During filming of their onscreen reunion for Happy’s Place, former Reba costars Melissa Peterman and JoAnna Garcia Swisher kept the mood light by prank calling Steve Howey.
Reuniting on Set
Peterman, 54, described the experience as ‘awesome, perfect and fabulous.’ She noted that working together again felt like ‘no time had passed.’ The duo chatted extensively but had to hush up for rehearsals.
Peterman revealed they prank called Howey, 48, and laughed nonstop. ‘It was so fun to introduce my Reba TV family to my Happy’s Place family. They all really embraced her as well,’ she shared.
Swisher’s Guest Role
Swisher, 46, guest stars as Kenzie, a local Knoxville influencer hired for Happy’s Place‘s social media campaign—much to Bobbie’s dismay. The episode airs March 13 on NBC.
She becomes the third Reba alum on the sitcom, which launched over 17 years after Reba ended its six-season run. Christopher Rich and Steve Howey have already made cameos, while Scarlett Pomers and Mitch Holleman have not yet appeared.
Excitement for More Crossovers
Swisher expressed enthusiasm: ‘I cannot wait to go shake it up over there with them. Steve Howey has already done it, and Chris Rich has done it.’ She added, ‘This is my family. We are all so very close, but getting the opportunity to slide back into a sitcom stage with all of them would be so exciting. I would not be surprised if that was in the very near future.’
Peterman once pitched a twist for Swisher’s character: a surrogate who cons Gabby by faking pregnancy for money. ‘She would just take my money and pretend to be pregnant but never did it,’ Peterman joked. ‘So, that was my one pitch that I thought could be really funny. But in hindsight, what JoAnna had come to do was hilarious.’
Peterman also welcomed the idea of joining Swisher on Sweet Magnolias alongside Reba McEntire: ‘Yes please. That would be so much fun.’
Happy’s Place airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, streaming the next day on Peacock.
