The Odd Couple: The First Season

"On November 13th, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence. That request came from his wife. Deep down he knew she was right, but he also knew that someday he would return to her. With nowhere else to go, he appeared at the home of his childhood friend Oscar Madison. Some time earlier, Madison's wife had thrown him out, requesting that he never return. Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?"

That question, delivered in a hilarious monotone by veteran narrator William Woodson ("Battle of the Planets"), would scratch at the minds of Odd Couple viewers for 5 seasons (1970-1975). Starring Tony Randall as fastidious photographer Felix Unger and Jack Klugman as sloppy sportswriter Oscar Madison, "The Odd Couple" (based on Neil Simon's play and the 1968 film) was a humorous yet brilliant character study of one of television's greatest comedy duos. The beauty of the show is in the simplicity of the premise which practically begs the question: Are you (the viewer) a Felix or an Oscar?

The show's supporting cast includes Monica Evans & Carole Shelley (reprising their 1968 film roles) as daffy neighbors Cecily & Gwendolyn Pidgeon; Joan Hotchkis as Dr. Nancy Cunningham, Oscar's first female friend; Garry Walberg, Ryan MacDonald, Larry Gelman, and Al ("Happy Days") Molinaro as poker pals Speed, Roy, Vinnie, and Murray the cop. Look for Penny ("Laverne & Shirley") Marshall later on as Oscar's secretary Myrna Turner.

The Odd Couple - The First Season is a 5-disc set featuring all 24 episodes in Full Frame (1.33:1) video and English mono, plus the following Special Features: audio intros on each episode by producer Garry Marshall, cast and crew commentary on select episodes, original network promos, Emmy Award acceptance footage, cast talk show appearances, Tony Randall and Jack Klugman on stage in "The Odd Couple" in 1993 and more! Here are how the discs will be configured:

Disc One:
"The Laundry Orgy"
"The Fight of the Felix"
"Felix Gets Sick"
"The Jury Story"
"The Breakup"
"Oscar's Ulcer"

Disc Two:
"I Do, I Don't"
"Oscar The Model"
"The Big Brothers"
"It's All Over Now, Baby Bird"
"Felix Is Missing"
"Scrooge Gets An Oscar"

Disc Three:
"The Blackout"
"They Use Horseradish, Don't They?"
"The Hideaway"
"Lovers Don't Make House Calls"
"Engrave Trouble"
"Bunny Is Missing Down By the Lake"

Disc Four:
"You've Come A Long Way, Baby"
"A Taste of Money"
"Oscar's New Life"
"What Makes Felix Run"
"What Does A Naked Lady Say To You?"
"Trapped"

Disc Five:
(Tony Randall and Jack Klugman's all-time favorite episodes)
"Sleepwalker" from Season Two
"Password" from Season Three
"Last Tango in Newark" from Season Four
"The New Car" from Season Four

Highly Recommended!

It's should'nt surprize me that Paramount has finally taken an interest in releasing The Odd Couple's first season on dvd, after Time/Life released it back in August and it sold like hotcakes. I suppose they (the idiots in charge of dvd releases) was'nt smart enough to realize that The Odd Couple still has a huge fanbase and people will definately buy the entire series on dvd!!!

Needless to say I already bought the first season release from Time/Life and it was fantastic!!! The episodes were even funnier than I remembered in syndication! This release from Paramount seems pretty similiar to Time/Life's, except for the cover art and perhaps an extra disc of Tony Randall's and Jack Klugman's favorite episodes. The good thing about this release from Paramount is there's good chance The Odd Couple's remaining seasons will see the light of day, and the bad thing is it will be a long wait for season 2!!!

Tony Randal & Jack Klugman take over from Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in the Television version and make this version their own.

This first season of the TV show on DVD has a few extra, each episode has Garry Marshall, creator for Television/Producer and director doing openning intros to each episode. Marshall and Jack Klugman do audio commentary. One would wish Tony Randel was still with us toi do to hear what he says. Also missing is commentary by Penny Marshall, one can hope for season two

What I loved about this set is the odd partner and the chemestry Randall and Klugman have on the screen, it is amazing to watch. This partnership will never come again, but it so great to watch it

There are extras as in audio commentary on assorted episodes, Mike Douglas shows and Emmy win speech from Klugman.

and a 5th disk that is not in the Time Life release with 4 episode which are Randall & Klugman favorites..Password, Sleepwalker, Last Tango in Newark and The New Car

It is worth it? You better believe it

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

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