I am genuinely excited that Reba McEntire has returned to network television.

The talented country singer and actress led one of the most entertaining sitcoms in the 2000s, “Reba,” which centered on a hardworking single mom who adores her children. This WB show lasted for six seasons and featured the charmingly dysfunctional Hart family in 125 episodes, showcasing Reba alongside Melissa Peterman, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Steve Howey, and Christopher Rich.

Given that, it would seem that a new sitcom featuring McEntire and Peterman set in a Tennessee bar (with hopes of mirroring “Cheers”) and showcasing another complicated family dynamic would be a surefire hit. Unfortunately, NBC’s “Happy’s Place” (Fridays, 8 EDT/PDT, ★★ out of four) fails to deliver the same charm as “Reba.” Instead, it’s just another mediocre sitcom filled with tired jokes, forgettable characters, and a feeble plot. It’s not that it’s outright awful; it’s simply dull, uninspired, and lackluster. Reba McEntire, 69, deserves scripts that shine with the same brilliance she does.

In the show’s premiere, Bobbie (McEntire) has taken over Happy’s Place tavern after her father’s death. Although they shared a deep bond, she now has the freedom to run the bar with its quirky staff (including Peterman as the overly friendly waitress Gabby) and Tennessee coffee, which is really just whiskey.

However, Bobbie’s life takes a turn when young Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) shows up, revealing she is Bobbie’s half-sister and a co-owner of the bar. After a brief legal agreement, Isabella begins working at the tavern, and Bobbie grapples with using modern slang like “bussin'” while dealing with this living reminder of her father’s unfaithfulness. In contrast, Isabella feels out of place amid the Southern accents and reserved personalities as she tries to fit into her new family. We know her goal is to “find a place” at Happy’s Place because she keeps repeating it. (The show lacks subtlety.)

The premise of a stubborn woman in her sixties working alongside a twenty-something to redefine family dynamics is ripe for both comedic and emotional storylines. However, “Happy’s” rushes through the significant implications of Isabella’s arrival, opting instead for silly workplace humor and worn-out generational jokes. The transition from Isabella’s revealing heritage to her becoming a target for jokes about today’s youth happens way too quickly. The rapid plot may leave you dizzy, if it wasn’t so tedious it could easily put you to sleep.

While only the first two episodes of “Happy’s” were available for review, many great sitcoms can run for years. By the second episode of “Friends,” you knew the core characters well. By the second “Cheers,” the show’s tone was already set. By the second “Reba,” viewers adored the Hart family.

“Happy’s” may eventually find its rhythm as the season progresses, but it’s hard to believe anyone will want to stick around that long when there’s so little enjoyment to be found in these early episodes.