The TV Chick

Dear Cougar Town,

I tuned into you at first for Courteney Cox, as I was feeling nostalgic for “Friends.” I wasn’t sold by your name, but when I watched the pilot screener a couple years ago, I knew it had the makings of something special. Sure, there was the weird name. And sure, there was the one character I kind of hated (Barb), but I laughed a lot and I saw a group of friends that really did remind me of the show I was so longing for. Then you continued to grow and grow and find your voice. You were no longer just about Jules (the aforementioned Cox) trying to find love post-divorce and child, you became about a group of friends who get together and drink wine and talk about their lives. They became fondly known to fans as the Cul de Sac Crew (which many suggested should be the actual name of the show). As you became more and more hilarious and lovely, I found myself deeply interested in these people’s lives. I wanted to play Penny Can. I wanted to meet Dog Travis. I wanted to have my own Big Carl. That, my friends, is the making of a good television show.

Ellie (played by Christa Miller) makes me laugh with every word that comes out of her mouth. Laurie (played by Busy Philipps) makes a wonderful frenemy to Ellie and comic relief. Andy and Bobby (played by Ian Gomez and Brian Van Holt respectively) share a hilarious friend/man crush relationship. And Grayson, nicknamed Tiny Eyes (played by Josh Hopkins) is such a great straight man/singing boyfriend to Jules and member of the gang.

Now, one may not have seen the first couple seasons (seriously, get with the program!), but that’s okay! (I mean, it’s not but I’ll somehow forgive you). But those people have a chance to redeem themselves tonight by tuning in at 8:30 PM to ABC.

Your creator (the super talented Bill Lawrence) has made some valiant efforts to spread the word, but I will keep writing about you to make sure people tune in. Because you are so funny and so wonderful and so much better than your name could ever imply. Every week, I eagerly await your clever title cards about your name. And while some things about this season premiere might have been spoiled on purpose (there is a sizzle reel and massive promo going around) including the fact that we will see Jules and Grayson get married this year (big proposal in the premiere, spoiler alert! And your creator said there will be a wedding this season!), there is so much more to unravel this season. Laurie gets a love interest. Andy becomes King of the Neighborhood (and maybe even more than that!) Stan is a devil child. And Tom continues to be creepy and try to become part of the gang.

Cougar Town, I hope lots of people tune in to you tonight (at 8:30 PM on ABC)…if you are a Nielsen family, all the better. Those people will have Grayson’s song about Jules’ morning routine stuck in their head for days!

And while you may have been gone for a while (stupid mid-season network decision), you are back with all the hilarity and more. I can’t wait to see what the Cul de Sac crew is up to this season and hopefully for many more seasons to come.

All the Love (on Valentine’s Day),
The TV Chick