different projects, the idea of a Reba universe isn’t as far-fetched as it may seem.

Connections Between Reba and Other Shows

One of the most direct links comes from the on-screen chemistry and working relationships between Reba cast members. Over the years, Reba McEntire, Melissa Peterman, Christopher Rich, and Joanna García Swisher have frequently collaborated in other television projects, creating an overlap that has only fueled the theory of an interconnected TV universe.

Reba McEntire & Melissa Peterman: The duo reunited in Baby Daddy and again in the Lifetime sitcom Working Class, keeping their comedic dynamic alive.
Reba McEntire & Christopher Rich: Rich, who played Brock on Reba, guest-starred in McEntire’s newer show Malibu Country, hinting at a possible connection.
Joanna García Swisher’s Expanding TV Roles: From Reba to Sweet Magnolias and Once Upon a Time, Swisher’s performances often carry the warmth and charm of her Cheyenne character, further fueling speculation that these worlds are loosely connected.

Could There Be a Reba Revival with These Connections?

With the popularity of shared universes in television—like the Friends-to-Joey spinoff or the ever-expanding One Chicago universe—there’s always the possibility that Reba characters could return in a continuation, spinoff, or crossover event. Fans have long hoped for a revival that could explore where Reba, Cheyenne, Van, and the rest of the Hart family are now.

The Verdict: A Fan-Driven Universe

While there may not be an official Friends-of-Reba universe, the deep connections between its stars and the recurring collaborations suggest an unwritten shared world. Whether it’s in new projects or potential revivals, Reba continues to live on through its stars—and maybe, just maybe, in a greater TV universe that fans love to imagine.

Melissa Peterman Isn’t Ruling Out a Reba Reboot Just Yet

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Walking the Emmys red carpet last month, Ayo Edebiri briefly lost her cool at the sight of two of her fellow actresses. “Oh my God! Literally, my legs are shaking,” a slack-jawed The Bear star told the duo. “I’ve truly spent so many hours of my life with the both of you.” The stars in question? Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman, whose work together on McEntire’s early-aughts sitcom Reba has lived on for decades in syndication and streaming — so much so that the series is arguably more popular today than when it first aired on the tiny WB Network. NBC is tapping into that lingering love by reuniting McEntire and Peterman for a new Friday-night sitcom, Happy’s Place, which yubi casts Nashville icon McEntire as a woman who inherits her father’s neighborhood bar and a half-sister (Belissa Escobedo) she never knew existed. In true sitcom fashion, the two end up running the bar together, with Peterman serving as friend and sometimes foil to both.

While it’s been more than 15 years since Reba signed off the air, Peterman never stopped working on sitcoms, spending six seasons and 100 episodes on the ABC Family (a.k.a. Freeform) comedy Baby Daddy before landing a recurring gig as Brenda Sparks in CBS’s Young Sheldon, which ended its run last spring. She and McEntire also remained tight friends, with Peterman, a stand-up comedian, opening for McEntire’s music tours multiple times, co-starring with her in the Lifetime movie The Hammer, and co-hosting the first season of McEntire’s podcast Living & Learning. Should recent history repeat itself — and if the strong ratings for last week’s premiere are any indication, it just might — Peterman and McEntire will be hanging out on the Happy’s Place set until at least 2030. That is when Peterman’s not playing 25 Words or Less, hosting Person, Place or Thing, or appearing in Hallmark’s latest Christmas venture. (Yes, she’s got a show with the network coming up, too.)

I was looking at your IMDb credits, and what stood out to me was that Reba wasn’t just your breakthrough role — it was your first regular role in a TV show, period. You sort of did a reverse George Clooney and got a big hit with your first at-bat.
It’s not an understatement to say that that show changed everything for me, professionally and personally. I’ve got lifelong friends from it. Reba and I were talking about this just the other day — I was so young. It was my first job as a series regular. I just wanted to do a good job and keep my head down. I had no idea that it was going to be this thing, or that it would still be this thing how many years later. At the time, it was just “I have a job, and I like these people, and it’s fun.” Everything felt very new and different, and I was really observing and watching how things worked.

Reba did very well by the standards of the WB circa 2001, but it wasn’t a massive hit back then because the WB was such a relatively small network. Then it went into syndication and onto streaming, and its legacy seems to grow every year. In some way, it’s now bigger than it was when it was on the air. Is that how you see it? 
Oh, absolutely. The WB was a great place to be, but people then had to look for us a little bit more. It did well for them, and people really liked it, but it was absolutely bigger in syndication. And now that we’re on Netflix, I see a whole other giant wave of it. Reba and I were lucky enough to be present at the Emmys not too long ago. There was a mom who loved the show who was probably in her 30s or maybe 40, and she had two of her little girls that were 8 or 9 and were just discovering Reba on Netflix. And they drove down to where we were doing the Emmys to wait outside to say hi to Barbra Jean and Reba. And the theme song is a giant thing on TikTok.

Is there an extended friends-of-Reba universe? She does music, she does reality TV, she does acting. I can see there being parties where it’s you, Kelly Clarkson, and who knows who else. 
Oh, yeah, Reba is a bridge that brings a lot of people together. It’s so fun because she knows Dolly and Snoop. I have been lucky enough to be at places because of Reba and you’re like, “How cool is it that I’m getting to meet…?” One time, I was with her in Nashville, and she’s like, “Hey, do you want to drop by the studio with me? I’ve got to do something.” So Vince Gill walked in and I was just losing it. I said, “You need to warn people! To you that’s no big deal, but it usually is a big deal.”

Let’s talk about Happy’s Place. How did you hear about the show and was there ever a question whether you’d say yes to joining it?
After the original show ended, Reba and I remained friends. We vacationed together. Even if she was in Nashville and I was in L.A., we made an effort to take care of the friendship part. We always knew we wanted to work together again. The dream was a multi-cam because we want that camaraderie and that collaboration with our cast. A few projects would come up, but they didn’t work out. Years go by and you think, Well, is it going to happen? Are we going to get another chance at this? Reba’s always been a believer of what’s supposed to happen will, and when the time is right, it will. So I didn’t allow myself to get disappointed.

At some point, Kevin Abbott, who was our showrunner back on Reba, and his wife Julie came to us with an idea. They pitched it and I thought it was a great concept. Reba did, too. Then they wrote the pilot, then NBC liked the pilot, then we were going to make the pilot. At every step, I’d get a little more like, “Oh my God, could it happen?” And that’s where we are now. Belissa, who plays Reba’s half-sister on the show, is 26, and she said something to Reba in an interview recently: “You guys just had to wait for me to grow up so I could be in the show.” And I think that’s right, because she’s perfect for it.

I’d imagine the writers of Happy’s Place are trying to capture the chemistry you and Reba had on the first show. But your new character, Gabby, is not just a carbon copy of Barbra Jean, right? 
Well, Barbra Jean was sort of forced on Reba because of a marriage, and Gabby works with her. It’s a different relationship. Gabby is a friend, but a friend who always wants to be closer. My character is definitely a little bit quirky, but she’s more savvy than Barbra Jean. We know the fans want what they loved about Reba, which is that chemistry, and we do maintain that. It’s almost like repertory theater, where we’re characters in a new play. We’re like eight episodes into taping, and I feel like I’m getting to know Gabby now. Ultimately, the show is about these three women that are in different places in their life — different ages, different backgrounds — who all have something to learn from each other.

Before Happy’s Place, were there any discussions about doing a proper reboot or continuation of Reba, like the current resurrection of Frasier?
There was always talk of whether a reboot was possible. Sometimes it was about who owned the show or what cast members were available. But it didn’t really pan out. I think that’s when the idea of, “Well, if that’s not going to work, let’s try to figure out a way that we can still do something together.” There’s always a possibility there could be some sort of a reunion movie or a reboot, and Reba and I are hopeful that the cast of the original show will come do something with us sometime on Happy’s Place.

With Reba and Baby Daddy, you’ve been a regular on two shows that lasted 100 or more episodes. Then you were in like three dozen episodes of Young Sheldon. That’s a lot of success for a TV actor, and certainly a rarity. But in all of those shows, you carved out a role as a No. 2 or a supporting player versus the lead. Was there a point where you decided that leaning into that role made more sense than, say, doing a dozen one-season shows where you’re a lead?
A lot of it is not in your control. There’s a superpower in being the supporting person, and it’s a skill. There’s no ego in it, because the reality is if she looks good, I look better; if I look good, she looks better. That’s the secret. In an ensemble cast, if somebody has a great moment and they get the longest laugh ever, no one should be jealous. They should be like, “Oh, we all got the longest laugh ever.” No one’s counting the laughs.

Also, I’m drawn to that kind of supporting character. When you’re not the lead, you get to be a little crazier. At least that’s what I tell myself. [Laughs.]

And if you think about something like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, where one person’s name was in the title, every actor in that ensemble was just as crucial to the success as the other. They were all huge in their own way. 
Exactly. When you have great writing and you have a great cast, everyone is a star at some point.

You also got super lucky with your first movie role, and I know this because I’ve heard you talk about it on 25 Words or Less: You played Hooker No. 2 in Fargo. How did that happen?
A casting director out of Chicago, Jane Brody, had come to my college to teach a semester of auditions and cold reading. I was a senior with a theater major, and I took her class, and she remembered me when she started casting for Fargo. She brought me in to audition for the Coen brothers. I believe I went in for a different role first — I think the other lady of the evening. I got called back in weeks later and they started pairing me with other actors. I got it from taking a class in college, really.

That must have been insane for someone just starting out.
The audition was very surreal. I remember I asked Joel Coen for change for the vending machine. I didn’t know who he was when he walked in right before the audition. Obviously, I knew who the Coen brothers were, but it wasn’t like now with social media. You didn’t know people’s faces very well, so I didn’t recognize them. He gave me change for a dollar so I could get a Mountain Dew before my audition.

On the unscripted side, I started watching you regularly on Meredith Vieira’s syndicated game show 25 Words or Less during the pandemic. It has become one of my favorite things on TV. I know the pay isn’t great in daytime TV, so what’s made you do so many episodes of it?
I love watching game shows, and I love playing them. I got asked to do the first season of 25 Words in 2019, and I just clicked with Meredith. We had such a fun time. When they came back for season two, which filmed during the start of the pandemic, they said, “We want to have you on more. We think you’re a great player.” I’m so grateful they did because that show saved my brain during COVID. Just getting out of the house and getting to use my mind was wonderful. And then to watch somebody win money made me feel better during that awful time. And Meredith’s like my big sister. She gives me great advice all the time.

The relationship you built on 25 Words led to you hosting Person, Place or Thing, which is from the same syndicator. What’s the difference between hosting versus being a regular player?
What I love about hosting is that I just get to be myself. I genuinely enjoy the contestants, and my job is to make them comfortable, make them shine, and to listen. A lot of it is improv. If you let the players talk and you’re in the moment and present, something funny will just happen. The other part is, I love giving away other people’s money. That’s joyful to me. As a player, I’m probably not as enjoyable because I’m very competitive. But I don’t have to compete as a host.

The other fun thing you’ve done recently is appear in the Haul Out the Holly Christmas movies for Hallmark. Is there a third one in the works?
I believe there is a desire for Haul Out the Holly 3. It obviously won’t be this Christmas season. But that was a magical cast. I got to improvise a line with Stephen Tobolowsky, which was a dream come true. He’s the funniest human ever. But next I am a judge on Finding Mr. Christmas, which is on Hallmark+. Jonathan Bennett is the host, and it’s ten guys competing to be the next Hallmark leading man. It’s really, really fun.

What about the Melissa Peterman Hallmark Christmas movie? When are we getting your Christmas romance?
I’m thinking about that. I’m probably not the typical romantic lead, but it would be fun. I am always thinking about what I want to do with them.

Melissa Peterman Reveals Exciting Details About the New Chapter of Happy’s Place

Fans of Happy’s Place have been eagerly awaiting updates on the next installment of the beloved series, and Melissa Peterman has just given them plenty to be excited about. The actress, known for her scene-stealing comedic presence, recently shared intriguing details about what’s to come in the newest part of the show, teasing big changes, fresh storylines, and surprising character developments.

A New Direction for Happy’s Place

Peterman, who has played a key role in the show’s success, hinted that the upcoming season will bring unexpected twists while staying true to the heart and humor that fans love. Without revealing too much, she teased that audiences should brace themselves for emotional moments, hilarious new dynamics, and possibly even a few guest appearances.

“We’re taking things to a whole new level,” Peterman shared. “The stories are deeper, the laughs are bigger, and the characters are facing challenges that will really resonate with viewers.”

Character Growth and Surprising Turns

One of the most exciting aspects of the new part of Happy’s Place is the evolution of its characters. Peterman explained that fans will see new sides to familiar faces, with relationships being tested, personal growth taking center stage, and plenty of unexpected comedic moments.

“Everyone is growing in ways that feel so natural but also really surprising,” she added. “I think fans are going to love where we take these characters next.”

When Can Fans Expect the New Installment?

While Peterman didn’t give an exact release date, she reassured fans that the new chapter of Happy’s Place is well underway and worth the wait. With production moving full speed ahead, anticipation is building for what promises to be one of the show’s most exciting seasons yet.

Fans React to the Big Reveal

Following Peterman’s hints, fans took to social media to express their excitement and speculate on what’s in store.

“I can’t wait! This show keeps getting better and better,” one fan tweeted.

Another wrote, “Melissa Peterman never disappoints—her character is my favorite! So excited for the new part of Happy’s Place.”

As the countdown to the next installment continues, Peterman’s insights have only fueled the anticipation. One thing is clear—Happy’s Place is gearing up for an unforgettable new chapter!

How Kieran Culkin and Wife Jazz Charton Revealed Their Love for ‘Baby Daddy’ to Melissa Peterman (Exclusive)

Melissa Peterman is still meeting new Baby Daddy fans years after the sitcom came to an end — including Kieran Culkin and wife Jazz Charton.

During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Peterman recalled being on the same flight with Culkin and Charton after he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Oscars.

“We were getting off the plane [after] I had changed seats so he could sit next to his wife. And they’re so adorable. As we’re getting off the plane, they were like, ‘Thank you for switching.’ Then they both were like, ‘You were on Baby Daddy! We love that show!” Peterman shared with Us. “He’s probably holding the Oscar in his duffel bag and he was telling me that they loved Baby Daddy.”

Peterman was flattered by the support. “I was like, ‘You have no idea how much that just lifted my heart up.’ That was amazing. He is so wonderful, she’s wonderful and they both watched Baby Daddy. Roman Roy from Succession watched Baby Daddy!”

While reflecting on her most memorable roles, Peterman admitted she still sometimes feels “like an imposter.”

“But I always know when someone comes up [to me] what show they know me from,” she noted. “And sometimes I’m wrong. A lot of the times I am because I think people have discovered [new shows] through Netflix and Hulu. So it’s always a delight and I will never, ever get sick of it because I feel really lucky that I get to do what I love.”

Melissa Peterman and Tahj Mowry in ‘Baby Daddy’ ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection
Peterman has had very memorable roles from Barbra Jean on Reba to Bonnie on Baby Daddy to Brenda in The Big Bang Theory spinoff Young Sheldon. She currently stars in NBC’s Happy’s Place — which reunites her with former costar Reba McEntire — but that doesn’t mean her previous projects aren’t on her mind.

The actress spoke to Us about how her TV worlds have collided after Baby Daddy costars Jean-Luc Bilodeau and Derek Theler visited her at a live taping for Happy’s Place.

“I love those boys. I love them all. I love Chelsea [Kane] and I love Tahj [Mowry],” she gushed. “It is another moment where I am like, ‘How lucky that I got to work on shows where I just loved the cast so much?’ I made sure I introduced Jean-Luc and Derek to the Happy’s Place creatives.”

Baby Daddy, which aired on Freeform from 2012 to 2017, followed a man raising a baby after a one-night stand with help from his friends, brother and mom. After the show came to an end, Peterman moved on with new projects — including Happy’s Place.

“It would be so great [to see Jean-Luc and Derek cameo on Happy’s Place]. They’re both so talented and funny,” she gushed. “I was thinking about how that could be really great. My mind is already working. That’s the beauty of working with a lot of great people. You just want to bring all your friends on and work with them again.”

Peterman noted that everyone is welcome on the Happy’s Place set — especially after the show was renewed for a second season.

“I’m excited about season 2 because that’s when things really open up for a show. When you can start going, ‘We’ve established that and we’ve got this,’” she explained to Us. “Now we can go, ‘Who is Takoda’s wife? Who is Gabby’s mom?’ There’s so many fun things that we are allowed to now do in a season 2 that you can’t always do in season 1.”

Happy’s Place airs on NBC Fridays at 8 p.m. ET.

‘Reba’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

The WB/Scott Humbert

Reba McEntire proved she is more than just a country superstar when she led her own TV show — appropriately called Reba.

The sitcom ran for six seasons from October 2001 to February 2007. McEntire starred as a single mother raising her three children — played by JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Scarlett Pomers and Mitch Holleman — alongside her ex-husband (Christopher Rich) and his new wife (Melissa Peterman).

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In the years since the series concluded, the cast has remained close. Swisher revealed in June 2019 that her daughters consider McEntire family. “She’s very much Auntie Reba,” the Sweet Magnolias star exclusively told Us Weekly at the time. “She spoils quite a bit. She doesn’t babysit because when I see her, I want to be with her.”

Swisher also teased a potential Reba revival at the time. “I definitely think it’s possible and I think everybody would love to,” she said. “There is so much love there and such fond memories of our time on the show. I feel like we kind of ended before we really wanted to and I think there is a lot of goodwill in that world and I know everybody would be supportive of it.”

Not only would the cast be on board, but there have already been discussionsyubi. “I know there has definitely been a lot of talk about it,” she divulged.

Scroll through the gallery below to see where the cast of Reba is today!

Credit: Damian Dovarganes/AP/Shutterstock; Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

Reba McEntire (Reba Hart)

The Grammy winner has continued to dominate the country music industry, releasing albums including All the Women I Am, Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope and Stronger Than the Truth. She also still acts and has appeared on Malibu Country, Baby Daddy, Last Man Standing, Young Sheldon and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. McEntire’s The Hammer premiered on Lifetime in January 2023. Peterman played her sister in the TV movie. The duo reunited in 2024 to star in NBC’s Happy’s Place.

McEntire divorced Narvel Blackstock — with whom she shares son Shelby — in 2015 after 26 years of marriage. She began dating actor Rex Linn in 2020.

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock; Matt Baron/Shutterstock

JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery)

Swisher went on to star on Sweet Magnolias, Privileged, Gossip Girl, Once Upon a Time, Better With You, The Astronaut Wives Club, The Mindy Project and Kevin (Probably) Saves the World. She is also the cofounder of The Happy Place.

The actress married Nick Swisher in December 2010, with McEntire and Peterman serving as bridesmaids. The couple welcomed daughters Emerson and Sailor in 2013 and 2016, respectively.

Us Weekly Shorts

Credit: Dan Steinberg/BEI/Shutterstock; AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Steve Howey (Van Montgomery)

Howey moved on to Shameless, Bride Wars, Something Borrowed, Sons of Anarchy, SEAL Team and Dead to Me. He also had a guest spot on Happy’s Place.

Us broke the news in June 2020 that the actor and wife Sarah Shahi, whom he met on the Reba set, had split after 11 years of marriage. She filed for divorce that May, and they finalized the proceedings in January 2021. The pair are parents of son William and twins Violet and Knox.

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock; Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

Melissa Peterman (Barbra Jean Booker Hart)

Peterman has stayed busy with roles on Baby Daddy, Working Class, Pretty the Series, Young Sheldon and Last Man Standing. She has also hosted multiple shows, including The Singing Bee, Dancing Fools and Bet on Your Baby. She reunited with McEntire in TV movie The Hammer, which aired on Lifetime in January 2023, and NBC’s Happy’s Place.

Peterman and McEntire are also set to costar in NBC’s 2024 series Happy’s Place.

The comedian has been married to John Brady since June 1999, and they share son Riley.

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock; Mjt/Admedia/Sipa/Shutterstock

Christopher Rich (Brock Hart)

The actor appeared on Melissa & Joey, Boston Legal, Desperate Housewives, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Rizzoli & Isles.

Rich tied the knot with wife Eva Halina Rich in 2003. They are parents of twins Lily and Daisy. He also shares daughter Mariel with ex-wife Nancy Frangione.

In February 2025, the actor spoke to Us Weekly about suffering a stroke seven years prior that caused him to take a step back from acting.

“After my stroke and having a brain injury, it is like I got hit with an atomic bomb. So it all gets traumatized, and it is a hard reset,” he shared before his guest spot on NBC’s Happy’s Place. “After I finally got out of the hospital, I was moving around again. Then I threw a bunch of blood clots and ended up in the hospital with lung embolisms and debris on my heart. After surviving all of that crap, I’m feeling really, really good.”

He continued: “I lost 50 pounds since the last time I was a regular on television. I just don’t have much of an appetite anymore. But I’m not disappointed by losing weight.”

Rich was hopeful about his return to Hollywood, adding, “It’s great to be able to be a disabled person and play a disabled person. I’m hoping that when some of this gets out there, that people that I’ve worked with in the past are going to say, ‘OK, let’s bring him back. We can work with him.’”

Credit: Dan Steinberg/BEI/Shutterstock; Araldo Di Crollalanza/Shutterstock

Scarlett Pomers (Kyra Hart)

Pomers, who sought treatment for anorexia during her time on the show, retired from acting after wrapping Reba. She has since become a photographer and returned to social media in 2024.

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Credit: Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock; Courtesy of Mitch Holleman/Instagram

Mitch Holleman (Jake Hart)

Holleman had roles in The Hangover, Shake It Up, Astrid Clover and Guadalajara and now hosts the “Extremely Internet” podcast.

The actor is married to wife Emma Elizabeth Holleman.

‘Happy’s Place’ Casts Elizabeth Alderfer to Play Reba McEntire’s Daughter on NBC Sitcom

Happy s Place Casts Elizabeth Alderfer to Play Reba McEntire s Daughter on NBC Sitcom 816
Happy’s Place will introduce Reba McEntire‘s onscreen daughter in an upcoming episode of the new NBC sitcom.

Elizabeth Alderfer has been cast as Gracie, the daughter of McEntire’s character Bobbie on Happy’s Place. According to TV Line, Alderfer, 38, will make her first appearance halfway through season 1 and is described as a “no-nonsense, and somewhat tough” character.

“Gracie is in the military and has been deployed overseas,” the official character description read. “She has just gone on leave and is returning home to Knoxville to surprise her mother, only to be surprised herself to discover that she now has an aunt that she never knew she had.”

Happy’s Place, which premieres on Friday, October 18, follows Bobbie (McEntire) as she inherits her father’s restaurant and discovers a new business partner in the long-lost half-sister (Belissa Escobedo) she didn’t know she had. Melissa Peterman plays a bartender at the restaurant while McEntire’s boyfriend, Rex Linn, also appears as tavern cook Emmett.

The sitcom reunites McEntire, 69, and Peterman, 53, more than 17 years after their hit series Reba ended its run on The WB. In addition to McEntire and Peterman, the beloved show also starred Christopher Rich, JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Steve Howey, who has already been cast in a role in the Christmas episode of Happy’s Place.

“It’s a lot of fun. We absolutely want to bring some of the old cast members on — and in very different roles than what they played on Reba,” Kevin Abbott, an executive producer on Reba when it aired on The WB between 2001 and 2007, told TVLine earlier this month. “Steve’s our first one up, and we’re trying to figure out how to bring JoAnna in. We only want to have the old cast in if we can really utilize them in a fun, impactful way.”

Happy s Place Casts Elizabeth Alderfer to Play Reba McEntire s Daughter on NBC Sitcom 815
In a recent cover story, McEntire recently spoke exclusively to Us Weekly about getting to work with Peterman again. (The duo previously reunited on CMT’s Working Class, Freeform’s Baby Daddy and Lifetime’s The Hammer.)

“[Reuniting with Melissa] was like riding a bike — there was a muscle memory. But we haven’t been apart ever since 2006 when Reba ended,” she shared in an October cover story. “There have been lots of times where she was out on tour with me opening the show for me — coming out and doing a bit in the middle of my concert. Fans love it.”

McEntire touched on the enduring impact Reba still has on viewers, to which she replied, “People related to it because there are many in that situation across the United States — teen pregnancy, moving in with mom, challenging things happening. But primarily, it’s the heart of it. It was funny, clever, mischievous, dorky, but it had a lot of heart.”

Happy’s Place premieres Friday, October 18, at 8 pm on NBC.

H0T! Vanna White seemingly addresses ‘Wheel of Fortune’ quitting and feud with Ryan Seacrest

Vanna White seemingly addresses ‘Wheel of Fortune’ quitting, feud rumors after private dinner with Ryan Seacrest

No bad blood over here!

Vanna White has brushed off rumors of a feud between her and new “Wheel of Fortune” host Ryan Seacrest.

Taking to social media, White — a longtime fixture on the hit game show — shared a photo of her with Seacrest, 49, at a restaurant as the pair grabbed a bite together.

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Vanna White shared a photo of her dining out with Ryan Seacrest.Vanna White / Instagram
“Friends on and off camera. Enjoying one of our favorites, Chicken and Dumplings,” White, 67, captioned her Instagram post.

Seacrest, for his part, rushed to the comments section, writing, “Always a treat! Here’s to more fun moments and delicious bites 🥟!”

He later reposted the pic on his Instagram Story for his 6.5 followers on the platform.

“You two will make a great team. Can’t wait,” wrote one fan, while another added, “Looking forward to this duo and the new set in the fall!”

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White brushed off rumors of a feud between her and new “Wheel of Fortune” host.Disney
White’s post came just weeks after it was reported that she and Seacrest, who replaced longtime host Pat Sajak after 41 seasons, aren’t seeing eye-to-eye.

“She just doesn’t jibe with Ryan like she did with Pat, and no one really ever expected her to,” a source told the Daily Mail. “There is just no way that she possibly could.”

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White had appeared alongside Pat Sajak on “Wheel of Fortune” for over 40 years.ABC via Getty Images
However, an insider close to Seacrest told The Post, “There is absolutely no truth to this story. Ryan and Vanna have started working together and have been having a lovely time on set.”

Seacrest will officially replace Sajak, 77, when “Wheel of Fortune” returns for Season 42 in September.

White, meanwhile, extended her contract to stay on the show until the 2025-2026 season after a salary dispute. According to TMZ, White secured a “substantial pay increase” with her deal.

White, who first appeared on Wheel of Fortune in 1982, was reportedly considering leaving “Wheel of Fortune” following Pat Sajak’s exit.

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Seacrest will officially replace Sajak, 77, when “Wheel of Fortune” returns for Season 42 in September.Instagram / @ryanseacrest

White’s contract is up in 2026, but the insider claimed that “there is a part of her that wants to walk away sooner.”

“It is just so difficult to do this without Pat,” the source said.

CELEBRITY Jeopardy! ratings have got A VERY SAD NEWS after the season’s F00LISH choices

Celebrity Jeopardy! plummets to lowest ratings this season after $—-x assault claims against contestant & ‘poor’ casting

CELEBRITY Jeopardy! ratings have dropped by over a million viewers after the premiere episode, as the season’s casting choices have received backlash from fans.

The third season of Celebrity Jeopardy! is hosted by Ken Jennings.

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Ken Jennings hosts Jeopardy! and Celebrity Jeopardy!Credit: Disney

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The series has come under fire for airing an episode featuring actor Brian Jordan AlvarezCredit: Getty
The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal the premiere episode on January 8 brought in 3,028,000 viewers.

The episode featured actor Max Greenfield, actress Camilla Luddington and comedian W. Kamau Bell.

The January 15 episode, featuring actresses Melissa Peterman and Jackie Tohn, and writer Neil deGrasse Tyson, brought in 2,648,000 viewers, a slight dip from the week prior.

The January 22 episode had fewer viewers with 2,519,000 tuning in.

This episode had contestants Seth Green, Margaret Cho and Rachel Brosnahan.

The January 29 episode had the lowest of the season with 1,835,000 viewers watching Roy Wood Jr., Brian Jordan Alvarez and Phoebe Robinson compete.

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Brian [L] was accused of $—-xual assault, claims he deniedCredit: Getty

CONTESTANT BACKLASH

The low ratings could be a result of casting, as Celebrity Jeopardy! received backlash from viewers for casting actor and comedian Brian.

In December, before the episode was filmed, the English Teacher actor was hit with claims of $—-xual assault.

Vulture reported Brian’s former co-star on The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo, Joe Ebeling, accused him of assault over eight years ago while shooting a scene for the web series.

He claimed Brian $—-xually assaulted him while filming the scene without his consent.

Joe claimed he filed a police report with the Los Angeles Police Department in September and reported Brian to the Screen Actors Guild.

Brian’s lawyer Michael J. Kump confirmed the “brief” encounter to Vulture, but said Bryan “believed (correctly and justifiably in light of Brian’s then-current $—-xual relationship with Mr. Ebeling) that Mr. Ebeling was fine with it.”

His lawyer also claimed Joe “consented verbally” to doing this “for real” before the scene. Joe denied that claim.

Fans were upset Celebrity Jeopardy! aired the episode, as one commented on Instagram, “Disappointed to see Brian Jordan Alvarez on here.”

Another wrote, “It’s Jeopardy so I’ll answer in the form of a question: ‘What is consent?’ That’ll be a tough one for a certain one of these contestants to answer.”

CELEBRITY CONTESTANTS?

The ratings drop also comes after the series received backlash over the “unknown” celebrity contestants chosen this season.

One fan wrote on Instagram, “Neil is the only ‘celebrity’ this season I’ve heard of.”

A second sarcastically wrote, “Oh… I thought you said ‘Celebrity Jeoprady.’”

A third commented, “These are celebrities????”

Another said, “‘Celebrity’ Jeopardy! is used a bit loosely here. Neil is the only celeb on the show.”

A fifth commented of the January 22 episode, “Tbh, I didn’t know any of them prior to tonight.”

JEOPARDY! RATINGS

Ken hosts Jeopardy! as well, as the series is currently airing its Tournament of Champions.

The drop in ratings comes after Wheel of Fortune with new host Ryan Seacrest beat out Jeopardy! for their Season 42 premiere.

The U.S. Sun previously reported 8,310,000 viewers watched Wheel of Fortune for the premiere week of September 9 to September 15.

As for rival game show Jeopardy!, 7,113,000 viewers tuned in for the episodes.

Wheel of Fortune taking over the top spot is a shock, as Jeopardy! brought in more viewers overall last season.

Jeopardy! 2025 Tournament of Champions

Jeopardy!’s next Tournament of Champions will take place this winter, midway through Season 41 (exact airdate TBA) and it’s shaping up to be another showstopper. Here’s who is officially eligible so far:

Adriana Harmeyer (15 wins and $349,600 total)
Isaac Hirsch (nine wins and $215,390)
Greg Jolin (five wins and $135,002)
Survivor alum Drew Basile (seven wins and $129,601)
Alison Betts (5 wins and $121,500)
Mark Fitzpatrick (five wins and $107,201)
Dr. Amy Hummel (5 wins and $100,994)
Ryan Manton (four wins and $83,179)
Grant DeYoung (four wins and $81,203)
Will Wallace (four wins and $79,998)
Amar Kakirde (four wins and $55,899)
Lisa Ann Walter (winner of Celebrity Jeopardy! 2024)

The prize for winning the ToC is $250,000 and a coveted slot in Jeopardy! Masters.

Jeopardy.com notes: “All 4-time and over winning players starting from 04/10/24 will be eligible for a future Tournament of Champions.”

“Presence on this list does NOT guarantee an invitation to compete. Other eligibility rules apply and final selection is up to the producers’ sole discretion.”

HOST BATTLE

The former American Idol star’s success on the game show could mean trouble for Ken, 50.

A source previously told The U.S. Sun, “Ryan is bringing a sense of youth and urgency to the job that is a lot harder to pull off than it looks, and Wheel is bound to get a bump in the numbers once his episodes start running in September.

“My advice to Ken is that just because Mayim is out of the picture doesn’t mean he shouldn’t watch his back.”

Ken and The Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik shared hosting duties until she was let go from the show in 2023.

“In most media markets these shows run back-to-back and Ken needs to make sure he doesn’t suffer from the contrast with Ryan,” the insider continued to claim.

“It’s a tricky situation because their personalities are so radically different from one another.”

A second source told The U.S. Sun that while Ken currently has no long-term contract with the show, he has made it known to higher-ups that he would like to host for the long haul.

“Jeopardy! is Ken’s religion; he lives it, and he breathes it, and despite all the outside pressures, he’s not going to mess this up,” the insider claimed.

“He’s proud to have worked his way into this position and believes he has what it takes to make it last for decades to come.”

The source continued, “What he really wants more than anything is to stick around and make this position work for the long run.

“And if that means making less money to ensure his longevity, you can bet your life he’d be game.

“This isn’t all about the money. It’s a way of life for Ken and then some. He’s in it for the long run and to secure his status in the show’s history.”

Ken has a 74-game streak as a contestant, taking home $2.5 million.

He has made a total of $4.3 million from the game show with tournaments.

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The season has also come under fire for casting ‘celebrities’ fans ‘don’t know’Credit: Getty

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Celebrity Jeopardy! is in its third seasonCredit: Getty

The View’s Ana Navarro threatens to walk off Celebrity Jeopardy! set after repeating same blunder behind-the-scenes

ANA Navarro threatened to walk off the Celebrity Jeopardy! set after repeating the same blunder over and over again behind-the-scenes, a source has exclusively told The U.S. Sun.

The View host made a boisterous return to the Jeopardy! stage on Wednesday after first appearing on the celebrity-based spinoff in 2022.

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Ana Navarro makes her return to the Celebrity Jeopardy! stageyubiCredit: Disney

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Ana Navarro poses with Ken Jennings on the Celebrity Jeopardy! setCredit: Disney
Ana, 53, went up against actress Yvette Nicole Brown, 53, and podcaster David Friedberg, 44, for the Ken Jennings-hosted episode.

Prior to filming the game that is televised for at-home viewers, contestants also get the opportunity to do a practice game so they are able to get more comfortable with the buzzer and various rules of Jeopardy!

Ken, 50, does not host this portion of the show as he is still getting ready backstage during this time – leaving it up to a producer to handle the duties.

During Ana’s rehearsal game, things quickly began to get tense as she continued to repeat the same mistake over and over again, a source claimed to The U.S. Sun.

According to the insider, the root of the tension began when Ana had to be reminded “multiple times” about the show’s famous format of answering with the question.

The political commentator was not able to grasp this rule, and would often chime in with just the word or phrase – not adding “what is?” or “who is?” in front.

“Ana had to be reminded at least 10-15 times to answer in the correct format, with “What is…” but Ana still could not get it down.

“Each time she would mess it up, the producer would bring it up as the way she would answer would not be considered valid.

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CELEBRITY JEOPARDY Quarterfinal L-R: Ana Navarro, David Friedberg and Yvette Nicole BrownCredit: Disney

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Ana Navarro poses with her precious pup on the Celebrity Jeopardy! setCredit: Disney
“After the first few times, Ana would grow frustrated and grunt or sigh.

“At one point, she threw her hands up and said ‘I’m going to just walk off this stage. I cannot get this right,’” the source claimed.

Apparently, even the live studio audience was “getting annoyed” with Ana because it took her “so long to get the format down” – far longer than her two opponents.

“Each time she made the mistake of not saying the question format, the audience would also make a disappointed noise after it happened so many times,” they said.

Lisa Ann Walter wins Celebrity Jeopardy! in twist ending as Katie Nolan and Mo Rocca ‘choke’ on ‘easy’ Final clue
According to the source, the producers also had to walk up to her podium much more than the others to give one-on-one feedback to Ana.

Luckily by the time it was showtime, Ana was able to perform for the cameras during the actual game – answering correctly without misusing the format.

The game was a nail-biter with the leads swapping back and forth throughout the various categories.

One of the harder categories focused on politics and geography – which Ana ended up sweeping.

She ran the entire category, swooping up more and more money as she correctly answered the entire line.

However, she lost momentum near the end as David went into Final Jeopardy! with a larger lead.

Jeopardy! Universe

Jeopardy! first aired in 1964 until 1975. Then the nighttime version began in 1974. Since then, many spinoffs of the game show have emerged. Here they all are:

Jeopardy! – (syndicated) 1974 to present, weekdays on ABC at 7 pm ET.

Tournament of Champions – 1984 to present, features the top champions who have appeared on the show since the last tournament.

Second Chance Tournament – 2022 to present features hand-selected non-winners from the season prior, where the prize is entry into Champions Wildcard.

Champions Wildcard – 2023 to present, features all one, two and three-day champions from the season prior worth entry into the Tournament of Champions.

Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament (syndication) – 2023 to present, features past greats invited by producers to vie for a slot in Masters.

Jeopardy! Masters (primetime) – 2023 to present, features the six highest-ranked Jeopardy! champions competing against each other.

Celebrity Jeopardy! (primetime) – 1992 to present, has celebrities compete against each other to raise money for charity.

Pop Culture Jeopardy (streaming) – 2024 to present, will feature teams of three tasked with pop culture trivia on Amazon Prime, hosted by Colin Jost, airdate TBD

Jeopardy! has done away with specialized tournaments like its College Tournaments, Kids Week, and Professor’s Tournament to gear towards a more sports-like model, with Masters being the top of the Jeopardy pyramid.

Other versions of Jeopardy! have fizzled out throughout the years as well, like Sports Jeopardy!.

Hoping he would make a mistake and she could gain the lead, Ana went all-in with her final wager but unfortunately, missed the mark.

She ended the game with $0 while Yvette came in second and David went on to win the game.

David will advance to play other Celebrity Jeopardy! winners in the star-studded tournament – where the top player gets to earn a whopping $1million for the charity of their choice.

The celebrities who played the game and lost still get to take back $30,000 each to the charity of their choice.

Ana chose to play for the Maestro Cares Foundation – co-founded by Marc Anthony to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged children and communities in Latin America and the United States.

David is playing to help animals in need for The Humane Society while Yvette chose DonorsChoose, which connects teachers in need to donors who want to help.

Last season, Abbott Elementary star and The Parent Trap scene stealer Lisa Ann Walter took home the top prize in 2024 – giving her seven-figure winnings to Entertainment Community Fund, a national organization that provides support and services to the entertainment community in times of need or crisis.

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Lisa Ann Walter wins Celebrity Jeopardy! in twist ending as Katie Nolan and Mo RoccaCredit: Jeopardy!

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Ana Navarro co-hosts The View in NYCCredit: Getty Images – Getty

‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Slam ‘Stupid, Stupid’ Puzzle: ‘AI Is Having a Field Day’

YouTube

Most of the Wheel of Fortune puzzles had straightforward answers on Friday, March 14. “Midnight Train to Georgia” is indeed a song title. A “sleeper car” and a “clown car” are both places. “Don’t pack your whole closet” is a good travel tip. But is “feeling transported” an activity? Fans have felt transported to social media to complain about that answer.

“‘Feeling transported’ — what the hell does that mean?” Reddit user Ok-Scientist3601 wrote after Friday’s episode.

“Was going to post, too,” commented Francis_X_Hummel. “I don’t know what it means, and don’t [know] how the hell it is something I could be doing.”

And patricknkelly wrote, “Stupid, stupid puzzle!”

On another Reddit thread, user FooJenkins wrote, “How is ‘feeling transported’ something you’re doing?”

Commenter Pullinghandles added, “I don’t even think I’ve heard this as a form of lingo or slang before.”

The puzzle had X users flummoxed, too.

“Feeling Transported”? 🤨

I know transported is a word and can describe the action, but I wouldn’t start it with ‘Feeling’, @WheelofFortune, that’s a confusing one.

— Nathan Schimpf • @mrschimpf elsewhere (@mrschimpf) March 14, 2025

 

“‘Feeling transported’? I know transported is a word and can describe the action, but I wouldn’t start it with ‘feeling,’ @WheelofFortune,” said @mrschimpf. “That’s a confusing one.”

And @SwantonBomb182 posted, “‘Feeling transported’ — WTF, Wheel of Fortune?! I’ve never heard of that in my 41 years of life. So rude!”

A couple of commenters seemed to find the puzzle reasonable, though. “Like when you hear a song or smell a smell, and it takes you somewhere in your mind,” Reddit user commentator3 explained on the first thread.

Added redracheloh, “I was reading a book about Switzerland, and I was feeling transported to the beautiful Swiss Alps. Definition: ‘Feeling transported’ means to be emotionally moved, ecstatic, or to feel as if you have been taken or carried away to another place or time.”

But Reddit user musicaes blames artificial intelligence for the controversial answer. “AI is having a field day at WOF HQ,” they wrote.

The rest of Friday’s episode was business as usual. Contestant Gregg Liebgold from American Canyon, California, reached the Bonus Round with winnings of $21,300.

The category for that final challenge was “Around the House,” but Gregg’s consonant and vowel selections did him no favors, leaving him with “_ _ S E _ _ _.” Gregg got the first word but couldn’t sleuth out “fuse box.”

At least the prize he didn’t win was $40K — the minimum possible Bonus Round prize, yet again — and not $100K.

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