Courteney Cox has spent her post-Friends years working on either horrible star-vehicles (like the craptastic Dirt) or as a guest star on a dying series (Scrubs). So, it’s pretty great that her new star vehicle Cougar Town is working out, right? She seems to have a hit show, although both CB and I have seen parts of episodes here and there, and we really don’t think it’s anything special. Honestly, I couldn’t stop wincing when I watched five solid minutes. I think the dialogue aims for light-hearted and silly, but everything, from the actors’ comedic timing, to the situations, to the general atmosphere, just kinds of falls flat. I actually think Cox used to be a gifted character actress – and if this is the star vehicle that works for her, God bless. But I think she could do better.

But having a hit show isn’t the only concern anymore – because if the people who work with Cox don’t enjoy basking in her presence, the show will falter and fail. Which might be happening, according to the Enquirer. Their sources are claiming that Cox is a total control freak, and the cast and crew are on the precipice of revolt:

Courteney Cox is such a control freak on the set of “Cougar Town” that crew members are asking to be switched to other shows.

“Courteney makes a huge number of script changes to make her character look good, and she is extremely picky about everything on the show,” a set employee claims.

Workers on the set try to avoid her by using their hand-held radios to warn one another if she’s in the area.

“Her code names are ‘Mother Hen’ or ‘Cougar Queen’… that seems like all we hear all day. ‘Mother Hen needs a pick-up’ or ‘Cougar Queen is on her way to makeup’… everyone jokes that it’s her way or the highway.”

One woman in craft services felt Courteney’s wratch after she made the star a ham and cheese sandwich that didn’t measure up.

“Courteney ranted at her and said, ‘Everyone knows you are supposed to have equal parts of ham and cheese in a sandwich!’”

A wardrobe worker was terrorized by Courteney when the actress exploded at her for not having five clothing options for her for a scene that was added at the last minute, said the on-set eyewitness. The wardrobe employee had offered only three.

“Courteney got so mad and told her she would be back in 10 minutes saying, ‘If yo don’t have what I requested, you’d better not show up next time!’”

Those on the set speculate that the success of Cougar Town has gone to Cox’s head. “Courteney is the star of the show and very domineering… she gives off this ‘I’m important and you’re not’ vibe.”

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, November 23, 2009]

I believe some of this. I know that Courteney has a reputation as a control freak, even back years and years ago. She’s very organized, very methodical, very tough on herself and everyone else. She’s even admitted that about herself, about the standards she’s set for herself, and for other people. I’d imagine that she’s a really, really difficult woman to live with, but that kind of organization might come in handy for a television show. I’m not sure if I believe the part about her berating the crew, though. I’ve read that she’s not the most pleasant person, but I’ve never heard of her being that aggressive or cruel. If it is true, she should take a chill pill. She’s starring in Cougar Town, for the love of God. If one little thing goes wrong, it’s not like anyone would even notice with all of the other sh-t going wrong on that mess of a show.