Gallery Link:
– Talk Shows & Interviews > Talk Show Appearances in 2011 > April 19th: The Talk
Category: Press
Courteney on The Talk
Sunday, Apr 24, 2011
‘Cougar Town’ spoilers shared at the TV Academy in Los Angeles
Saturday, Apr 23, 2011
The cast and creator of Cougar Town took the stage at the TV Academy in Los Angeles earlier tonight to talk about their now fan favorite comedy series. Admittedly, the show about a woman in her early forties with a teenage son starting over after a divorce began very much as a Courteney Cox-led ensemble vehicle, but as the episodes went on, it very much became a straight ensemble. Sure Cox is still front and center, most notably because everyone is always hanging out at her house, but it is the energy the cast has together that drives the show and causes such a raucous response.
And such a response was certainly in attendance last night! Fans lined up outside the theater to get autographs and photos with their favorite castmembers, often yelling “Penny Can!” at them as they were pulled away to take photos on the red carpet. Fans also expressed their deep feelings about the couples on the show, and showrunner Bill Lawrence even went so far as to use those in the audience as an impromptu focus group, asking if they thought it was “icky” if Laurie (Busy Philipps) and Travis (Dan Byrd) ended up dating next season. For the record, though the actors are pretty close in age, their characters are a decade apart. Still the overwhelming response was that it was fine, which was something series star Cox was thrilled to hear.
But before Lawrence can think too far ahead to season three, we must first get through the current (second season) on-air! The remaining episodes have all been shot already, with the season finale taking the characters to Hawaii, so what can we expect from our favorite wine-swilling cul-de-sac crew?
SPOILER ALERT!
Well, first and foremost the kids issue is going to come up for Grayson (Josh Hopkins) and Jules (Cox). Babysitting Stan did not satisfy his paternal cravings, even if it may have put a pin in the discussion for a little while. But Jules is so focused on her son, who is about to make a big decision of his own, that she may not have much energy to argue with Grayson about becoming a mother again right now. Travis is about to propose to his girlfriend, something his mother isn’t happy about but will end up coming around on in part. Unfortunately her unsure energy may bleed over into her son’s relationship because his question does not receive the answer one might hope.
As if that isn’t heartbreaking enough, the usually level-headed, “fifty year old in a nineteen year old’s body” (as Lawrence put it) snaps and begins to spiral, running away to Hawaii to work in a surf shop. In many ways, the kid who always emulated his mother’s strong work ethic begins to follow in his father’s shoes a little bit more, much to his dismay, because Bobby (Brian Van Holt) just wants his kid to finish school and succeed.
Hence the need for the rest of the gang to take a vacation. While there, of course some are more invested in getting Travis to come home, while others just want to drink and have a good time.
Also going down in Hawaii? Some bromance bonding for Andy (Ian Gomez), Sam Lloyd reprising his role as Ted Buckman, an original Grayson Ellis tune strummed on the ukulele, and a rival for Big Carl!
You can hear the cast tease more about Cougar Town’s final season two episodes in the video to the left!
But before we have the season finale, there will be quite a few adventures in between, including guest appearances by Nia Vardalos, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Barry Boswick, the latter of whom plays a new love interest for Barb (Carolyn Hennesy) who wants her to be more demure.
Cougar Town airs on ABC, Wednesday nights at 9:30pm.
Courteney Cox and Costars Laugh Off Cougar Town Dating Rumors
Saturday, Apr 23, 2011
Laughter is the best medicine. That’s what Courteney Cox and her Cougar Town costars realized after the star separated from husband David Arquette last year, especially when lots of false dating rumors began swirling around – specifically linking Cox, 46, to costars Brian Van Holt and Josh Hopkins.
“I don’t think that [Josh and Brian] were quite used to it,” Cox told PEOPLE at “An Evening with Cougar Town,” a tribute to the show held by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on Wednesday in L.A. “For sure, they weren’t used to it! And I’m kind of so used to hearing about my dating, I don’t care.”
Hopkins, who plays Cox’s love interest on the show, admitted he was blindsided by the sudden flurry of speculation, especially after he vacationed with Cox in St. Barts recently, but didn’t take it too seriously.
“It’s really been very easy to laugh off,” said Hopkins, 40. “She’s been in the limelight for so long she doesn’t think twice about it. She does not live her life in fear of what people might say.”
Van Holt, who plays Cox’s ex-husband, also quickly learned to take the rumors in stride. “Oh, you just laugh it off, I guess,” he said. “Don’t take it seriously and don’t listen.”
Teasing Each Other
Teasing from his castmates helped relieve any pressure, said Van Holt. “They’re always heckling. And I wonder: who’s next on the cast list?”
“I’m waiting for my turn!” joked costar Ian Gomez (who is married to actress Nia Vardalos in real life). “Apparently everyone else gets to date her!” But Gomez admitted he understands why the rumors started. “Hey, if I saw the two of them in St. Barts together I would assume the same thing,” he said. “But knowing them, I know that it’s ridiculous.”
Costar Busy Phillipps said she poked fun at the pair when the rumors surfaced. “I texted Josh when they were in St. Barts and I was like, ‘Will you stop dating Courteney, because it’s getting really awkward for the rest of us?’ ”
But that didn’t stop Cougar Town producer Bill Lawrence from cutting to the chase Wednesday night. He (jokingly) put Cox and Hopkins on the spot in front of the live audience, asking them point-blank if they were dating. “I want to!” said Cox. “But whatever. I tried. But he hasn’t made any moves on me.”
On a serious note, Cox said that dating isn’t even on her agenda at the moment. “Not for me right now,” she says. “Not right this minute.”
But the star does say that the support of her coworkers has been invaluable since her split with Arquette. “I do lean on all of the people on the show,” she said. “Also I like to distract myself. During hard times it’s just also better sometimes just to work, and it’s great to do a comedy. Somehow it’s like they kind of go together. I got to step out of it and try to be funny.”
Courteney Cox dishes Cougar Town, Scream 4 and the media
Thursday, Apr 21, 2011
Courteney Cox. Cox dished Cougar Town, Friends and Scream 4, as well as living under the media microscope, especially while she and David Arquette wrestle with a very public trial separation.
SheKnows: There’s a warmth to Cougar Town that makes viewers want to sit down and share a glass of wine with you guys. At what point did you feel that energy take hold?
Courteney Cox: It was a big thing for (producers Bill Lawrence, Kevin Biegel and myself) when we were casting. We definitely have a no (expletive) policy. It was important that everyone was a great person, and you can tell when someone comes into the room to read. When Busy [Philipps, Laurie] came in, she by far was the best actor and she was also so nice. I had known Christa (Miller, Ellie), so that was no issue.
SheKnows: Did you ever think you’d have a second show where the cast clicked as well in front of and behind the camera?
Courteney Cox: I knew that would be the only way that I would do it. There would be no point in doing it unless everyone got along great and it was fun, because life’s short. Even on the show Dirt, which wasn’t a big success at all, I loved every one of those characters. I know there can be shows where there are real jerks, but I haven’t experienced that yet.
SheKnows: When Jules and Grayson paired up so early in the series, were you concerned about getting stuck?
Courteney Cox: Yes. I was nervous at first. If it works, it’s going to keep happening and as soon as it doesn’t work, he’s so gone. [Laughs] I just love Bill and Kevin’s take on it. This is not going to be an on again-off again thing you’re so used to seeing, (like) Rachel and Ross…I think once me and Chandler did it, we stayed together, but I can’t remember one episode from Friends. I have a terrible memory and I’m checking that out in therapy now.
SheKnows: Is shooting Cougar Town easier than Friends, since you’ve already got sitcom chops?
Courteney Cox: This show is so much my passion and so was Friends, but now I’m older. It’s tailor made for my personality. I’m just having a ball.
SheKnows: Do you miss the Friends live audience?
Courteney Cox: I’m not huge on having an audience. Jennifer Aniston loves it. It made me nervous, even in year ten. It’s just too much pressure. Also, I like that you get to have more than one chance at it. Monday through Friday doing the same show? I’d rather do a new scene every day and move on. I get bored. But let me tell you something, I loved Friends. I’d have done a couple of more years. That was amazing, but this is easier for me in some ways.
SheKnows: What was it like to work with Aniston again, and might we see her back on Cougar Town?
Courteney Cox: It didn’t feel like Monica and Rachel at all, which is great, because our characters are just different. It just felt natural. We had a ball. I loved working with Lisa (Kudrow). That was really fun, too. I doubt (we’ll get Jennifer back on Cougar Town). She literally, I think, did four movies this year.
SheKnows: Matthew Perry recently said he wishes he could go back to the Friends heyday and be more present and less focused on who’s landed the next gig. Do you share that feeling?
Courteney Cox: I have a lot of things to say about what you just said. There were a lot of reasons he wasn’t present. I actually was present. I may have been hyper-vigilant. There is a lot of stuff that can mess with your ego, being on a show that’s a straight ensemble of six people. You’re all equal. Everyone wants to get out early. It was just hard. It was a lot of learning for me. If anything, the one [regret from] back in those days is that I wish I didn’t spend time comparing. It was a waste of time. We all have our path and we all did pretty well.
SheKnows: Have the trappings of fame and the media scrutiny gotten easier to deal with since then?
Courteney Cox: I’m kind of used to it, but as I get older I’m getting a little more sensitive, so it might be harder in some ways. Because I love this show so much and feel so thankful, I do take anything that involves the show personally. Obviously my life is kind of crazy right now and I’m getting a lot of that. It’s probably a little harder than it used to be. I think I didn’t notice.
SheKnows: Has clocking in at Cougar Town offered you an escape during a difficult time in your life?
Courteney Cox: Oh, yeah. Thank God for the show. There have been times when Bill has said, “Are you all right? Do we need to take a break?” I’m like, “Are you kidding? This is my saving grace.”
SheKnows: Do you let your daughter watch the show?
Courteney Cox: If I say, “Yes,” am I a bad mom? I do. I tell her to close her eyes when it’s inappropriate and she does. She knows everyone. She thinks that Dan Byrd is her brother. She calls him Brownie. This is her family.
SheKnows: Coming from your Cougar Town comfort zone, how hard was it to slip back into Scream mode for Scream 4 last summer?
Courteney Cox: The last movie was ten years ago. People have changed. People are cooler than they used to be. I was like, “Gale Weathers is back!” That character is over the top and Dewey was Dewey. I realized all the actors on the set, the new group, were very subdued and quiet. It was like, “Are they going to talk any louder at all? Because they’re very cool, and I’m older and not as cool.” I thought, “I’m going to stand out like a sore thumb in this crowd,” but I stuck to my character and we’ll see what happens.
Courteney Cox Thought David Arquette Had Gay Cruising App
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011
To put it mildly, Courteney Cox has endured her shared of surprises and drama with estranged husband David Arquette.
Cox, 46, continued to speak super-frankly about their talked-about relationship during a Tuesday appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live — dishing on a recent discovery that had her wondering whether Arquette might be harboring a secret.
As she was buying new songs on iTunes, the Scream 4 actress was perusing the purchase history of the iTunes account she and Arquette, 39, share.
She noticed someone had downloaded a slew of self-help books by author Eckhart Tolle — plus the iPhone app Grindr.
Employing GPS technology, Grindr is a popular application used by gay men to meet (and often hook up with) other local guys. Cox was taken aback, she told Jimmy Kimmel. “Wow, what if you don’t know the person you’ve been with for that long? [I wondered] if David’s been buying Grindr!”
“I called up my assistant, who happens to be gay,” Cox continued, explaining that she was “shaking” as she asked if he had downloaded Grindr himself through their account.
Indeed, the assistant had, in fact, downloaded the app (for free) on the acccount.
Although Cox was game to chat about her husband of 11 years and dad to Coco, her 6-year-old daughter, Arquette recently told Us Weekly he’s “sick” of talking about their marital struggles.
“All of this started because there are lies out there a lot of the time, and I wanted to be honest and speak my mind,” said the star, who’s recovering since exiting rehab in January.
