Courteney Cox stars in "Cougar Town"

Few women have captured the hearts of TV viewers like actress Courteney Cox. Now, she's looking for love, both on screen and off since splitting with hubby David Arquette in 2010. Viewers looking for a new fabulous female to lead the prime-time charge will be happy she's returning to the airwaves just in time for Valentine's Day with the season premiere of "Cougar Town," airing on Tuesday, Feb. 14, on ABC.

Cox stars as Jules, a recently divorced mom trying to navigate the ups and downs of the single life, all the while dealing with the pitfalls of aging. She's also coping with the fact that her grown son Travis (Dan Byrd) is living away from home as he goes to college.

Luckily, her best friend Ellie (Christa Miller) lives next door, though she and husband Andy (Ian Gomez) have their own problems raising her toddler, Stan. For moments when Ellie just isn't around, Jules leans on her younger, free-spirited buddy Laurie (Busy Philipps).

The "cul-de-sac crew" also includes Josh Hopkins as handsome bar owner and Jules' love interest, Grayson. Her ex-husband, Bobby Cobb (Brian Van Holt), is still a presence in her life as well, though not romantically.

As the third season kicks off, Jules is miffed at Grayson because he calls her predictable. What she doesn't know is that he has an ulterior motive. Meanwhile, Ellie is concerned that little Stan could end up like Laurie, and Travis enjoys his new off-campus housing until Bobby makes a suggestion.

Cox has ingratiated herself with viewers for decades, both on the tube and the silver screen.

The actress is best known for her starring role in the mega-hit sitcom "Friends," but she's been a force on television since the 1980s when she snagged a recurring role opposite Michael J. Fox in the comedy "Family Ties." Before that, she'd starred in the short-lived superhero TV fantasy "Misfits of Science." Other TV credits include "Seinfeld," "Scrubs" and her starring turn in FX's "Dirt."

As Cox rose through the ranks of television, she also made a name for herself in such feature films as "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" and the "Scream" slasher movie series.

However, her gig as Monica Geller in the Emmy-winning sitcom "Friends" is by far her most successful role. The show about six twentysomething friends in Manhattan premiered in September 1994 and quickly became a pop culture phenomenon. Although Cox was the most famous cast member in the beginning, all of her "Friends" co-stars became hugely popular. Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matthew Perry, along with Cox, became among the highest paid TV actors of their time, earning a reported $1 million per episode.

As in "Friends," Cox is in good company in "Cougar Town." Miller starred in the ABC comedy "The Drew Carey Show" and NBC's "Scrubs," and has appeared in "CSI: Miami" and "Seinfeld."

Christa Miller stars in "Cougar Town"

Co-star Gomez is also a "Drew Carey" alum. Viewers may also recognize him from his roles in "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Felicity" and "Jake in Progress." Hopkins has appeared in some of the most popular TV shows in recent memory, including "Ally McBeal," "Cold Case" and "Bones." Former "Freaks and Geeks" and "Dawson's Creek" star Philipps won a 2011 Critic's Choice Television Award for her role as Laurie in "Cougar Town."

Despite the stellar cast, critics haven't always been kind to "Cougar Town." Many critics panned Season 1, saying it isolated all but a small fraction of viewers, primarily females in their 40s. Others also derided the series for portraying mature single women as the desperate predators of the dating world. Season 2 was generally better received by critics, and the show held steady with an average of just over seven million viewers.

ABC has reportedly ordered just 15 episodes of the new season, explaining why the premiere was pushed back to February from January. That may still change, however, now that ABC has pulled its cross-dressing comedy, "Work It," so there's more room for "Cougar Town" to stretch its season.

According to the Twitterverse, executives dabbled with the idea of a name change for Season 3 because some felt the name put potential viewers off. In May 2011, creator Bill Lawrence tweeted that a name change could be in store, a sentiment echoed by Cox in a June 2011 tweet. But ABC has apparently decided "Cougar Town" is OK, since it began promoting the show under the original name in January.

"I am a cougar," Cox told "People" magazine. "I don't take offense to the word. David's much younger than me and he loves older women. I mean, why not date someone younger if you can?"

There may not be a new name for Season 3, but there's plenty going on in the sunny cul de sac. Grayson works up the courage to pop the question, while Bobby falls hard for new gal Angie (Sarah Chalke). Laurie lives the sweet life as she embarks on a new business venture creating insane cakes, and Andy battles the neighbourhood punks. Also, the pitter-patter of little feet surprises everyone.