How is country music icon Reba McEntire managing to star as a coach on “The Voice” two nights a week (now in her third season) while also leading her return to sitcoms with NBC’s “Happy’s Place”? Plus, how does she juggle her various McEmpires, which include a clothing line and an entertainment business, all while keeping up with songwriting and concert tours?

It’s all about the convenience of location.

NBC’s “Happy’s Place,” which airs Fridays at 8 EDT/PDT, is filmed right at Universal Studios, conveniently close to the set of “The Voice.” At the age of 69, McEntire competes with fellow judges Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, and Michael Bublé.

This setup is far easier than her previous travels to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a season of ABC’s “Big Sky” in 2022.

“During ‘Big Sky,’ I would fly to the East Coast for concerts and then fly back to Albuquerque each Monday,” McEntire explains. “Now, I can just walk across a little alley to ‘The Voice.’ I can even film ‘Happy’s Place’ in the mornings and prepare for ‘The Voice’ in the evenings. It’s a true blessing.”

McEntire is back in the sitcom game, working once more with executive producer Kevin Abbott, with whom she previously partnered for the WB comedy “Reba.” The show, which concluded its six-season run in 2007, has found new life on Netflix. “It’s amazing to see a whole new audience discover a show that began in 2001,” she shares. “I couldn’t be happier.”

“Happy’s Place” includes a reunion with Melissa Peterman, known for her role as the younger best friend who once had an affair with McEntire’s on-screen husband. Peterman has become a frequent surprise guest at McEntire’s concerts.

“I used to ask, ‘What are you doing here?'” McEntire recalls. “And she’d respond: ‘I’m auditioning for the Black Cat, which is a strip club. And the audience would erupt in laughter.”

In “Happy’s Place,” Peterman portrays the wild bartender at the tavern inherited by Bobbie (McEntire) from her estranged and now-deceased father. The storyline introduces a twist as Bobbie learns about her half-sister, Isabella (Belissa Escobedo), who co-owns the bar. Bobbie adapts to these changes while McEntire showcases her signature relatable sitcom humor.

“Reba is incredibly relatable,” says Abbott. “She embodies everything fans expect from her, and that shines through on screen.”

McEntire also brings her own family into the show’s setting, decorating the bar with nostalgic photos of her real-life family, including her racecar-driving son Shelby Blackstock, 34, and her late parents, Clark and Jacqueline McEntire.

The twice-divorced McEntire played a significant role in securing her boyfriend, Rex Linn, the part of Emmett, the tavern’s cook. At 67, he affectionately calls her “Tater Tot,” a nickname that originated after McEntire ordered her cherished potato dish on their first date in 2020. They are a perfect pair (she nicknames him “Sugar Tot”) and they now share a home in Los Angeles, just a quick 30-minute drive from the studio.

“I made it happen. I wanted him to be part of ‘Happy’s Place’,” McEntire says. “We enjoy working together and have a great time. Plus, he brings a wealth of experience.”

Abbott initially had concerns about Linn’s comedic abilities. “He has a successful career, but I wasn’t sure if he had the right comedic touch,” says Abbott, who was relieved during an early script reading when Linn proved to be funny. “I’ll admit, I was anxious, but he exceeded expectations. I felt a huge wave of relief.”

In the show, Emmett serves as Bobbie’s support, chef, and confidant. “Bobbie shares everything with him,” McEntire states. “Sometimes he responds, sometimes he doesn’t, but she always gets it off her chest.”

The chemistry between McEntire and Linn is so effective that Abbott is contemplating the possibility of having their characters become a couple on the show. “One area I’ve often pondered is how to depict Reba in a dating scenario,” Abbott admits. “We’re taking our time with this idea, but Emmett and Bobbie certainly have potential.”

There was always an intention for a romantic connection, and their chemistry is undeniable.

Their bond is even sweeter outside of acting. The duo engages in a cherished tradition called “Coffee Camp,” where they share a cup of coffee each morning, whether through FaceTime or in person. “Since starting our relationship in March 2020, we haven’t missed a single Coffee Camp,” McEntire shares. “It’s our unique time together.”

This regular interaction boosts McEntire’s acting skills. Linn enjoys supporting his partner as she navigates her extensive dialogue each week. “Rex is the finest dialogue coach; he pushes me constantly,” McEntire explains. “We really go over those lines.”

This support – along with a relaxed commute – enables McEntire to concentrate on enhancing her skills on “The Voice.” No longer the self-proclaimed anxious rookie, she now stands as an experienced player when compared to newcomers like Snoop Dogg and Bublé in Season 26. McEntire demonstrated her expertise while filming the recent blind audition episodes.

“We had a solid five consecutive days of blind auditions,” she recounted. “After the first morning’s session, when we returned from lunch, Snoop Dogg turned to me and asked, ‘How many more days are we doing this?’ I replied, ‘Four.’ Then Michael (Bublé) exclaimed, ‘Four?!’ And I added, ‘Didn’t you both inquire about this before you signed on the dotted line?'”