"The Odd Couple" (1970) TV series 1970-1975

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

24 September 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Two men, a neat freak and a slob separated from their wives, have to live together despite their differences.

Plot Keywords:

Odd Couple | Perspective | Friends Who Hate Each Other | Roommate | Cult TV

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Tony Randall	...	Felix Unger / ... (114 episodes, 1970-1975)
Jack Klugman	...	Oscar Madison / ... (114 episodes, 1970-1975)
Al Molinaro	...	Murray / ... (73 episodes, 1970-1975)

Series Directed by
Jerry Paris		(18 episodes, 1970-1975)
Jack Donohue		(14 episodes, 1971-1975)
Hal Cooper		(11 episodes, 1970-1973)
Mel Ferber		(11 episodes, 1971-1974)
Frank Buxton		(9 episodes, 1973-1975)
Bruce Bilson		(6 episodes, 1970-1971)
Garry Marshall		(6 episodes, 1971-1974)
Jay Sandrich		(6 episodes, 1971-1974)
George Tyne		(5 episodes, 1970-1972)
Harvey Miller		(5 episodes, 1974-1975)
Robert Birnbaum		(4 episodes, 1972-1973)
Norm Gray		(4 episodes, 1973-1975)
Jerry Belson		(3 episodes, 1971-1973)
Alan Rafkin		(3 episodes, 1971)
Charles R. Rondeau		(2 episodes, 1970)
Alex March		(2 episodes, 1972)
George Marshall		(2 episodes, 1972)

Series Writing credits
Jerry Belson		(114 episodes, 1970-1975)
Garry Marshall		(114 episodes, 1970-1975)
Neil Simon		(114 episodes, 1970-1975)
Lowell Ganz		(12 episodes, 1973-1974)
Mark Rothman		(12 episodes, 1973-1974)
Harvey Miller		(8 episodes, 1970-1973)
Dick Bensfield		(7 episodes, 1970-1974)
Perry Grant		(7 episodes, 1970-1974)
Ron Friedman		(7 episodes, 1970-1973)
Bill Idelson		(6 episodes, 1970-1972)
Albert E. Lewin		(6 episodes, 1970-1972)
Rick Mittleman		(6 episodes, 1971-1974)
Peggy Elliott		(5 episodes, 1970-1972)
Ed Scharlach		(5 episodes, 1970-1972)
Mickey Rose		(5 episodes, 1971-1974)
Frank Buxton		(5 episodes, 1972-1975)
Jack Winter		(4 episodes, 1971-1975)
Bob Brunner		(4 episodes, 1972-1973)
David W. Duclon		(4 episodes, 1973-1975)
Art Baer		(3 episodes, 1972-1974)
Ben Joelson		(3 episodes, 1972-1974)
Michael Leeson		(3 episodes, 1972-1974)
Joe Glauberg		(3 episodes, 1972-1973)
Bill Angelos		(3 episodes, 1973-1975)
Buz Kohan		(3 episodes, 1973-1975)
Bob Rodgers		(2 episodes, 1970-1972)
Gordon Mitchell		(2 episodes, 1970-1971)
Lloyd Turner		(2 episodes, 1970-1971)
Martin Cohan		(2 episodes, 1971-1972)
Alan Mandel		(2 episodes, 1971)
Phil Mishkin		(2 episodes, 1973-1974)
Dennis Klein		(2 episodes, 1973)
Martin Donovan		(2 episodes, 1974-1975)
John Rappaport		(2 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Produced by
Garry Marshall	....	executive producer (114 episodes, 1970-1975)
Anthony W. Marshall	....	producer / associate producer (89 episodes, 1971-1975)
Jerry Belson	....	executive producer (69 episodes, 1970-1973)
Jerry Davis	....	producer (63 episodes, 1970-1973)
Charles Shyer	....	associate producer (24 episodes, 1970-1971)
Harvey Miller	....	executive producer (22 episodes, 1973-1974)
Phil Mishkin	....	associate producer (22 episodes, 1973-1974)
Nick Abdo	....	associate producer (22 episodes, 1974-1975)
Sheldon Keller	....	executive producer (22 episodes, 1974-1975)
Carl Mahakian	....	associate producer (22 episodes, 1974-1975)
Frank Buxton	....	producer (7 episodes, 1973)

Series Original Music by
Neal Hefti		(7 episodes, 1970-1973)
Harry Geller		(unknown episodes)
Kenyon Hopkins		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Lester Shorr		(15 episodes, 1970-1973)
William Norton		(2 episodes, 1975)
Kenneth Peach		(2 episodes, 1975)

Series Film Editing by
Robert James Kern		(62 episodes, 1970-1975)
Robert Moore		(13 episodes, 1970-1973)
Rod Stephens		(5 episodes, 1972-1973)

Series Casting by
Mike Hanks		(6 episodes, 1970)
Millie Gusse		(2 episodes, 1970-1971)

Series Art Direction by
John M. Elliott		(13 episodes, 1970-1972)
Bill Ross		(8 episodes, 1970-1972)
Monty Elliott		(4 episodes, 1973-1975)

Series Set Decoration by
Anthony D. Nealis		(11 episodes, 1970-1975)

Series Makeup Department
Sharleen Rassi	....	key hair stylist (85 episodes, 1971-1975)

Series Production Management
Ted Leonard	....	executive production manager (7 episodes, 1970-1971)
Edward K. Milkis	....	post-production supervisor (7 episodes, 1970-1971)
Sam Strangis	....	production manager (7 episodes, 1970-1971)
James H. Brown	....	unit manager (6 episodes, 1970)
Byron Chudnow	....	post-production supervisor (5 episodes, 1970)
Mike Salamunovich	....	unit production manager (2 episodes, 1973)
Jack Sonntag	....	production executive (2 episodes, 1973)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Marty Moss	....	assistant director (6 episodes, 1970)
Norm Gray	....	assistant director (4 episodes, 1972-1975)
Richard Learman	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Doug Grindstaff	....	supervising sound effects editor (11 episodes, 1970)
James R. Wright	....	sound mixer (8 episodes, 1970-1972)
William M. Andrews	....	supervising sound effects editor (2 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
James V. King	....	camera operator (109 episodes, 1970-1975)

Series Casting Department
Millie Gusse	....	casting supervisor (8 episodes, 1970-1973)

Series Editorial Department
Rod Stephens	....	assistant editor / assistant film editor (36 episodes, 1971-1973)
Byron Chudnow	....	editorial supervisor (6 episodes, 1970)
Carl Mahakian	....	editorial supervisor / post-production coordinator (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Ed Cotter	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1973)

Series Music Department
Neal Hefti	....	composer: theme music (114 episodes, 1970-1975)
Jerry MacDonald	....	music editor (11 episodes, 1970)
Kenyon Hopkins	....	music supervisor (7 episodes, 1970-1972)
Richard Lapham	....	music editor (7 episodes, 1972-1975)
Leith Stevens	....	music supervisor (4 episodes, 1970)

Series Transportation Department
Chris Haynes	....	driver / production driver (7 episodes, 1973-1975)

Series Other crew
Jerry Belson	....	developed for television by / executive consultant (12 episodes, 1970-1975)
Douglas S. Cramer	....	executive vice president in charge of production (6 episodes, 1970)
Carl Kleinschmitt	....	executive story consultant (6 episodes, 1970)
Anthony W. Marshall	....	assistant to executive producer (6 episodes, 1970)
Garry Marshall	....	developed for television by (6 episodes, 1970)
Harvey Miller	....	script consultant / creative consultant / ... (4 episodes, 1971-1975)
Lowell Ganz	....	story consultant / executive story consultant (3 episodes, 1973-1975)
Mark Rothman	....	story consultant / executive story consultant (3 episodes, 1973-1975)
Bill Idelson	....	script consultant (2 episodes, 1971)
David W. Duclon	....	assistant consultant / assistant: producer (2 episodes, 1972-1975)
Bruce Lansbury	....	vice president of creative affairs (2 episodes, 1972-1973)
Carl Mahakian	....	post production coordinator (2 episodes, 1972-1973)
Phil Mishkin	....	story editor (2 episodes, 1973)
Mickey Rose	....	story editor (2 episodes, 1973)
Thomas D. Tannenbaum	....	senior vice president in charge of production (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Paramount Television

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1970-1975) (USA) (TV)
• CBS Paramount Domestic Television (2006-2007) (USA) (TV)
• CBS Paramount International Television (2004-2007) (non-USA) (TV)
• CBS Television Distribution (2007-) (worldwide) (TV)
• Paramount Home Video (2007) (USA) (DVD) (season 1)
• Paramount Home Video (2007) (USA) (DVD) (season 2)
• Paramount Home Video (2008) (USA) (DVD) (season 3)
• Pro 7 (1989-1990) (West Germany) (TV)
• Sat.1 (1992-1999) (Germany) (TV)
• Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) (1972-1975) (West Germany) (TV)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

30 min (114 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

1049 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Paramount Television

Trivia:

The original voices of Linus and Lucy from the Peanuts animated programs both appeared in early episodes of the series. Christopher Shea (Linus) appeared in some episodes as the across the hall neighbor Phillip, and Pamelyn Ferdiin (Lucy) originated the role of Felix's daughter Edna.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the opening credits for the entire series, the type of luggage Felix is carrying changes. When he is indoors (leaving his apartment or arriving at Oscar's) he is carrying a white suitcase. But when he is walking outside he is not carrying the white suitcase.

Quotes:

Felix Unger:[while doing a commercial] I am a dramatization of a doctor.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.46" (2011)

Timeless comedy series starring two great talents and a great supporting cast

This show proves that opposites may not attract, but, with some work, they can at least peacefully coexist. Felix is not just compulsively neat, he literally worships at the altar of order. Oscar's philosophy is not to sweat the small stuff and thinks everything is small stuff. One of the reasons this show is still funny today is that most people have personalities that lie between these two extremes and can therefore sympathize and laugh at the actions of both men.

The first season focuses on the relationship between Oscar and Felix, pretty much stays in the same neighborhood as the 1968 movie from which it sprang as to story lines, and even has the same actresses from the film playing the Pidgeon Sisters. The first season is good, and helps establish the complete personalities of Oscar and Felix in a way a two hour film just doesn't have time to do, but I think it lacks something in the way of the energy and pace that the subsequent seasons had. "The Odd Couple" had the misfortune of premiering right before shows like "All In the Family" would give birth to modern television as we know it today, along with the frank discussion of controversial subject matter in a comic context.

Quite frankly, I think the show would probably have been canceled after its second season if it had not changed to the live set it used from seasons two forward and started broaching more modern topics like it did to help keep pace with the great changes that were taking place in television during the early 70's. I have to give credit to producer Garry Marshall - if he saw something that wasn't quite working in one of his shows, he wasn't afraid to make drastic changes to try and get things back on track. I would say that the "Odd Couple" is one of the few shows that managed to never jump the shark during its five year run. Considering the fact that it aired during a period of great change in American culture - 1970-1975 - that is saying something. Highly recommended.