THE ODD COUPLE - THE COMPLETE SERIES: Nostalgic Warm Fuzzies

THE ODD COUPLE - THE COMPLETE SERIES (Blu-ray)

1970-1975 / 2925 min (5 seasons, 114 episodes)

FROM PARAMOUNT

Available at www.moviezyng.com

Review by Carl, the Couch Potato😺

We here at Free Kittens do not often review television programs. Exceptions tend to be when the show in question possesses certain cinematic qualities, is based on a previous film, or evokes a lot of fond nostalgia. In the case of The Odd Couple, the last two definitely apply.

Based on Neil Simon's play and subsequent film, The Odd Couple ran for five seasons on ABC from 1970 to 1975, starring Jack Klugman as slovenly sports writer Oscar Madison and Tony Randall as photographer & nebbish neat-freak Felix Unger. Both recently divorced, they live together in a small New York apartment. Much of the humor stems from the distinct differences in their personalities and lifestyles. Depending on the episode, one is either the de facto protagonist or antagonist.

Growing up, the show was a regular Friday night staple at our house. I was just a kid back then, but found it quite funny, even if some of the humor sailed over my head at the time. Oscar was especially entertaining - maybe even a little inspirational - to an impressionable kid. He drank beer, knew sports, ate junk food and played poker…a regular guy doing regular guy stuff with his regular guy buddies (their weekly poker games were always a show highlight). I remember even asking my mom if I could change my name to Oscar.

Damn child-proof beer cans.

This was the Odd Couple I grew up on. For me - and I imagine a lot of other viewers at the time - Klugman & Randall were the true Oscar and Felix, not Walter Matthau & Jack Lemmon. Seeing the original film for the first time years later, my attachment to the TV series kept me from enjoying it as much (plus there was no laugh track to remind me when something was funny). 

Not having watched the show since it was canceled in 1975, revisiting it on Blu-ray evoked a ton of fond memories…from the moment I heard the opening bars of the toe-tapping theme song. If not quite as uproarious as I remember, each episode is filled with congenial humor and easily resolved conflict. No drama, no “special” episodes or attempts to place its main characters in situations outside of the basic premise (save for a few which sees them participating on game shows or meeting various celebrities). My personal favorite episode has always been the one where Felix redecorates Oscar’s out-to-date apartment with modern furniture, including a potato chip shaped lounge chair (which I also recall putting on my Christmas list that year…and didn’t get).

It goes without saying that The Odd Couple is a product of its time, though still has had enough impact and influence over the years to inspire similar television shows, including a couple of inferior reboots. This 15-disc Blu-ray collects all five seasons and throws in some interesting bonus material, such as a few talk show appearances the actors made while the show was airing. For those who grew up on these guys, there are a lot of nostalgic warm fuzzies to be had.

EXTRA KIBBLES

AUDIO INTROS BY GARRY MARSHALL - For some episodes.

AUDIO COMMENTARIES - For some episodes.

MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW APPEARANCES - 1) Tony Randall; 2) Tony Randall & Jack Klugman. Both appearances are from 1970.

JACK KLUGMAN BOOK TOUR HOME VIDEOS

EMMY AWARD PRESENTATION TO JACK KLUGMAN - From 1971.

TONY & JACK ON STAGE IN THE ODD COUPLE - From 1993.

SERIES PROMO SPOTS

GAG REEL