CBS Midseason Pilot Review: The Odd Couple - Premieres February 19 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 02-18-2015, 05:21 PM

The Odd Couple - Thursdays at 8:30PM ET/PT on CBS
Premieres on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 8:30PM ET/PT

Way back in 1970, television viewers were asked this famous question: "Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?" That question was asked, of course, on the famous Tony Randall and Jack Klugman sitcom, The Odd Couple. The series was based upon the Neil Simon play (and movie) of the same name. The series was never exactly a major hit, but it was successful enough to last for five seasons and became one of the most memorable classic TV series from that era in later years. Now, 45 years later, two new divorced men... but with the same names, Felix Unger and Oscar Madison... are sharing an apartment and seeing if they'll be driving each other crazy.

Read our review here:
http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2015/0...dd-couple.html

Cyrax · 02-20-2015, 06:56 AM

I really liked it, best sitcom pilot of the season for me easily!

Duster76 · 02-20-2015, 10:18 PM

Not all shows break out of the box quickly, characters and the people who play those characters have to develop a chemistry to bring a show to life. When it doesn't jump out of the screen at you, and clearly in this case it doesn't, the questions that come to mind are numerous; is it just a matter of time, can it be fixed, what are the problems, and most important are the problems solvable.

On the plus side, I thought the writing wasn't bad. They stole one of my favorite exchanges from the movie (the F.U. bit), and there were other lines that I thought worked well. The "friends" weren't bad, there is potential there. But what about the key question, what about Oscar and Felix, what about Matthew and Thomas. If a mistake is made in casting one or both of these roles, then the ball game is over. If that is the case then mighty Casey just struck out.

Perry might have made a passable Felix, but unfortunately he plays Oscar, and he just doesn't get the character. In the original film, Oscar describes himself as dejected, despondent and disgusted. That's what Oscar is about. That's how he has to be played. It's that personality type that brings Oscar to life. Perry might have made a passable Felix, but Lennon's is Felix, and his version of the character makes it seem more like Felix is a supporting character in the "Oscar"show. Lennon doesn't have the stage presence it's that simple, Felix makes people pay attention to him, that's part of the reason he is so annoying. He interferes with your space, he's a cold bucket of water poured on you to wake you up.

I don't think it can be fixed, not the way it is cast. Sorry.

Yong Fang · 02-22-2015, 09:32 AM

I really like Thomas Lennon a lot and wished he could get into a hit show. Loved him in Reno 911. He would be really good in a show like Brooklyn Nine Nine (would have been great in Parks and Recreation). I wish I could see the guy more.

Matthew Perry is wrong in this. They needed a "heavy". James Gandolfini would have been great in this if he were still alive. Someone of that nature. Kevin James from King of Queens might have been good. The show needs a "heavy".

One of my all time favorite movies is "The Odd Couple II" with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon playing the roles one last time. Its a road picture, with the two driving to some unknown town to them called San Molina to watch their children get married. I love this movie!

comedyfreak · 02-23-2015, 09:31 PM

I didn't think it was too bad, hopefully it will improve.

JSP · 03-05-2015, 10:41 PM

Three episodes in the can....Liked them all! This is slowly becoming one of the few shows worth watching. I'm very thankful for The Big Bang Theory being successful because it's convincing networks not to give up on multi-cam sitcoms.

James28 · 03-05-2015, 11:31 PM

Can't believe that the owned comedy series CBS tries to get to syndication has to be a remake of an old TV series. Because of this, I actually decided to boycott the new version of The Odd Couple. The critical reviews for it are not very good, either.

I hope Super Clyde and/or The Half of It get ordered to series for next season. If it was me, I'd put The Half of It in the post-Big Bang Theory timeslot instead.

ILuvCarolBurnett · 03-29-2015, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

I actually thought that Perry was better suited to Felix than to Oscar when I first heard of the show. It will be tough for Thomas Lennon, because Perry is the central person in this show, but I think Lennon is a funny guy and that the show's "puncher's chance" is that Lennon becomes a legitimate breakout star.

I thought Perry would be playing Felix, too. Frankly, I don't think the two stars have much chemistry. Perry's delivery of Oscar is sort of one-dimensional and whoever it is playing Felix....he is way too "sedated" for Felix.

JSP · 04-03-2015, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

Okay, now this one really stunk.

I liked last night's episode. It reminded me of an old school farce, like Three's Company.

It was silly watching all these women go after Oscar as if he's a catch same as ladies did to Jack Tripper back in the day.

And then all the lying to get out of things.

It definitely had a retro vibe in its plot. Still better than watching anything single-cam with no studio audience laughter, I'd say.

TV needs to bring back more sitcoms like these.

comedyfreak · 04-03-2015, 11:46 PM

I'm liking the show it has its funny moments.

JSP · 04-10-2015, 06:49 AM

I liked last night's episode.

Once again it seems they're using the Three's Company misunderstanding for comedic effect. THIS IS A GOOD THING.

02-18-2015, 05:21 PM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,667	CBS Midseason Pilot Review: The Odd Couple - Premieres February 19 The Odd Couple - Thursdays at 8:30PM ET/PT on CBS Premieres on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 8:30PM ET/PT Way back in 1970, television viewers were asked this famous question: "Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?" That question was asked, of course, on the famous Tony Randall and Jack Klugman sitcom, The Odd Couple. The series was based upon the Neil Simon play (and movie) of the same name. The series was never exactly a major hit, but it was successful enough to last for five seasons and became one of the most memorable classic TV series from that era in later years. Now, 45 years later, two new divorced men... but with the same names, Felix Unger and Oscar Madison... are sharing an apartment and seeing if they'll be driving each other crazy. Read our review here: http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2015/0...dd-couple.html

02-20-2015, 10:18 PM	#3
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,641	Will Odd Choices Doom Series Not all shows break out of the box quickly, characters and the people who play those characters have to develop a chemistry to bring a show to life. When it doesn't jump out of the screen at you, and clearly in this case it doesn't, the questions that come to mind are numerous; is it just a matter of time, can it be fixed, what are the problems, and most important are the problems solvable. On the plus side, I thought the writing wasn't bad. They stole one of my favorite exchanges from the movie (the F.U. bit), and there were other lines that I thought worked well. The "friends" weren't bad, there is potential there. But what about the key question, what about Oscar and Felix, what about Matthew and Thomas. If a mistake is made in casting one or both of these roles, then the ball game is over. If that is the case then mighty Casey just struck out. Perry might have made a passable Felix, but unfortunately he plays Oscar, and he just doesn't get the character. In the original film, Oscar describes himself as dejected, despondent and disgusted. That's what Oscar is about. That's how he has to be played. It's that personality type that brings Oscar to life. Perry might have made a passable Felix, but Lennon's is Felix, and his version of the character makes it seem more like Felix is a supporting character in the "Oscar"show. Lennon doesn't have the stage presence it's that simple, Felix makes people pay attention to him, that's part of the reason he is so annoying. He interferes with your space, he's a cold bucket of water poured on you to wake you up. I don't think it can be fixed, not the way it is cast. Sorry.

02-23-2015, 09:31 PM	#5
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	I didn't think it was too bad, hopefully it will improve.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

03-05-2015, 11:31 PM	#7
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,976	Can't believe that the owned comedy series CBS tries to get to syndication has to be a remake of an old TV series. Because of this, I actually decided to boycott the new version of The Odd Couple. The critical reviews for it are not very good, either. I hope Super Clyde and/or The Half of It get ordered to series for next season. If it was me, I'd put The Half of It in the post-Big Bang Theory timeslot instead.
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

02-20-2015, 06:56 AM	#2
Cyrax Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Posts: 221	I really liked it, best sitcom pilot of the season for me easily!

02-22-2015, 09:32 AM	#4
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	I really like Thomas Lennon a lot and wished he could get into a hit show. Loved him in Reno 911. He would be really good in a show like Brooklyn Nine Nine (would have been great in Parks and Recreation). I wish I could see the guy more. Matthew Perry is wrong in this. They needed a "heavy". James Gandolfini would have been great in this if he were still alive. Someone of that nature. Kevin James from King of Queens might have been good. The show needs a "heavy". One of my all time favorite movies is "The Odd Couple II" with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon playing the roles one last time. Its a road picture, with the two driving to some unknown town to them called San Molina to watch their children get married. I love this movie!

03-05-2015, 10:41 PM	#6
JSP Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 19, 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,735	Three episodes in the can....Liked them all! This is slowly becoming one of the few shows worth watching. I'm very thankful for The Big Bang Theory being successful because it's convincing networks not to give up on multi-cam sitcoms.

04-03-2015, 11:46 PM	#10
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	I'm liking the show it has its funny moments.

04-10-2015, 06:49 AM	#11
JSP Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 19, 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,735	I liked last night's episode. Once again it seems they're using the Three's Company misunderstanding for comedic effect. THIS IS A GOOD THING.