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Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/11585
ML EXCLUSIVE! person. Yes, her eyes really are that stunning shade of blue, her dark, glossy locks rival those found in Paul Mitchell commercials, her complexion is flawless, and she truly is quite diminutive —even in the cougarlicious stilettos she donned. And while you’d normally dislike someone that comes this close to perfection, it’s impossible since she is the kind of person you could definitely see yourself— say, having a mochaccino with at your neighborhood Central Perk or chatting up over a glass of vino. B She wasn’t loud or over the top, as one might expect when you associate her with the much-loved character, Monica Geller, she played on Friends for ten years. Courteney was poised, reserved, and spoke articulately. The veteran actress confessed that she’s actually more like Jules Cobb, the character she portrays on ABC’s Cougar Town (executive produced by Coquette Productions: headed by husband David Arquette and herself). Courteney explained, “Monica was really competitive. I don’t think Jules is competitive and I’m not competitive. I said this before and I felt bad afterwards because I think Friends is such a great show, but I definitely relate more to Jules and am more like Jules than Monica.” Really? More like Jules? How can Courteney relate more to playing a single-again, hot mom AKA cougar, when she’s married? “Living the dream,” Courteney playfully replied. “I can relate because I can imagine if I wasn’t married what it would be like –so, just pretending.” That’s why it’s called acting. Seeing what its like up close helps too. “I don’t have many married friends really,” she added. For those who haven’t seen the cleverly comedic show, which was picked up for a second season this year, Jules is a real-estate agent in Gulf Haven, (a fictional town in Sarasota, Florida) mother to a teenage son, recently divorced, thus rejoining a dating scene now fraught with hot, younger prospects. Choosing Florida for where Jules resides was a decision that was close to the Creators / Executive Producers, Bill Lawrence (who Courteney worked with on Friends and Scrubs prior to collaborating on Cougar Town) and Kevin Biegel, as well as Courteney, who all have roots in Florida. “Kevin is from Florida. My parents went to Rollins College. My family lives on the St. John’s River in Deland,” explained Bill. “I thought we’d make a joke when we had Brian Van Holt’s character, Bobby Cobb, (Jules’ex- husband) live in a land boat. My Uncle Bob, who was a great fishing guy sent me an email that read: Here are five pictures of my friends living in a land boat,” Bill said with a laugh. “I think its fun when shows have a connection to a part of the country. Courteney is a small town Southern girl as well,” he pointed out. Courteney is originally from Alabama, but most of her family resides here in Florida. “My brother lives 20 minutes from Destin. My dad lives there. My mom is in Alabama. My sister is in Georgia and elieving that the stars we see on TV, or splashed across magazines, rely on the assistance of flattering lighting and Photoshop to look that amazing is something we find solace in. However, the above-mentioned does not apply to Courteney Cox —she is even more beautiful in everyone else is in Florida,” said Courteney. As for Southern Florida, when I asked about her favorite spot in Miami, Courteney thoughtfully reminisced, “I did Ace Ventura there so many years ago…” She paused a moment to think. “Oh, STK!” she responded excitedly. “They just opened.” She certainly has good taste. Known for attracting celebs and those with a predilection for mouth-watering steaks served in a chicly adorned space, STK opened this past January in the Gansevoort South Beach Hotel. Cougar Town has already had a few famous faces make guest appearances: Friends alumna Lisa Kudrow, Scott Foley, Sheryl Crow… “Sheryl’s a really close friend of mine. I adore her. She just did a great job. I’m just so happy she was there. It was so nice of her to do it,” Courteney fondly recalled. I for one love when actors /actresses invite their friends to act in their shows or movies. So, can we look forward to seeing any other Friends, perhaps real-life B.F. and godmother of Courteney’s daughter Coco, Jennifer Aniston? “She’s so busy. I’m sure at some point she would do it. I can guarantee that she’s not coming on anytime soon…” When Jen finally does have some free time to stop by Gulf Haven, what type of role does Courteney see her B.F. playing? She exultantly replied, “Something fantastic —something she would just have a blast at.” Cougar Town’s quirky coined What makes the ultimate cougar? “Casting the cutest young guy,” Courteney said with a laugh. “Just being a confident woman and feeling confident enough to go out with someone younger and not be self-conscious.” terms like the Blumfie, better known as the Snuggie, and games like “Penny Can” and “Gay Trap” generate an addictive appeal, while Jules’ ability to poke fun at herself and look good doing it make her the definitive cougar. Bill had told Courteney, “The show would only work if you can buy into being completely self- deprecating and have no vanity whatsoever. You will let people see you in the most embarrassing situations right from the start (noting the scene where Jules evaluates her body). I think this is the one actress of her level in Hollywood that was immediately like, Yeah, who gives a shit?” said Bill about Courteney’s breezy approach. (FRIENDS FANS: I chose breezy because it reminds me of the Friends episode where Monica leaves a message on Richard’s voicemail saying, “I’m breezy…” Sorry, I had to do it.) The show has already received accolades from viewers and the Academy. Last year, Cougar Town was nominated for a People’s Choice Award for “Favorite New Comedy Series” and this year Courteney was nominated for a Golden Globe for “Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical.” What do these awards mean to Courteney? “It means everything!” Courteney screamed in a tone that was very much Monica. “I would love to get nominated for an Emmy. To tell you the truth, I’ve been doing this for a loooong time. It would feel reeeaalll good,” she said genially. Courteney was bitten by the acting bug at a young age, leaving a list of roles for us to associate her with. Some remember her as the girl pulled on stage in the Bruce Springsteen video; others adored her as Lauren Miller, Michael J. Fox’s girlfriend on Family Ties; while many (especially myself) loved her as the vociferous and O.C.D. Monica Geller. Now, audiences are becoming enamored with Courteney all over again as Jules Cobb. MIAMI LIVING 77 ML EXCLUSIVE!