Once Jennifer Aniston Revisits TV, Should She Stay There?

By Jo Piazza Posted Aug 24th 2010 08:20PM

Jennifer Aniston is moving back to the small screen and her timing couldn't be better. On the heels of Jen's box office disaster, 'The Switch,' it's been announced that Aniston will be teaming up with former 'Friend' Courteney Cox in the second season premiere of Courtney's hit sitcom 'Cougar Town.'

It's a good move for Jen to head back to a place where America first fell in love with her, in light of reviewers calling her "forgettable" and "depressing" in her latest failed rom-com. On television, Jen has to be hoping that she will get nothing but love.

"I think we feel like Jen is one of our best friends and you don't like to have a break from your best friend. You want them to come into your living room. I think America will embrace her when she rejoins Courteney Cox," says Hollywood Life Editor-in-Chief Bonnie Fuller.

Once Jen makes a visit to TV, should she maybe consider staying? Cox has had a successful post-'Friends' TV career, both in drama with 'Dirt' and now with comedy in 'Cougar Town,' where she essentially plays Monica 2.0. She's quirky and funny, she's just a little bit older and Chandler has dropped out of the picture. Plus, TV is where it's at these days, and Jen would be smart to start carving herself a niche.

"TV is where all the best writing is right now because cable networks provide the ever-so-coveted creative freedom that creators crave. They don't just need to produce huge blockbuster hits. As a result, TV actors don't just get handed scripts for roles that have boring, general appeal. 'The Switch' is so milquetoast -- most people probably forgot it came out this weekend," says New York Daily News television writer Cristina Kinon.

But what is the best niche for Jen to start carving? If she's looking to play something more alternative, less family-friendly, she can go somewhere like an FX or Showtime. If she misses that 'Friends' feeling, she can go back to network television. What could work is if she found a way to poke a little fun at her own situation that the tabloids have such a heyday with -- 40, divorced and looking for love.

"She needs a show built around her that makes the best of her comedic talents. She needs a role that parodies her situation, so that it isn't sad. I can see her as a Murphy Brown or a Mary Tyler Moore, a single woman taking the world by storm," Fuller says.

Jen can't afford another box office bomb. Hollywood operates on a three-strikes rule and she's got three stinkers behind her.

"Aniston doesn't need movie money. She needs industry respect. She can get that with the right show," Kinon says.

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Tags: cougar town, jennifer aniston

Comments

(58)

Wednesday 25 August

By Diane

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I lost respect for Jennifer when she started appearing nude and being so obvious about trying to get to Brad with her dumb antics.
Does she really think showing skin and appearing on magazines of architecture...(because Brad is into it) is really going to get his attention away from Angie and his children. She needs to grow up and get a life. She is obsessed with Brad, her hair, her skin and her million dollar beauty treatments. She is all washed up...time to exit.

By Glen

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Jen never really got a good movie part to play. She is always in these cheesy half-baked roles. She needs a new agent.

By Tina

It's almost as if the media wants this woman to fail. No wonder most of Hollywood is on drugs, the criticism and scrutiny these people deal with must be emotional torture. If I had to pick between fame and cash, I'd definitely take the cash. Fame seems like a big headache. How do these people have any peace of mind with everyone in their personal business? Privacy is priceless!

By Aida Kull

My husband and I saw "The Switch" and we really liked it. My husband pointed out that there wasn't any mean or bad person in the movie. The story line might have been overused due to J. Lopez' another movie exploring the same idea, but this movie has humor, romance, heart and tender moments that will make you teary eyed. It was well structured and the script was hip without being vulgar. Some moviegoers are so used to murders and instant revenge, that movies with dialogues are considered boring. Ms Aniston knows what she needs to do next. Trust her.

By rvertacnik

Pretty soon, she won't be able to get perp walked on the 6:00 news for anything much less get another hit TV show like "Friends"

By Eric

What "Jen" needs is talent -- of which she has none. She should abandon films, television, the lot (doing all of us a favor in the process).

By TitanGirl

oh well, she demoted herself. Well, that's good.

By Eleanor Peters

I see nothing to get excited about. If she has ot made it by now she never will. No actng ability plus really just a normal grl that belongs as a nanny. If she slept around a little less, it might help some. you can never make being an actress laying on your back. You have to have some talent to go with it. not jeapous here. Have a happy lifewith childen who love me and take care of me, because I took care of them. Am 83 and found out what love was all about a 2 years old. It is not who you are, but what you are.

By Allyson

She could be plagued by the green eyed beast called jealousy. Have to wonder if she wants big screen power like Angelina.

Unfortunately, she is a great TV actress and not a great big screen actress. If she plays her cards right she could again be the queen of TV and be in syndication until she is old and gray.

She needs to forget the big screen and be respected for what you are best at. TV.

By Johnny

This Woman was never a good actress! She is the the same person in everything she does, She has no range. Her looks are the only thing that get her by! Ever since friends she has turned out to be like Paris Hilton, famous for being famous! But but I can't hit her to hard , People Like this always seem to keep making buck! oh well the worlds not fair! But I can't believe anyone got paid for marly and me! The dog was the best actor in the movie, And I hated the dog the whole time!

By carole del monte

Would any of you "trashers" have the nerve to be so rude to a person's face? The Media gives full reign to nasty people who are often out & out liars, as well. I guess the publicity will help, rather than hinder Aniston's career. She'll be fine. Go back under your rocks.

By cj

Jennifer Aniston cannot act. It does not sound kind but it is true and it is necessary for her to find her real calling in life. Even if it means for her to get a life. shagging Brad's costars is not a life ...it is just a way for her to keep her medusa tentacles on Brad and in the news. she is tabloid fodder and she is making them a fortune while she pines for Brad to return to her. alas, poor maiden, it is not working. move on.

By Donna

I have always like Jennifer. She is pretty, no matter what anyone says. But she does seem to always play the same charactor in the movies. It would be good for her to be in a action movie, or drama even. Anything but these love stories.
As she ages, those parts will go to someone else.

By Ashley

The Switch was a great movie. Did you see it? The audience loved it, and so did I.

By JON Petersen

Her show business career ended with "Friends". She was the least attractive of the girls on that show. Brad left her because she was never home, too busy that Summer making every movie available trying to cash in on her Friends fame. Let some more attractive and talented actress's have a chance. Her only movies to make good money had a dog or Vince Vaughan.

By Diana

Her films are terrible. I haven't seen her do anything worthwhile since "Friends." Stick to the small screen, Jen.

Thursday 26 August

By really?

marriage does not validate a relationship, love does. Stop trying to be preachy. And as for talent, Jolie is far more talented then Jennifer Aniston, as Jolie actually has range while Aniston does not.

Monday 18 October

By g;oriadad

Not a Jen fan, Angelina's, I don't underdstand if you don't personally know someone you have to beat them down, Jennifer Aniston will be great if she goes back to TV, she will be the biggest star since Oprah, Oprah's leaving have created a vacuum that needs to be filled if she doesn't she will be missing out on what should be her calling.

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