Throwback Thursday – Odd Couple
The original television series was based on the 1968 movie, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. The series debuted in 1970 with actors Tony Randall and Jack Klugman.
The original 114 episode television sitcom ran from 1970-1975, and featured a finicky prudish character named Felix Unger, played by Tony Randall and a sloppy unorganized sports writer named Oscar Madison, played by Jack Klugman, who become roommates’ after their marriages fail.
The show featured many supporting well-known TV actors, which included, Elinor Donahue (from Fathers Knows Best) Al Molinaro ( from Happy Days) and the show’s creator-producer Gary Marshall’s sister, Penny Marshall (Lavern and Shirley).
One of my favorite moments was when Felix was on some television show and Oscar was watching from home, and the end of the show Felix looks into the camera and says ‘Oscar use a coaster’
In 2015 Mathew Perry from the sitcom ‘Friends’ co-produced a new version of the Odd Couple, starring himself as Oscar Madison actor, and Thomas Lennon (Reno 911) as Felix Unger.
I wrote a blog about this a few years ago, and was not in favor of the show, but well into this second season I really like the new version.
Check out the original Odd Couple intro, and a peek at the new Odd Couple below.