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

Writers:

Hal Goldman (writer)
Al Gordon (writer)

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. Sept. 9	2:00 AM	CW	The Hideaway	#1.15
Wed. Sept. 10	2:00 AM	CW	They Use Horse Radish, Don't They	#1.14

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)

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:

Three different stories were given as to how Felix and Oscar met and became friends. The original opening narration to the show claimed that they were childhood friends. Several times during the series, however, it was claimed they met while they were both serving in the army. One episode (a send up of the film 12 Angry Men (1957)) claimed they met while serving on the jury of a controversial murder trial (Jack Klugman, who appeared as a juror in 12 Angry Men (1957), portrayed characteristics of several characters from the film, including his own. Tony Randall portrayed the Henry Fonda character.) In the third season, the word "childhood" was removed from the opening narration.

Quotes:

Felix Unger: The man puts his ketchup on his salad.
Oscar Madison: So? I like ketchup. It's like tomato wine.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Rocko's Modern Life: Leap Frogs/Bedfellows (#1.2)" (1993)

One of the best

I'm about the only person I know who prefers the first season (shot in cinematic style with a single camera) to later seasons, but even after they switched to the multiple-camera technique and live audience (with the accompanying broadening of the humor), it was still better than 90% of TV sitcoms ever (unlike, say, *Happy Days*, on which quality plummeted when they made a similar change).

The only thing that really interferes with my enjoyment of *TOC* is the horrible, horrible celebrity cameos.

I mean, Rodney Allen Rippy?