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Courteney Cox understands criticism of Cougar Town

Tuesday, Feb 8, 2011

COURTENEY Cox has read the scathing criticism of her first comedy vehicle since “Friends” and yes, she understands it.

But Cox insists Cougar Town is no longer the show the haters called shrill, desperate and hysterical.

Heck, Channel 7 boss David Leckie even called it “shit”.

But, like a bad marriage, Cox and her castmates are finding it hard to break free of those early critiques.

For those living in a pop culture-free orbit, the title was meant to play on the contemporary term for an older single woman who prefers to date younger men.

Playing divorced real estate agent Jules Cobb, Cox was meant to strike a blow for female empowerment.

Instead, after a mauling by the critics and social commentators, the term turned predatory.

“Before it was like, ‘I don’t want to watch Cougar Town and Courteney Cox getting on to a younger guy every week’ … oh, please,” Cox says.

“It’s not what the show was even then, but it did have a negative connotation. Now we just don’t know how to get out of that title, we don’t know what to do with it. It’s terrible, so we just decided to make fun of it each week.”

The self-effacing gag comes in the opening titles, slugged variously with a reference to the criticism, for example “(the badly titled) Cougar Town” or “It’s OK to watch a show called Cougar Town“.

Cox is frank about the attacks, but grateful they weren’t too personal.

“I was kind of lucky early on and didn’t get pummelled too bad,” she says.

“They weren’t really attacks on me. If it had been attacks on me, that’s when I go dark, deep.”

For her it was mostly about the frenetic pace of the program – a signature of executive producer Bill Lawrence, of Scrubs fame.

“I’ve got to say, when I first saw the pilot … it seemed to go so fast. I was used to Friends pace, but this was just like zing, zing, zing, zing. And I just sat there and said, “Oh shit, this is really different than what I thought”,” Cox says.

“Even though I liked it, I thought, “This is crazy”.”

A shift in that rhythm was timed with Jules finding a stable partner in neighbour Grayson (Josh Hopkins), which has seen the on-screen chaos calm a little and a third season given the green light.

“Even though it’s still fast-paced, I think we’ve slowed down. I think we all learn from our mistakes and the critics seem to be liking it more,” she says.

Just don’t expect Cox to play the rock, a la Monica on Friends.

“I just want to continue to have her be kooky, as opposed to stable. Jules may be the centre of the show, but she’s just as kooky as her family.”

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by Jess

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Cox ‘would take Cougar failure personally’

Friday, Feb 4, 2011

Courteney Cox has insisted that Cougar Town isn’t under pressure to achieve the same level of success as Friends.

The actress, who stars in and serves as an executive producer on the ABC show, told TV & Satellite Week that an increased number of channels for viewers to choose between means that ratings do not need to hit the same peaks they used to.

“I would probably take it very personally and blame myself if wasn’t a success,” she admitted. “But times are different now. There are many more channels for people to watch.”

She continued: “We got huge ratings for Friends. It was crazy how many people used to watch it.”

Asked if fame had changed her, Cox added: “I don’t think I have changed one bit. If anything I am probably more compassionate. I speak my mind, but I think people who know me can handle it. With me, you certainly get what you get.”

Cougar Town continues in the US Wednesdays at 9.30/8.30c on ABC and series two premieres in the UK on Tuesday, February 8 at 8pm on Sky Living.

by Jess

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Courteney Cox and Dan Byrd dish on their ABC hit to TVGuide

Wednesday, Feb 2, 2011

It was two weeks ago today that Courteney Cox sat down with her onscreen son, Dan Byrd, to chat with a group of international media on Cougar Town’s L.A. set. The show, which airs on Citytv here in Canada, centres on Cox’s character, Jules Cobb, a recent divorcee who explores love and life alongside her family and friends — son Travis (Byrd); ex-hubby Bobby (Brian Van Holt); best friend Ellie (Christa Miller); Ellie’s husband, Andy (Ian Gomez); employee Laurie (Busy Philipps); and boyfriend Grayson (Josh Hopkins).

Sadly, tonight marks the last new episode to air until April 13 — Cougar Town is going on hiatus to make room for the debut of Mr. Sunshine, which stars fellow Friends alum Matthew Perry, on ABC’s schedule. It’s taking over Cougar’s 9:30 p.m. timeslot for the next nine weeks.

Don’t despair. There’s lots more Cougar in store, as the Letter net renewed the hilarious comedy for a third, well-deserved season earlier this month. Seated out front of Jules’ real estate office (in 20 C weather, I might add), Cox and Byrd were only too happy to dish about their hit project. Here, they give TV Guide Canada the scoop on potential Season 3 storylines, the pressure of ratings and what the term “cougar” means to them.

TVGuide.ca: Courteney, I might as well ask you the obvious question about working with Jennifer (Aniston) on the first episode. What was it like and how long had you two been planning that one?
Courteney Cox: It was amazing and fun — just everything about it was fantastic. I don’t know how long we’d planned that, it was something that Bill (Lawrence, Cougar Town’s co-creator) — I remember in the summer she was over and he was like, ‘It would be so great if she could do the show and do the opening episode,’ but she was doing a lot of films and we had to try to film it in a time that she was going to be around and have a day off. She was so busy last year. But it was great, I’m so glad that it happened.

TVG: Was it your idea to have her as your therapist?
CC: We just were trying to find something that would be fun for her to play and she wanted to be a character — something that kind of would be kooky and fun, and that seemed to be the right job for her.

TVG: Now that the show’s been renewed for a third season, where would you like to see your characters potentially go?
Dan Byrd: I’d like mine to get more muscles. No, personally I kind of like the direction they’ve been taking Travis this year. My fear is always since he is kind of the kid and somewhat removed from the rest of the group that he just becomes too removed, so as long as I stay in the mix, which they’ve been good about finding ways to get me in the mix, then I’m happy. I don’t really have any other specifics besides that.

CC: I think I’d love to stay in my relationship (with Grayson) and continue to explore parts of relationships that people are having that are real. Whether it’s he wants a baby and I don’t ‘cause I’ve already had one, or just real-life things that happen.

And I just want to continue — I was just talking to Bill about this today — I love the fact that Jules is game for anything and she takes risks, and she’s just really fun and kind of out there. The most important thing for my character — for me to play my character — is just to continue to have her be just kooky as opposed to stable.

TVG: Is it for personal or professional reasons that you chose to keep doing TV shows?
CC: Well, after Friends I wanted to do a drama and I wanted to do something kind of a little more outrageous, something that I could be free. And we came up with [the idea of Dirt] — my own production company — and we sold it to FX and we hired the writer. I learned so much from doing that show, but I liked being on that network that was just completely — anything went. It didn’t matter. Not anything, but …

DB: Pretty much. (Laughs.)

CC: Pretty much. It was very racy … there was just no constraints. So that was really fun. And then I wanted to get back to comedy, but I did want to give it a certain amount of time because it’s risky … and I wanted to work with Bill Lawrence. Even though I met every producer in town, I knew I wanted to work with Bill. I think he had a little bit of reservations working with someone who was going to be his partner as opposed to just an actor for hire. So we worked together on Scrubs and that worked out; he could tell I was someone he would jell with.

I’ve been doing this for too long just to be an actor on a show. I really love to produce; I love to get my hands in it. I really care about editing. I don’t have to do this so much — I just want to be surrounded by nice people, no assholes. I want to be in charge of the casting; if I saw someone come in who’s a jerk that would be it. Life’s too short. And I don’t really have that kind of control in film.

TVG: Do you still feel the pressure, having to score, having to deliver?
CC: Bill’s always saying, ‘Oh Courteney, don’t look at the ratings. It doesn’t matter. We’re doing fine.’ You know, I was on a show where — times are so different. There were only four networks, maybe five, I don’t know. Our ratings were huge! We were in the Top 10. And now it’s like, ‘How many people watched?’ It’s just so crazy, so I’m not quite used to it yet just because of so many channels. But I do really care, I do … luckily, we just got picked up for a third season and I guess some of the pressure’s off. But not really — we still got to be as good as possible and get the word out there.

TVG: Is it an honour then?
CC: To be picked up for the third season — that’s quite an accomplishment, I feel. So I feel very excited about it and yeah, I’m proud of all of us.

TVG: We all know what the term “cougar” means, but the show has evolved beyond that. What does the term “cougar” mean to you now?
CC: Really the title is just something that we make fun of. It’s not what the show’s about. It went from me dating younger guys and then they realized, as opposed to getting to know these guest stars every week that will just be there for one week and leave — we’re not really investing in this. Let’s invest in the characters because it was always an ensemble show; let’s invest in the characters that we see every day and work on those relationships.

DB: I think the title’s much cooler now that it’s kind of abstract. It doesn’t really apply to what the show’s about.

CC: And his football team from his high school — they were named the Cougars. So it kind of had a double entendre.

TVG: What is your choice of wine in your free time?
CC: I like French wines and Italian wines. I like Californian wines too, but I don’t like them as sweet as I used to. And I enjoy vodka as well.

TVG: How much of you is in Jules, do you think?
CC: A ton. Bill is really good about getting to know all of us as people and incorporating it into our characters. Before he wrote the pilot with (co-creator) Kevin Biegel, we spent so much time together and he got to know me so well — he interviewed my friends and talked to David (Arquette, Cox’s husband). He likes to write for the person and that’s what makes it so much fun to play ‘cause they’re taking parts of your personality that now have been exaggerated.

TVG: Do you plan to have any more of your former Friends co-stars guest-starring?
CC: I don’t think there’s time or room. It seems like everybody’s either on a show — David’s (Schwimmer) probably directing and he just got married; Matthew’s (Perry) got a show; Matt LeBlanc’s got a show; and Lisa (Kudrow) and Jennifer have already done it. So I don’t see that happening.

TVG: Courteney, over the years, how have you managed to stay so grounded?
CC: I guess just the way I was raised or something, or maybe I’m just extremely insecure. (Laughs.) I don’t know, I don’t think I’ve changed one bit. If anything, I’m probably more compassionate. I just feel thankful. There’s no time to be above.

TVG: The series has been very well-received abroad. How do you feel about that?
CC: First of all, that’s fantastic. That just means someone’s going to fly me someplace nice! Also, it’s just great because to be accepted by all different countries that understand this particular kind of rhythm … just it’s fantastic. And on top of that, it does really help you in other things. Like if I were to get a film or something, to be known in other countries and accepted — it’s just so nice. So I’m glad [Cougar Town] is taking off … I’m so thankful, gosh.

Cougar Town airs Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on Citytv/ABC.

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by Jess

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Cougar Town Boss Teases Extra Content To Get Through Break

Wednesday, Feb 2, 2011

This Wednesday at 9:30/8:30c, Cougar Town uncorks its last fresh episode for 10-1/2 weeks. That’s right, there’s a “1/2? added in there now that ABC has decided to welcome the sophomore comedy back with a special aprés-Dancing With the Stars time slot on Monday, April 18.

So the good news is that although Matthew Perry’s Mr. Sunshine will claim Cougar Town‘s Wednesday slot starting February 9, and while you now have an additional five days to wait for Jules & Co. to crack open a new bottle of cab, the show will get an ultra-premium showcase upon its return.

There’s also this: “We have plans to provide all sorts of extra content (as you will see during the next ep’s title card) during this gap,” series boss Bill Lawrence shared in a “thank you” letter to us press types. (Hmm, maybe the online version of Penny Can will be kicked up a notch, allowing me a chance to break 70,000 points or “toss copper” from Bobby’s boat?)

Lawrence says he himself is “bummed” about the midseason break “because the last chunk of episodes are really about something.” Explaining that the writers’ yearly formula kicks off with of a short story arc (this season: Travis’ relocation to college) followed by “10-12 vibey-hang out episodes,” when Cougar Town resumes in April the big theme will revolve around “Travis’ descent, and watching him surprisingly follow his Dad’s footsteps.”

“We really love it,” Lawrence says of the springtime run of episodes. “Hope you do, too, when you finally see it.”

But enough with the preemptive wine-ing, folks. Slap out of it and get psyched for tonight’s new episode!

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Cougar Town: Baby Talk for Jules and Grayson?

Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011

Cougar Town may be about to disappear from TV schedules for two months, but no need to start binge drinking merlot just yet. Days after ABC renewed the comedy for a third season, the stars and executive producers welcomed reporters to its Los Angeles set to preview what’s coming up next for the cul-de-sac crew. In between gazing at Big Carl revealing which star is the best at Penny Can (Ian Gomez says Josh Hopkins is the one to beat), the cast and crew discussed Jules and Grayson’s next big obstacle, Bobby’s love life and the cliff-hanger ahead for Travis and Kirsten.

A (Baby) Speed Bump Is on the Way for Jules and Grayson: Now that Grayson was (Hopkins) finally able to man up and tell Jules (Courteney Cox) he loves her, there are only clear skies ahead for one of the cul-de-sac’s cutest couples, right? Wrong! “The tension, at some point, is going to come from the fact that Grayson wants kids and Jules doesn’t,” Hopkins tells TVGuide.com. “That’s where it’s headed.”

Will We Get to Meet Andy’s Lesbian Sister?: Following guest spots by Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston and Ken Jenkins, Cougar Town‘s friends and family policy is next hoping to include Gomez’s wife, My Big Fat Greek Wedding star Nia Vardalos. Lawrence hopes to get her on the show before the end of the year, but who will she play? “She’s probably going to try to be one of the guy’s love interests. I’m hoping that she’s my lesbian sister or something like that,” Gomez jokes. “I’m not trying to pitch any ideas because I trust that they’re going to come up with something great.”

Bobby Is Playing the Field (in More Ways Than One): Season 2 has been a big growing year for Bobby, who saw his only son head off to college and is now determined to return to golf professionally. “I’m happy that [co-creators and executive producers] Bill Lawrence and Kevin Biegel decided to have Bobby evolve more and have a little bit more success rather than screwing up constantly and being the lovable loser,” Brian Van Holt says. This new maturity also pushes Bobby to re-enter the dating scene with the inevitable successes and failures along the way. “He has a difficult time holding down a girlfriend,” he says with a laugh.

Is There Trouble in Paradise for Travis?: The writers plan to embrace the hiatus with a small cliff-hanger involving Travis (Dan Byrd) and his girlfriend, Kirsten (Collette Wolfe) “It’s a situation that closely resembles maybe what Jules’ past was — although it doesn’t mirror it,” Biegel says.”Young love is a big part of it. Jules dealing with that kind of takes us through the end of the year.”

More Penny Can Is Coming!: Fans clamoring for more Penny Can, you’re not alone. The gang’s favorite game — both on-screen and off- according to the cast themselves — will be soon available for purchase Biegel promises, adding that an upcoming episode will center on the game, “There’s a big story coming with Penny Can where Bobby tries to sell Penny Can and becomes a baron and makes money and it’s shockingly successful.”

Cougar Town airs Wednesday at 9:30/8:30c on ABC.

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Courteney Cox: No More Friends!

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011

The TV interviews for the RTÉ Guide and TEN began with a visit to the ‘Cougar Town’ set at The Culver Studios yesterday, where Courtney Cox insisted that no more Friends’ stars will guest on the show.

Although some distance from Hollywood, Culver City is where the original MGM studios were based and many classic movies were filmed there, including ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘Citizen Kane’ and ‘Grease’.

Culver Studios was where ‘Gone With the Wind’ was shot, while in more recent times it has been home to popular TV shows such as ‘Lassie’ and ‘Batman’. Of the current crop, ‘Cougar Town’ is one of its most successful productions.

Getting behind the scenes is part of the fun on press trips, and wandering through the set of ‘Cougar Town’ was no different. It’s amazing how unrealistic such sets are to the naked eye – but that’s part of the magic of showbiz.

Sitting outside the office of Jules Cobb’s real estate business, the cast were brought out in three stages: Ian Gomez and Christa Miller, who play husband and wife Andy and Ellie; Josh Hopkins (Grayson), Brian Van Holt (Bobby) and Busy Philipps (Laurie); and finally, Dan Byrd (Travis) and Courtney Cox (Jules).

For Courtney Cox, tone of the big moments in the second season – starting soon on RTÉ Two – was having pal and fellow former Friends’ star Jennifer Aniston guesting on the show, as a therapist. “It was amazing and fun, and everything about it was fantastic,” she recalls. “I’m so glad that it happened.” And as for Aniston playing a therapist? “We wanted something that was kooky and fun and just right for us,” she says.

Fans may recall that another Friends’ cast member, Lisa Kudrow, appeared in season one, but Cox feels that there will be no more Central Perk heads appearing on Cougar Town. “They’re all too busy,” she insists.

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