"Southern Accents" is the tenth episode of Cougar Town's third season.
Jules struggles to bond with Holly, who she looks down on for her lifestyle, despite Holly's efforts to connect with her. The situation gets even more complicated when she catches Travis about to hook up with her, however.
Meanwhile, Jules wants to have a beach wedding but the town prohibits it, so when she fails to get a permit, she tries to convince Andy to run for Mayor, which Ellie disapproves of, and Bobby feels awful after he accidentally says something racist, so Laurie tries to help him get past it.
This episode provides examples of:
- Couch Gag: "Hey, would you and your friends watch a show called 'Pig Trials'? Watch the episode, get back to us. #Pig Trials"
- Flirty Stepsiblings: Not quite, but close; Travis has a brief fling with Holly, the mother of his future step-sister and ex-hookup of his future step-father.
- Innocently Insensitive: Bobby in the C-Plot, which revolves around Laurie trying to help him get past this habit.
- It's All About Me: Invoked by Jules, who asserts it's "okay" to be selfish sometimes. Ellie, of all people, disagrees.
- Stereotype Flip: Interestingly, this episode has several examples.
- Played for Laughs with Andy, who despite being Latino, makes little effort to engage with his own culture, making his heritage a source of derision in otherwise-all-White group.
- Played Straight AND later subverted with Holly, who despite being a ditzy party girl, is shown to be a very loving mom.
- Subverted and discussed with Wade, who can, in fact, dunk.
- Invoked and discussed by Jules, who is absolutely appalled at the idea that Travis could have a relationship with Holly, because that would make her step-daughter and possible grandchild siblings, which according to her would put her in the "Hillbilly Hall of Fame".
- Finally, Bobby himself is a straight example of this trope. Despite being a Redneck and having a habit of saying offensive things, he clearly doesn't approve of bigotry and feels awful when he realizes he's stereotyping people.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Grayson and Travis deliver one to Jules for not even giving Holly a chance.
- Ellie gives one to herself when she realizes it's wrong of her to be selfish and stand in the way of Andy's ambitions.
