Reba McEntire Burst into Tears After Saving a Contestant on The Voice. Now, He Promises to Make Her Proud

Austin Gilbert and Rob Cole performed Blake Shelton’s “Honeybee” for the Battles

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Austin Gilbert and his fellow Team Bublé contestant Rob Cole performed “Honeybee” for the Battles on The Voice
After the performance, coach Michael Bublé chose Cole to remain on his team — but coach Reba McEntire stepped in with a save
“I’m going to make you proud ma’am,” he said to McEntire

Austin Gilbert is getting a second chance thanks to Reba McEntire.

During the Monday, Oct. 13 episode of The Voice, Gilbert went head-to-head in the Battles with his fellow Team Bublé contestant Rob Cole. Together, they performed Blake Shelton’s “Honeybee” in hopes of staying in the competition — and the Canadian crooner chose Cole to stay in the competition.

“I never thought in my life I would be here. Thank you guys real much,” he said, fighting back tears in his eyes.

As Gilbert was making his way to say goodbye to his coach, McEntire used her one “save” and the contestant dropped to his knees.

“Austin, you enthusiasm, your big heart, your gorgeous voice,” the “It’s Your Call” singer, 70, said, fighting back tears. “You’re a cowboy. I’m so thrilled that you are now a part of Team Reba.”

Reba McEntire; Austin Gilbert.Ashley Osborn/NBC; Griffin Nagel/NBC

McEntire then stood up from her chair and gave him an emotional hug — and Gilbert thanked her for “making my dreams come true.”

“I loved everything about Austin. He had a childlike attitude about him,” she said, later adding, “I just loved his voice. That’s why I wanted to steal him. He’s going to really do well for my team.”

The country star later walked into his solo interview and Gilbert said, “I’m going to make you proud ma’am,” to which she responded, “I don’t have one doubt in my mind.”

Niall Horan, Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire and Michael Buble.Ashley Osborn/NBC

When Bublé, 50, made his decision, he said both contestants were “amazing country singers” — but he believed Cole was his “country superstar.”

“He is a versatile guy. I think he’s a real charismatic artist,” he said.

In a clip shared on Instagram after the episode aired, Cole waited for Gilbert outside the stage and they shared an emotional embrace as Gilbert cried out, “She saved me dude.”

 

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Bài viết do ROB COLE (@robcolemusic) chia sẻ

Cole captioned the post, “Nothin fake about this friendship, nor this dudes heart. Couldn’t have been a better Battle matchup! #TeamReba got a good one! Super proud to have shared the stage with @austingilbertmusic, and super grateful to continue representing #TeamBuble!”

The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. All episodes are available to stream the following day on Peacock.

Jeopardy Crisis Goes Nuclear! ‘Raging’ Ken Jennings ‘Told to Shut Up’ About Being Passed Over For Colin Jost As Host of Game Show Spin-Off

Source: MEGAJeopardy host Ken Jennings is ‘raging’ after being passed over to host a new spinoff of the hit game show, but is being warned to keep his mouth shut about it.

Jeopardy host Ken Jennings is “raging” after being passed over to host a new spinoff of the hit game show, but is being warned to keep his mouth shut about it or risk getting the boot entirely, sources tell RadarOnline.com.

Longtime Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost, 42, was chosen ahead of Jennings, 50, to helm Pop Culture Jeopardy, a team game focused on topics like alternative rock, sports, film and Broadway.

Production for the show, which will stream on Amazon Prime, is set to begin later this month.

Source: By: MEGAJennings ‘felt slighted’ he wasn’t chosen for the spinoff.

An insider dished: “It’s open knowledge in Jeopardy circles Ken feels slighted. And he does have a reason to feel insecure because it’s a clear indication the bosses want to add some much-needed pizzazz to the franchise.

“Ken may have been Jeopardy’s greatest champion and a favorite of Alex Trebek, but there’s only so much room for sentiment when it comes to cold, hard ratings.”

With Ryan Seacrest’s heralded arrival at Wheel of Fortune, plus Drew Carey and Steve Harvey still killing it on The Price is Right and Family Feud respectively, our source said there was a ton of pressure and scrutiny on Jennings at the moment.

Source: MEGAThe Saturday Night Live star, 42, will host ‘Pop Culture Jeopardy’.

The Jeopardy host has gotten backlash from irate fans this season over misleading clues, incorrectly credited songs, confusing responses and other bloopers.

Our source said: “Ken’s high-profile gaffes haven’t helped him any. If Colin comes in and knocks it out of the park, as expected, it could be big trouble for Ken. He knows that and is petrified.”

Jennings has said he would take a pay cut to avoid being replaced as the face of the show.

He landed the gig a decade and a half after making game show history with his record-breaking 74-episode winning streak in 2004. After returning to Jeopardy for various championship tournaments over the years, he went from contestant to taking over for legendary late host Trebek in 2021.

Source: MEGAKen Jennings has made it clear he wants to remain host of ‘Jeopardy!’ no matter what.

But since getting the job, the power has apparently gone “straight to his head”, another source said previously.

The insider claimed his “his britches are bigger than ever, and they were pretty big before”, saying Jennings “complains when his suits don’t fit, even when he’s up and down on the scale.

“He wants more makeup, then says it’s too much. He gets mad when people don’t laugh at his jokes. He carries a grudge.”

His co-workers were “sorry to see” his predecessor Mayim Bialik go.

Source: MEGAJennings took over for legendary late ‘Jeopardy’ host Alex Trebek.

The Big Bang Theory actress said she was deeply grateful for the experience, announcing she would no longer appear on the game show after Sony decided to have just one host for the forthcoming season.

Jennings was, of course, pleased to be offered the full-time role when execs contacted him, the tipster said, noting: “He thinks he deserves the job. He keeps carrying on like he’s the savior of the show.”

Ken Jennings Reveals Frightening ‘Celebrity Jeopardy!’ Set Secret

Ken Jennings/Instagram

Ken Jennings has revealed a set secret from Celebrity Jeopardy! that fans did not know about. The stage is not completely flat like most people think….and Ken admits it catches him out and gives him frights, too.

The show’s host shared a photo of himself on the set of Jeopardy!. He took a photo of himself standing next to the Celebrity Jeopardy! logo on the floor. The logo was enclosed in a circle with “celebrity” in yellow and lights inside of it. “Jeopardy!” was in big, solid white letters. The words appeared to be cut out in the floor instead of a flat logo on the stage.

“Love the contestants, hate wondering when I’m going to trip over this giant thing on the floor,” he captioned the photo. Jennings wore a white, floral-collared shirt in the post. In the second photo, the host looked at the logo in fright.

After spending some time in Australia with his wife, Mindy, for their anniversary, Jennings is back filming the game show. He hosts all versions, including the syndicated version, spinoffs, and tournaments. Celebrity Jeopardy! aired Season 3 earlier this year. The Season 4 premiere date has not yet been announced, but it appears to be coming soon if they are filming already.

This fact shocked some fans. “I thought it was flat this whole time! 😶,” an Instagram user commented.

 

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Bài viết do Ken Jennings (@whoiskenjennings) chia sẻ

“Be careful!” warned a fan.

“You’re so silly, which makes you an excellent host!” a third added.

“Wait… isn’t the logo flat?” wondered another.

Both Celebrity Jeopardy! and the syndicated game show film on Stage 10 at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California. They just swap the logos out.

W. Kamau Bell won Season 3 in April. Lisa Ann Walter won Season 2, and Ike Barinholtz was the first winner of the spinoff game show. The lineup and premiere date for Season 4 have not yet been announced, but stay tuned for news in the upcoming months.

Did you know this set secret? Let us know in the comments.

Celebrity Jeopardy!, Season 4, ABC, TBD

‘Jeopardy’ fans point out Ken Jennings’s mistake — left surprised as producers didn’t fix it

Screenshot showing Ken Jennings on “Jeopardy!” (Cover Image Source: YouTube | Jeopardy!)

Ken Jennings has been the star player and then a host on “Jeopardy!,” and that’s why he knows the rules of the game better than most. Fans don’t expect him to make mistakes, and Jennings has lived up to their expectations. For this reason, they were even more shocked when the host made a mistake. Fans were further shocked by the fact that the showrunners did not edit the error out or re-shoot the scene.
Screenshot showing Ken Jennings. (Image source: YouTube | Jeopardy!)
 

The show is not aired live. Rather, it is pre-taped and then televised on later dates. So, the showrunner would have had the time to review the footage and make sure that there was no mistake in the final cut. It happened in the episode that saw champion TJ Fisher play against Kate Kostelnik and Brian Dixon. Ahead of Final Jeopardy, Fisher had a commanding lead with $21,200 in the purse.

He was gunning to become a three-day champion, and he did achieve that feat. The Final Jeopardy clue read, “The star of this new streaming drama said, ‘Nobody could gain a pound, lose a pound…we had to look exactly the same for seven months.’” Kostelnik and Dixon were tied for second place with $3,000 each, while the reigning champion had a comfortable lead. However, nobody was able to give the correct answer.
Screenshot showing the contestants. (Image source: YouTube | Jeopardy!)
Kostelnik had not wagered any money, so she was left with $3,000. Dixon went all in and lost whatever money he had. Fisher had only wagered $165, which meant that he became the three-day champion. His three-day total was $59,924. Jennings made his mistake after he announced that, and one really had to be paying attention to pick it up. The host said that the contestant would come back to become a three-day champion, and not four.

 

“TJ will be back tomorrow for a third win. We’ll see you then,” he said, even though the contestant would be playing for a fourth win next. Fans of the show were surprised to see this, as per TV Insider, and made their feelings known on Reddit. “I knew Ken goofed. I’m surprised they didn’t catch that. It happens,” one fan commented.
Screenshot showing champion TJ Fisher. (Image credit: YouTube | Jeopardy!)
“I am so excited because I just caught an error on Jeopardy for the first time! At the end, Ken said that tomorrow we will watch TJ go for a third win, but it will actually be his attempt at a fourth. I feel so eagle-eyed and very impressed with myself,” quipped another. “My wife was shocked that the crew didn’t catch it and have Ken do a retake,” one more viewer pointed out.

“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

“Happy’s Place” Season 2 is expected to delve deeper into character development and explore new narrative arcs, further solidifying its position in the competitive sitcom landscape. Production timelines and anticipated premiere dates will be released

What to Know About Happy’s Place Season 2: New Reba McEntire Sitcom Renewed

“You belong to Happy’s place!” NBC’s sitcom starring Reba McEntire is coming back for a second season, y’all!

Happy’s Place starring Reba McEntire has been delivering non-stop laughs and heartfelt moments — and now there’s even more happy news to celebrate. NBC has officially ordered a second season of the hit sitcom!

Happy’s Place Season 2 has officially been renewed for Season 2

Melissa Peterman as Gabby and Reba McEntire as Bobbie in Happy’s Place Season 1, Episode 1. Photo: Casey Durkin/NBC

After the pilot episode brought in over 17 million viewers since it first aired in October 2024, NBC announced that Happy’s Place will be returning for a second season.

Starring McEntire, Belissa Escobedo, Melissa Peterman, Pablo Castelblanco, Tokala Black Elk, and Rex Linn, Happy’s Place has quickly gained comfort watch status from fans and critics alike. Variety described the NBC sitcom as “nostalgic, funny and heartfelt,” adding that “it has the heart, fun and familiarity.”

The first season of Happy’s Place, created by Kevin Abbott and produced by Universal Television, has certainly been full of nostalgic moments. From McEntire and Peterman singing an a cappella version of the Reba theme song — “I’m a Survivor” — to a reunion with their Reba co-star Steve Howey for the Christmas episode, there’s been no shortage of moments to delight fans.

While the familiar faces are certainly a treat, Happy’s Place tells a totally different story that’ll tug at your heartstrings. McEntire plays a woman named Bobbie who inherits her late father’s tavern and is shocked to find out she has a much younger half-sister, Isabella (Escobedo), that she never knew she had. And she’s also her new business partner.

Emma Kenney has also been introduced in a guest starring role as Bobbie’s daughter, Gracie, and the casting could not have been more spot-on.

“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,” Kenney told TV Insider while chatting about her guest appearance. “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.”

Bobbie (Reba McEntire) and Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) during the Pilot Episode of Happy’s Place. Photo: Casey Durkin/NBC

Escobedo told NBC Insider that it’s been “very special” to be part of the multi-cam sitcom. “It feels like… being part of a resurgence of sitcom television, and that’s very special, and so I’m feeling so lucky,” Escobedo said. “Reba is an angel, so it’s awesome to go to work every day and have it be her at the forefront.”

St. Denis Medical, NBC’s other new hit comedy, was also renewed for a second season earlier in 2025, meaning your weeknight TV lineup will be stacked for the foreseeable future.

When does Happy’s Place Season 2 premiere?

A premiere date for Happy’s Place Season 2 has not been announced just yet, but stay tuned for more details!

How to watch Happy’s Place

You can watch new episodes of Happy’s Place Season 1 on Friday nights at 8/7c on NBC and stream the next day on Peacock.