Melissa Peterman on JoAnna Garcia Swisher’s Reba nods: “It landed”

JoAnna Swisher Garcia as Kenzie and Reba McEntire as Bobbie on Happy’s Place Season 2 Episode 12.

Photo: Casey Durkin/NBC

Aside from the hysterical Reba throwback, Kenzie was able to give Bobbie some very valuable advice about moving on from the break-up, which proved to be very helpful.

After being delightfully surprised with the results of Kenzie’s shadowing, the Happy’s Place crew gathered to see Kenzie’s arrival as the costumed Bobbie. At long last, the actress would deliver a powerhouse performance.

Kenzie then burst out of Bobbie’s office wearing an identical ensemble and hairstyle, shocking the entire crew after giving her best impression, which included a crazed on-camera expression and all.

Despite the director’s best efforts, Kenzie stuck true to realism, leading to an uproarious in-studio applause as Swisher and McEntire posed for the camera with identically kooky faces, just like mother and daughter.

Peterman spoke to NBC Insider about the tongue-in-cheek Reba moments ahead of the episode. “There’s a line with JoAnna that is very funny, and that if you know, you know. The audience will laugh very hard because it’s a little homage to [Reba],” Peterman said, revealing that the Reba throwbacks “landed” among the in-studio audience. “That was gratifying to see.”

Melissa Peterman as Gabby, JoAnna Swisher Garcia as Kenzie, and Reba McEntire as Bobbie on Happy’s Place Season 2 Episode 12.

Photo: Casey Durkin/NBC

Watch Happy’s Place on Fridays at 8/7c on NBC and the next day on Peacock.