Dan Byrd praises 'Cougar Town' evolution

Dan Byrd has revealed that he likes the way Cougar Town has developed.

Byrd, who plays Travis, told the New York Post that the show "went in exactly the right direction".

"It's not like it was this huge shift that happened on a dime as we were scrambling to figure out what worked," he explained. "It was always sort of the intention.

"The show was always centred around Courteney [Cox] being single and dating, but the idea was for it to always turn into a big dysfunctional family. I think once we did that, the show found its voice."

Byrd added that he is happy with the programme's name, saying: "I think if there was a name that felt like such a home run then it was worth considering [a change]. But I don't think we ever found that name. I don't even know if it exists. Plus I kind of like our name more now that it has nothing to do with what the show is."

Byrd also revealed that he "breathed a huge sigh of relief" when he found out he would still be in the show even though Travis is going to college.

"I'm very grateful for the fact that they've chosen to keep me in the picture," he said. "I love this show, I love these people, so I'd love to stay in the mix as long as possible."

Cougar Town returns for a new season on Wednesday at 9.30/8.30c on ABC.