TV Land Salutes Tony Randall -- The Odd Couple Marathon on Thurs. May 20, 9pm-12am - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Pavan · 05-18-2004, 04:48 PM

TV LAND CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF LEGENDARY TELEVISION, FILM AND STAGE ACTOR TONY RANDALL

Santa Monica, CA, May 18, 2004 - TV Land will honor the life and work of television legend and acclaimed actor Tony Randall with a six-episode presentation of The Odd Couple on Thursday, May 20 from 9 p.m. to 12 Midnight ET/PT. Randall, who passed away in New York last night at the age of 84, co-starred in The Odd Couple - one of the most celebrated sitcoms of all time - as Felix Unger, the high-strung, fastidious roommate to sloppy sportswriter, Oscar Madison (Jack Klugman).

"Tony Randall was a good friend to the entire staff at TV Land and Nick at Nite and we are all deeply saddened by his passing," explains Larry W. Jones, President, TV Land and Nick at Nite. "Tony's portrayal of Felix Unger is just one of his many, many contributions to the world of entertainment. We are honored to have known him and to have worked closely with him and we will remember him fondly forever. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the entire Randall family as we remember Tony for his amazing work and his incredible friendship."

TV Land has hand-picked six of the staff's favorite episodes of the series to showcase on Thursday evening (see below) ranging from Randall's unforgettable performance on the episodes entitled "Password," "Let's Make a Deal," "The Flying Felix" and three others. Additionally, TV Land will begin airing a 30-second tribute spot to Randall immediately.

Born Leonard Rosenberg, Randall was born on February 26, 1920 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He began his career in the 1940s with appearances on radio shows such as Opera Quiz and The Henry Morgan Program. He then began to star in television with roles on the series One Man's Family and the sitcom Mr. Peepers, where he played Harvey Weskit.

After numerous roles in romantic movie comedies, Randall won the part of Felix Unger in the ABC television version of The Odd Couple. Originally a play by Neil Simon and made for television by Garry Marshall, The Odd Couple ran from 1970 to 1975 and followed the misadventures of Felix Unger, played by Tony Randall, and Oscar Madison, played by Jack Klugman, who - after both were asked to leave by their wives - move in together in an Upper West side apartment in New York City. Felix - a professional photographer with a passion for cleanliness and the finer things in life - and his roommate and long-time friend, Oscar - a sports writer who sleeps in a pile of dirty laundry and missing household items - were by far television's most mismatched couple.

It was in 1975 that Randall won an Emmy as a lead actor for his role as Felix Unger. He was also a popular guest on numerous variety shows, and his frequent appearances as a guest on The Tonight Show won him a role playing himself in King of Comedy in 1983, a Martin Scorsese film.

In 1976, Randall starred in the CBS sitcom The Tony Randall Show, where he played Walter Franklin, a Philadelphia judge. He again returned to television in 1981 on NBC, in the critically-acclaimed comedy Love, Sidney. The series was based on the made-for-television movie in which Randall played Sidney Shorr.

In 1991, he launched his National Actors Theatre, a not-for-profit subscription based company formed to bring the great repertoire of the world, with the finest actors, to a theatre that is within reach of all. The National Actors Theatre served as a living library of national and world theatre whose productions included The Crucible, The Seagull, a Tony-nominated production of Saint Joan and The Flowering Peach with Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson. Randall also starred in a national tour of The Odd Couple with Jack Klugman to benefit N.A.T. and then brought the show back to Broadway

The episodes in TV Land's Odd Couple marathon presentation will include:

9 p.m. The Jury Story

Felix tells the story of how he and Oscar first met while on jury duty. Upon learning that the man they helped send to jail has been released, Felix recalls the trouble he had when the jury was locked up. Guest stars Barney Martin.

9:30 p.m. The Odd Couple Meet Their Host

Oscar and Felix both appear on a popular talk show hosted by David Steinberg

10 p.m. Password

Allen Ludden invites Oscar to be a celebrity contestant on his ABC show and eager Felix persuades him to accept the offer and to take him along as his partner. Guest stars Allen Ludden and Betty White, as themselves.

10:30 p.m. My Strife In Court

Oscar receives four tickets to a hit Broadway show and invites Felix and Miriam to be his guests, planning to get a date for himself. But when he is unable to find a girl, he gives Felix the extra ticket to dispose of. This episode contains the classic blackboard scene with "assume." Guest stars Elinor Donahue.

11pm Lets Make A Deal

After burning a hole in Felix's bed, Oscar despairs of raising the money for a new one. But a poker session with his old college friend, Monty Hall, leads to an idea. Guest stars Monty Hall

1130 The Flying Felix

Oscar tires to cure Felix of his fear of flying so he can cover a photo assignment in Houston

Vicki L. · 05-18-2004, 06:06 PM

Rest in peace Tony. I don't care what critics The King of Comedy was a mess of a movie and you deserved better than that Mr. Randall.

Larry Surrell · 05-18-2004, 07:53 PM

I think The King of Comedy is a very funny movie. I just watched the DVD again last week, and Tony Randall played his part perfectly, as usual.

My first memory of Tony Randall was from the 1960s film "FluffY". That was one of the first movies I remember my parents taking me to a theater to see as a little kid so I have fond memories of that. And of course, he was a genious at playing Felix!

R.I.P Tony Randall, you brought laughter to my life many times.

musicradio77 · 05-18-2004, 09:51 PM

"The Odd Couple" will always be on WPIX in reruns. I missed him very much.

glenny · 05-19-2004, 06:26 AM

Only a 3 hour marathon?? What is TVLand doing?? A full weekend would have been more appropriate!!

Brian Damage · 05-19-2004, 11:11 PM

At least they are showing one of my favorite episodes....Password.

glenny · 05-20-2004, 06:54 AM

I guess six is better than nothing. I like the episode with David Steinberg. Especially when Felix comes on stage and falls off his chair. Priceless!!

Brian Damage · 05-20-2004, 10:32 AM

I agree 6 is better than nothing.

GrandGame1440 · 05-21-2004, 08:01 PM

Will this be reaired? I missed it.

TheStromba · 05-21-2004, 10:36 PM

I recorded the entire week of "The Odd Couple on Ice" , where Klugman and Randall picked their favorite episodes. They had some camera time and it was nice to see them together again. It ran in June of 1997.

The tapes are pretty worn, I have been watching them fairly frequently for almost 7 years.

All the episodes from the Tony Randall Marathon were also from that week of epsisodes.

It was kind of cool that they picked their favorite episodes, but I have seen them so many times I was hoping for some that I have not seen in a while

Its all good.

05-18-2004, 04:48 PM	#1
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	TV Land Salutes Tony Randall -- The Odd Couple Marathon on Thurs. May 20, 9pm-12am TV LAND CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF LEGENDARY TELEVISION, FILM AND STAGE ACTOR TONY RANDALL Santa Monica, CA, May 18, 2004 - TV Land will honor the life and work of television legend and acclaimed actor Tony Randall with a six-episode presentation of The Odd Couple on Thursday, May 20 from 9 p.m. to 12 Midnight ET/PT. Randall, who passed away in New York last night at the age of 84, co-starred in The Odd Couple - one of the most celebrated sitcoms of all time - as Felix Unger, the high-strung, fastidious roommate to sloppy sportswriter, Oscar Madison (Jack Klugman). "Tony Randall was a good friend to the entire staff at TV Land and Nick at Nite and we are all deeply saddened by his passing," explains Larry W. Jones, President, TV Land and Nick at Nite. "Tony's portrayal of Felix Unger is just one of his many, many contributions to the world of entertainment. We are honored to have known him and to have worked closely with him and we will remember him fondly forever. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the entire Randall family as we remember Tony for his amazing work and his incredible friendship." TV Land has hand-picked six of the staff's favorite episodes of the series to showcase on Thursday evening (see below) ranging from Randall's unforgettable performance on the episodes entitled "Password," "Let's Make a Deal," "The Flying Felix" and three others. Additionally, TV Land will begin airing a 30-second tribute spot to Randall immediately. Born Leonard Rosenberg, Randall was born on February 26, 1920 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He began his career in the 1940s with appearances on radio shows such as Opera Quiz and The Henry Morgan Program. He then began to star in television with roles on the series One Man's Family and the sitcom Mr. Peepers, where he played Harvey Weskit. After numerous roles in romantic movie comedies, Randall won the part of Felix Unger in the ABC television version of The Odd Couple. Originally a play by Neil Simon and made for television by Garry Marshall, The Odd Couple ran from 1970 to 1975 and followed the misadventures of Felix Unger, played by Tony Randall, and Oscar Madison, played by Jack Klugman, who - after both were asked to leave by their wives - move in together in an Upper West side apartment in New York City. Felix - a professional photographer with a passion for cleanliness and the finer things in life - and his roommate and long-time friend, Oscar - a sports writer who sleeps in a pile of dirty laundry and missing household items - were by far television's most mismatched couple. It was in 1975 that Randall won an Emmy as a lead actor for his role as Felix Unger. He was also a popular guest on numerous variety shows, and his frequent appearances as a guest on The Tonight Show won him a role playing himself in King of Comedy in 1983, a Martin Scorsese film. In 1976, Randall starred in the CBS sitcom The Tony Randall Show, where he played Walter Franklin, a Philadelphia judge. He again returned to television in 1981 on NBC, in the critically-acclaimed comedy Love, Sidney. The series was based on the made-for-television movie in which Randall played Sidney Shorr. In 1991, he launched his National Actors Theatre, a not-for-profit subscription based company formed to bring the great repertoire of the world, with the finest actors, to a theatre that is within reach of all. The National Actors Theatre served as a living library of national and world theatre whose productions included The Crucible, The Seagull, a Tony-nominated production of Saint Joan and The Flowering Peach with Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson. Randall also starred in a national tour of The Odd Couple with Jack Klugman to benefit N.A.T. and then brought the show back to Broadway The episodes in TV Land's Odd Couple marathon presentation will include: 9 p.m. The Jury Story Felix tells the story of how he and Oscar first met while on jury duty. Upon learning that the man they helped send to jail has been released, Felix recalls the trouble he had when the jury was locked up. Guest stars Barney Martin. 9:30 p.m. The Odd Couple Meet Their Host Oscar and Felix both appear on a popular talk show hosted by David Steinberg 10 p.m. Password Allen Ludden invites Oscar to be a celebrity contestant on his ABC show and eager Felix persuades him to accept the offer and to take him along as his partner. Guest stars Allen Ludden and Betty White, as themselves. 10:30 p.m. My Strife In Court Oscar receives four tickets to a hit Broadway show and invites Felix and Miriam to be his guests, planning to get a date for himself. But when he is unable to find a girl, he gives Felix the extra ticket to dispose of. This episode contains the classic blackboard scene with "assume." Guest stars Elinor Donahue. 11pm Lets Make A Deal After burning a hole in Felix's bed, Oscar despairs of raising the money for a new one. But a poker session with his old college friend, Monty Hall, leads to an idea. Guest stars Monty Hall 1130 The Flying Felix Oscar tires to cure Felix of his fear of flying so he can cover a photo assignment in Houston
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05-18-2004, 09:51 PM	#4
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	"The Odd Couple" will always be on WPIX in reruns. I missed him very much.
	__________________ Musicradio77 Productions

05-18-2004, 06:06 PM	#2
Vicki L. Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 158	Rest in peace Tony. I don't care what critics The King of Comedy was a mess of a movie and you deserved better than that Mr. Randall.

05-18-2004, 07:53 PM	#3
Larry Surrell Ed M. 1918-2006 RIP Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 27, 2003 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 702	I think The King of Comedy is a very funny movie. I just watched the DVD again last week, and Tony Randall played his part perfectly, as usual. My first memory of Tony Randall was from the 1960s film "FluffY". That was one of the first movies I remember my parents taking me to a theater to see as a little kid so I have fond memories of that. And of course, he was a genious at playing Felix! R.I.P Tony Randall, you brought laughter to my life many times.

05-19-2004, 06:26 AM	#5
glenny Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 21, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 951	Only a 3 hour marathon?? What is TVLand doing?? A full weekend would have been more appropriate!!

05-19-2004, 11:11 PM	#6
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	At least they are showing one of my favorite episodes....Password.

05-20-2004, 06:54 AM	#7
glenny Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 21, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 951	I guess six is better than nothing. I like the episode with David Steinberg. Especially when Felix comes on stage and falls off his chair. Priceless!!

05-20-2004, 10:32 AM	#8
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I agree 6 is better than nothing.

05-21-2004, 08:01 PM	#9
GrandGame1440 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 24, 2003 Posts: 557	Will this be reaired? I missed it.

05-21-2004, 10:36 PM	#10
TheStromba Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Location: FLA Posts: 16	I recorded the entire week of "The Odd Couple on Ice" , where Klugman and Randall picked their favorite episodes. They had some camera time and it was nice to see them together again. It ran in June of 1997. The tapes are pretty worn, I have been watching them fairly frequently for almost 7 years. All the episodes from the Tony Randall Marathon were also from that week of epsisodes. It was kind of cool that they picked their favorite episodes, but I have seen them so many times I was hoping for some that I have not seen in a while Its all good.