Melissa Peterman Proposes Gabby’s Sperm Donor on Happy’s Place
Gabby has officially selected a sperm donor on Happy’s Place — and Melissa Peterman is brimming with casting suggestions for this crucial role.
In the episode airing on Friday, November 21, of the popular NBC series, Gabby received assistance from her coworkers in her quest to find the father of her baby.
“Gabby [would want] Channing Tatum. She’s going to aim high,” Peterman, 54, exclusively shared with Us Weekly during a joint interview with co-star Pablo Castelblanco. “Dream big or go home.”
The duo also mentioned Jon Hamm‘s name, joking, “I’m sure Gabby was exploring the dark web for a suitable donor. I think she had a blast shopping.”
Before Gabby made her online selection, creator Kevin Abbott disclosed to Us that Danny (Steve Howey) was initially intended to be involved in the storyline.
“We originally planned for Steve Howey to be the sperm donor,” he explained in March. “Then NBC requested a Christmas episode, which led us to scramble for alternatives. We introduced Steve into that scenario and made some adjustments. But he was supposed to be the sperm donor originally.”
Howey, 48, and Peterman previously hinted to Us in individual interviews about their vision for the story after their time together on Reba. However, Abbott confessed that it might feel “a little weird” considering how viewers associate Howey with Van from Reba and Peterman as Barbara Jean. (The pair played in-laws on the beloved sitcom.)
“It became a bit creepy and strange,” Abbott joked. “It got weird. So we opted against that. We are fortunate to have two of our former cast members with us right now.”
Reba, which aired from 2001 to 2007, featured Reba McEntire, Peterman, Christopher Rich, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, and Howey. The show portrayed a single mother starting anew after her husband left her for another woman, as she attempted to juggle raising three children — including her pregnant teenage daughter (Garcia Swisher) and her boyfriend (Howey).
Almost two decades later, McEntire, 70, and Peterman reunited with former executive producer Abbott on Happy’s Place. This allowed them to bring familiar faces into their new sitcom, which follows Bobbie (McEntire) as she inherits her father’s restaurant and discovers a long-lost business partner in her half-sister (Belissa Escobedo).
“It feels fantastic to be in this environment. We understand our audience, and we know each other well, having gelled as a team. The transition from the first season to the second was seamless, allowing us to fall right back into our roles,” McEntire remarked. “We’re bonding a lot more. All six of us are very confident and comfortable with each other — to the point where, with guest actors, we feel at ease sharing the stage.”
Escobedo noted that the chemistry is evident on-screen.
“As we grow more comfortable with each other, you can see it reflected in our characters,” she mentioned. “Getting familiar with our own characters allows each personality to develop further.”
She continued: “I’m so excited for everyone to see how much the relationships have deepened, evolving into a true ensemble. It’s just hilariously entertaining.”
McEntire teased to Us that the stories in season 2 are even more expansive and engaging, adding, “We’ve advanced and grown together. We’re like a close-knit family — although [Belissa and I] are the only blood relatives on the show. But it feels like we are all part of one large family named Happy’s Place.”
Happy’s Place airs on NBC Fridays at 8 p.m. ET, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Peacock.
