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! 
I have read the posted comments and totally agree, I was extremely upset when I read in the paper that CW was cancelling “Reba”. I absolutely love the show and would miss it terribly. If it is possible to cast a vote as to the future of the show I would vote that it continue many, many more years.
I usually do not get this upset over a show. We have been watching the listings to see it’s return. So I came to this website. I am very upset to see it may not return. This is one of the best shows in a very long time, it is highly entertaining at any age level. My family and I watch this show every chance we get, including all of the reruns. As a parent I am never worried about the appropriateness of this with my youngest. To loose this show would be a shame! As my whole family loves… Read more »
Hopefully Warner Brothers will NOT CANCEL the Reba show. It’s the best family program on TV today. It’s the only show that show real life situations that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family, my 15 year old son, my 17 year old daughter, and I enjoy it very much, and it gives great real life messages. PLEASE DONT’ CANCEL!
I am really upset that WB is taking REBA off the air. My daughter and I recently started watching REBA and I get to watch it three hours a day. Twice on lifetime and once on the WB. Is there a chance that Lifetime will pick up the show. I hope so, it is the one show my daughter and I watch together. We love REBA.
I have been watching Reba show with my teenage kids for the last year and try to watch all the re-runs on life-time TV. It is so hard to get good clean show a family can watch together and laugh.
Is there a forum where we can register to cast our vote for the show so it will not be cancelled.
I love this show… They move the show to a crappy time on Sunday night, replace it a horrible show on Friday night ( SMACKDOWN )and then cancel the show becaause it does poorly? Tell me how Smackdown meets the demograhic needs of this community ( LA ). Too bad the good makes way for the ugly. I personlly feel that the CW purposely put Reba on Sunday in the dead time slot as an excuse to get it cancelled because it did not fit the “profile” of the watcher. Sorry Reba…. I really enjoyed the show… Good clean family… Read more »
Reba’s show is my favorite show on any network. I always looked forward to it on Friday Night. I’m so excited to finally find that it is back on on Sundays. It is a very clean family sitcom with good humor. In fact, it is the only clean family sitcom and the WB should promote that. WHAT HAPPENED TO CLEAN FAMILY SITCOMS?
I have truly enjooyed all the reruns hope to see more this year of new things love the show and tell all my friends about it god bles
Everytime you get a decent show on TV you want to cancel it. What’s wrong with you network executives. Some of of like to see good clean shows some of of believe in family. Reba is the only show on TV that come close to the Cosby’s.All the good tv shows are the ones you take off. Everyone do not want to watch R rated shows. Some of us belief in the family
Reba is the best sitcom I have ever seen. It is so hilarious and I have a 17 year old son and a 20 year old son who don’t like country music, but love the show. All the actors are awesome. Van and BJ really make me laugh. They are my sons’ favorites too. I also love Cheyenne. Reba ofcourse is the star. But all the actors are the best. We don’t miss an episode. This is a show that I wish would last so that even my grandkids can enjoy it. Who ever does the script is a genious.… Read more »
REBA IS MY LIFE!!!!!!! I loved Reba ever since i was a child, i grew up listening to her music and watching her videos…Reba’s songs helped me cope with alot of troubles that came along as i was growing up. Ive watched REBA ever since it has came on CW, i havent missed a show yet!! If you cancel Reba, you will have alot of disapointed veiwers, that show is one of the best that you’ve got.
I LoooVE Reba! I must admit that I recently jsut started watching it on Lifetime. But I love it so much and can’ get enough of it. I would rather see CW put Reba on during the week instead of those stupid shows they ave on now. Its like soap operas all the freakin’ time! Barbara Jean’s craziness mixed with Reba’s sincerity makes it an awesome show and if there was a petition to keep it on the air, I would be the first to sign it!
Reba and her co-stars are engaging, appealing, fun, and funny! I haven’t enjoyed a sitcom this much in years! As a matter of fact, it is one of the very few TV shows I bother to watch at all! Please, please keep renewing these wonderful actors’ contracts for years to come.
I dearly love Reba and hope that it will continue. We watch all of her reruns and have not got used to the new time slot – seems like football cuts in and then we forget to watch. Don’t let someone else dictate what we watch!
I have not been watching Reba very long but just started and it is the Best I have seen in many years. If there is a web page or address to send her fan mail I would love it. She is so funny I love it when she laughs. I watch the clock to be sure I am home when she comes on and tape Sunday’s while at curch.. God Bless her.