Inside Television with Alan Sepinwall

'Cougar Town' fans get a premiere date for Valentine's Day

Courteney Cox comedy to return Tuesdays at 8:30

By Alan Sepinwall Tuesday, Jan 17, 2012 2:02 PM

Courteney Cox and the rest of the "Cougar Town" gang finally got some good news today with a premiere date and timeslot.

Credit: ABC

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When the gang from "Cougar Town" crashed press tour with their own unofficial TCA party to talk about the show and their responsibility to interact with fans, the unspoken assumption among everyone there was that the show would wind up on Tuesdays at 8:30 after "Last Man Standing," replacing "Work It." The only question was when. How long would it take ABC to pull the plug on "Work It," and how many weeks would they feel they needed to promote the "Cougar Town" season 3 premiere?

Well, ABC killed "Work It" last week, and today they announced (via Twitter) that "Cougar Town" will be back on Tuesday, February 14 at 8:30 p.m.

It's not an especially good timeslot, as I don't see a ton of audience crossover between this show and "Last Man," but it's going to be on the air. And at this point, the future of the show is going to have as much to do with ABC's ownership of it (it is, in fact, the only current ABC comedy owned by ABC/Disney).

As mentioned in one of the above-linked posts, I've seen the first five episodes of the season, and they're very good: silly and sweet and warm and drunk in that "Cougar Town" way. And now you get to see 'em. Enjoy.

Alan Sepinwall
Sr. Editor, What's Alan Watching

Alan Sepinwall has been reviewing television since the mid-'90s, first for Tony Soprano's hometown paper, The Star-Ledger, and now for HitFix. His new book, "The Revolution Was Televised," about the last 15 years of TV drama, is for sale at Amazon. He can be reached at sepinwall@hitfix.com

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klg19

Excellent news! Excellent, excellent, excellent news.

I hadn't heard that the network had *already* killed "Work It." That has to tie for one of the shortest runs in network history...with "Playboy Club," for example?

I'm not sure anyone will miss it.
January 17, 2012 at 3:07PM EST Reply to Comment
- Guest No, there have been shows that have been cancelled during the airing of their pilot episode. Also, TPC aired three episodes instead of Work It's two.
  January 17, 2012 at 5:01PM EST
- Ted Schmoesby no one will miss work it...HOWEVER, those of us in St. Louis were looking forward to a cameo n the show by world series MVP David Freese. Alan, any update on whether or not & when that might air would be appreciated
  January 17, 2012 at 5:09PM EST
Clint

Why don't they just pair it with Happy Endings? Those two are a perfect fit for one another.
January 17, 2012 at 3:10PM EST Reply to Comment
- sepinwall Because neither show is strong enough, ratings-wise to lead off an hour.
  January 17, 2012 at 3:19PM EST
- Matt Z. Yeah, they'd be a great match creatively, but the hour would most likely be death ratings-wise.
  January 17, 2012 at 3:24PM EST
aransoto

Great news to srtart my week :D
January 17, 2012 at 3:22PM EST Reply to Comment
- Guest Let Community rise and be next! Are you there Chelsea? Are you serious?
  January 17, 2012 at 4:13PM EST
toonsterwu

yes. Best comedy on TV, IMO, is back. Guess I'm just a Bill Lawrence mark.
January 17, 2012 at 3:53PM EST Reply to Comment
sangs

Let's raise a Big Joe (RIP) to the news! So happy to hear it'll be back soon.
January 17, 2012 at 4:00PM EST Reply to Comment
LJA

Excellent news! As a Scrubs fan, I love episode #5!
January 17, 2012 at 4:12PM EST Reply to Comment
Jonathan

I guess ABC is concerned about "The New Girl" competition? I would imagine the two share much of the same audience.
January 17, 2012 at 5:37PM EST Reply to Comment
Maureen

This is very, very good news! I was very hopeful when they pulled the plug on Work It. Oh, I do so wish they could pair it with Happy Endings, I understand why it can't happen though. Tuesday is shaping up to be a good night between Cougar Town, Parenthood and Justified!
January 17, 2012 at 6:05PM EST Reply to Comment
NJMark

They have decided to "steer into the skid" -- the poster says "Bad title. Good comedy."
January 17, 2012 at 6:20PM EST Reply to Comment
south

I the 1st and 5th episode of this season at a Cougar Town viewing party last week. Check out Bill Lawrence's twitter if you want to attend one. So glad it's back on the air!
January 17, 2012 at 7:19PM EST Reply to Comment
Lazycrockett

Its a shame that they have backwatered it to Tuesday night. Sometimes it's like networks want to rid themselves of entertaining shows.
January 18, 2012 at 1:23AM EST Reply to Comment
Shirley

Actually It's the only ABC comedy solely owned by ABC. But Happy Endings is a co- production between ABC Studios and Sony
January 18, 2012 at 8:53AM EST Reply to Comment

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Inside Television with Alan Sepinwall

'Cougar Town' fans get a premiere date for Valentine's Day

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Comments

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

klg19 Excellent news! Excellent, excellent, excellent news.I hadn't heard that the network had *already* killed "Work It." That has to tie for one of the shortest runs in network history...with "Playboy Club," for example?I'm not sure anyone will miss it.

Guest No, there have been shows that have been cancelled during the airing of their pilot episode. Also, TPC aired three episodes instead of Work It's two.

Ted Schmoesby no one will miss work it...HOWEVER, those of us in St. Louis were looking forward to a cameo n the show by world series MVP David Freese. Alan, any update on whether or not & when that might air would be appreciated

Clint Why don't they just pair it with Happy Endings? Those two are a perfect fit for one another.

sepinwall Because neither show is strong enough, ratings-wise to lead off an hour.

Matt Z. Yeah, they'd be a great match creatively, but the hour would most likely be death ratings-wise.

aransoto Great news to srtart my week :D

Guest Let Community rise and be next! Are you there Chelsea? Are you serious?

toonsterwu yes. Best comedy on TV, IMO, is back. Guess I'm just a Bill Lawrence mark.

sangs Let's raise a Big Joe (RIP) to the news! So happy to hear it'll be back soon.

LJA Excellent news! As a Scrubs fan, I love episode #5!

Jonathan I guess ABC is concerned about "The New Girl" competition? I would imagine the two share much of the same audience.

Maureen This is very, very good news! I was very hopeful when they pulled the plug on Work It. Oh, I do so wish they could pair it with Happy Endings, I understand why it can't happen though. Tuesday is shaping up to be a good night between Cougar Town, Parenthood and Justified!

NJMark They have decided to "steer into the skid" -- the poster says "Bad title. Good comedy."

south I the 1st and 5th episode of this season at a Cougar Town viewing party last week. Check out Bill Lawrence's twitter if you want to attend one. So glad it's back on the air!

Lazycrockett Its a shame that they have backwatered it to Tuesday night. Sometimes it's like networks want to rid themselves of entertaining shows.

Shirley Actually It's the only ABC comedy solely owned by ABC. But Happy Endings is a co- production between ABC Studios and Sony

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Cougar Town is updated

klg19

Excellent news! Excellent, excellent, excellent news.

I hadn't heard that the network had already killed "Work It." That has to tie for one of the shortest runs in network history...with "Playboy Club," for example?

I'm not sure anyone will miss it.

Clint

Why don't they just pair it with Happy Endings? Those two are a perfect fit for one another.

aransoto

Great news to srtart my week :D

toonsterwu

yes. Best comedy on TV, IMO, is back. Guess I'm just a Bill Lawrence mark.

sangs

Let's raise a Big Joe (RIP) to the news! So happy to hear it'll be back soon.

LJA

Excellent news! As a Scrubs fan, I love episode #5!

Jonathan

I guess ABC is concerned about "The New Girl" competition? I would imagine the two share much of the same audience.

Maureen

This is very, very good news! I was very hopeful when they pulled the plug on Work It. Oh, I do so wish they could pair it with Happy Endings, I understand why it can't happen though. Tuesday is shaping up to be a good night between Cougar Town, Parenthood and Justified!

NJMark

They have decided to "steer into the skid" -- the poster says "Bad title. Good comedy."

south

I the 1st and 5th episode of this season at a Cougar Town viewing party last week. Check out Bill Lawrence's twitter if you want to attend one. So glad it's back on the air!

Lazycrockett

Its a shame that they have backwatered it to Tuesday night. Sometimes it's like networks want to rid themselves of entertaining shows.

Shirley

Actually It's the only ABC comedy solely owned by ABC. But Happy Endings is a co- production between ABC Studios and Sony

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