“Cougar Town” started as a star vehicle to bring Courteney Cox-Arquette back to comedic network television. Creator Bill Lawrence knew from the get go he wanted to work with her and was somewhat hesitant about pitching her the title in case she found it offensive or simply took it the wrong way. Luckily for him– and for all of us, really– Cox-Arquette has one of the best senses of humor in show business, and she easily turns that in on herself. Who else would perform a scene where she opens a towel, stares at her naked body in the mirror, cries out in disgust and then begins poking and pinching at all of the areas she doesn’t like?

“That scene was all Courteney, too,” Lawrence explained at PaleyFest’s evening honoring the freshmen comedy. “She didn’t have a body double, and she says that now she spends a lot of time trying to convince people that was really her. She says she’s getting sick of having to repeat: ‘Yes, I really do look like sh*t.'” That’s what Lawrence claimed Cox-Arquette thinks of herself, though. Judging from the whistles and cheers from the audience when she walked out on stage, though, her fans are just as in love with her now as when she was on Friends.

The concept of the show never seemed to bother Cox-Arquette, who said: “Being forty-something is fantastic. I don’t really have that many good years left, but the ones I have I am very excited about!” Besides, “Cougar Town” has a writing staff made up of more than half women, which is more than any other sitcom currently on television. Therefore, they are adept at writing very real, very three-dimensional women and never put them in any situations in which they would feel uncomfortable. It helps to have an ensemble cast of actors who are fearless, though, like Christa Miller, Busy Phillips, and Carolyn Hennesy. Phillips and Hennessy could not be at the panel, but the hot seats were filled by the hot men of the cast: Josh Hopkins, Brian Van Holt, Ian Gomez, and Dan Byrd (a little something for everyone!).

“I think we’re a functioning dysfunctional crew and band of people,” Van Holt replied when asked to describe the show’s dynamic. “The characters or us?” Lawrence laughed, gesturing to the panel.

“Both!” Van Holt nodded knowingly.

Case in point is the amount of wine the characters seem to go through, even when a scene takes place in mid-morning hours. “I think Jules is one of the most functional alcoholics on television. Perhaps the most functional,” Cox-Arquette pondered, perhaps forgetting about Julia Louis-Drefus’ own boozy sitcom heroine, the titular Christine from CBS’ “The New Adventures of Old Christine.” “I think we drink more on this show than they did on Cheers!” Lawrence piped up. Perhaps those two should go head-to-head in a crossover drinking competition…

But though the show has taken on zingy banter, site gags (they really need to trademark the ‘Blomfy,’ part blanket but all comfy!), and some physical comedy (such as Gomez repeatedly driving a motorcycle into a bush in an upcoming episode), the true heart of the show lies within the relationships between the characters. “I really love the stuff with my son,” Cox-Arquette pointed at Byrd.

But don’t worry: the show hasn’t dropped relationship Jules from its radar. Lawrence promised she’ll be back on the prowl, so to speak, shortly. “You know how on some shows they draw out the will they or won’t they with characters? I hate that! I like blowing up those expectations immediately!” We have already seen Jules and Grayson dancing around their attraction, and Lawrence teases that it will “get naughty and fun a little later” for them.

And what else did Lawrence share would be coming up? Well, Miller. who does the music for the show, said they are working on trying to get a soundtrack up on iTunes since they utilize so many amazing, obscure bands. Hennesy will be utilized more because she’s such a comedic force and “half of the really rauncy [takes] that come out of her mouth are straight from her head.” Also, since he and the rest of his team have gotten to a point in their careers where they can afford a “no @$$hole policy,” they enforce it. “Why wouldn’t you want to just work with really cool people all of the time?” Lawrence asked rhetorically. This policy is what led them to bring Sheryl Cole, one of Cox-Arquette’s oldest friends and the “nicest rockstar [Lawrence’s] ever met” on for a future arc, and it will also leave the door open for some of their other friends. “Jennifer [Aniston]’s going to be on next year,” Lawrence nodded. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”

Source: Starpulse

Jules (Courteney Cox) and Grayson (Josh Hopkins), the will-they-or-won’t-they couple of Cougar Town, may be taking a step toward an actual romantic relationship in the coming episodes, but the waiting game has been fun, according to Hopkins. Even if they get together, there’s plenty of drama to be had with the introduction of Sheryl Crow to the cast and Bobby (Brian Van Holt) turning into quite the stand-up guy.

“There’s a real friendship growing between [Jules and Grayson] and they’re really taking it slow and easy,” said Hopkins. “As the season progresses, they’re going to get a little more romantically involved. This is a will-they-or-won’t that’s never been seen or done; it’s a lot messier.”

“People are rooting for them,” added Cox. “I love the thought of the love triangle and who I should be with, and having Bobby maybe become more of a viable person now that I might end up with Grayson. Ultimately, Grayson is probably someone that will be the push-pull relationship.”

While Bobby, Jules’ simple-minded ex-husband, has been known to be a skirt-chaser in the past, “I think he regrets it now,” said Van Holt. In his quest to be a better man for Jules, and a better father for Travis (Dan Byrd), he may step on a few toes. “There is definitely potential for Grayson and Bobby’s friendship to be threatened by Jules,” he added.

Guess who else is causing trouble for the bromantic relationship? Sheryl Crow will join the cast as a love interest—and at one point, a duet partner—for Grayson. “In the coming episodes, we go off with different females and our bromance is threatened,” said Van Holt. “Grayson starts to date her and gets taken away.”

Still, she’ll be a good influence on the ladies’ man. “She comes in and challenges Grayson in what he sees in these young girls, rather than be challenged intellectually by someone his own age,” said Hopkins. “He rethinks things and has a breakthrough.”

Who are you rooting for? Should Jules ride off into the sunset with Grayson or fall back into the arms of Bobby?

Looks like it’s time for the former Friends stars, Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox to wow their fans with a mini reunion of the small screen. The media is abuzz with rumors that the 41 year old gorgeous Aniston might just put in a guest appearance on the ABC sitcom, Cougar Town.

Given the latest evidence gathered from Hollywoodlife.com, producer and screenwriter Bill Lawrence whose resume includes Spin City, Clone High and Scrubs revealed that the sexy actress might feature in the second season of the comedy revolving a recently divorced woman, played byCourteney Cox , who starts dating younger men while living with her 17 year old son and discovers new facets of her character while surrounded by fellow divorcees. The co-creator ofCougar Town who also penned episodes for Friends in the first season said, “Jennifer Aniston is going to be on the show next season, she doesn’t know it yet. Courteney promised me that as a birthday gift,” at the 25th Annual Paley Fest in Beverly Hills.

The Bruce Almighty actress had previously put in a guest appearance as a rival magazine editor on an episode of Courteney’s two season FX series Dirt. The fact that Lisa Kudrow of the ditsy Phoebe fame too popped up as a guest star inCougar Town only serves to reaffirm the hope that its only a matter of time that the sexy Aniston too will put in her appearance sooner than later.