ABC Says "No" To Cougars, Except Courteney Cox
How hypocritical!
Tonight is the premiere of Courteney Cox's new drama Cougar Town, a show about, well, women who are cougars! Trying to bite off the similar audience, the website CougarLife.com approached the big-wigs at ABC to run a commercial during the show. It seemed like a perfect fit for both the network and the website, which is run by self-proclaimed cougar Claudia Openkelder.
Originally, there was some debate over the content of the commercial, but the problem was supposedly resolved. Unfortunately for Claudia and her team, at the 11th hour, ABC said they were cutting the commercial, not because of content, but because they no longer felt it was "appropriate" to promote a site for Cougars.
Anyone else seeing the double-standard here?
Well, the folks at CougarLife.com sure do, especially the founder, Claudia, who released an angry statement to us, saying: “It appears the executives at ABC seem a little too insecure to allow the notion of real world cougars to exist anywhere other than in the realm of fiction.”
Though they now have offers from competing networks to run the ad, the principal of the thing still stands and Claudia considers herself completely blindsided by these turn of events as the execs at ABC were involved in the whole creative process, including approval of the storyboards and script.
Tsk, tsk ABC execs!
Check out the ad they passed on (above).
How do all U cougars feel about this?
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Typical, they're not looking to promote positive images of women, they're looking to exploit and degrade people. When it becomes real life, they suddenly become judgmental and they close their minds to the notion of it. Same way I bet they'd probably feel it was inappropriate to air Gay themed ads on channels other than Logo. Don't expect to change their minds any time soon, or for that matter, in your life time.
what does the age difference between a younger man and an older woman need to be to be deemed a cougar. does the woman have to be 5 years older, 10, 15? you wouldnt call a guy dating a girl 5yrs younger a craddle snatcher so at what point is he a craddle snatcher?
It's their right to show any commercials they want. Obviously a tough decision for money-grubby tv execs, but it is Disney, so not surprised they passed on it.
Having a show about something doesn't mean you condone it. In SouthPark Cartman hates Jews, but I don't think that ComedyCentral would allow a site about Holocaust denial to air a commercial. Not apples to apples of course, but you get the idea.
ironic.. and hypocritical…
You go old bitches!!
they must have changed their minds.. this commercial was just on!! and this show is great
Re: yourmom2 –
While it's true that they aren't trying to endorse a lifestyle but still, the fact that they deemed it "inappropriate" kind of makes your head do a double take. Besides your South Park Analogy doesn't add in. In SP, Cartman is the antagonist, so technically whatever he says isn't mean to be taken seriously. Cougartown is a show based on the lifestyles of Cougars. If ABC was trying to play the Moral hand here, why even air a show like Cougartown in the first place? Seems kind of a moot argument.
I know Courtney is desperate for a hit show after Dirt was cancelled, but this show just seems like a big yawn. I wouldn't know for sure because I haven't watched it, but then again, why would I?
I'm the blonde school girl in this commercial - this was my very first commercial ever - and I'm SO upset that I didn't get to see it on TV!!!
I think it's ridiculous that it was pulled!
Perezito - sometimes you should hold on with your judgement. Just saw Cougar Town and ABC did air the comertial for cougarlife.com. By the way the show is hillarious. Cortney's hot and funny.
Re: bbmb305 – I just watched it, and I didn't see it!!!!
Re: YUCK – I was wondering the same thing. When the term first started being used it was directed at older women (late 40's-50's) who went after young guys (like 15-20 yrs younger). Now they call any woman at any age dating a younger guy, a cougar. It makes no sense. My friend is 28 dating a 25 yr old guy (who pursued her) & even our female friends call her a cougar. It's so stupid.
watched the show tonight and it was amazing!! loved it…and that commercial was aired towards the end of the episode….
I think they passed on it because it sucks.
Re: alexista –
I watched it and it's actually really good! It's funny too. I was like you, expecting it to be another boring show that would die off quickly, but I think this one has some amazing promise!
ABC SHOULD pass on this and just put up their own cougar site and advertise that.
ABC execs are assholes for many reasons.
Great show! Funny!
ABC just doesn't want to mix fiction with reality. They still have an image to uphold.
I saw the show and I really liked it. I also saw the commercial, so they must have changed their minds.
I LOVED THE SHOW TONIGHT!
Post FAIL! The commercial went on as scheduled, fucktard.
i didnt get to see it but i saw the previews !!! really funny
BREAKING NEWS!! Americans are hypocritical!?! I had no idea…
Re: la poopsiekins – haha–I agree, it was a stupid commercial
I like the commercial.
This is Claudia, President of CougarLife.com. Perez's post is correct. ABC corporate DID reject airing the commercial but some locally owned ABC stations didn't agree with the corporate positioning and decided to run it.
well, I watch the show and I think it has potential, and they DID SHOW the advertising for cougarlife or whatever that site is and I thought it was part of the show but then i did realize it was for real… good for them! if an old gizzard can f*ck a high school girl, why a cougar cant bed a hot 20yo guy? I would!!!
Tsk, Tsk, Props to you, Perez for bringing to light more double standards from the networks. The spot apparently aired anyway, so are you sure this was not just a publicity stunt? I'm not a cougar, just a cougar lover. All this hoopla over one word. Doesn't this term seem to just empower older women to be strong, date whoever they want, and look awesome?! I don't get it! This is why Europeans and South Americans laugh at us for being so damn uptight about anything sexual. Those private parts you were born with are meant to be used people! Notice how I got a plug for my movie in there, he, he……Stern out…..
cheesy commercial…I liked the show though
What cluster f@c*s abc is. That was a cute commercial. Its unfathomable why or what there excuse is. It was tastful and hetero whats the problem?
I LOVE it!
I enjoyed Cougar Town and Modern Family… those will be the only two new sitcoms I'll be watching this year
Actually, here in Canada they showed the commercial. I thought it was funny…
yeah, up here in Toronto, i tuned into the show just as the commercial was playing and initially thought i was watching the show until i saw the Cougarlife.com visual at the end of the spot and realized i was watching a cheesy ad.
the show is about a college football team called the cougars.
Love Courteney! Give her the time. FX needs to bring back her show 'DIRT'. It was excellent! Will always be a fan of hers.
I thought cougartown was a comedy not a drama??? that's what it seemed like when i watched it