I didn't have high expectations for this episode but in the end it was quite a pleasant surprise. In fact I only decided to watch it because it reminded me of American Pie's MILF funny concept and of course because Courteney Cox seemed like the perfect cougar. I enjoyed her performance in Dirt and even if the show wasn't great it wasn't bad either so when it got canceled I was wondering if she would find an other controversial project. I bet she did but this time it's all about mixing the high school and hot single mum worlds. The production quality is impressive and when I read Cougar Town was a sitcom I was expecting something more like How I Met Your Mother. The contrary as it should remind you of shows like Desperate Housewives and Weeds. Cox performance as Jules Cobb was quite good and in general it felt like most actors and actresses enjoyed doing their part, from the teenage son mad at his mother and friends to the annoying but friendly man next door. Moreover Cox was really gorgeous and I specially liked a striped dress Jules wore. And the jokes worked really well because I kept laughing the whole time. A beautiful and funny woman. What's not to like ? Of course you could question the morality behind the show and character grotesque attitude at times but once you realize it's just good entertainment then you jump into the pool and enjoy the experience. My only complain would be that the writers should have used the hybrid concept as an excuse to introduce the younger audience to safe sex. The pool scene sort of shocked me for example. Also I can't help comparing it to Californication because in that show David Duchovny plays Hank Moody, who hits on young adults and in fact every women he talks to. Jules is definitely not like him and she questions her acts but like she explained she's just tired of her daily routine. She wants to do wacky things instead of thinking all the time about them. I'm sure many viewers should be able to relate to her and other characters. So it's not as dramatic and smart as Hung, a show where the forty-something years old protagonist becomes a gigolo, but I think the show deserves our attention.
4 Reviews
Okay But Could Be Improved
nevajana23 September 2009
I'm more than half-way into the first episode and it could be way better if it cut the slapstick-style delivery of lines. The dialog would be far funnier if it were delivered in a staid fashion at least part of the time. It wouldn't hurt to copy a little bit of Nancy Botwin's style on Weeds. Weeds is successful for a reason.
Kudos to ABC for introducing a bunch of new comedies in a time when people need to laugh. And good for them for trying to have fun with a newer trend -- cougars.
But this show needs work. Namely the slapstick/silliness. The dialog is fine. The actors are fine (it is their delivery). I'm not fond of Cox's husband, but maybe if they clean his appearance up just a little bit and stop trying to make him completely over the top, he could turn into a really funny character.
I like seeing Cox in this role and hope the director(s) or whomever is responsible for this show will tell everyone to breathe more and talk more and screech a lot less.
Kudos to ABC for introducing a bunch of new comedies in a time when people need to laugh. And good for them for trying to have fun with a newer trend -- cougars.
But this show needs work. Namely the slapstick/silliness. The dialog is fine. The actors are fine (it is their delivery). I'm not fond of Cox's husband, but maybe if they clean his appearance up just a little bit and stop trying to make him completely over the top, he could turn into a really funny character.
I like seeing Cox in this role and hope the director(s) or whomever is responsible for this show will tell everyone to breathe more and talk more and screech a lot less.
The Pilot...
taylorkingston17 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I love this show. And this episode is a great way to start it off. It was a very good start to this show.
First we see Courtney Cox's character, Jules, playing with forty-year-old skin, to make us realize her age. It's the only reason I can think that they'd do this. We see her getting over her divorce to Bobby, working as a real estate agent with Laurie. We see her sixteen-year-old son, Travis. We see her next-door neighbor and best friend Ellie, and her husband, Andy, who is very goofy and funny by the way. And her across-the-way cul-de-sac (don't know how to spell) buddy, Grayson. We see her go out on her very first club night, and it's just hilarious.
Overall, I give this episode an 8 out of 10.
First we see Courtney Cox's character, Jules, playing with forty-year-old skin, to make us realize her age. It's the only reason I can think that they'd do this. We see her getting over her divorce to Bobby, working as a real estate agent with Laurie. We see her sixteen-year-old son, Travis. We see her next-door neighbor and best friend Ellie, and her husband, Andy, who is very goofy and funny by the way. And her across-the-way cul-de-sac (don't know how to spell) buddy, Grayson. We see her go out on her very first club night, and it's just hilarious.
Overall, I give this episode an 8 out of 10.
Welcome back, Courtney
studioAT7 July 2017
Despite the acclaim she received I never really found the character of Monica that funny on 'Friends' but was intrigued to see what the talented Courtney Cox did next.
This is a bright and breezy comedy that although Cox is at the centre of, relies hugely on the talented ensemble around her. Lots of Matthew Perry/Matt Le Blanc's post 'Friends' projects failed because they didn't have this, so Cox has learnt well.
Yes there's an obsession with sex, but really what American sitcom these days doesn't?! We may not like some of the content, but you'd be raging against a fading light to stop it.
A good opening to the show.
This is a bright and breezy comedy that although Cox is at the centre of, relies hugely on the talented ensemble around her. Lots of Matthew Perry/Matt Le Blanc's post 'Friends' projects failed because they didn't have this, so Cox has learnt well.
Yes there's an obsession with sex, but really what American sitcom these days doesn't?! We may not like some of the content, but you'd be raging against a fading light to stop it.
A good opening to the show.
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