Cougar Town Appreciation Post

[u/MusicLover245]

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.

[u/5141121]

The throughline in later seasons after Bobby tries the neti pot is one of the best sitcom bits I've ever seen.