Review: 'Cougar Town' - 'A One Story Town': The kiss the girl gambit
Half the 'Scrubs' cast reunites, and the rest of the episode's terrific, too
Christa Miller and Sarah Chalke reunited on "Cougar Town."
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A review of tonight's "Cougar Town" coming up just as soon as part of my fantasy involves bragging...
When "Cougar Town" traveled the country doing its fan screenings during the long hiatus, "A One Story Town" was always one of the episodes shown, and for good reason. Not only does it bring six former "Scrubs" co-stars together in the tag so that Ted can finally freak out over how many people in Jules' life (Ellie, Chick, Angie, the J.D.-looking pizza guy and even, for some reason, The Todd) resemble people from Sacred Heart(*), but it's just a splendid episode that serves as a strong reminder that "Cougar Town" isn't just coasting on residual affection for Bill Lawrence's previous show. More than any episode since the season premiere, it expertly combined the heartwarming and ridiculous sides of this show, pairing the romance with a series of terrific, escalating running gags.
(*) Though note that he's never all that troubled by Jules herself, even though she was the chief of medicine for a handful of episodes towards the end.
The model for the story is "Gambit," a '60s caper movie starring Michael Caine at his suavest and Shirley MacLaine at her most limber(**), which Kevin Biegel has been obsessed with forever. The first 20 minutes of the movie shows Caine and MacLaine pull off the heist with precision timing, only to reveal that this was just Caine describing his plan to an accomplice. When they actually go to do it, the real world, and all the personalities involved, get in the way early and often.
(**) Seriously, there's a move MacLaine does in the final heist scene that impressed me as much as the outtakes at the end of every Jackie Chan movie where you see how he actually did those stunts. I'm glad I got to watch it before it disappeared off Netflix Instant along with the rest of the Starz library, but I highly recommend seeking out the DVD, anyway. Lots of fun.
You don't have to know "Gambit" to appreciate any of this, though. (I wasn't even aware of the homage until after I'd watched it, and then went looking for the movie.) The structure just serves the story, as we see Jules' master plan to get Angie to kiss Bobby impeded by bees, Quebecois and manatees, among other obstacles. The worse the date became, the funnier the episode got, especially since we already knew how it was supposed to work in an ideal world. And along the way, we got to once again deal with Jules' feelings about having such a self-involved best friend in "Sarge," with Grayson's neuroses about his abilities as a lover, with Bobby's tendency to take his shirt off whenever possible ("Haven't you ever seen 'Roadhouse'?"), and with how Ted's band inevitably provides the perfect soundtrack to any big moment. (Putting the Quebecois in town for a crab festival was a particularly clever touch, as it provided an excuse for someone to be dressed in a crab suit, Sebastian-style, while the band sang "Kiss the Girl" from "The Little Mermaid.")
I also enjoyed Jules and Ellie recreating Tom Cruise's karate-chopping running style (even though Jules' movie knowledge waxes and wanes, even within this episode), Tom having a gift for scattering crowds, Bobby repeating the bread bowl mistake over and over, and Laurie being blinded with no one to help her but the "damn Quebec'ers."
Just a terrific outing. "Cougar Town" firing on all thrusters. As the title card says, it's "not just 'Scrubs' in Florida with wine," even if Elliot, Jordan, Ted, Bob Kelso, J.D. and The Todd somehow all wound up in Jules' living room at the same moment.
What did everybody else think?
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Login or create a HitFix account Login Signupsepinwall
March 13, 2012 at 9:03PM EST Reply to CommentAlso, question: on Scrubs, there was a storyline where either Elliott got her thighs burned and Heather Graham rubbed ointment on them (arousing The Todd, etc.), or vice versa. Anyone remember which? A smaller callback than the tag scene.
Jeff It was Heather who burned her thighs. I believe she said something about them being "very hot and pink," which of course attracted The Todd's attention.
March 13, 2012 at 9:54PM ESTDaniel I'm pretty sure Sarak Chalke said the exact same 'wait, all this was for me?' line in Scrubs, with the same doe eyed, head tilted 'acting' she does so well :/
March 13, 2012 at 10:45PM ESTLoved the episode so much but that woman unfortunately grates on me
marcusmash I'm pretty sure Elliot burns Molly's thighs by spilling coffee on her. Later Molly says that her thighs are "very hot and pink" and Elliot offers to rub ointment on them which piques the interest of most of the males in the hospital (though I don't think The Todd is one of them, oddly enough).
March 14, 2012 at 12:39AM ESTmgrabois In a video chat on Facebook with Bill, Christa, and Sarah, Sarah mentioned that something like that happened on a plane where the stewardess spilled something hot in her lap and burned her thighs.
March 14, 2012 at 2:31AM ESTDrew
March 13, 2012 at 9:18PM EST Reply to CommentThe episode was funny enough and sweet enough that it merited a positive review before the tag. And then it aired, and the episode was even more awesome!
Tag aside, I'd say my favorite bit had to be Bobby getting in the middle without a shirt on because of course that's what you do. Bobby is like none other, but it's always great.
Fantastic episode.
KER
March 13, 2012 at 9:22PM EST Reply to CommentAlan you asks something about a Zach Braff like pizza boy. Was that NOT Zach? It looked like him to me but I watch live without a DVR.
sepinwall That was Zach. I said he looked like J.D. Which he did. But he wasn't J.D., just like Chick's not Kelso, Ellie's not Jordan, etc.
March 13, 2012 at 9:23PM ESTPennywise Alan, you're making my head hurt.
March 14, 2012 at 10:00AM ESTPenny
March 13, 2012 at 9:27PM EST Reply to CommentZach Braff the pizza boy hasn't been on the show before, has he?
LJA Not sure if it was the pizza boy or not, but Zach Braff was on doing the app app.
March 14, 2012 at 10:40AM ESTOmagus
March 13, 2012 at 9:33PM EST Reply to CommentFantastic episode. It was great in and of itself but I definitely loved the "Scrubs" reunion. And I am ALWAYS a sucker for a well-timed reference to "The Wire." "I will murder you Omar-style."
Mike
March 13, 2012 at 9:38PM EST Reply to CommentNo mention of Tom as a Scrubs actor as well?
Bgklein Yeah, Tom was in his Dr. coat in the window at the end. I'll always love his delivery of "and a really interesting guy named Ron" back on Scrubs
March 14, 2012 at 9:30AM ESTTL
March 13, 2012 at 9:45PM EST Reply to CommentThe best part of the entire episode was that final tag. Other than that it was another miss.
Intellectual Ninja Wow... you are just as bad, and just as wrong, as Ryan McGee has been with his Fringe reviews.
March 13, 2012 at 10:13PM ESTBetter to say something nice, or say nothing at all. If you don't like it, stop watching.
ryanmcgee Wait...we can't say anything unless it's positive? That sounds like an unsound policy. But hey, to each his/her own.
March 13, 2012 at 10:43PM ESTIntellectual Ninja No, you can be critical.
March 13, 2012 at 11:18PM ESTAs most of us were saying after your last Fringe review, we would actually APPRECIATE actual criticism of the show, as it is...
... not more "woe-is-me" whining about how the show shouldn't have done this or shouldn't have done that. We get it, you don't personally like the idea of erasing Peter. But you're missing the good work being done on the show while playing "what if."
It's just repetitive.
Anthony Foglia No, I agree with TL. And I am a fan. I went to the Cougar Town screening in NY.[*] It just didn't click. I didn't understand why Angie would keep giving Bobby a last chance. And the ending was obvious from the beginning. Who didn't expect Ted and the Peons to serenade Bobby and Angie with "Kiss the Girl" from the moment Jules described the date? Or who didn't see Tom's power to disperse people would be used to give them space? I just expected both to happen at the beach.
March 13, 2012 at 11:49PM ESTI thought last week's was better.
[*] Where they did _not_ show this episode. Bill Lawrence said they were going to show the tag after showing episodes 1 and 4, but it didn't show up in our theater.
Dave It never occurred to me I'd get a Fringe spoiler buried in a Cougar Town post. Wah wah.
March 14, 2012 at 12:16AM ESTMatt
March 13, 2012 at 9:52PM EST Reply to CommentThat was, in my opinion, the best, funniest episode of Cougar Town that they've ever done. Granted, I am a huge Scrubs fan (it's why I started watching Cougar Town in the first place), but even without all the Scrubs conenctions, that was a great, funny episode that really encapsulates what the show is all about. This has been a very good season so far, and hopefully the attempt to draw in Scrubs fans who weren't already watching will produce even a few more viewers.
jurassica Chiming in as a huge Scrubs fan who doesn't watch Cougar Town. I've watched probably 1 episode in full, and parts of a couple other ones, and it's never fully pulled me in. I felt like I was stumbling on a group of friends who have a lot of in-jokes and aren't very friendly with outsiders. But I wonder if this episode might "bridge the gap." I'll give it a go.
March 13, 2012 at 11:44PM ESTAce Chiming in as a Scrubs fan who loves this show; that tag was one of my favorite bits of TV all year.
March 14, 2012 at 1:10AM ESTRobin Chiming in as someone who was only a moderate Scrubs fan; I agree that this was one of the best Cougar Towns they have ever done.
March 14, 2012 at 9:55AM ESTLiberty Bell Chiming in as someone who likes to chime in, I chime chime, cha-chime, chime.
March 14, 2012 at 3:34PM ESTWatts
March 13, 2012 at 10:38PM EST Reply to CommentWhen I saw this episode at one of the preseason viewing parties, I'd just been to see Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol that afternoon, which made the Tom Cruise running gag(s) that much funnier.
LJA
March 13, 2012 at 10:41PM EST Reply to CommentI got to see this at the Cougar Town viewing party on their home lot after a set tour and drinks. The crowd went INSANE for the the tag, I mean, we really went nuts. It was really a nice moment for everyone in attendance.
Pennywise They actually didn't show this ep at the second NYC screening which is sort of a shame, but I'm kind of glad it was a surprise.
March 14, 2012 at 9:57AM ESTRick
March 13, 2012 at 10:42PM EST Reply to CommentI stopped watching CougarTown after the second episode, and I don't think Cox herself would blame me for that. I've been astounded that Alan keeps reviewing it, and in disbelief that it could turn around to be something watchable. Tonight, spurred on by Scrubs cameo promos, I sat down and watched again.
I still don't see it.
Assuming that most people reading the review are already CT fans, though, I'll hold off on calling out the difficulties.
Instead, I wanted to complain about the comparison to Gambit. Yes, there was an ideal version and a realized version, but that's a common enough storytelling technique. What set Gambit apart was that you didn't know the idealized version wasn't real until ~25 minutes into the film. Here, it was perfectly clear that Jules was describing a plan, and that hilarious things would happen to disrupt it. That's not Gambit. That's a step away from having Busy Phillips saying, "I did NOT see that coming."
Col Bat Guano Nitpick much?
March 14, 2012 at 1:47AM ESTDGMayor
March 13, 2012 at 11:01PM EST Reply to CommentIn case anyone missed it, early on when they were sitting at the table that Tom had just blown up, you could see Gambit on the marquee of the theater behind Ellie.
troopermsu
March 13, 2012 at 11:41PM EST Reply to CommentEven Jules would know about the all-powerful Cruise.
Sarah
March 14, 2012 at 12:08AM EST Reply to CommentHands down my favorite episode of the season so far. This show makes me so happy. Please let there be another season.
jenfullmoon
March 14, 2012 at 12:21AM EST Reply to CommentGambit can be found for rental on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Gambit/dp/B00498TR30
I think I liked this one best of all the episodes I've seen so far. Well done!
Ace
March 14, 2012 at 1:08AM EST Reply to Commentthe ending with the Scrubs scene and the "Elliot" hair blowing bit; when Ken Jenkins walked in, it basically made my day. What a great show.
mgrabois
March 14, 2012 at 2:38AM EST Reply to CommentI also didn't realize that Bob Clenendin (who plays Tom) was on "Scrubs", but IMDB says he was in 7 episodes over the years as Dr. Zeltzer.
chrisis
March 14, 2012 at 3:51AM EST Reply to CommentAnyone else noticing Bill Lawrence sitting in the Bar drinking?
Anna
March 14, 2012 at 7:53AM EST Reply to CommentAlso in another great small nod to Scrubs, I loved "Sarge"/Jordan getting Angie/Elliot's attention by calling her Blondie, Dr. Cox style.
Robin Ha! Didn't even catch that, but you're right.
March 14, 2012 at 9:58AM ESTPennywise
March 14, 2012 at 10:03AM EST Reply to CommentI'm amazed at how chockablock this episode was with the references. The Wire? Little Mermaid? Roadhouse? plus the homage to Gambit and nods to Scrubs and Tom Cruise running in every movie ever? It's impressive they were able to get any plot points in to this episode.
snowlarbear don't forget that movie with weaver and an alien in it.
March 14, 2012 at 10:44AM ESTsnowlarbear
March 14, 2012 at 10:46AM EST Reply to Commentthey really couldn't get dr. beardface to drop in?
NJMark As Alan might put it:
March 14, 2012 at 10:58AM ESTWe had Jordan, Kelso, Elliott, Ted & the Worthless Peons, JD, and The Todd.
Dayenu.
(Although, Todd's appearance reminds me: where has Barb been this season?)
chrisis NJMRK: You forgot Dr. Zeltzer (Bob Clendenin) :)
March 14, 2012 at 11:59AM ESTNJMark I just didn't regard him as a Scrubs character anyone cared about.
March 14, 2012 at 12:37PM ESTHe was apparently on for 7 episodes, and I don't think very many viewers remembered him at all, and certainly didn't know the name without looking it up.
sepinwall "they really couldn't get dr. beardface to drop in?"
March 14, 2012 at 12:46PM ESTIt's Beard-fuh-say, dammit!
Scott Rosenberg
March 14, 2012 at 10:53AM EST Reply to CommentFunny thing... after watching this off my DVR, I switched to a late-night rerun of Scrubs, and cracked up when cougartown's Tom had a bit part, and apparently wearing the same name tag as he did in this episode.
Owen
March 14, 2012 at 12:17PM EST Reply to CommentWasn't my favorite episode. I prefer the loose, hanging-around-and-goofing off vibe that most episodes have. Since this one was so focused on pulling off the date, Ellie, Laurie, Travis, Andy, and Grayson didn't have a whole lot to do. They each had about as much to do as Tom does in a usual episode: popping their heads in once in a while to make a joke. Which is fine. It's good to change things up once in a while. Just not my favorite look for the show.
Grayson's kissing insecurity was the only plotline that felt like classic Cougar Town.
Maybe it was the tag (which I loved), but the episode had more of a Scrubs vibe to me than a Cougar Town vibe. Which is fine. I love Scrubs. But I don't need any more Scrubs episodes, and I've been happy that they made Cougar Town into something other than Scrubs 3.0.
keith
March 14, 2012 at 12:32PM EST Reply to CommentBecause of this review and Abed I've started watching CT, beginning at season 2. I'm at 207 now and tbh I don't see the point. The comedy is far too derivative, the characters seem very artificial. I liked that Usual Suspects bit they did just then.
Mark S.
March 14, 2012 at 1:40PM EST Reply to CommentI loved this episode. My wife and I were almost falling off the couch laughing. But, I do have to say that I don't really like what they've done with Grayson recently. I want to see him with Bobby, Travis and Andy more.
leemats
March 14, 2012 at 1:48PM EST Reply to CommentI saw Gambit for the first time a few weeks ago and didn't pick up on the reference until you mentioned it, Alan. Laverne & Shirley did a "Gamibit-esque" two parter in season six called The Bardwell Caper. I don't believe they ever mentioned Gambit, but they did make reference to Mission: Impossible, which I guess CT also did with the Tom Cruise running bit.
Mike
March 14, 2012 at 6:50PM EST Reply to CommentAnyone else notice that "Gambit" was playing at the movie theater Laurie was trying to get to?
srpad
March 14, 2012 at 7:25PM EST Reply to CommentA very funny episode and as soon as Jules called it Operation Kiss the Girl, I knew that would be the song they sing at the end and I couldn't wait to hear it (and the killed it as usual). But...I think the date went so hilariously bad that the show really didn't earn that kiss. As romantic as that moment was, I didn't buy it. Still, loving the season and the Scrubs reunion made my day.
JedyKnight
March 14, 2012 at 11:25PM EST Reply to CommentYes.. count me in on the camp of those who think CT can go too outlandish with some of the gags, Tom's gift was way over the top, i think scaled down would have been funnier.. but man, they are really, really hitting all homeruns in the heart warming department.. plus the mini SCRUBS reunion just made my day. =)