Reba - The Complete First Season (DVD, 2004)

I must admit, when my wife & I first caught some reruns of Reba, we weren't impressed. Fortunately, there came a day when there was nothing else on TV & we were forced to check it out again. We stuck with it & in time Reba grew on us. Reba is now a favorite causing us to begin buying the series on DVD.

Reba follows the everyday life of recently divorced mother Reba Hart, played of course by Reba McEntire. Reba must deal with a variety of issues caused by her children, her ex-husband & her ex's new wife who is his former mistress & caused the breakup of Reba's marriage.

The issues with her kids are caused by her now pregnant teenage daughter with her dim witted high school football star boyfriend turned husband who Reba's ex-husband coaches. Oldest daughter Cheyenne & boyfriend/husband Van are forced to live with Reba because his parents have disowned him. The other children include her #2 daughter who is a grim bullying tomboy who terrorizes the other kids & her young son who tries to keep out of everybody's way.

Reba is also forced to deal with her cheating ex who tries to stay involved with their children, but has his tag along new wife constantly with him. The new wife is Reba's biggest thorn! Not only is she "the other woman" who broke up Reba's marriage, but she is even more dense & dimwitted than Reba's new son in law! She continually tries to be Reba's friend despite the fact that Reba would rather see her dead!

The combination of all these factor & you have a show featuring tons of laughs as we watch Reba try to hold her family together as her Prima donna Prom Queen Oldest daughter battles with her super smart but abrasive #2 daughter, Reba constantly zings her nemesis replacement, Reba fights with her cheap ex-husband & tries to deal with a pregnant daughter & a less than bright son in law!

The actors are very good in their roles. Christopher Rich plays Reba's ex Brock & Melissa Peterman is fantastic as his goofy mistress/new wife Barbara Jean. Joanna Garcia is Reba's oldest daughter Cheyenne who provides plenty of eye candy despite spending much of this season with a pregnant belly. She is also perfect as Reba's not so bright, spoiled self centered oldest. Steve Howey Is Cheyenne's hubby Van & is wonderful as the ultimate dim witted jock. His performance is sometimes way over the top, but it works well for his flamboyant character! Scarlett Pomers is Reba's #2 daughter Kyra who is the brains of this household, but she is also the cloud as she tries to get out from under her pretty & popular older sister. Mitch Holleman plays Reba's youngest Jake who is really overwhelmed by the more high profile characters in this season, but he comes into his own in later seasons. There are plenty of additional characters who show up with familiar faces from many other sitcoms such as Will & Grace, Newhart & Empty Nest.

Reba was a pleasant surprise! I highly recommend it!