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

Over at Charity Buzz, you can bid on a chance to win a cake baking session with Busy Philipps for up to 2 hours!

You can place a bid up until Wednesday, May 16th at 3:00 PM! Bid at CharityBuzz.com!

Have some fun in the kitchen when you and Busy Philipps bake a cake together!

Currently, Busy Philipps plays Laurie Keller on ABC’s Cougar Town, for which she won a Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Critic’s Choice Television Award in 2011.

She has also had roles in films like The Smokers, as Karen Carter, the drama film Home Room as Alicia Browning, she appeared in White Chicks, played a supporting role in Made of Honor and appeared in He’s Just Not That Into You.

Busy also had supporting roles in Freaks and Geeks and Dawson’s Creek.

Terms: Includes: a cake baking session with Busy Philipps. Cannot exceed 2 hours. Must take place in Brentwood, CA. Every effort will be made to schedule this experience at the earliest possible date convenient to both parties, but please note it may take up to 1 year to schedule based on availability. Expires 1 year from the close of auction. To be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon date. Cannot be transferred. Cannot be resold or re-auctioned.

Shipping and Handling The minimum shipping, handling and applicable insurance for this item is $9.95. Additional shipping charges may apply based upon the location of the winner. Hard copies of tickets, travel certificates and merchandise are shipped via FedEx or professional shipping service. Detailed redemption information for non-tangible items will be emailed to the winning bidder.

Donated by: Busy Philipps

The proceeds for this item benefit Communities In Schools

It was announced today that Busy Philipps will be a presenter at the NewNowNext Awards! The show will be taping on April 5th and will air April 9th on Logo at 10 PM!

Busy Philipps is launching an exclusive two-day online boutique with one of our beloved online retailers, Rue La La.

No, this isn’t just an opportunity to showcase her immaculate personal style or the fun toys that her precious daughter Birdie Leigh plays with on a daily basis. The boutique is one of Rue La La’s ‘Doing A Little Good’ online shop series that focuses on a celebrity’s selected charity.

As if we needed an excuse to cruise through the curated collection (think Tibi and Alex Toys to name a couple) will be donated to ‘Step Up Women’s Network,’ a non-profit that provides victims of abuse, addiction and/or violence with the support and resources they need in order to get back on their feet to succeed at home and in the office.

We know we’re sold on it and you should probably be too. Be sure to log on tomorrow, March 1 at 11 AM EST to start snapping up some awesome clothes for a seriously good cause. See you there!

StyleCaster.com

According to Variety.com, Busy Philipps has joined the film “A Case of You”.

Justin Long is getting behind the camera, writing and producing the indie “A Case of You” and starring himself, Evan Rachel Wood and Peter Dinklage.

Kat Coiro is on board to direct with Keir O’Donnell and Long’s younger brother, Christian, joining him on writing duties. O’Donnell and Busy Phillips are also on board to co-star.

Story revolves around a young writer who tries to impress a girl he meets online with an embellished profile, but finds himself in a real mess when she falls for him and he has to keep up the act.

O’Donnell will also join Justin Long as a producer alongside Holly Wiersma, Logan Levy, and Jessie Kennedy. Cassian Elwes, Frank Levy, Brintton Sanderford, Brice Sanderford, Christian Long, Jessica Neuman and Robert Barnum are exec producing.

L&L is financing the picture with Red Granite selling international rights and serving as exec producers.Film is lensing in New York.