The character of Stan in Cougar Town was changed primarily to age him up and develop him into a more significant, acknowledged presence within the show's narrative. This decision aimed to integrate him further into the family dynamics and create new storytelling opportunities.
Reasons Behind Stan's Character Evolution
Executive producers recognized a need to evolve Stan beyond a background prop. The main motivations for this significant change included:
- To make him a "real character": Initially, as a baby, Stan was often in the background, and his parents, Ellie and Andy Torres, rarely seemed to acknowledge or interact with him in a meaningful way. Aging him allowed the character to become more developed and contribute actively to the scenes.
- To reflect the lack of parental interaction: The humorous observation that Ellie and Andy never seemed to engage with their baby prompted the creative team to give Stan a more substantial role. This addressed the comedic inconsistency and provided a fresh dynamic.
- To open new narrative avenues: By aging Stan, the writers gained the flexibility to incorporate him into more complex storylines, enabling him to speak, interact, and develop a personality, moving beyond typical infant-related gags. This enriched the portrayal of the Torres family life and offered fresh comedic and dramatic possibilities.
This creative decision allowed Stan to transition from a largely unseen or passive infant to a more interactive and memorable young boy, enhancing the show's ensemble and character relationships.
