Tony Randall, who was hired first, had still wanted Mickey Rooney to play Oscar. The show's co-executive producer, Garry Marshall, had to lobby to get Klugman successfully hired.


Randall & Rooney? Would the show quality wise still work? If Gary Marshall hired Art Carney & Mickey Rooney as originally planned, would the show been a better ratings success?

I can't even imagine a better Felix & Oscar than Randall and Klugman. They topped even the originals, Matthau and Lemmon, in my book.

Tony Randall and Jack Klugman had amazing chemistry as a comedy team. They made the perfect Felix and Oscar. No one else could have filled their shoes!