I've read that whereas the general public found this show entertaining, the ratings were normally towards the bottom of the barrel for the entire run of the show. And, that it was almost cancelled close to 7 times!!!

How could this be? Such an iconic hit as "The Odd Couple"!!

Also, that Klugman was not the first to be considered for the role. It was Norman Fell!!

It's quite ironic that the show wasn't a ratings success when it first aired on ABC but when it entered reruns, the show became increasingly popular. I remember reading that WPIX-TV in New York would air Odd Couple reruns four times a day.

Garry Marshall said that ABC told him that people weren't watching The Odd Couple because they thought that Oscar and Felix were homosexuals.

I've read that whereas the general public found this show entertaining, the ratings were normally towards the bottom of the barrel for the entire run of the show. And, that it was almost cancelled close to 7 times!!!

How could this be? Such an iconic hit as "The Odd Couple"!!

Also, that Klugman was not the first to be considered for the role. It was Norman Fell!!
yea, hard to believe isn't it? It was the same with THE BRADY BUNCH.

yea, hard to believe isn't it? It was the same with THE BRADY BUNCH.


The Odd Couple was a classic.

The Brady Bunch wasn't.

Garry Marshall said that ABC told him that people weren't watching The Odd Couple because they thought that Oscar and Felix were homosexuals.


That's why it was hard for me to watch the few times I did because it was just them and no talk of women or no women around them

LOL

That's why it was hard for me to watch the few times I did because it was just them and no talk of women or no women around them



They both had ex wives. Early on they were with the Pigeon sisters. Oscar chased any woman possible and at one point had a steady girlfriend. Felix also had a steady girlfriend for a while and always pined for his ex and dated . It's basically impossible to not hear them talk about or see women.

Garry Marshall said that ABC told him that people weren't watching The Odd Couple because they thought that Oscar and Felix were homosexuals.

Batman and Robin got the same complaints. That's why they added Aunt Harriet for the show.(Although I don't see how that would stop anything :) )

They both had ex wives. Early on they were with the Pigeon sisters. Oscar chased any woman possible and at one point had a steady girlfriend. Felix also had a steady girlfriend for a while and always pined for his ex and dated . It's basically impossible to not hear them talk about or see women.
they did all that so audiences wouldn't think they were a gay couple.

they did all that so audiences wouldn't think they were a gay couple.

Sneaky. I should have figured there was something "odd" about that "couple".

yea, hard to believe isn't it? It was the same with THE BRADY BUNCH.

The Brady Bunch were homosexuals? :crazy:

I suppose nobody on here knows which season was their highest rated.

I would guess seasons 2 and/or 3.

I suppose nobody on here knows which season was their highest rated.

I would guess seasons 2 and/or 3.


It was stated that the show was almost cancelled every season but it did well in summer reruns

It was stated that the show was almost cancelled every season but it did well in summer reruns

The show was supposedly in the 60s in year one, but ABC liked its pedigree and that it drew in more upscale viewers who were more likely to buy the sponsors' products.

In Season 2 it was tied for 37th place:

http://www.thetvratingsguide.com/1985/08/1971-72-tv-ratings.html

Season 3, it was 39th:

http://www.thetvratingsguide.com/2020/02/1972-73-ratings-history.html

Season 4, it was 38th:

http://www.thetvratingsguide.com/2019/12/1973-74-tv-ratings-history.html

And in the last season when it was moved to Thursdays, it was 76th:

http://www.thetvratingsguide.com/2020/02/1974-75-ratings-history.html

So the show did have a following on Friday nights (and it aired in daytime on ABC in the 75-76 season).

I was under the impression that the ratings were terrible for the full ABC run, though that's not the case., after seeing the above links I also had found. For three seasons, the numbers were acceptable enough.

I was under the impression that the ratings were terrible for the full ABC run, though that's not the case., after seeing the above links I also had found. For three seasons, the numbers were acceptable enough.

Not terrible but not all that great either since it was below 30

Also, that Klugman was not the first to be considered for the role. It was Norman Fell!!:eek: The Odd Couple would not have been worth watching if that casting had stuck.

:eek: The Odd Couple would not have been worth watching if that casting had stuck.

We dont know that for sure because you are only used to his three's company role

So the show did have a following on Friday nights (and it aired in daytime on ABC in the 75-76 season).[/QUOTE]

The Odd Couple never aired in reruns on ABC daytime. Happy Days replaced The Brady Bunch in the 11:30 ET slot in the fall of '75.

I think Klugman and Fell had a Tom Bosley-David Doyle thing, where it was generally accepted they were interchangeable.

I think Klugman and Fell had a Tom Bosley-David Doyle thing, where it was generally accepted they were interchangeable.


I disagree. I think Jack Klugman was clearly superior. Jack Klugman had a hit drama series and was on classic Twilight Zones.

I don't think Norman Fell could have done that.

I disagree. I think Jack Klugman was clearly superior. Jack Klugman had a hit drama series and was on classic Twilight Zones.

I don't think Norman Fell could have done that.

His point was that they were both similar-looking actors with a similar accent (they were both from Phillie), who played grouchy characters.