"Cougar Town" is weird, sentimental, insane, and sitcom-y, but somehow
when thrown together with a liberally poured glass of wine, it works
really well for us. While we were inclined to write it off in its early
days, it completely charmed us over time and we missed it so much during
its nine-month (!) hiatus. Still, since we are skeptical about
everything, we were more than a little concerned that the show might
have lost its magic during its long time away. Fortunately, we need not
have worried. Here are our favorite parts from last night's season
premiere:
The Name
There was a lot of discussion
in the off-season about a possible title change (since the show has
nothing to do with cougars), which amounted to nothing at all. But they continue to poke fun at themselves in the opening credits:
"Yeah, it's still called 'Cougar Town.' We're not happy about it
either." We always appreciate a self-deprecating sense of humor.
The Gang
One of the running Ellie jokes of the night was her desire to shrink
their circle of friends as she kept saying "This should be the gang."
We'd join her gang of one, not that she'd let us. But if she did, we'd
bring new pillows to replace the ones that Stan destroyed.
[Check Out More All-New Photos of the 'Cougar Town' Cast]
The Wine
They made necklaces for their wine glasses. After Big Carl, this is the
most genius alcoholic invention this show has created. Anything that
can give you a glass on deck, while you are drinking another, is
inspired.
The Neighbor
Weird Tom got so much to
do in this episode: sleeping in the nude, TP'ing a house, hugging
Laurie. Much better than his usual one-liner from the bushes. Though his
icky invite to his new hot tub was met by a "too creepy flag" on the
play.
The Song
We don't normally much care one
way or the other about Grayson's songs most of the time, but poking fun
at Jules being uptight and neurotically obsessed with her morning
routine worked, even if we're not going to be singing it all day.
The Mouth Guard
It was a major part of Jules' morning routine, but it is also a no-sex
signal to Grayson. He admits that getting Jules to have sex with it on
is his "Everest." Whatever floats your boat, dude.
The Devil Child
This show has succeeded because it's not about Ellie's baby, but making
Stan a devil child was pretty inspired. A terrible kid who sees Laurie
as his best role model is the perfect punishment for Ellie's standoffish
parenting.
[Star Courteney Cox Talks About 'Cougar Town's' Return]
The Green Screen
Travis moved into a
house with nine other guys and a green screen. Cue "the gang" turning up
to enact their cowboy fantasies, flying dreams, romantic hillside
proposals and tearful father/son moments. This will probably get a lot
of play this season.
The Ankle Monitor
Laurie, who
seems to have stolen Madonna's '80s wardrobe, went all Eat, Pray, Tampa
and ended up in a brawl, receiving a lovely piece of state-mandated
ankle jewelry for her troubles.
The Shark Car
TP'ing things? Funny. TP'ing a car into the shape of a shark, with fins and all? Maybe the funniest gag of the whole episode.
The Proposal
Not that we want everyone to be coupled up on this show, but Jules and
Grayson have been together for so long that it seems inevitable. So to
have him set up a scenario that let her think she was getting
"Revengeance" against some skateboarding hoodlums, and then bring her
whole posse together to watch him get down on one knee was sweet. So
long as we don't think about how awkward that must be for her
ex-husband.
Watch last night's "Cougar Town" premiere in full right here:
"Cougar Town" airs Tuesdays at 8:30 PM on ABC.
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