Open up a monster case of vino for Courteney Cox and the cul-de-sac crew!

After lashing out at ABC for treating them like the “ugly stepsister,” the cast of Cougar Town received word today that the alphabet net is canceling the critical-fave comedy after the current season. But there is a silver lining (and cause for grape-pounding)! ‘Cause Cougar Town has been picked up by TBS!

The cable network announced today that it has picked up Cougar Town for a fourth season and will re-air old episodes from the first three seasons as well. ABC will no longer air Cougar Town episodes after the season three finale on Tuesday.

We are guessing by Busy Phillips’ recent comments about the “disappointing” way in which ABC has treated the series, the Cougar Town cast and producer Bill Lawrence are feeling pretty jazzy about the move.

In January, Lawrence organized his own promotional event for Cougar Town at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, after ABC declined to invite the cast and crew to their own panel. He also leaked eight episodes to members of the press and, along with his cast, embarked on a grassroots campaign to try to drum up support (and ratings) for the series. Cougar Town’s season three launch was pushed back this year to midseason.

Sources at ABC tell me that many of the network higher-ups are “fans” of the series, but the ratings simply didn’t hold up, so they are clearing the way for some promising new comedies set to launch next season. ABC’s full 2012-2013 schedule will be announced Tuesday at the ABC Upfront in NYC.

Earlier this week, Phillips told our Marc Malkin she’s “really excited about the possibility” of moving to TBS.

We’re told there are no plans for the series to change its name over at TBS (even though the show still doesn’t reflect its title). So look for more funny, self-deprecating lead-ins to that title card.

eonline.com

Busy Philipps won’t be shedding any tears if ABC cancels Cougar Town.

She doesn’t want the show to end, but is hopeful the fan-favorite series will find a home on TBS if Courteney Cox and the gang do get the boot.

And it’s safe to say that Philipps is no fan of how ABC has treated Cougar Town…

“It has not been fun to feel like the ugly stepsister of the network,” Philipps told us today at Paul Frank’s Mommy & Me celebration at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

“They moved us around, they took us off the air for months,” she continued. “I do feel a little disappointed in how they’ve treated the show. If TBS is willing to launch the show in a real great way and we would actually have like billboards and commercials, that would be really cool.”

Producers have been talking to TBS about a two-season pickup if ABC gives them the boot, according to Deadline.

Philipps says she’s “really excited about the possibility” of switching networks. “I feel like if it really happens it’s kind of going to be like best case scenario for all of us,” she said.

Hopefully the rest of the cast is as gung-ho about the move as Philipps is. “The terms of the matter are we don’t have a choice,” she laughed. “Gung-ho or not, get on the train!”

A rep for ABC declined to comment for this story.

eonline.com

UPDATE SUNDAY 5/6: I hear that the deal eyed by both sides is for a two-season pickup by TBS, 15 episodes each, which would allow for Cougar Town to be sold in syndication. Negotiations are progressing and if they come to fruition, an announcement could come as soon as early next week.

PREVIOUS SATURDAY 5/5: Cougar Town is very much on the bubble but a possible cancellation by ABC would not necessarily spell the end of the underrated comedy about a group of wine-loving friends. I’ve learned that TBS has been in talks with Cougar Town producer ABC Studios about potentially picking up the series starring Courteney Cox if ABC ends up canceling it. Sources close to the situation stress that the conversations are preliminary and that transitioning a broadcast series to cable is always tricky financially. “Should the show become available, TEN looks at all opportunities presented to us that fit our brand,” a rep for TBS’ parent Turner Entertainment Networks said, declining further comment.

Cougar Town has had a rough third season. It was taken out of the protected post-Modern Family time slot. Its order was reduced and it was kept off ABC’s fall and midseason schedules until finally landing in the Tuesday 8:30 PM slot after Work It fizzled. Because Cougar Town is produced by ABC’s sister studio, one could assume that the network is aware of the talks with TBS and that the company as a whole might be exploring ways to continue the praised comedy series, which enjoys a devoted following by a core group of passionate fans and is a season away from a shot at syndication.

As ABC is reviewing its comedy pilots for next season, several of its existing series have a good shot at renewals. In addition to Modern Family, The Middle, Suburgatory and Happy Endings, which are assured to return, that also appears very likely for midseason entry Don’t Trust The B—- In Apt. 23, which has several other networks interested and ready to scoop it up if ABC passes. Also looking good to come back is Tim Allen’s Last Man Standing, which had a tough assignment to hold its own as the only multi-camera ABC comedy trying to open a new comedy night for the network. A pickup of Cougar Town by TBS (or ABC) would complicate things for two pilots, CBS’ untitled Louis CK/Spike Feresten project and NBC’s Kari Lizer project, both of which star Cougar Town cast members in second position, Dan Byrd and Josh Hopkins, respectively. If Cougar Town moves to TBS, it would be the second consecutive Bill Lawrence comedy to switch networks, following Scrubs‘ jump to ABC following its 2008 cancellation by NBC. Lawrence co-created Cougar Town with Kevin Biegel. Turner previously picked up another broadcast series, NBC drama Southland, which was recently renewed for a fifth season by TNT.

deadline.com

Why hasn’t Michelle Williams done a guest spot with her bestie Busy Philipps on Cougar Town?

You think it would have happened by now.

So what’s taking so long?

“This is not a joke—we can give [Cougar Town cocreator] Bill Lawrence all the s–t we want for it,” Philipps said at last night’s Hooray for Hollygrove event presented by Juicy Couture at the Hollywood Museum. “At the beginning of the show, in the first season, I told him, ‘My friend Michelle Williams wants to guest star on the show.’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah.’ And they never did anything with it!

“And then she was nominated for her third Academy Award and they’re like, ‘Hey, maybe one of your friends would wanna…?’” she continued. “I said, ‘I told you season one that she would do it! You lost her now to the third Academy Award nomination.’”

That doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause. Philipps said it “would be amazing” to work on the show with Williams.

“It would be great,” she said. “I want her to play my bookish sister who hates me.”

Sounds good to us.

EOnline.com

Over at Yowie.com on Monday, March 12th at 1:00 PM PT there will be a live video chat with the creators of “Cougar Town”!

chat with Bill Lawrence, co-creator and executive producer of “Cougar Town,” and creator and executive producer of “Scrubs,” and cast members from “Scrubs,” about the Tuesday, March 13 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET) episode of “Cougar Town” that reunites “Scrubs” alums Sarah Chalke, Robert Clendenin, Ken Jenkins and Robert Maschio (among others).

You can stop by the chat page to ask a question that might be answered during the chat!

Michael Ausiello is joined by Matt Mitovich (TVLine.com) to talk “House,” “Smash,” and the Grammys. Plus, an exclusive “House” clip, a visit from Michael Weatherly (“NCIS”), and a special “Smash” preview, performed by special guests Dan Byrd and Busy Philipps (“Cougar Town”).

Michael Ausiello (TVLine.com) visits the “Cougar Town” set to interview Courteney Cox and the cast, shoot a cameo appearance, and get the scoop on David Arquette’s guest spot. Plus, an exclusive clip from the season premiere airing Feb. 14 on ABC. And a special preview of “House” (Mondays on Fox).