Don't have a lot to say about last night's "Cougar Town," save that even though Courteney Cox is still trying too hard (someone needs to tell her she can dial back the energy level when there's no studio audience), I can't help but laugh. The rhythms here were more overtly "Scrubs"-like (there was even one moment where a bit of Jules dialogue turned into a JD-style voiceover). I recognize that, because of the title and/or the subject matter, I'm supposed to be disgusted with this show, but I can't help liking it. What did everybody else think?
27 comments:
The Supporting Cast is great - the shirtless Dads on the "Jealous Much" Land Boat was Super Television!
Loved it, although it's definitely more for the supporting cast than CC. Her "Paper Buddy" and the two fathers floor me. Can't imagine being their son.
I like it too though I didn't laugh quite as much this week. I could have done with a little more interaction between Courteney and Dan Byrd this episode. Not sure if it's because she plays those scenes more naturally or he just provides a good counterbalance but those scenes give me the most hope for the show.
I thought we were supposed to be disgusted because the show is desperate and not funny?
I think the whole "she's not a cougar, she's just dealing with life as a single Mom in her 40s" would work a lot better if she and her "friend" didn't dress likes whores all the time.
The guys are saving this show from being unwatchable. Ian Gomez is gold.
Any particular reason why every episode is named after a Tom Petty song?
I'd like to see just one scene where Courtney Cox doesn't down 5 Red Bulls before a take, but other than that, the show is fine. In Lawrence I trust.
Favorite words of the episode : "Hello Clarice", before eating the bagel.
Well, Courtney Cox is doing to much noise. But I liked the son, and the "Paper Buddy" and the shirtless fathers.
I really love this show. Maybe because I'm a woman her age, maybe because I enjoy being reminded how funny Courtney Cox is, or maybe because I am just so happy to see Busy Philips. I can even look atChrista Miller's face, which seems somewhat less immobile than before.
Cougar Town and Modern Family are in the same category for me right now -- I can't decide how much of my enjoyment is coming from the show as a whole, and how much is just coming from a couple cast members, but so far it doesn't seem to matter. In Cougar Town's case, I may not have the affection for Busy Phillips that most Freaks and Geeks fans do, but I love Christa Miller, Ian Gomez, and especially Brian Van Holt. That no-good ex-husband type isn't one you'd want to build a show around, especially at this late date in sitcom history, but it works perfectly here.
I thought it was a solid episode, not quite as funny, but still solid. The men are still far more funny than the women, especially the boat stuff and the high pitch lie after sex. However, I really enjoyed the "giant safety nets" joke, very subtle and you really had to pay attention to get it, reminded me of Arrested Development. It was also a boob joke, which I'm sure helped.
I mostly like it - if it dials back a bit, it'll be pretty good.
It does bother me that the house she lives in makes even less economic sense for than the Friends "illegal sublet" made.
I'm wondering if I should feel...used...or something by the occasional appearance of the even-older woman. She seems to be there to offload any objection to Jules's behavior (not that I really have one): "See, Jules isn't too old. Now, THAT WOMAN is too old, and that IS gross."
DonBoy, the actress who plays Barb, Carolyn Hennessy, is only a couple of years older than Cox. I think you're right that she's there as a pressure valve, but it's less "Look, this one's even older!" than it is, "Jules is a reluctant cougar, while Barb embraces the stereotype, so we can crack jokes about her while maintaining the integrity of our lead."
Pretty much every bit with Courtney Cox bored me to tears this week. But I do think the guys are hilarious. They and Alan's (and the commenters') continued support for the show will be the only thing to get me to tune in again.
The relationship between the two fathers is very nearly the best part of the show. They just keep making me laugh. The son is also a well-written and well-acted character. The paper buddy is a bit of a cartoon, but the actor makes it work.
The women are almost the weakest part of the show. I would have been happier if last night's episode actually DID deal with Ellie not particularly liking her kid--that's not unheard of. And while I loved Busy Philipps on "Freaks and Geeks," her character is also a bit too much of a cartoon here.
Courteney Cox I can't help but like, for reasons not entirely clear to me, so she doesn't bother me. But in this sitcom about women, it's really the men who are bringing home the bacon.
Favorite words of the episode : "Hello Clarice"
The Janitor had that line on Scrubs, too.
BF said...
Any particular reason why every episode is named after a Tom Petty song?
I noticed that, too, and I gotta think Bill Lawrence is a Petty fan (see My American Girl from Scrubs). Also, Petty and the Heartbreakers are originally from Florida, where Cougar Town is set.
I can't help but notice a few similiarities to Scrubs. The first is that Barb is clearly the Cougar Town version of The Janitor. She's the antagonist who verbalizes the demons in the lead's head. Which is probably why I think she's a great character.
Another Scrubs parallel is that the lead in both is fairly annoying and neurotic, while the supporting cast is really strong. In Scrubs, it took awhile for JD to be fleshed out as annoying and neurotic as Jules is starting out, but the strength of CT's supporting cast is really working for me.
And lastly, Christa Miller is still playing Jordan.
Hopefully, CT will start using a solid musical soundtrack like Scrubs did.
NewsRadio also spent most of a season naming its episodes after Led Zeppelin songs and albums.
I don't know why, but this show has consistently given me more laughs than Modern Family. They're both good shows, but perhaps the broad (pun not intended) humor here is just tickling my funny bone more because it's not something I'm used to.
Still can't wait for Better Off Ted to come back, though.
The show is complete drek. Nothing realistic or funny about the entire show. Courtney Cox should not carry any program and shows how untalented she has become. Then again with such a lame premise and poor writing, I doubt any actress could make this show watchable. I wonder if the ABC suits got to Bill Lawrence and demanded inane changes,or maybe Scrubs was an anomaly. Now that I think of it, Spin City was really awful too.
Thankfully Modern Family and The Middle are both wonderful surprises. The only good thing about the CT is seeing Ian Gomez. Makes me realize how much I miss Javier from Felicity.
I thought this was a bit of a disappointment after last week's stellar episode, but some good jokes here and there.
And on the song names for episode titles front, That '70s Show used Zeppelin song titles for the 5th Season, the Who for their 6th season, the Stones for their 7th season, and Queen for their 8th season.
This would probably be a guilty pleasure, if I felt the least bit guilty about enjoying it - which I don't. The tone is just so warm and welcoming that I don't for a second feel offended when they go for the more crass and obvious jokes. Also, Dan Byrd is a frickin' legend.
Best joke was the 'Tag off' one. Funny enough to try for another week.
How likely is it that we are ever going to get Courtney Cox to dial it back? It must be difficult for Lawrence to tell one of the actors from one of tv's most popular sitcoms that her acting needs a little work. I completely agree, though. I am surprisingly fond of this show, but a more restrained lead performance would make me feel less guilty about that statement.
I've really been enjoying this show. I love the Scrubs pacing. In all the other half-hour comedies I like, there's a clear setup, playing out, and conclusion of the storylines, but in Cougar Town (or the two episodes I've seen) it feels almost improvised. Kind of loose, like I'm just watching a sequence of funny events. (Though of course it actually has the same structure as the others -- it just manages to trick me into thinking it doesn't.) And with a bunch of funny out-of-the-blue character interactions. Basically Scrubs without the voice-over. Like commenter Karl Ruben says, it's a guilty pleasure that I don't feel too guilty about.
And of course the whole cast is awesome, as has been mentioned.
And all of Desperate Housewives' episode titles are Sondheim songs.
Why does CC need to "dial it back"? She's hilarious as is. I love this show and no longer feel shame about it. This week's was the best episode yet.
I checked this show out over the last couple of weeks only because there's absolutely nothing else on on wednesday night, (and an idle Tivo is a sin). It's not at all what I was expecting from the title and the ads- way more Scrubs-y than an aged Sex and the City. If this show fails, it will definitely be due to marketing: it's something I'd enjoy, and even with zero competition I almost didn't bother.
Also, I don't think I'm man enough to tell anyone I watched Cougar Town, let alone that I enjoyed it.
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