"The Odd Couple" (1970) TV series 1970-1975

User Rating:

8.4/10   

Writers:

Hal Goldman (writer)
Al Gordon (writer)
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

24 September 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Two men, a neat freak and a slob separated from their wives, have to live together despite their differences.

Plot Keywords:

Friends Who Hate Each Other | Based On Film | Divorce | Odd Couple | Roommate

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 13 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Oct. 14	2:00 AM	CW	A Night to Dismember	#2.21
Wed. Oct. 15	2:00 AM	CW	The Murray Who Came to Dinner	#3.23

Cast

Tony Randall	...	Felix Unger / ... (114 episodes, 1970-1975)
Jack Klugman	...	Oscar Madison / ... (114 episodes, 1970-1975)
Al Molinaro	...	Police Officer Murray Greshler / ... (44 episodes, 1970-1975)

(more)

Series Directed by
Jerry Paris		(12 episodes, 1970-1975)
Hal Cooper		(11 episodes, 1970-1973)
Jack Donohue		(11 episodes, 1971-1975)
Bruce Bilson		(6 episodes, 1970-1971)
Mel Ferber		(6 episodes, 1971-1974)
Garry Marshall		(6 episodes, 1971-1974)
Frank Buxton		(6 episodes, 1973-1975)
George Tyne		(5 episodes, 1970-1972)
Robert Birnbaum		(4 episodes, 1972-1973)
Jerry Belson		(3 episodes, 1971-1973)
Alan Rafkin		(3 episodes, 1971)
Norm Gray		(3 episodes, 1974-1975)
Charles R. Rondeau		(2 episodes, 1970)
Jay Sandrich		(2 episodes, 1971-1974)
Alex March		(2 episodes, 1972)
George Marshall		(2 episodes, 1972)
Harvey Miller		(2 episodes, 1974)

Series Writing credits
Lowell Ganz		(9 episodes, 1973-1974)
Mark Rothman		(9 episodes, 1973-1974)
Garry Marshall		(8 episodes, 1970-1973)
Harvey Miller		(7 episodes, 1970-1973)
Dick Bensfield		(6 episodes, 1970-1974)
Perry Grant		(6 episodes, 1970-1974)
Bill Idelson		(6 episodes, 1970-1972)
Ron Friedman		(5 episodes, 1970-1973)
Peggy Elliott		(5 episodes, 1970-1972)
Ed Scharlach		(5 episodes, 1970-1972)
Rick Mittleman		(4 episodes, 1971-1974)
Jerry Belson		(3 episodes, 1970-1972)
Albert Lewin		(3 episodes, 1970-1972)
Jack Winter		(3 episodes, 1971-1975)
Martin Cohan		(3 episodes, 1971-1974)
Frank Buxton		(3 episodes, 1972-1975)
Bob Brunner		(3 episodes, 1972-1973)
Bill Angelos		(3 episodes, 1973-1975)
Bob Rodgers		(2 episodes, 1970-1972)
Gordon Mitchell		(2 episodes, 1970-1971)
Mickey Rose		(2 episodes, 1971-1974)
Arthur Julian		(2 episodes, 1971-1972)
Alan Mandel		(2 episodes, 1971)
Joe Glauberg		(2 episodes, 1972-1973)
David W. Duclon		(2 episodes, 1973-1975)
Phil Mishkin		(2 episodes, 1973-1974)
Martin Donovan		(2 episodes, 1974-1975)
Hal Goldman		(unknown episodes)
Al Gordon		(unknown episodes)
Carl Gottlieb		(unknown episodes)
Howard Merrill		(unknown episodes)
Elliott Reid		(unknown episodes)
Neil Simon		(unknown episodes)
Steve Zacharias		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Jerry Davis	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Garry Marshall	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Charles Shyer	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Harry Geller		(unknown episodes)
Neal Hefti		(unknown episodes)
Kenyon Hopkins		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Lester Shorr		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Robert James Kern		(30 episodes, 1971-1973)
Rod Stephens		(5 episodes, 1972-1973)
Bob Moore		(2 episodes, 1970-1973)
Jerry Dronsky		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
John M. Elliott		(unknown episodes)
Bill Ross		(unknown episodes)

Series Set Decoration by
Anthony D. Nealis		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Sharleen Rassi	....	key hair stylist (90 episodes, 1971-1975)

Series Production Management
James H. Brown	....	unit manager (unknown episodes)
Byron Chudnow	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)
Ted Leonard	....	executive production manager (unknown episodes)
Edward K. Milkis	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)
Jack Sonntag	....	production supervisor (unknown episodes)
Sam Strangis	....	production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Norm Gray	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)
Richard Learman	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)
Marty Moss	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Doug Grindstaff	....	supervising sound effects editor (unknown episodes)
James R. Wright	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Rod Stephens	....	assistant film editor (2 episodes, 1971)
Ron Meredith	....	assistant film editor (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Jerry MacDonald	....	music editor (unknown episodes)
Leith Stevens	....	music supervisor (unknown episodes)

Series Transportation Department
Chris Haynes	....	driver / production driver (8 episodes, 1973-1975)

Series Other crew
Jerry Belson	....	developed for television by (unknown episodes)
Douglas S. Cramer	....	executive vice president in charge of production (unknown episodes)
Carl Kleinschmitt	....	executive story consultant (unknown episodes)
Garry Marshall	....	developed for television by (unknown episodes)
Thomas D. Tannenbaum	....	senior vice president in charge of production (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Paramount Television

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1970) (USA) (TV) (original airing) (24 September 1970 - 4 July 1975)
• CBS Paramount Domestic Television (2006) (USA) (TV)
• CBS Paramount International Television (2004) (non-USA) (TV)
• Paramount Home Video (2007) (USA) (DVD) (season 1)
• Paramount Home Video (2007) (USA) (DVD) (season 2)
• Paramount Home Video (2008) (USA) (DVD) (season 3)

Runtime:

30 min (114 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

1049 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Paramount Television

Trivia:

Jane Dulo played Oscar's mother, then played Murray Greshler's wife, all in Season 3.

Quotes:

[repeated line]
Howard Cosell: Don't call me Howie!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: 24 Minutes (#18.21)" (2007)

Better Than The Movie

When I look at this series I always have a great laugh. The chemistry and the timing between Jack Klugman and Tony Randall made this show the classic that it was. This was a great show that had as many gags in thirty minutes that the movie did in two hours. Also, this was the first show that showed how much of a great comic actor Jack Klugman was after years of primarily playing in dramatic roles.