Comedy queen Cheri Oteri is back on Happy’s Place Season 2, and you won’t want to miss it as the infamous health inspector Monica shakes things up for Bobbie (Reba McEntire) and the gang yet again.
Viewers first met Monica in Season 2’s “Mouse in the House” after she visited the tavern to complete a health inspection. After militantly introducing herself as “Monica Ulrich, Department of Health, Badge No. 168,” she soon created a headache for Bobbie and the bar staff with her hyper vigilance. As if that wasn’t enough of a hurdle, Bobbie soon grew dismayed after Monica locked eyes with her then-boyfriend Emmett (Rex Linn), and it was revealed that the pair were good friends back in the day. Monica went from a monotonic authoritarian to a heart-eyed hooligan around her former crush, “Big E,” but Emmett only had eyes for Bobbie.
“I just had so much fun being such a militant, serious, no fun, no frills health inspector. And then, when I see Big E, I light up like a Christmas tree,” the Saturday Night Live alum recalled fondly while chatting with NBC Insider. “It’s like she’s not very nice, but as soon as she sees her guy friend from years ago, she is a completely different person.”
As it turns out, that wouldn’t be the last we’d see of the hardened health inspector. As Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) continues to work on her latest passion project, a speakeasy on the top floor of Happy’s Place, the tavern staff will be forced to cross paths with Monica if they want to open the speakeasy doors. Here’s what to know about Oteri’s return to Happy’s Place:
Cheri Oteri teases that Monica’s storyline takes a “surprising turn” on Happy’s Place
Oteri returns in Happy’s Place’s April 3 episode “Borrowin’ Trouble.” Based on the logline, Bobbie and the staff are going to be kept on their toes: “Bobbie and Isabella learn Monica will inspect the speakeasy and devise a plan to get her in and out without running into Emmett; Steve and Takoda join Emmett at the fishing shack after Gabby implies he’s mad at them.”
Monica’s return will naturally put some pressure on Bobbie to get Monica out of Happy’s Place before she can make any romantic headway with her ex-boyfriend. Bobbie and Emmett have agreed to remain friends after their break-up, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to want Monica to swoop in on her ex.
“I came back, and they just started developing this storyline with my character. And I was thrilled,” Oteri told NBC Insider while chatting about her recurring Season 2 guest role. “I was just thrilled to see what her background is, what her deal is.”
Oteri added that Monica’s storyline “takes a very surprising turn,” promising plenty of twists and turns for fans. Oteri had a blast on the set of the NBC sitcom, making many cherished memories with McEntire and the rest of the hilarious cast.
“I sound so corny, but I tell people [that set] is literally the happiest place. I mean, it’s that title, I walked into the warmest, most supportive group of people…” Oteri told NBC Insider. “[The Happy’s Place cast are] the nicest people in the world. It was such a pleasure.”