The Cast of ‘Happy’s Place’ Threw It Back to ‘Reba’ + Fans Are Loving It [Watch](TB)

During the taping of an episode titled “Baby Doll,” McEntire, Peterman and Belissa Escobedo burst into song, singing the theme song to Reba.

The scene shows Gabby (Peterman) coming to grips with the fact that she will soon become a single mom. Cradling a baby doll and realizing this might be the best adventure of her life, she says softly, “I’m gonna be a single mom.”

Right then McEntire and Escobedo break the silence with the show tune and the three women join forces to finish the lyrics.

“… who works two jobs / Who loves her kids and never stops / With gentle hands and the heart of a fighter / I’m a survivor,” they sing together, with Peterman lifting the doll over her head like Simba from The Lion King

Fans React to the Reba Throwback on Happy’s Place

NBC shared the video on social media, and the Reba fan frenzy began.

“This makes me wish for a Reba revival so much,” one person writes.

“I wish I was at the taping of this one,” another shares. “My heart would have melted.”

“I miss Reba,” someone else says. “That’s my show forever.”

One person simply says: “The nostalgia is real,” with a heart emoji.

McEntire wrote and recorded the theme song for both sitcoms. “I’m a Survivor” is an altered version of her 2001 single of the same name and it was used for her show Reba from 2001-2007.

McEntire crafted and recorded the theme song for Happy’s Place too, with the help of Carole King.

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

What Happened To the Cast of ‘Reba’?

See the cast of Reba McEntire’s TV show Reba, then and now with updates on where each of the primary actors ended up.

2024 update: Several producers and at least two stars are teaming up for a new NBC sitcom called Happy’s Place in 2024. McEntire is the star of the show.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

Spencer Platt, Getty Images

Then: Reba Hart

Reba Nell Hart is a single mother recently divorced from a dentist, Brock Hart. She is the star of the show and her no-nonsense, wise-cracking ways drove ratings.

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Now: Reba McEntire (Or Just “Reebs”)

She’s Reba! The television series and its eventual cancelation didn’t slow McEntire’s music career. While she’s not getting rewarded with radio airplay, the Hall of Famer keeps creating great albums while she maintains a high profile as host of shows like the ACM Awards.

Within the last five years, McEntire’s acting resume has really grown as the star of shows like Big Sky: Deadly Trails on ABC and (in fall 2024) Happy’s Place on NBC.

Matthew Peyton, Getty Images

Then: Barbara Jean Booker Hart

Barbara Jean was a stereotypical dumb blonde, but her big heart and affection for Reba — despite being the one who broke up the marriage — was charming. The new Mrs. Hart found out she was pregnant on early on during the series. She remained on the show to the end.

Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

Now: Melissa Peterman

Peterman and McEntire remain very good friends, with the actress and comedian often appearing during specials like the ACM Awards. They’re a peanut butter and jelly kind of duo, but on her own Peterman has been very successful. Most notably, for six seasons she starred as Bonnie, the mother on Baby Daddy on ABC Family.

Beginning in fall 2024, Peterman will join McEntire on Happy’s Place on NBC.

John Hayes, Getty Images

Then: Brock Hart

Reba’s ex-husband is Brock Hart, a dentist who has an affair with his hygienist. The tension between the two ex-lovers was both relatable and a great source of comedy.

Amy Sussman, Getty Images

Now: Christopher Rich

Unlike many of the stars of Reba, Christopher Rich had TV experience prior to the show and he kept trucking after it was canceled. He divorced in real life, as well. In this picture he’s seen with wife Eva Halina Rich. They were married in 2003.

Professionally, Rich has slowed way down in the last decade.

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Then: Van Montgomery

Van Montgomery matched wits with Barbara Jean on the show. He got Reba’s daughter pregnant and later moved in with the family when he was thrown out of his own house. The show’s star and the football player become very close.

Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images

Now: Steve Howey

Howey burst out of any notion of typecasting after wrapping the show. These days he’s anything but a dolt, with his best role post-show being as Kevin in Shameless since 2011. He’s now married to actress Sarah Shahi and together the couple have three kids.

In 2023, Howey starred in CBS’ True Lies. The show has been canceled.

Lawrence Lucier, Getty Images

Then: Cheyenne Hart (Eventually Montgomery)

As a character, Cheyenne enjoyed the largest arc. She gets pregnant as a senior in high school, marries, tries to become a dentist, realizes she’s an alcoholic and decides to help others with addiction by the end. While at times selfish, fans grew to love the big, caring heart beneath the surface.

Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images

Now: Joanna Garcia Swisher

Joanna Garcia added the Swisher when she married MLB star Nick Swisher in 2010, but she’s also remained very busy in film and television, starring as the lead role in two-short lived programs and earning recurring roles on several others. Most recently she was on Kevin (Probably) Saves the World on ABC.

Vince Bucci, Getty Images

Then: Kyra Hart

Reba’s second daughter Kyra has a quick wit like her mother, which is a great source of humor and perhaps some hurt feelings. The middle child is also a child with challenges, and she disappeared completely for most of the fifth season. There was a real-life reason for that …

Michael Buckner, Getty Images

Then: Scarlett Pomers

Reba was Pomers’ last television role, but she tried music as frontwoman for the Scarlett Pomers Band for awhile after the show (the Facebook page was last updated in 2014). Sadly she battled an eating disorder while on the show. The depth of her battle with anorexia came out only after the show was through. It’s something she was treated for when she was 16.

2024 update: Pomers’ has pulled further back from the public eye by deleting her Instagram page.

Robert Mora, Getty Images

Then: Jake Hart

Jake was the sensible little kid on the show while his older siblings and parents often acted very un-adultlike. His role grew as the show went on.

Charley Gallay, Getty Images

Now: Mitch Holleman

Holleman has had a few Hollywood roles since Reba ended in 2007, including that of “Max” in the movie The Hangover (2009). We don’t remember who Max was, either, but the kid is only 29 today so his future is still bright.

On social media, he identifies as a musician, actor, writer and comedian but his profiles have been pretty quiet for the last few years. We can confirm he got married in 2020.