Family dys-fun-ction.
E. A Solinas | MD USA | 10/15/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Reba's mad family returns in the second season of "Reba," with the overstressed redhead overcoming the crises of the first season. Think things are going to get calmer? No way. Reba McIntyre continues to be funny, wonky and extraordinarily tolerant as the family madcappery continues.
Last season ended with the birth of Reba's first grandchild. But she doesn't have time to relax, with Cheyenne and Van going off to college, only to have Van injure his knee and postpone school. So the new parents will be living with Grandma Reba awhile longer -- whether she likes it or not.
Things get even more complex when Reba finds that she must get a job, for the first time in several years -- especially when she ends up working for her ex-husband's hated rival. And her old pal Lori Ann convinces her to try "speed dating," which leads to a rather deceptive date with a nice guy. Problem is, she can't manage to say "I love you."
And those are only a few of her problems: attractions to her daughter's boyfriend's dad, lonely Christmas Eves, private videotapes, Barbara Jean's maternal yearnings, an ex-boyfriend's death, self-defense courses, jealousy over the expensive gifts Van's parents are lavishing on baby Elizabeth... and whether Kyra will leave home to live with Brock.
Perhaps no sitcom on TV embodies the fragmented extended family better than "Reba" -- ex-husband, new wife and her baby, ex-wife and her kids, ex-wife's daughter and her new husband and baby. And in the second season, "Reba" settles into a comfortable niche that builds on what we already have seen. High school is over, babies are born, couples are married. Let the chaos begin.
There are some unrealistic twists. After treating Reba and Cheyenne like dirt, the cold-hearted, hard-drinking Montgomery Sr. suddenly goes all goopy over his grandchild and turns up at Reba's house to fawn over her? Nuh-uh. And the whole subplot about Reba's boyfriend never really goes anywhere, and fortunately ends quickly.
Fortunately, most of them are all too real, such as Reba's anguish over her kids seeming to prefer Brock and Barbara Jean's more stable household. It's fun to see them all beating each other up at a self-defense course, insulting each other on a "time capsule" video, and dealing with weepy boyfriends. And the twisted family situations reach a peak with the rivalry between Brock and Barbara Jean's ex-boyfriend.
Reba McIntyre continues the "manic wise woman" role that she had in the first season, but polishes the edges this time. Melissa Peterman also gets even better, with a less pushy but still crazy Barbara Jean (who no longer talks about Jesus in every sentence). And fans of "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" will want to keep an eye out for James Avery, playing (what else?) a sarcastic judge. "Uncle Phil" is the icing on the cake for one of the season's best episodes.
Post-divorce dating, new parenthood, teen romance and workplace rivalry rule in the second season of "Reba." It's weaker than the first season in places, but still enormous fun."
Reba takes the stage for a second season!
Patrick Gilchriest | Syracuse, NY | 09/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been eagerly anticipating this DVD. I am a fairly recent fan of Reba (since last summer), and unfortunately did not begin watching her television show until midway through the third season. However, I bought the first season when it came out last year, and LOVED IT. I can not even begin to try and give a higher recommendation for anything involving this show. The ensemble cast gives a stellar performance as a dysfunctional family trying to cope with problems such as adultery and teen marriage. Reba takes the stage in this warm family sitcom that takes those issues, and shows viewers how you can handle them, with a lighthearted, funny perspective that is sure to leave you with a warm, satisfied feeling. Whether you are watching Reba herself handle these situations in her life as a "survivor," as the theme song so appropriately states, Barbra Jean and all of her hilarious antics, or any of the other characters, you are sure to enjoy this sitcom. I can't wait for this release in December, and if you are smart, you will indulge yourself in this smart and funny sitcom! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!"
Great Show!!
Rebfancy | Indiana | 09/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a wonderful show. I absolutely love it and never miss an episode. It's great how they portray reality. Things like this happen in real life. It's not something that you'd watch and say, "Oh, that would never happen." It's real life with a bit of comedy mixed in. I would highly recommend this show to everyone! It's a must see!!!"
Better than the first!
C. McCoy | Pound, VA USA | 09/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't know how they did it, but Season 2 of Reba is even better than the original! Reba McEntire is so amazing in the title role and this year takes the helm as Executive Producer! The characters continue to develop perfectly and with the help of two news "little ones" the situational comedy is TOP NOTCH!
If you loved season 1 then you'll absolutely adore season 2! If you've never seen the show, Season 2 is a GREAT place to start!
On a side note, this show is very important in today's society. 'Reba' shows a different side of the American family. It shows the blended family and sets an example of how you can make the best of bad situations."