Reba McEntire included a “very special” tribute to Dolly Parton on an upcoming episode of Happy’s Place.

McEntire, 71, answered a few questions about the premiere of the third season of Happy’s Place on her Instagram story on Thursday (October 29). One Instagram user asked whether to expect any tributes to Parton, and McEntire replied, “Yes! Be on the lookout for our episode this Friday, October 30th (tomorrow). It is very special.” The country icon and two other Happy’s Place stars also confirmed Parton’s tribute in an interview with PEOPLE.

Parton “died peacefully” in Nashville, Tennessee, according to an official announcement issued on August 25. She was 80. Representatives for Parton said in a statement to PEOPLE later that day, “after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.” Parton was laid to rest beside her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. He was 82. The “I Will Always Love You” legend has been honored with an outpouring of tributes, including stunning performances by McEntire. McEntire took the stage at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards and during the CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton special.

McEntire stars as Bobbie on Happy’s Place. The character is described as, “a tough but lovable woman who inherits her late father’s Tennessee tavern - only to discover that her new co-owner is also the half-sister she never knew she had,” according to NBC. “They couldn’t be more different, but they’ll navigate this new life together... because at Happy’s Place, everyone is family.” The cast also includes McEntire’s real-life fiancé, Rex Linn, plus Melissa Peterman, Belissa Escobedo, Pablo Castelblanco and Tokala Black Elk.

McEntire, who recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of her beloved sitcom Reba, told iHeartCountry last year, “the writing” is the key to a successful sitcom. “It is very important to have heart in there. You gotta laugh, but you gotta cry. You’ve got to hit all of those emotions.” She said of the Happy’s Place cast, “We love each other. We respect each other’s opinion on things, their individual lifestyle, their background, their heritage. It’s a fun family.”

Brooke Taylor

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