'Cougar Town' bosses feel the show's title is a "played-out joke" and want to change it.

The US comedy series - which stars Courteney Cox - is returning for a third series next year, but executive producer Bill Lawrence is appealing to fans to help him find a different name for the programme.

He said: "You have no idea how much it hurts me and executive producer Kevin [Biegel] to see that title on the screen knowing that we had something to do with it."

He later wrote on twitter: "Screw it. I'm changing it (if Kevin's cool w it. Someone ask him for me). Seriously, we just decided. Will use fans to help w new title (sic).

"To answer many of you: Kevin and I titled the show. It helped sell it, plus we thought we'd do campy show about woman re-entering world (sic).

"Now 'Cougar Town' is show about adult friendships and drinking. And it's called 'Cougar Town'. I hate myself (sic)."

Bill had tried to change the show's name last year ahead of its second series, but both his suggestions - 'Sunshine State' and 'Grown Ups' - were rejected as they were too close to the tiles of existing shows.

Busy Philipps, who plays one of Courteney's best friend's on the series, Laurie, got behind the campaign tweeting: "Ok. Guys. New title suggestions for 'CougarTown'? I think Bill is really seriously gonna do it this time (sic)."

One title already getting support from fans is 'Friends with Beverages' as it makes reference to Courteney's old show, 'Friends', and the large amounts of wine which get consumed by the characters in most episodes.