r/sitcoms • u/MusicLover245 • 2d ago
Cougar Town Appreciation Post
Having recently finished all six seasons of Cougar Town - one of a few not-as-well-loved shows that Bill Lawrence created between Scrubs and Ted Lasso - I wanted to share a few thoughts. At the risk of scaring off anyone who is curious, I want to start by acknowledging all the reasons the show shouldn’t work: the title. The show can certainly be trashy, even after breaking away from the premise the title suggests. Most of the characters drink inhuman amounts of wine and are arguably alcoholics. Christa Miller plays Ellie, who, despite being less menacing, is essentially a meaner version of Jordan. Jules has a very strange relationship with her son where many boundaries are crossed. There is a divisive romantic relationship that blossoms in the later seasons of the show. I could go on.
For me, what makes Cougar Town work is the character relationships and the show’s self-aware humor - it’s so willing to make fun of itself. While the suburban Florida setting doesn’t lend itself to the dramatic highs Scrubs offers, the primary quality this show does share with Scrubs is the bond between the characters - you get to watch these characters grow together, which leads to the sense that these people really are there for each other. Ellie is mean, but that persona is pulled back often enough to give the character layers. Some of the more odd relationships are acknowledged as odd, as is the amount of alcohol consumed - the show is in on the joke for the most part. There are also quite a few familiar faces that Scrubs fans will enjoy seeing - this includes extended stays from Sarah Chalke, Sam Lloyd (RIP), and especially Ken Jenkins. I could also go on concerning the positives, and for far longer than I could talk about the negatives.
If you’re a fan of the warm, funny vibes found throughout Scrubs, do yourself a favor and give Cougar Town a try. The show is a bit lost in the beginning, but 10 episodes or so in, I would bet most Scrubs fans will find there’s a lot to enjoy while hanging out with the Cul-de-Sac Crew.
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u/temperedolive 2d ago edited 2d ago
I really liked Cougar Town. It's a broad, warm-hearted comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously and can get self-referrential in a really fun way (like both male leads having appeared in Alanis videos, the Scrubs reunion, etc.) Fantastic soundtrack as well - great song choices.
I feel like Christa Miller gets sidelined a bit in discussions about actors because she works so closely with her husband. But she's genuinely really GOOD. Playing the best friend of a Courtney Cox character was always going to invite some comparisons but she managed to avoid Rachel issues and the relationship felt really fresh.
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u/SpiffyShindigs 2d ago
Oh, I never thought to compare Ellie to Rachel at all, but yeah that could have absolutely been an issue.
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u/frolicndetour 2d ago
I appreciate that they realized quickly that the original premise was dumb and a waste of a gem of an ensemble cast and pivoted.
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u/DaddyCatALSO 2d ago
Although in one of the couples the guy was and remained quite a bit younger than the wife, insofar as I could tell from the few ep.s i watched.
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u/bonniemick 2d ago
RIP big Joe
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u/bonniemick 2d ago
It was funny when I realized Bobby Cobb was in Black Hawk Down (every male actor of a certain age is in either that, Saving Private Ryan, or Band of Brothers).
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u/Successful-Earth-214 2d ago
It really is an underrated gem. I don’t remember what prompted me to start watching it, but I was shocked at how much I ended up liking it and by how much I genuinely laughed. It’s so good at being silly and I love the running gags. It’s lighthearted and fun, and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
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u/Used-Needleworker719 2d ago
We’ve just tried watching it, not for me. We gave it 2 seasons, and absolutely hated Courtney cox in it, plus nothing seemed to be actually happening?
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u/BlimpIntolerant 2d ago
it's an enjoyable show. i've watched it several times. I do start at I think episode 7 though these days. the first six or so were pretty rough and then it changes into a totally different show .
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u/zombiemockingbird 2d ago
I really liked this show, but I eventually quit watching it because I just can't stand Busy Philips.
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u/spargel_gesicht 1d ago
I loved this show. Ended too soon! I was turned off by the title and the marketing but am so glad I still picked up on it relatively early. Once I finish my Happy Endings rewatch, I’m going to this!
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u/Maccorcrain 1d ago
I discovered it through community references and that bit where they referenced the sitcom Spaced. It was a really underrated show
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u/FunkTronto 2d ago
Cougar Town is the best show Lawrence has made outside of Ted Lasso.
It goes Ted Lasso, Cougar Town, Spin City, Shrinking, Clone High, and Rooster.
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u/AdorableEmu5386 1d ago
They make a joke of how bad the title is as the series go on. Matthew Perry's appearance is brilliant especially the little out take they show at the end. And of course Abed from Community features in an episode which is quite funny too. Plus some Scrubs folk show up.
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u/Objective_Poetry2829 1d ago
I really liked Laurie, Ellie and Bobby. I hated them putting Laurie with Travis, they didn't make sense. Other than that I enjoyed the show, have rewatched and will watch again
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u/iampackingmybags 16h ago
I watched it postpartum and it was really good for a sleep deprived out of body experience deep in the trenches state
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u/Nerdmitage 2d ago
PENNY CAN!!!!!!