A few months ago, TBS released a music video with Josh Hopkins, the in-house guitarist, leading the "Cougar Town" ensemble to a jingle entitled, "We're Back for One More Season". The song was infectious, and the cast elevated it with their rousing spirits. The video intended to spark the interest of its fans the final season, and it did so by nostalgically reviewing many of the series' iconic moments, things from the early seasons that casual viewers would overlook and what true fans would instantly recognize. I was affected by the video because "Cougar Town" is a special show, and letting go for people like me, fans from the beginning, is going to be tough for those with emotional investment in the characters, inside-jokes, and peculiar style.
So, did the season six premiere live up to the lively advertising and the sterling reputation the series had in its first three years? Yes, for the most part.
I have not been as much of a fan since the move to TBS in season four, but they seem to have a sense of direction in their eleventh hour. In fact, their prohibition-esque plot in "American Dream Plan B" is the freshest episode concept the writers have stirred up in a good while. It offered "Cougar Town" an opportunity to challenge its characters in a substantial way, revel in their signature comedy style, and exercise its laugh-o-dometer.
The characteristic of "Cougar Town" that always made it distinctive was its smart, screwball fast, and slightly eccentric comedy. "American Dream Plan B" relishes in this humor, with regular laugh-out-loud moments coming from every angle: an expansion of Tom's role in the show, Grayson's imitation of Travis's monotone voice and nerdy interests, and Jules's slightly neurotic alcoholism. The contrast between the unsubtle, exuberant comedy of Laurie and the sharp, sarcastic humor from Elle is still beating with a brisk pulse.
The cast releases their typical sedulous effort, holding the show together through some of the occasional silliness. Christa Miller is, as always, the standout from the ensemble, vibrating Ellie's cynical traits through the viewer with shrewd hilarity. Bob Clendenin as right below Miller in the cast ranking. He has made Tom one of the funniest things about the series in its later years.
Sometimes the premiere meanders in its own cleverness, going above-and-beyond in meta gimmicks that some fans will roll their eyes at. For instance, Grayson's satirical lesson to Travis in parenting was fun at first but the writers made an unsavory meal of it. Brian Van Holt was absent from last night's premiere, but apparently he will make a sizable appearance in next week's episode. Especially if next week is Bobby's final episode, my guess is that Laurie will have the baby next week. Surely, the writers will give the character enough credit of being present for the birth of his grandson, even if Van Holt wants to explore other career avenues.
"American Dream Plan B" avoids some--not all--of the mistakes "Cougar Town" made during its last two seasons, and is a worthy final season premiere carried by the joyous cast and its self-invented, ten-laughs-per-minute comedy style.
Grade: B
So, did the season six premiere live up to the lively advertising and the sterling reputation the series had in its first three years? Yes, for the most part.
I have not been as much of a fan since the move to TBS in season four, but they seem to have a sense of direction in their eleventh hour. In fact, their prohibition-esque plot in "American Dream Plan B" is the freshest episode concept the writers have stirred up in a good while. It offered "Cougar Town" an opportunity to challenge its characters in a substantial way, revel in their signature comedy style, and exercise its laugh-o-dometer.
The characteristic of "Cougar Town" that always made it distinctive was its smart, screwball fast, and slightly eccentric comedy. "American Dream Plan B" relishes in this humor, with regular laugh-out-loud moments coming from every angle: an expansion of Tom's role in the show, Grayson's imitation of Travis's monotone voice and nerdy interests, and Jules's slightly neurotic alcoholism. The contrast between the unsubtle, exuberant comedy of Laurie and the sharp, sarcastic humor from Elle is still beating with a brisk pulse.
The cast releases their typical sedulous effort, holding the show together through some of the occasional silliness. Christa Miller is, as always, the standout from the ensemble, vibrating Ellie's cynical traits through the viewer with shrewd hilarity. Bob Clendenin as right below Miller in the cast ranking. He has made Tom one of the funniest things about the series in its later years.
Sometimes the premiere meanders in its own cleverness, going above-and-beyond in meta gimmicks that some fans will roll their eyes at. For instance, Grayson's satirical lesson to Travis in parenting was fun at first but the writers made an unsavory meal of it. Brian Van Holt was absent from last night's premiere, but apparently he will make a sizable appearance in next week's episode. Especially if next week is Bobby's final episode, my guess is that Laurie will have the baby next week. Surely, the writers will give the character enough credit of being present for the birth of his grandson, even if Van Holt wants to explore other career avenues.
"American Dream Plan B" avoids some--not all--of the mistakes "Cougar Town" made during its last two seasons, and is a worthy final season premiere carried by the joyous cast and its self-invented, ten-laughs-per-minute comedy style.
Grade: B
