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  • The Voice Viewers Are Notoriously Against Change, and They’re Claiming Dan + Shay Are Already Ruining the Show

    The Voice Viewers Are Notoriously Against Change, and They’re Claiming Dan + Shay Are Already Ruining the Show

    Incensed Viewers Accuse Dan + Shay of Ruining ‘The Voice’

    Like any fandom worth its salt, The Voice viewers are notoriously resistant to change. Many were still mourning longtime coach Blake Shelton’s departure when his wife, Gwen Stefani, announced her exit. And two-time champ Niall Horan devastated fans when he announced he would not return for season 25.

    We’re only two episodes deep into Season 25, but if social media is any indication, many viewers have yet to warm to Dan + Shay. The pop-country twosome took over for Horan as the first coaching duo.

    There’s no clear consensus on exactly what viewers’ beef is with the “Speechless” singers. Maybe some are having trouble telling the two apart? “My goal before blinds are over is to remember which one is Dan and which one is Shay,” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

    My goal before blinds are over is to remember which one is Dan and which one is Shay #TheVoice #VoicePremiere
    — H4PPIN3SS (@43Happiness) February 28, 2024
    Another user complained, “Dan and Shay have ruined The Voice for me! I can not stand listening to them, never mind watching them!!”

    #TheVoice Dan + Shay are pissing me off bc wtf you mean looking for originality and then don’t turn on Mecca
    — KOJ 🩶 (@ColleaLauryn) March 5, 2024
    “I don’t know about Dan + Shay as coaches on #TheVoice,” another user commented. “They’re a little too aggressive right out of the gate.”

    Another user seemed to agree. “They are too over the top right out of the gate. They talk too much and cut everyone off.”

    An Official Recap of Team Dan + Shay on The Voice Season 25 | NBC Insider

    Some viewers simply see a case of “too many cooks in the kitchen.” “Refocus on the singers they are the reason we tune in, less about judges egos, remind dan&shay that they get 1/4 of the time not 2/5,” an X user wrote.

    One viewer even felt compelled to comment directly on the “Tequila” pair’s personal Twitter account. “Can’t wait til the season ends so I never have to see or hear you again,” they wrote.

    The Duo Is Still Pretty Excited To Help Aspiring Artists

    While a good chunk of social media may not be thrilled to have Dan + Shay on The Voice, the pair themselves are pretty thrilled at the opportunity to help shape music’s next generation.

    “We felt like we were well equipped to really help people on that show, helping new artists along, and making them better — better people and better artists,” Dan Smyers told Variety in September 2023. “We’ve made a lot of mistakes in our life, and have a lot of wisdom to share through those mistakes that we’re gonna be able to share with those artists.”

    Dan + Shay Answer One Burning Question About Their Role On ‘The Voice’ [Watch]

    Dan + Shay are clearing up some key details about their upcoming stint as The Voice coaches — specifically, they’re explaining their seating arrangements.

    See Dan + Shay Live-Get tickets as low as $26.00

    The country duo will be the show’s first-ever coaching duo, joining the roster in Season 25 alongside John Legend, Chance the Rapper and fellow country coach Reba McEntire. Of course, a very important part of the coaching process is sitting in the iconic big red chair during the Blind auditions. That chair comes complete with a button for the coach to press when they want to turn their chair around and invite a contestant to join their team.

    But The Voice had to make some special arrangements for Dan + Shay, building them a custom coaches chair with two seats — and fans had some burning questions about the logistics of the seating set up.

    The duo hopped on The Voice’s Instagram to clear things up, responding to one fan who asked on social media if they would be sharing a chair.

    “Listen, people have been asking, ‘Is it two chairs? Is it one?’” the duo’s Shay Mooney replied. “It’s two chairs….but one button.”

    “The double chair!!” Dan Smyers added.

     

    Xem bài viết này trên Instagram

     

    Bài viết do NBC’s The Voice (@nbcthevoice) chia sẻ

    Taking a look at the mock-up of the double chair, it looks like it might be most accurate to describe it as a kind of loveseat: The two chairs are connected, with one platform — where the button sits — between them.

    That one button means that they’re won’t be any room for the band mates to disagree. During Blind Auditions, they’ll have the extra step of having to work it out amongst themselves whether or not they’re turning for a given Blind Audition — before the performer is finished with their song.

    Dan + Shay’s role on The Voice starts on Season 25, which will air in 2024. It’ll mark a new direction for the show, and not only because it’ll have its first-ever coaching duo that season: It’ll also mark a season that’s more country than ever, with a total of three coaches hailing from the genre. McEntire will also be returning for that lineup, after making her debut as a Voice coach in Season 24, which airs this fall.

    She’s replacing longstanding country coach Blake Shelton, who retired earlier this year after being a coach on the show for every single season since The Voice’s inception.

  • The Great Debate: Is Reba McEntire the Right Choice to Take Over for Blake Shelton on The Voice?

    The Great Debate: Is Reba McEntire the Right Choice to Take Over for Blake Shelton on The Voice?

    The Great Debate: Is Reba McEntire the Right Choice to Take Over for Blake Shelton on The Voice?

    Reba McEntire Proves She’s a Worthy Replacement to Blake Shelton With One Hilarious Gesture

    Blake Shelton may have left The Voice, but he left the show in good hands. So far, Reba McEntire has proven a worthy replacement on the show, and one gesture proves it.

    In a behind-the-scenes video for the show, McEntire shows off her dance moves, especially one dance in particular. McEntire struck an awkward groove that host Carson Daly instantly recognized. According to Daly, it bore a very close resemblance to how Shelton dances.

    He told her, “That’s exactly how Blake [Shelton] dances.” McEntire disagreed with the similarities. “It’s an Okie dance!” McEntire said explaining the origin of the dance. “That’s the Blake Shelton dance,” Daly remained firm. So, McEntire and Shelton at least have that in common.

    Reba McEntire Talks ‘The Voice’

    McEntire has been quite vocal about her time on the show. So far, McEntire has really enjoyed working with contestants and encouraging them to grow on the show

    “Working with the contestants, hanging out with the coaches. I’ve had so much fun. And the crew is wonderful. I’ve gotten to meet so many people that I’ll never forget,” she said.

    It may be surprising then that McEntire had to be convinced to join the show. It turns out that Shelton himself played a deciding factor in McEntire ultimately joining the show as a coach.

    “There were lots of little times where I thought this would be a lot of fun to get to do,” McEntire told NBC. “I’d gotten to do it before with Blake [as a Mega Mentor and Battle Advisor]. When we were filming with Blake’s team [in Season 23], he said, ‘You really ought to come on and do this. You’d have fun.’ He was really encouraging me to do it.”

    “It’s a well-oiled machine, so getting in at this time is marvelous,” she told Newsweek in a recent interview.  “Everybody knows the game plan, from the crew, the producers. Everybody on the show is so nice, so sweet, and have been so helpful. I’m loving it.”

    In fact, she keeps in contact with Shelton, saying the two have texted.”[We’ve done] just a little bit of texting,” she told NBC Insider. “No advice yet. I’ma pick his brain about it later. Once I’ve kinda gotten my feet wet.”

    As for Shelton, while John Legend doesn’t think he will return, the country singer agreed he would return to the fold for a very specific reason. He would come back to be a mentor for Gwen Stefani.

  • The Ultimate Question for Fans: John Legend Addresses the Possibility of Blake Shelton’s Highly-Anticipated Return to ‘The Voice’

    The Ultimate Question for Fans: John Legend Addresses the Possibility of Blake Shelton’s Highly-Anticipated Return to ‘The Voice’

    The Ultimate Question for Fans: John Legend Addresses the Possibility of Blake Shelton’s Highly-Anticipated Return to ‘The Voice’.

    John Legend and Blake Shelton
    Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Jason Davis/Getty Images)

    Following Blake Shelton‘s exit from The Voice at the end of Season 23, John Legend is now the longest-tenured coach on the NBC singing competition series. But could the country star ever return to the hot seat?

    “I feel like Gwen [Stefani] is the only chance we have. I don’t think Blake is coming back,” Legend said with a laugh when speaking with Entertainment Tonight. “He is staying on the farm; he’s enjoying himself.”

    “I’ve talked to him and he’s, like, picking corn. He sent us some fresh corn from the farm, he sent us some fresh peaches from the farm, we made peach cobbler,” the EGOT winner continued. “I don’t think he has any desire to come back to Hollywood and film The Voice.

    Even though a Voice reunion seems out of the question, Legend said he still regularly keeps in touch with his former co-stars.

    “We have different group chats for each combo of coaches, and then Chrissy [Teigen, Legend’s wife], Gwen, and Blake and I have a group chat where we’re just couples talking,” he shared. “We usually stay in touch with each other and we’re friends. It’s just a good vibe with all the other coaches.”
    'The Voice' coaches Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Camila Cabello, and John Legend for Season 22

    The Voice

    The Voice has seen several departures in recent years, with Shelton, Stefani, Kelly Clarkson, and Niall Horan all exiting as coaches. But Legend remains committed to the show as he now coaches alongside Reba McEntire, Chance the Rapper, and Dan + Shay.

    “I love coaching on The Voice,” he stated. “I love working with our artists, just seeing people’s dreams come true through this show, giving them all the advice I’ve gotten over the years, helping them learn from all the experiences that I’ve had over the years. It’s a lot of fun for me.”

    Legend is the only current coach with a win to his name, but he knows the competition is strong.

    “[Reba’s] obviously very seasoned in her career, she’s done everything from television to many, many, many, many, many hit songs over her career and performing on every stage you can imagine,” the “Ordinary People” singer said. “She just brings such a wealth of experience and expertise to our show. We’re so lucky to have her.”

    Meanwhile, he said Dan + Shay bring that “new coach fire,” explaining, “They’re trying to win. We definitely battled back and forth when it came to the blind auditions, and yeah, they’ve got the fire. They want to win.”

    The Voice continues with the Battle Rounds tonight, Tuesday, March 19.

    The Voice, Season 25, Mondays, 8/7c & Tuesdays, 9/8c, NBC (Next day on Peacock)

  • Reba’s “Voice” Fanbase Is Bombarding Rex Linn’s IG — They Take Over Coach’s Boyfriend’s Comments After Seeing His Post

    Reba’s “Voice” Fanbase Is Bombarding Rex Linn’s IG — They Take Over Coach’s Boyfriend’s Comments After Seeing His Post

    ‘Voice’ Fans Bombard Reba McEntire’s Boyfriend Rex Linn After Seeing His Post.

    Once again, Rex’s sweet support of his “tater tot” has our hearts growing a size!

    Country star Reba McEntire has racked up millions of fans around the world during her 48-year music career. Quite possibly her biggest fan of all is her boyfriend, Rex Linn, who made us swoon with his reaction to her recent big news.

    During this week’s “upfronts” (an event during which TV execs meet with advertisers and press to share more about their programming plans for the next season), and soon after online, NBC revealed that Reba will be replacing Blake Shelton and joining Niall Horan, Gwen Stefani, and John Legend in the coveted coach seats as part of The Voice. Unfortunately for Kelly Clarkson fans, it sounds like she will not be returning this year.

    “I am going to have my game plan ready to go and we’ve all been talking about it, so it’s going to be something brand new. ‘The Voice’ has never seen it before,” McEntire tells Access Hollywood.

    Within hours of the announcement, Linn shared a playful snapshot of McEntire pretending to press her button to spin her chair and vie for a singer to join her team.

     

    Xem bài viết này trên Instagram

     

    Bài viết do Rex Linn (@rexlinn13) chia sẻ

    “There’s a new judge in town!!! @nbcthevoice #thevoice #fancy,” Linn writes in the caption.

    McEntire and Linn have been a dynamic duo romantically since early 2020, but they’ve been friends since 1991. Prior to making things official with Linn, who starred on CSI: Miami, McEntire was married to steer-wrestler Charlie Battles from 1976 to 1987 and to her manager Narvel Blackstock from 1989 to 2015. From 2017 to 2019, she dated retired oil geologist Anthony “Skeeter” Lasuzzo. Soon after McEntire’s mother died, Linn and McEntire reconnected, and their partnership bloomed during the pandemic quarantine. They have been “inseparable” ever since, McEntire tells People.

    hollywood, california march 27 l r rex linn and reba mcentire attends the 94th annual academy awards at hollywood and highland on march 27, 2022 in hollywood, california photo by mike coppolagetty images

    Mike Coppola

    From the looks of Linn’s frequent and loving Instagram support of his beau, whom he affectionately calls “tater tot,” he’ll be rooting for The Voice’s newest coach each step of the way this fall when she takes over Shelton’s country slot on the coach panel.

    This isn’t McEntire’s first rodeo on the music competition show. In 2011, she was a battle advisor for members of Team Shelton and then returned this year as a mega mentor. In 2020, she was actually offered a coaching gig, but revealed on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in 2021 that she turned it down.

    “I said, ‘No, I’m going to pass on that,’ because I don’t think I could ever be able to tell somebody that they’re terrible or go find another job or hope you like your nighttime job. I couldn’t do that day in and day out. I just couldn’t do it. So I did pass on it,” McEntire told Cohen. But after some more time to think, she reconsidered: “I mean, after you see a very successful show that’s been running, what, 15 years? Uh, yeah! I’m like shoot, I should have done that.”

    Fans seem to be (almost) as excited as Linn to learn that McEntire changed her tune.

    One shared in the comments of Linn’s post that “I haven’t watched in years (other than when she coached). But I’ll be watching now!!! 👑👑👑👑👑” Another echoed our sentiments when she said, “All you have to do is say Reba and I’m in. 🙌🏻🔥👏🏻❤️”

    Season 24 is slated to return this fall, likely in its current time slot: Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

  • See Inside Reba McEntire’s California Estate — The Voice Coach is no stranger to living in style, but her $22 million estate in one of the most exclusive zip codes in California was extravagant even by the standards of celebrity homes.

    See Inside Reba McEntire’s California Estate — The Voice Coach is no stranger to living in style, but her $22 million estate in one of the most exclusive zip codes in California was extravagant even by the standards of celebrity homes.

    See Inside Reba McEntire’s California Estate

    Reba McEntire is no stranger to living in style, but her $22 million estate in one of the most exclusive zip codes in California was extravagant even by the standards of celebrity homes.

    Jason Kempin, Getty Images/Redfin.com

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  • “Shifting Gears” Fans Brace for Heartbreak —  A Shocking Season 2 Direction Centered on Tim Allen’s Character Threatens to Tear Apart the Show’s True Main Couple

    “Shifting Gears” Fans Brace for Heartbreak — A Shocking Season 2 Direction Centered on Tim Allen’s Character Threatens to Tear Apart the Show’s True Main Couple

    Shifting Gears’ Biggest Tim Allen Plot Twist Is Bad News For Its True Main Couple

    Tim Allen's Matt looks dejected in the auto shop from Shifting Gears season 1

    Although Shifting Gears season 1 ended with Tim Allen’s Matt sharing a kiss with his daughter Riley’s boss Eve, this is bad news for the show’s true main couple. Shifting Gears season 1 received terrible reviews, but the sitcom still managed to secure a renewal thanks to its ratings. The Tim Allen vehicle stars Allen as Matt, the owner of an auto shop, and Kat Dennings as his daughter Riley.

    While season 1 focused on Riley and her children getting used to living with her father, Shifting Gears season 2 can now center on the love lives of both Matt and his daughter. Throughout season 1, Seann William Scott’s sweet, shy mechanic Gabriel struggled to tell Riley that he had feelings for her, while Matt shared an absurdly contentious relationship with Riley’s boss, Jenna Elfman’s Eve. Even though Eve runs a dance studio across the road, she still manages to repeatedly cross paths with Matt as they get on each other’s final nerve.

    Shifting Gears Season 1 Ends With Matt & Eve’s Unexpected Kiss

    Riley’s Boss and Her Father Hooked Up In Season 1 Episode 10 “Kiss”

    These two plots come to a head in episode 10, “Kiss,” wherein Riley’s ex, Jimmy, returns to ask her and their kids to move back in with him. Riley is stunned and unsure what to do, prompting her to seek advice from Matt. For once, Matt isn’t eager to tell her what to do next, and she ends up asking Gabriel and Stitch. Gabriel can’t bring himself to tell her he likes her, but he does say she deserves better than Jimmy.

    To everyone’s shock, not least Matt’s, Eve revealed she was secretly attracted to Tim Allen’s character and abruptly kissed him at the end of the party.

    When Riley opts to stay, Eve celebrates by throwing her a big party. Gabriel takes a drunk Riley home and rejects her advances, informing her that he wants to be with her romantically and needs to tell her that when she’s sober. This plot twist makes Shifting Gears season 2’s return a compelling prospect, but it wasn’t the only romance afoot at the party. To everyone’s shock, not least Matt’s, Eve revealed she was secretly attracted to Tim Allen’s character and abruptly kissed him at the end of the party.

    Why Matt & Eve’s Shockingly Quick Romance Is Bad For Riley & Gabriel’s Budding Romance

    Riley and Gabriel’s Storyline May Not Take Precedence Over Tim Allen’s Character

    Eve and Matt’s romance seems to have come out of nowhere, considering the two characters have shared few interactions to date and all of them have been defined by seemingly shared opprobrium. Admittedly, the “Enemies to Lovers” plot is so common that the phenomenon has an entire TvTropes page dedicated to it. However, this sitcom convention requires more setup and finesses than Matt and Eve’s story received.

    Riley (Kat Dennings) and Gabriel/Gabe (Seann William Scott) sitting together on a couch in Shifting Gears season 1, episode 10.

    Unfortunately, this might be bad news for the true heroes of Shifting Gears season 2. It is highly unlikely that the sitcom will try to focus on two big love stories at the same time, particularly when both involve the show’s main characters. As such, Gabriel and Riley’s romance is likely to take a backseat in season 2.

    Can Matt & Eve’s Romance Last In Shifting Gears?

    Eve and Matt’s Romance Seems Doomed To Inevitable Failure

    Riley smiling in Shifting Gears season 1, episode 9

    In episode 7, “Picnic,” an issue as pointless as a new picnic table across the road from Matt’s auto shop escalated into an all-out war between him and Eve. Only a few episodes later, the pair were making out and Eve even openly admitted that she had started fights to get Matt’s attention. One of the biggest unanswered questions left by Shifting Gears season 1’s ending is how long this unholy union can last, since the duo’s bickering never seemed to be fueled by a secret attraction before.

    Tim Allen as Matt in Shifting Gears.

    Matt and Eve’s romance seems doomed in Shifting Gears season 2, primarily because their mutual attraction wasn’t hinted at or heavily foreshadowed earlier in the series. As such, the sitcom must take care not to forget about Gabriel and Riley’s sweeter slow-burn romance as the show focuses on Matt and Eve’s more combustible relationship in Shifting Gears season 2.

  • Tim Allen Gives a Major Update on “Shifting Gears” Season 2, Hinting at What’s Next for the Hit ABC Sitcom

    Tim Allen Gives a Major Update on “Shifting Gears” Season 2, Hinting at What’s Next for the Hit ABC Sitcom

    ‘Shifting Gears’ Season 2 UPDATE: Star Tim Allen Offers an Engine-Revving Season 2 Update For the Hit ABC Sitcom

    ‘Shifting Gears’ Star Tim Allen Offers an Engine-Revving Season 2 Update For the Hit ABC Sitcom

    Seann William Scott as Gabe standing across from and looking at Tim Allen as Matt in Shifting Gears.

    The engine’s revving once again at Matt Parker’s garage — and yes, Tim Allen is behind the wheel. ABC’s breakout hit Shifting Gears has officially been renewed for Season 2, with all signs pointing to production ramping up soon. Allen himself confirmed the news with a simple post on Instagram stating: “Well well well……Back to work.” The multi-camera sitcom first premiered in January 2025 and quickly became ABC’s most-streamed comedy premiere ever, drawing a massive 17 million cross-platform viewers in just seven days. While live viewership dipped in later episodes, delayed viewership remained strong enough to ensure a second season, which fans have been clamoring for.

    Created by Julie Thacker Scully and Mike Scully, with Michelle Nader as showrunner, Shifting Gears stars Allen as Matt Parker, a recently widowed gearhead who runs a high-end auto restoration shop. His world is turned upside down when his estranged daughter Riley (played by Kat Dennings) shows up on his doorstep with her two kids, Carter (Maxwell Simkins) and Georgia (Barrett Margolis), in tow.

    The result was an extremely popular, traditional family sitcom that blends classic sitcom formula with modern-day complications and just the right amount of engine grease. Supporting the chaos are Seann William Scott as Gabriel and Daryl “Chill” Mitchell as Stitch, two of Matt’s longtime friends and coworkers who keep the garage — and the comedy — running smoothly.

    ‘Shifting Gears’ Is A Passion Project For Tim Allen

     

    Xem bài viết này trên Instagram

     

    Bài viết do Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) chia sẻ

    After dominating the sitcom world with Home Improvement and Last Man Standing, Allen wasn’t sure if he wanted to do another show. That changed when he read the pitch for Shifting Gears and saw that the garage was modelled after his own North Hollywood shop, as Allen told Closer Weekly.

    “I love cars, and I have a shop in North Hollywood. The shop on the show is pretty much designed after mine. When they said, ‘What would you do if you did another one?’ I said, ‘If a guy had just lost his wife and he’s still able to be funny and [work on] a relationship with an older daughter … and I’d like to build hot rods!’”

    Plot details for Season 2 are still under wraps, but Season 1’s finale teased plenty of lingering story stranders for the new episodes to explore, like potential romantic developments for Matt, Riley’s second chance at love, and more generational friction between Allen’s conservative (and Conservative) patriarch and the younger, tech-savvy members of the household.

    Shifting Gears is streaming on Hulu now. Season 2 will premiere later this year.

  • It’s Official: The Fate of Tim Allen’s Automotive Sitcom, ‘Shifting Gears,’ Has Finally Been Decided – What This Means for the Cast and Crew

    It’s Official: The Fate of Tim Allen’s Automotive Sitcom, ‘Shifting Gears,’ Has Finally Been Decided – What This Means for the Cast and Crew

    The Fate of Tim Allen’s ‘Shifting Gears’ Has Finally Been Decided

    Seann William Scott as Gabe standing across from and looking at Tim Allen as Matt in Shifting Gears

    ABC is keeping the engine running on its newest family comedy. The network has officially renewed Shifting Gears for Season 2, giving fans more time with Tim Allen and Kat Dennings‘ delightfully dysfunctional father-daughter duo. Created by Julie Thacker Scully and Mike Scully, with Michelle Nader serving as showrunner, the multi-cam sitcom follows estranged father Matt (Allen) and daughter Riley (Dennings) as they attempt to rebuild their fractured relationship — with plenty of sarcasm, misunderstandings, and reluctant bonding along the way.

    There initially seemed to be little chance of the show not being renewed when it debuted in January and quickly became ABC’s most-streamed comedy premiere ever, pulling in a whopping 17 million cross-platform viewers in just seven days, but doubts began to creep in as live viewership dipped as the season progressed, even though the show consistently saw solid gains in delayed viewing.

    Plot details for Season 2 are being kept under wraps, but Season 1’s finale teased new romantic entanglements for Matt, renewed tensions with Riley, and plenty more opportunities for generational clashes between Allen’s conservative leading man and the more liberal younger members of the cast—the exact kind of juxtaposition that his audience has come to expect and enjoy.

    Tim Allen Loves His Role in ‘Shifting Gears’

    Allen is one of the kings of sitcoms in Hollywood, but after leading two of television’s most successful sitcoms—Home Improvement (1991-1999) and Last Man Standing (2011-2021)—he truly wasn’t sure if he really wanted to do another series. But when he was proposed Shifting Gears, and saw that the set was designed after his own North Hollywood garage, he admitted it was “what I always wanted” from a show.

    I love the sitcom format because of my stand-up,” he explained. “I get to be in a live audience situation. When they said, ‘What would you do if you did another one?’ I said, ‘If a guy had just lost his wife and he’s still able to be funny and [work on] a relationship with an older daughter … and I’d like to build hot rods!’ Kat Dennings said, ‘[Some people] get into a relationship because [their] parents don’t like it. Your parents tell you not to do something, so you do it.’ My daughters are not like that. I mean, we’ve had our problems, of course.”

    Kat Dennings Says ‘Shifting Gears’ Has Been “A New Experience”

    Kat Dennings in Shifting Gears

    Dennings has also spoken recently of how much she’s enjoying her part in the series. She was interviewed on the Not Gonna Lie podcast, saying she was excited about playing a mother for the first time in her career, even though she joked she’s still “12.” Dennings stated it was the chance to try something new that drew her to the series, as well as getting to act with Allen, adding that he’s always “very present” and “really feeling these things.”

    “In the first episode, we both get emotional and it was real. It’s incredible to deal with him and the kids. I mean, everybody is really amazing. That just makes the funny parts even funnier and such a relief to do. It’s just been a very good, organic-feeling show to me. Which is new, it’s a new experience for me.”

    What is ‘Shifting Gears’ About?

    Seann William Scott and Kat Dennings in Shifting Gears

    The show sees Allen play Matt Parker, who runs a car restoration shop and has been widowed for a short period of time. His life is turned upside down when his estranged daughter, Riley (Dennings) rocks up with her two kids — Carter and Georgia — in tow. The new normal forces Matt to try and confront past grievances he may have had, while trying to reconnect with his family. Maxwell Simkins plays Carter, Riley’s teenage son. He is socially awkward, dependent on technology and a source of a lot of the generational clash humor on display. Barrett Margolis plays Georgia, Riley’s younger daughter. She brings youthful energy to the household and often serves as a bridge between her mother and grandfather. Seann William Scott and Daryl “Chill” Mitchell play Gabriel and Stitch, two family friends who work at the auto shop alongside Matt, and provide a lot of the comic relief.

    Where Do I Know Tim Allen From?

    Scott Calvin dressed as Santa Claus talking to someone in The Santa Clause

    Allen made his name as Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor in the long-running sitcom Home Improvement, which aired between 1991 and 1999 on ABC. It made him a household name and led to two massive breakout movie roles for the comedian. Allen also returned to sitcoms between 2011 and 2021, when he played Mike Baxter, a conservative outdoor goods store exec and family man on Last Man Standing for both FOX and ABC.

    The first major movie role for Allen was Scott Calvin in Disney’s The Santa Clause. Allen played a miserly, career-driven divorcée who neglected his son, before being given the chance to become Santa Claus and redeem himself. He would then reprise the role in two sequels and Disney+’s The Santa Clauses series. Allen is also the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Pixar’s legendary Toy Story franchise. Allen has voiced the Space Ranger from 1995 through to today, with Toy Story 5 due for release in 2026.

    Shifting Gears is streaming now on Hulu. Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of Season 2.

  • Emma Kenney reveals an interesting fact about Jumping From ‘The Conners’ to Play Reba’s Daughter Gracie on ‘Happy’s Place’ (Exclusive)

    Emma Kenney reveals an interesting fact about Jumping From ‘The Conners’ to Play Reba’s Daughter Gracie on ‘Happy’s Place’ (Exclusive)

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

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

    Reba McEntire, Emma Kenney, and Belissa Escobedo in 'Happy's Place' Season 1

    Spoiler Alert

    Casey Durkin / NBC

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

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

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

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

    Emma Kenney and Reba McEntire in 'Happy's Place'

    Casey Durkin / NBC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Emma Kenney in 'Happy's Place'

    Casey Durkin / NBC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Happy’s Place, Fridays, 8/7c, NBC

  • A “Happy’s Place” Twist — The Secret’s Out About Steve Howey’s Character! Get Ready for a Major Change That Will Transform The Show

    A “Happy’s Place” Twist — The Secret’s Out About Steve Howey’s Character! Get Ready for a Major Change That Will Transform The Show

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

    Steve Howey as Danny in Happy's Place.

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

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

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

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

    Pablo Castelblanco as Steve in Happy's Place

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

    JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Happy's Place

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

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

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

    Danny-Bobbie-and-Gabby-in-Happy's-Place

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

    Happy’s Place Character
    Happy’s Place Actor

    Bobbie
    Reba McEntire

    Isabella
    Belissa Escobedo

    Gabby
    Melissa Peterman

    Emmett
    Rex Linn

    Steve
    Pablo Castelblanco

    Takoda
    Tokala Black Elk

    Danny
    Steve Howey

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

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

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

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

    Happy's Place Takoda standing and watching while everyone else talks

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

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

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

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