Reba McEntyre is one of those crossover stars who doesn't seem to be able to miss, no matter what she tackles. First, she took over for Bernadette Peters in "Annie Get Your Gun" and received rave reviews from New York critics, who probably were - excuse the pun - gunning for her. Then this comedy series came along on the WB channel. I'm always a little leery of sit-coms, particularly the off-network ones. Sometimes I think they pander to the lowest common denominator.
Well, Reba blew that concept out of the water in her very funny show about the ultimate in dysfunctional families. In the beginning, Reba and her husband (Christopher Rich) were going through a divorce after he made his dental hygienist (Meilissa Peterman) pregnant. As the show went on, the new wife considered Reba her best friend, and Reba couldn't get rid of her no matter what. Reba's daughter Cheyenne, in the beginning, was unmarried and pregnant by an unbelievably dumb high school football star (who later becomes Reba's business partner). Cheyenne marries him and moves in with Reba. At one point, she's furious that Reba is going to be substitute teaching at her school. "Do you realize how embarrassing it will be for me if you teach in my school?" Cheyenne asks. "You're walking around that school unmarried and pregnant, and I'M going to embarrass you?" Reba shoots back. She also has a daughter and a son who have their own issues in the ensuing six years.
Over the show's run, it dealt with many subjects in a warm, touching and funny way, including alcoholism, teen pregnancy, depression, dating after divorce, infidelity, a child wanting to move in with the other parent, smoking - all the time mocking the idea of "trailer park trash." These are real people with the usual sets of problems that befall a strong single mother. Nothing ever feels contrived or fake. Bottom line, they are all devoted to one another, and that's what makes "Reba" a good series.
The very pretty McEntire is a marvelous comedienne with great delivery, and she's beautifully supported by Rich, Peterman, Steve Howey, Joanne Garcia, and Scarlett Pomers. You can't help but love all of them. A well-structured, well cast, well written and well directed show. You really can't ask for more.
Well, Reba blew that concept out of the water in her very funny show about the ultimate in dysfunctional families. In the beginning, Reba and her husband (Christopher Rich) were going through a divorce after he made his dental hygienist (Meilissa Peterman) pregnant. As the show went on, the new wife considered Reba her best friend, and Reba couldn't get rid of her no matter what. Reba's daughter Cheyenne, in the beginning, was unmarried and pregnant by an unbelievably dumb high school football star (who later becomes Reba's business partner). Cheyenne marries him and moves in with Reba. At one point, she's furious that Reba is going to be substitute teaching at her school. "Do you realize how embarrassing it will be for me if you teach in my school?" Cheyenne asks. "You're walking around that school unmarried and pregnant, and I'M going to embarrass you?" Reba shoots back. She also has a daughter and a son who have their own issues in the ensuing six years.
Over the show's run, it dealt with many subjects in a warm, touching and funny way, including alcoholism, teen pregnancy, depression, dating after divorce, infidelity, a child wanting to move in with the other parent, smoking - all the time mocking the idea of "trailer park trash." These are real people with the usual sets of problems that befall a strong single mother. Nothing ever feels contrived or fake. Bottom line, they are all devoted to one another, and that's what makes "Reba" a good series.
The very pretty McEntire is a marvelous comedienne with great delivery, and she's beautifully supported by Rich, Peterman, Steve Howey, Joanne Garcia, and Scarlett Pomers. You can't help but love all of them. A well-structured, well cast, well written and well directed show. You really can't ask for more.