Review: “Reba”

Credit Reba McEntire, exec producer-writer Allison M. Gibson and good cast chemistry for the humor in such unpromising characters as a philandering husband, his pregnant girlfriend, a pregnant teenager, her dim-bulb jock boyfriend and a pubescent girl with Noel Coward-like wit.

McEntire’s snappy comic timing, warmth and no-nonsense persona hold together “Reba’s” sitcom family. First episode has the divorcing Harts in “mandated therapy” after a highly physical battle in family court.

Session reveals a lot: Dentist husband/father Brock (Christopher Rich) is separated from wife Reba and reveals that his g.f., dental hygienist Barbra Jean (Melissa Peterman), is pregnant and they’re getting married. Youngest child Jake (Mitch Holleman) inadvertently reveals that his older sister, high school senior Cheyenne (JoAnna Garcia), also is pregnant. And middle child Kyra (Scarlett Pomers) comments on the proceedings with a dry delivery. All of it leads to a brawl.

There’s a wedding, a breakup, some more bone-dry comments from the little kid and, of course, a resolution.

Sound funny? Not really. But it is, mostly — Reba and company keep the brisk script afloat with a sardonic tone and a touch of sentiment; think upscale “Roseanne.”

Cast, especially Rich as Reba’s football-loving big puppy of an ex, is solid, and tech credits are fine.