Reba’s at home in ‘Malibu Country’

By Rich Heldenfels

Akron Beacon Journal

When it comes to TV comedy, Reba McEntire wants to keep her audience comfortable. Her new series, “Malibu Country,” should upset none of her fans, but it may not amuse them much, either.

“Malibu Country,” which premieres at 8:30 p.m. Friday on ABC, stars McEntire as Reba McKenzie, a former singer-songwriter who put her career on hold in order to marry a country superstar (Jeffrey Nordling) and have a couple of children. But, as the series begins, she has learned that her hubby’s been cheating, leaves him and heads to California with the kids and her mom (Lily Tomlin) in order to start her life, and restart her career. But when she gets to California, she has to adjust to a different way of doing things — and to a wacky neighbor (Sara Rue).

Because, after all, what is an old-school sitcom without a wacky neighbor?

And what is a McEntire sitcom without a cheating husband? Fans of the singer will recall “Reba,” the 2001-07 comedy in which she played a woman starting over after her husband had been stepping out. And which also included a de facto wacky neighbor in the form of Reba’s husband’s new flame. Sure, there were differences between the two — “Reba” added some complications with the kids, “Malibu Country” leans heavily on Tomlin’s character and skills — but the similarities cannot be ignored, either.

Beyond plot, “Malibu Country” is a very old-fashioned show in its presentation, including the very linear storytelling and the jokey dialogue. Is “Malibu Country” funny? Only intermittently.