Happy's Place EP: Steve Howey Nearly Played Gabby's Sperm Donor — Here's Why That Idea Got Tossed

When TVLine exclusively reported in October that Steve Howey would join his old pals from Reba on NBC's Happy's Place, the plan was for him to play an integral part in Melissa Peterman's storyline.

"One of the arcs for Gabby is that she thinks she wants to have a baby... and the Steve Howey character becomes a potential sperm donor," series co-creator (and former Reba EP) Kevin Abbott told us at the time. "We're hoping that Steve's character can come back," but he ultimately appeared in just one episode that aired Dec. 6.

What's more, he did not play a potential sperm donor. Instead, he played Danny, a wealthy business owner that Gabby met at a dog park and ultimately tried to convince to host his company's Christmas party at Bobbie and Isabella's tavern.

When I reconnected with Abbott over Zoom earlier this week to discuss the March 21 finale, I had to ask what happened. Did the sperm donor storyline ever actually exist — and if so, why was it scrapped?

"He was only available for a certain period of time, and then the network came in at last minute and said, 'Hey, we want a Christmas episode,'" Abbott explained. "I had to change it because I said, OK, we're not gonna have the kids tune in for the Christmas episode [and do a sperm donor storyline], so we changed that one. That was the only reason why. I did not lie to you! I might still figure out a way to circle back [to that in Season 2]."

Howey was one of two Reba vets to guest-star opposite McEntire and Peterman in Season 1. Christopher Rich (fka Brock) turned up as tattoo artist Maverick in the Feb. 21 episode, marking one of his first on-screen roles since he suffered a debilitating stroke in 2018. Additionally, Abbott previously told TVLine that he's "trying to figure out how to bring JoAnna [Garcia-Swisher] in" for a future episode. You can hear the Sweet Magnolias star's thoughts on reuniting with her former TV family in the video below:

Happy's Place wraps its freshman run on Friday, March 21 (NBC, 8/7c). The sitcom has already been renewed for Season 2.