It’s been a bumpy ride for Reba fans. The Reba McEntire series was The WB’s highest-rated sitcom for virtually all of its five seasons. You would think that high ratings would ensure that the show would continue on the CW. Not so.
The sitcom had received a two-year commitment from The WB network at the end of its fourth season so, last spring, fans believed their show was safe for an upcoming season six. In fact, when the UPN/WB merger was announced earlier this year, it was said that CBS’ leader Les Moonves sent word that the new CW network would honor the rest of the two-year commitment. The Reba cast and crew wrapped their shooting according to schedule on March 14, 2006.
A few weeks later, CW executives reportedly told 20th Century Fox TV (who produces the show) that they wanted to cancel the deal because the show didn’t attract the new CW’s “desired demographic.” As a result, the Reba fifth season finale, which was originally shot as a cliffhanger (Van and Cheyenne possibly breaking up), was re-edited to include a sentimental montage of images from the show’s run.
CW is said to have changed their mind about the cancellation when they realized they’d have to pay an eight-figure “kill fee” to 20th Century Fox TV. CW instead gave Reba a 13 episode renewal order but didn’t put the sitcom on the Fall 2006 schedule. Would they air?
Well, the wait is finally over. The sixth season of Reba will debut at 7pm on Sunday, November 19th with two new episodes. The following week, a Reba rerun will air at 7pm and a new episode will follow at 7:30pm.
Great news but keep in mind that the CW only committed to purchasing 13 episodes. If the ratings are good enough, it’s said that an order for nine additional episodes will be given — bringing the order to a full season of 22. The additional episodes would start airing by February 2007.
Production on the 13 episodes will be completed in early December so presumably the decision would have to be made soon if the 13th episode was to include any kind of closure for the series. Will that happen in time? Hard to say but, based on the sitcom’s rocky road last Spring, I’m guessing the Reba producers may have a few contingency plans up their sleeves. We’ll keep you posted so, stay tuned! 
My family and I watch Reba every night on the re-runs. We LOVE it! It is more like a real family and their problems with teenagers then any other show that has been aired. It would be a shame to lose that in this day and age when we need all the help we can get and the humor is always clean and family friendly. Please do not cancel the show!
PLEASE PUT REBA BACK ON. SHE IS AWESOME AND I STILL LAUGH WHEN I WATCH HER RERUNS. THAT IS THE BEST SHOW NEXT TO I LOVE LUCY. SEX AND VIOLENCE DOESN’T CUT IT WITH ME. CALL ME OLD FASHIONED BUT I LOVE TO LAUGH.
PLEASE PUT REBA’S SHOW BACK ON!!! MY FAMILY & I WATCH THEIR RE RUNS EVERY NIGHT. IT IS JUST SUCH A WHOLESOME TV SHOW. THE CW MUST BE CRAZY! WE LOVE REBA!!
Are they going to air any new episodes?
I think Reba is an awsome show I actually started watching the re-runs on Lifetime and so I checked the cw website to see if they were still on and just my luck they were. Now I hear that they are not going to renue it that is so awful. I have fallen in love with all the characters i would hate to see them go. The CW seems to only want teenage shows I feel this show is a show the whole family can watch and it is hilarious.
hey what’s up with even thinking about canceling the Reba Sitcom? that’s they ONLY show i even watch now days. PLEAE oh PLEASE keep renewing it!
I love the Reba show. Reba can do anything and she shines like a star. The cast chosen for this show are all awesome actors. Every one shows that they all belong to family no matter what is thrown their way – bottom line they are family and love each other as a real life family would.
Reba’s show is the best, clean funny great for anyone watching. The character are absolutly the best so very very funny. My question is what population is the network trying to reach. One full of sex and violence, forget it there is still enough population that likes a good clean show. Go Reba
You CAN”T cancel the BEST show on that channel! Those writers are the best and that is GOOD laughing!!!!
I saw Reba in concert back in Chioago when she mentioned they were re-newed another two yrs then they change owners on a channel and they don’t know squat! That show ROCKS and is funny as all can be. Every actor is hysterical, how could you cancel such a show. Wake up new owners!
Reba come back to Chicago!!!
xoxoxo ya
I LOVE REBA. She is the greatest. No other show has ever given me the laughter and peace this show gives. She is so real….the whole cast is so together~ Pleeeease do not take Reba off the air~
Please,please keep Reba on the air. The whole family is so funny. MY whole family loves that show. All 3 generations! I will go to any station to watch her.
Carolyn from Center Line.
We didn’t start watching the Reba show when it first started, so we are enjoying the reruns! I wish the show would continue. If not on WB then on another channel. Reba is so funny, we laugh right out loud. Laughter is good!
I hope they continue the show, it’s very funny and just like our own lives.
I agree. Reba is a classic. It is as funny as the “I Love Lucy Show”. And it fits the times. Please bring Reba back. Thanks
Please keep Reba on. She is our very number 1 TV show. She is the greatest and we love her.