Reba: Van & Cheyenne Spin-off Update

Even before the CW’s official word came down that Reba McEntire’s popular sitcom Reba was being cancelled, there were rumors that the show might continue — either on another network or in the form of a spin-off. Will either be happening? Sadly, no.

There were rumors that cable channel Lifetime (that airs Reba in syndication) was interested in a doing a spin-off featuring Van (Steve Howey) and Cheyenne (Joanna Garcia). Van & Cheyenne would be in their own home and with their young family and other former Reba castmembers would stop by as needed (or as the budget would allow). While there’s no official word that the spin-off was ever seriously being considered, it seems pretty certain that it won’t be happening. Both Howey and Garcia have just been cast in new series pilots.

Howey has been cast as the lead in a new sitcom called The Beast. It’s based on a British series that was created by Simon Nye. Howey will play a charming and womanizing veterinarian who hates animals but loves meeting their female owners. Its under consideration by FOX for the Fall season.

Garcia will be co-starring in The Captain, a sitcom pilot with Jeffrey Tambor (Twenty Good Years, Arrested Development), Fran Kranz, Valerie Azlynn (Smith), Chris Klein (American Pie). The ensemble sitcom centers around an aspiring filmmaker (Kranz) who moves into an old Hollywood apartment building populated by wacky neighbors. CBS is considering the series for midseason.

Could Reba be picked up by another channel, even without Howey and Garcia? Though Reba’s ratings were quite good when compared to other CW series, they aren’t impressive enough to attract another network. The show would also likely be too expensive for a cable channel like Lifetime.

In a recent press conference to promote her music, Reba McEntire talked about Reba and the possibilities of a return. The series star and executive producer said, “It won’t be shopped to another network. And it’s very sad that it’s over because it was a very positive show to watch, that the whole family could watch together.”

“But we did a wonderful six years, had a great run and we’re very thankful for that. I hope some day to get to do another sitcom and to do television again. I hope that I’m blessed enough to where it’s that [kind of] ensemble, that family, where we all got along. It’s very upsetting to know that you’re not going back to work. It wasn’t work. It was fun. We played. We had the best time. And our writers were great. Everybody on the whole team was just super to work with. It was just a huge family and I’m going to miss ’em. We do stay in touch but we just don’t get to go in every morning at 9:00 and get to play like we did.”

With her unique brand of humor, let’s hope Reba doesn’t stay away from the small screen too long. How about a cameo on The Beast or The Captain? Stranger things have happened. Stay tuned!