NBC is apparently feeling optimistic about its Friday night comedy lineup. According to Deadline the network has ordered additional scripts for both the freshman sitcom Happy’s Place, starring Reba McEntire, and the veteran Lopez vs. Lopez, currently in its third season. This move, while not a full-season pickup, suggests that NBC sees potential in both shows.
Happy’s Place, which features McEntire as a recently divorced woman opening a wellness retreat, got off to a decent start, scoring 10 million cross-platform views in its premiere week. The show also benefits from the easy chemistry between McEntire and co-star Melissa Peterman, reuniting after their run on the long-running sitcom Reba. Three more scripts have been ordered, keeping the writers busy and suggesting NBC is at least open to the possibility of a full first season.
As for Lopez vs. Lopez, which centers on the sometimes-fractious relationship between George Lopez and his daughter Mayan, the additional script order is less of a surprise. The show has been a reasonably reliable performer for NBC, and three more scripts suggest that a fourth season is at least under consideration.
The script orders are particularly noteworthy given the declining popularity of multi-camera sitcoms in recent years. This traditional format, often more cost-effective to produce than single-camera comedies, has become less prevalent on network television. NBC’s investment in these shows signals a continued commitment to the genre, even as its overall place in the television ecosystem evolves. Whether this faith will be rewarded with full seasons remains to be seen, but for now, the writers’ rooms are humming, and there’s reason for fans of both shows to be cautiously optimistic.
