Halloween 2024 didn’t just bring tricks, treats, and towering piles of candy – it unleashed a tidal wave of pop culture nostalgia, with Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice sequel slithering back into theaters and igniting a costume frenzy across America. But nowhere did the eerie elegance of the afterlife collide with country charm quite like on The Kelly Clarkson Show‘s spine-tingling Halloween special, aired Thursday, October 31, on NBC. Host Kelly Clarkson, the powerhouse vocalist turned daytime diva, transformed her Burbank studio into a sandworm-infested Netherworld lair, complete with striped suits, ghostly gravestones, and enough green slime to drown a Deetz family reunion. And stealing the spotlight? None other than country queen Reba McEntire and her silver-screen soulmate Rex Linn, who dropped in to promote their sizzling new sitcom Happy’s Place – only for Linn to pull off a jaw-dropping, gut-busting reveal that left McEntire recoiling in hilarious horror.
Picture this: Clarkson, unrecognizable under layers of pale makeup, a wild black-and-green wig, and that signature pinstriped suit, belting out a “Kellyoke” twist on Harry Belafonte’s “Banana Boat (Day-O)” – her bandmates decked out as shrunken-headed ghouls and zombie band geeks. The audience, a sea of pumpkin-spiced spectators in casual fright-wig chic, erupts as McEntire struts onstage, channeling Catherine O’Hara’s eccentric sculptor Delia Deetz from the original 1988 flick with a flowing black gown, oversized red jewelry, and a deadpan stare that screams “artistic torment.” She’s poised, she’s fabulous – the epitome of red-carpet-ready spookiness. Then, cue the fog machine and a mischievous drumroll: Out slinks Rex Linn, transformed into Danny DeVito’s unforgettable afterlife janitor from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) – complete with a rumpled uniform smeared in ectoplasmic goo, a mop bucket overflowing with spectral sludge, and prosthetics so grotesque they could curdle buttermilk. McEntire’s eyes widen like saucers, her hand flies to her mouth, and she yelps, “Oh, gross! No!” as Linn lunges for a smooch. It’s the kind of priceless, unscripted moment that turns talk-show segments into viral gold – and trust us, fans, this one has “meme immortality” written all over it.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when three icons of entertainment – a Grammy-gobbling country legend, a rugged character actor with a voice like aged bourbon, and a Voice coaching alum who’s now daytime TV’s reigning queen – collide in a haunted house of hilarity, this episode is your answer. It’s more than a costume party; it’s a masterclass in chemistry, nostalgia, and the sheer joy of letting loose. As one X user raved post-airing, “Rex’s janitor look had me DYING – Reba’s face? Chef’s kiss to the chaos! #Kelly Clarkson Halloween #BeetlejuiceVibes.” With clips racking up millions of views on YouTube and TikTok, this Beetlejuice-bonanza episode didn’t just celebrate All Hallows’ Eve; it resurrected the spirit of unfiltered fun in a world starved for it. Buckle up, dear readers – we’re diving deep into the laughs, the lore, the love story, and why this spooky surprise is the Halloween highlight we’ll be cackling about come Christmas.
The Build-Up: Crafting a Netherworld Spectacular on Daytime TV
Long before the cameras rolled on October 31, the Kelly Clarkson Show team was knee-deep in Burton-esque wizardry. Season 6, Episode 29 – billed simply as “Halloween Show” – was no half-hearted affair. Executive producer Jason H. Silverman and his art department spent weeks scouting props from the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice production archives, securing replicas of the Handbook for the Recently Deceased and those creepy shrunken heads that look like they moonlighted in The Nightmare Before Christmas. The set? A fever dream: Clarkson’s desk morphed into the waiting room of the afterlife bureaucracy, with flickering fluorescent lights, endless filing cabinets stuffed with soul contracts, and a massive sandworm puppet lurking in the shadows, ready to “swallow” unsuspecting guests. “We wanted it to feel like you stumbled into the movie,” Silverman told Variety in a pre-air interview. “Kelly’s all about heart and high energy, so we amped the whimsy with a side of scares.”
Clarkson, ever the ringmaster, kicked things off with her signature “Kellyoke” – that infectious blend of cover song and confessional cabaret. Dressed as the titular bio-exorcist himself (suit tailored by the same costumers behind the sequel), she crooned “Banana Boat,” twisting the calypso classic into a ghostly shanty about summoning spirits under a blood moon. Her band, Y’all, matched the madness: Drummer Jillian Jacqueline as a punk-rock Lydia Deetz, complete with choppy black bangs and a red wedding dress; guitarist Jake Danner as the Juice himself in miniature. The performance wasn’t just a opener – it was a portal, sucking viewers into Burton’s whimsical underworld where the mundane meets the macabre. By the time the applause died down, the studio thrummed with anticipation. Who would Kelly summon next? Enter the power couple of country comedy: Reba and Rex.
McEntire, at 69, arrived camera-ready as always, her Delia Deetz ensemble a nod to O’Hara’s iconic “hand sculpture” scene – think avant-garde black drapery, exaggerated shoulder pads, and a choker that could double as a snake. “I love Catherine; she’s a riot,” Reba gushed in a behind-the-scenes NBC clip. “Playing her lets me ham it up without apology.” But the real reveal? Rex Linn’s janitor bombshell. Sources close to production whisper that Linn kept his full getup under wraps until the live taping, even sneaking into wardrobe for last-minute slime applications. “It was Rex’s idea to go full DeVito,” Clarkson later shared on her show’s Instagram Live. “He wanted to freak Reba out – mission accomplished!” The surprise wasn’t just visual; it was visceral, a testament to Linn’s commitment to character (he’s the guy who once stayed in prosthetics for 12 hours on a CSI set). As the fog cleared and Linn shuffled onstage, mop in hand, dripping otherworldly grime, the room exploded. Reba’s recoil? Pure, unadulterated gold – a split-second of shock melting into that trademark McEntire guffaw, the one that says, “Darlin’, you’ve done it now.”
The Icons Behind the Masks: Reba, Rex, and Kelly’s Timeless Trio
To grasp why this moment landed like a thunderclap of joy, you need the backstory on these three trailblazers. Reba McEntire isn’t just a name; she’s a dynasty. Born in McAlester, Oklahoma, in 1955, she rose from rodeo queen to the “Queen of Country Music” with 75 million albums sold, three Grammys, and an EGOT tease (Emmy in 2015 for Reba). Her voice – that crystalline twang laced with heartache and hustle – powered hits like “Fancy” and “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.” But Reba’s real superpower? Resilience. After losing her band in a 1991 plane crash, she channeled grief into the 1994 autobiography Reba: My Story and Broadway’s Annie Get Your Gun. Fast-forward to TV: Reba (2001-2007) made her a sitcom staple, and her The Voice coaching stints (Seasons 1, 4, 5, 24) have minted stars like Jordan Smith. Now, at the helm of Happy’s Place – NBC’s fall 2024 comedy about a diner diva inheriting chaos – Reba’s blending her barstool wisdom with broad laughs. “It’s like Reba 2.0, but with more pie fights,” she quipped during the episode.
Then there’s Rex Linn, the 67-year-old Texan character actor whose gravelly drawl could voice a dust storm. Born in 1957 in Fort Smith, Arkansas (hello, Southern synergy with Reba), Linn exploded onto screens as Lt. Don Epperson in Young Guns II (1990), but cemented his rep as SAC-NORAD Gen. Thomas Hayes in Contact (1997) – that “small steps, giant leaps” line? Pure Rex. He’s the go-to for grizzled gravitas: CSI: Miami‘s Det. Frank Tripp (2002-2012), The Auctioneer in Django Unchained (2012), and even a chilling turn as a serial killer in Better Call Saul‘s final season. But Linn’s secret sauce? His love for the absurd. A die-hard Beetlejuice fan (“The only thing I didn’t like about both of them was that I wasn’t in them,” he joked onstage), he’s the guy who once crashed a Star Wars convention in full Boba Fett armor. Teaming with Reba for Happy’s Place – where he plays her salty ex, Bob – feels like fate’s punchline. Their off-screen romance, sparked in 2020 amid pandemic pods, adds rom-com sparkle to the reel.
And Kelly Clarkson? The 42-year-old Texas tornado who won Idol Season 1 in 2002, catapulting from Burleson waitress to 20-time Grammy queen. Her “Since U Been Gone” scream-along is a battle cry for breakups everywhere. Post-Idol, she hosted a Vegas residency, judged The Voice, and launched this Emmy-winning talker in 2019 – a ratings juggernaut averaging 1.2 million viewers. Kelly’s bond with Reba? Familial. Married to Reba’s stepson Brandon Blackstock (2013-2022), Kelly calls her “Mama Reba,” a nickname born from holiday hootenannies and shared stage crushes. “Reba’s family – full stop,” Clarkson said in a 2023 People interview. Together, this trio isn’t just guests; they’re a vortex of vibe, where Reba’s wit meets Rex’s rumble and Kelly’s confetti-cannon energy.
Heart of the Haunt: The Viral Moment That Broke the Internet
Let’s rewind to the meat of the madness: that five-minute segment that’s already spawned 2.5 million YouTube views and counting. Reba settles into the Netherworld couch, chatting Happy’s Place – the show’s October 18 premiere drew 4.8 million viewers, a sitcom splash in a streaming sea. “Bob [Rex’s character] thinks he’s slick, but Bobbie’s got the diner keys,” Reba teases, her Delia wig askew for comic effect. Kelly, mid-Beetlejuice cackle, pivots: “Speaking of keys… Rex is here!” Enter Linn, shuffling like a zombie custodian from the afterlife’s DMV – grease-streaked overalls, a bucket hat tilted at despair, and facial appliances turning his chiseled jaw into a sallow, slime-smeared mug. The reveal hits like a jump scare: Reba freezes, then bursts into a squeal that’s half-laugh, half-gasp. “What in the world is that? You look like you crawled out of a septic tank!” she howls, fanning herself as if warding off evil spirits.
Linn, playing it to the hilt, drops his mop with a metallic clang and lurches forward, puckering up through the prosthetics. “C’mere, darlin’ – gimme a kiss for luck!” The audience loses it; Kelly doubles over, her Beetlejuice stripes blurring with tears. Reba? She thrusts a manicured hand like a stop sign: “Oh, gross! No way, cowboy – not with that face!” Clarkson fans the flames: “Girl, you’ve never made out with that. Take it home and test the waters!” Reba’s retort? “Never will – I’d rather kiss a sandworm!” The banter cascades: Rex admits his scare fetish (“I love jumpin’ folks – Reba’s immune, though; girl’s tougher than boot leather”), while Kelly probes their coupledom. “How’d you meet? Was it over ribs or a script read?” Turns out, 2020’s lockdown line-reads for Reba reruns sparked sparks – “We bonded over brisket and bad jokes,” Rex grins, slime dripping. Reba adds, “He’s my rock – even when he’s a mess like this.”
It’s not just funny; it’s tender. Amid the guffaws, glimpses of their real romance shine: the way Reba’s eyes crinkle with affection despite the “ew,” or how Rex’s gruff growl softens when naming her “my leading lady.” Fans ate it up – X lit with #RebaRexKiss (trending No. 3 nationwide), TikToks remixing Reba’s “gross!” into dubstep drops, and Reddit’s r/KellyClarkson threads dissecting the chemistry. “This is peak daytime TV – heart, horror, hilarity,” one user posted, upvoted 12K times. Even DeVito himself chimed in on Instagram: “Rex, you nailed it better than me! Tell Reba the janitor’s single… in the sequel.” The moment’s magic? It’s relatable chaos – who hasn’t dodged a costumed smooch at a party? In a divided world, this trio reminded us: Laughter’s the best exorcism.
Beyond the Beetlejuice: Happy’s Place, The Voice, and a Career Constellation
The costumes were the hook, but the heart? Plugging Happy’s Place. Created by Kevin and Julie Abbott (Last Man Standing), the multicam gem stars Reba as Bobbie, a free-spirited bar owner inheriting her late dad’s roadhouse – only to co-own with her half-sister Isabella (Belissa Escobedo). Rex’s Bob? The ex who stirs the pot (and the heart). Melissa Peterman reprises her Reba role as the wisecracking bestie, with cameos from the old crew. “It’s family reunion with fresh faces,” Reba shared, teasing Episode 3’s “haunted diner” plot – meta, given the timing. Ratings? Solid, with NBC ordering a full 22-episode season after the pilot’s buzz. “Reba and Rex have that ‘will-they-won’t-they’ locked – it’s Cheers with cowboy boots,” critic Alison Herman (The Ringer) raved.
Reba spilled Voice tea too: As Season 26 coach (premiering fall 2024), she’s mentoring Snoop Dogg, Michael Bublé, and Niall Horan. “Snoop’s my spirit animal – we prank-call contestants,” she laughed. Her blind audition highlight? A 16-year-old belting “The Climb,” earning four chairs. “That kid’s got pipes and heart – reminds me of my first gig at the Oklahoma Rodeo.” Linn, no slouch, name-dropped his Young Sheldon arc finale and upcoming Nosferatu role – “Playing a vampire? Piece of cake after this janitor schtick.”
Kelly wove in her world: Post-divorce glow-up, her Las Vegas residency (ending December 2024) sells out arenas, and Kellyoke covers like “Since U Been Gone” rack 100M streams. The episode’s other gems? Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone hawking their podcast Hildy the Barback and the Lake of Fire (a hilarious hellish tale), NICU nurses sharing adorable preemie costumes (tiny pumpkins and ghosts melting hearts), and Dragula‘s Boulet Brothers closing with a drag-dragula performance – fire-eating, aerial silks, and beats that thumped like a heartbeat from the grave.
Fan Frenzy and Cultural Echoes: Why This Halloween Hit Home
The internet? A cauldron of adoration. By midnight October 31, NBC’s YouTube clip “Rex Linn SHOCKS Reba McEntire With Crazy Halloween Transformation” hit 1.8M views, with comments flooding: “Reba’s ‘gross!’ is my new ringtone 😂” and “Kelly curating this? Genius-level friendship goals.” On X, #KellyHalloween trended with 250K mentions, fan edits splicing Reba’s recoil with Beetlejuice outtakes. TikTok’s algorithm feasted: Duets of users mimicking Rex’s shuffle garnered 50M impressions, while Reba’s fan page (@RebaNation) posted a poll – “Would YOU kiss janitor Rex? 87% said NOPE.”
Broader ripples? It spotlighted Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s box-office bonanza ($448M worldwide), proving Burton’s gothic whimsy endures. For country fans, it bridged Reba’s heartland roots to Hollywood haunts, echoing her 1990 horror-comedy Tremors. And in a post-pandemic haze, this episode was balm: Unmasked joy, costumed catharsis, reminding us to laugh at the grotesque. As Clarkson signed off – sandworm puppet chomping confetti – she nailed it: “Halloween’s about facing fears… and fabulous friends who make ’em fun.”
The Encore: What’s Next for This Spooky Squad?
As the credits rolled, whispers of crossovers swirled: Will Rex reprise his janitor in a Happy’s Place Halloween ep? (Peterman tweeted “YES PLEASE” with ghost emojis.) Reba’s Voice battles heat up November, with Keep On Loving You reissue dropping tracks like “The Greatest Man I Never Knew.” Linn eyes more genre bends – “After this, I’m ready for Beetlejuice 3.” Kelly? Her show’s holiday arc teases Reba for a Christmas Kellyoke duet.
In the end, this Halloween hijink wasn’t just a show – it was a spell. Rex’s surprise, Reba’s recoil, Kelly’s chaos: A potion of love, legacy, and laughter that lingers like ectoplasm on your favorite sweater. In a year of reboots and reckonings, they reminded us: The best scares come wrapped in friendship. Happy haunts, y’all – and here’s to more “gross!” moments in 2025. Who’s ready for the sequel?
