The continually funny Cougar Town is making the move from ABC to TBS for Season 4, debuting next Tuesday - one of those rare times a low-rated, critically acclaimed series with a cult following has been saved by such a move. Speaking to the press today at the TCA (Television Critics Association) press tour, the show’s creator, Bill Lawrence, couldn't resist joking, “I don't know if you've seen, but there's commercials for the show now! It's insane!”
Asked about the transition, Lawrence replied, “Would you believe me if I said this was always my plan?,” before noting that in the current TV world, “The goal is just to stay on the air.”
He noted that Turner president Michael Wright, “was actually a fan of the show,” and told Lawrence, “All I want is you guys to do is to deliver the same show.”
The show’s title has been the center of a lot of discussion, with Lawrence in the past openly considering changing it – especially as it became clear it really had no connection to the story being told, as Jules (Courteney Cox) settled into a long term relationship with someone her own age.
With the show switching networks, Wright said they considered a title change, “For about five seconds,” adding, “We’re behind Cougar Town! “
Said Lawrence, “It’s become part of the humor. Why change something we all appreciate as part of the show’s humor? We wear it as a badge of honor.” There’s a joke included on the title card each week, and Lawrence noted, “I still enjoy mocking it and doing the title cards,” saying it had become akin to The Simpsons blackboard.
Lawrence then remarked, “Being filled with self-loathing is a characteristic of 90% of comedy writers anyway. I’ve embraced it. It’s an amazing title. I’d do it again!”
While Lawrence is still a part of the show, Rick Swartzlander has taken over has showrunner. He said that when it came to messaging from above, “TBS wanted the same show we had and they were basically saying, ‘Don’t screw it up.’”
Look for Roth Cornet’s chat with the Cougar Town cast next week, leading into the show’s January 8th return.
Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com
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