Why in the world did Reba even exist?

[Hawkee]

When it was announced that Reba McEntire was gonna star in her very own sitcom many people thought it was just another path for Reba McEntire to take because she was popular and kept releasing album after album but I cannot figure out why Reba even existed in the first place? For one thing Reba's character shared her same name and they should've named her character Rebecca or Rowena Hart rather than Reba Hart because when a actor/actress has a sitcom named after them the character they play should not share their real name. Another thing I think they wanted to do with Reba was try to make Reba McEntire the new Roseanne and Reba was similar to Roseanne as well. A second thing that could've improved Reba was they should've made Reba McEntire's son Shelby have a guest role where he could've played a character on the show. The only reason I think Reba was a hit was not only did Reba play the title character they had her sing the theme song I'm A Survivor and it was a hit and the title track to her greatest hits album. I only saw Reba twice with my mom and the only reason we saw it was I liked singing the theme song during the intro and it's my favorite Reba McEntire song
Bestie

[RetroGuy2000]

Lots of people enjoyed the show. I particularly found the Barbra Jean character hilarious. Been years since I've seen the show, but it was a good one.

[icecream]

Reba was a wonderful sitcom, lots of shows share their actor and character's name. Really though, I can't stand Roseanne. Reba is a much better show and a much more likable person.

[Adamantium]

I never found this show to be all that funny. However, my younger sister LOVED it. I couldn't figure out why. When the show went to TV Land, my mom, dad and other sister started watching and loving it. I was outnumbered! However, my mom suffers from depression, so any show that genuinely brings her joy like Reba has is okay in my book. I've even gotten to like it somewhat myself over time.

[HuntingtonM15]

I personally don't think it matters if the main character is named after the star. I watched the first couple seasons when it originally aired, but didn't continue watching too much. It was definitely a cute show and I know Reba looks back fondly on that point in her career. I'm a huge fan of Reba's music, and while I think I'm A Survivor was a great theme song for the show, it ranks pretty low for me in terms of my favorite Reba songs.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by LaBestia

When it was announced that Reba McEntire was gonna star in her very own sitcom many people thought it was just another path for Reba McEntire to take because she was popular and kept releasing album after album but I cannot figure out why Reba even existed in the first place? For one thing Reba's character shared her same name and they should've named her character Rebecca or Rowena Hart rather than Reba Hart because when a actor/actress has a sitcom named after them the character they play should not share their real name. Another thing I think they wanted to do with Reba was try to make Reba McEntire the new Roseanne and Reba was similar to Roseanne as well. A second thing that could've improved Reba was they should've made Reba McEntire's son Shelby have a guest role where he could've played a character on the show. The only reason I think Reba was a hit was not only did Reba play the title character they had her sing the theme song I'm A Survivor and it was a hit and the title track to her greatest hits album. I only saw Reba twice with my mom and the only reason we saw it was I liked singing the theme song during the intro and it's my favorite Reba McEntire song
Bestie

Reba was a hit because she proved that in addition to being a great singer, she’s an even better actress and comedienne. Her humor was wry and understated. And that she’s HOT and photogenic didn’t hurt either!

My quibble is that many of the supporting characters were rather weak. Doofette Barbara Ann and douc#e weenie Brock. Van as King Of The Simpletons a little too formulaic. And Reba is waaay more attractive than Barbara Ann, so Brock dumping Reba fir her is hard to believe. No accounting for taste I guess, or maybe he was threatened by Reba’s intelligence. Certainly didn’t have to worry about that with Barbara Ann LOL. But Reba is so superb these could be forgiven. She shined in the show.

I’m thinking of going back and rewatching the first five seasons, which I have on DVD.

[shotzette]

Originally Posted by LaBestia

when a actor/actress has a sitcom named after them the character they play should not share their real name.

Says who? A lot of performers have the lead characters named after them. It happened in The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, Make Room For Daddy, Whose the Boss?, and The Doris Day show to name a few.

Originally Posted by LaBestia

A second thing that could've improved Reba was they should've made Reba McEntire's son Shelby have a guest role where he could've played a character on the show.
Bestie

Reba was co-Executive Producer for the first few seasons, and Executive Producer on the remaining seasons. If she wanted her kid on the show, he would have been there.

I liked this show. I'm not a fan of Reba's music (not a country fan, nothing personal about Reba) but I thought she was amazing in Tremors. With the glaring exception of Park Overall (who I loved in Empty Nest) the supporting cast was terrific.

[TVLegend]

Originally Posted by shotzette

Says who? A lot of performers have the lead characters named after them. It happened in The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, Make Room For Daddy, Whose the Boss?, and The Doris Day show to name a few.





Reba was co-Executive Producer for the first few seasons, and Executive Producer on the remaining seasons. If she wanted her kid on the show, he would have been there.

I liked this show. I'm not a fan of Reba's music (not a country fan, nothing personal about Reba) but I thought she was amazing in Tremors. With the glaring exception of Park Overall (who I loved in Empty Nest) the supporting cast was terrific.

It’s vice versa for me. I LOVED Lori Ann, she was such a hoot and to see her and Brock exchange words was a riot. I don’t think the rest of the supporting cast was that strong though. You had Van, who to be blunt, was an absolute loser, who knocked up Cheyenne in high school (if I was Reba I would NEVER have him live in my house after what he did to my daughter), you had Cheyenne, who was really annoying and sorry to be honest, but a bad role model to teenage girls, you had Brock, the insensitive jackass who knocked up his assistant, Barbara Jean and got her pregnant, resulting in the birth of Henry, and practically insulted poor Reba’s intelligence, and then you had Barbara Jean, the nutty, disgusting woman who got knocked up by Reba’s husband, Brock, and yet continues to make Reba’s life a living hell, constantly harassing and pestering and following her. If this was in real life, Reba would’ve called the cops a LONG time ago. The fact that her character is the most overplayed doesn’t help either. Kyra and Jake are probably the only supporting characters besides Lori Ann that I can stand.

[Lorimar Television]

Reba's char was named Sally originally, they decided to change it to draw more of her fans.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Reba's char was named Sally originally, they decided to change it to draw more of her fans.

I think that strategy worked. When you said "Reba", people knew who you were talking about.

[JO Sweet Heart]

Originally Posted by LaBestia

When it was announced that Reba McEntire was gonna star in her very own sitcom many people thought it was just another path for Reba McEntire to take because she was popular and kept releasing album after album but I cannot figure out why Reba even existed in the first place? For one thing Reba's character shared her same name and they should've named her character Rebecca or Rowena Hart rather than Reba Hart because when a actor/actress has a sitcom named after them the character they play should not share their real name. Another thing I think they wanted to do with Reba was try to make Reba McEntire the new Roseanne and Reba was similar to Roseanne as well. A second thing that could've improved Reba was they should've made Reba McEntire's son Shelby have a guest role where he could've played a character on the show. The only reason I think Reba was a hit was not only did Reba play the title character they had her sing the theme song I'm A Survivor and it was a hit and the title track to her greatest hits album. I only saw Reba twice with my mom and the only reason we saw it was I liked singing the theme song during the intro and it's my favorite Reba McEntire song
Bestie

To me, her best singing was during the season two episode when she and Brock go to visit the guy that she walked away from before she and Brock got married.



God bless you and Reba always!!!

Holly