Odd Couple, The (ABC 1970-1975, Jack Klugman, Tony Randall)

Published

7 years ago

August 1, 2016

Sitcom The Odd Couple based on the highly successful Neil Simon play of the same name. The plot had two mismatched men being forced to live together, slobbish sportswriter Oscar Madison moves in with his friend the highly pedantic and fussy photographer Felix Unger after Oscar’s wife leaves him.

Much of the comedy came from the conflict from living together the two got into. Other regulars were their poker pals Murray, Speed and Vinnie.

The duo lived in an apartment block and upstairs from them were the “kooky” English Pigeon sisters. The series came to a natural conclusion when Felix ended up re-marrying his ex-wife and moving out.

Seven years after this show ended there was a black cast revival under the title The New Odd Couple (featuring many of the original plots) and also between 1975 and 1977 there was a clever animated version featuring a dog and a cat and called The Oddball Couple. There was also a two hour re-union special in 1992.

The Odd Couple

Neil Simon is supposed to have based the story on the real life experiences of his brother Danny. Both leading men won emmy’s for their roles. The series was revived once more in 2015 with Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon.

production details
USA / ABC / 114×30 minute episodes / Broadcast Thursday 24 September 1970 – July 1975

Producers: Garry Marshall, Jerry Belson, Harvey Miller, Sheldon Keller, Tony Marshall, Phil Mishkin

cast
TONY RANDALL as Felix Unger
JACK KLUGMAN as Oscar Madison
AL MOLINARO as Murray Greshner
GARRY WALBERG as Speed (1970-74)
LARRY GELMAN as Vinnie
ARCHIE HAHN as Roger (1973-74)
RYAN McDONALD as Roy (1970-71)
MONICA EVANS as Cecily Pigeon (1970-71)
CAROL SHELLEY as Gwendolyn Pigeon (1970-71)
JOAN HOTCHKIS as Dr Nancy Cunningham (1970-72)
JANIS HANSEN as Gloria Unger (1971-75)
BRETT SOMERS as Blanche Madison
PENNY MARSHALL as Myrne Turner (1971-75)
ELINOR DONAHHUE as Miriam Welby (1972-74)