Product Description: Two divorced New Yorkers---a slob and a fussbudget---try to live together "without driving each other crazy" in this classic sitcom based on Neil Simon's hit play and movie. Both Jack Klugman and Tony Randall won Emmys in the leads, the latter in the final year of a five-season run. "Now if I only had a job," Randall said at the Emmy gala. The show inspired two remakes, one an animated series portraying the main characters as a cat and a dog, and a 1982-83 version with a mostly black cast.
Amazon.com: Jack Klugman and Tony Randall give an advanced course in chemistry in the auspicious first season of The Odd Couple, which would only get better as the veteran character actors made themselves at home in their signature roles and the series switched from a laugh track to a live audience. In these first episodes, The Odd Couple hews pretty much to the voice and spirit of Neil Simon's play about mismatched roommates, sloppy sportswriter Oscar Madison and "miserable, picky, irritating" photographer Felix Unger ("That was the point," defends series executive producer and writer Garry Marshall, who provides lively audio introductions for each episode and commentary for the pilot). Playing pivotal roles this first season are Felix and Oscar's poker playing buddies, Murray the cop (Al Molinaro), Vinnie, Roy, and Speed, the fabulous Pigeon sisters (Monica Evans and Carole Shelley reprising their Broadway and film roles), and, of course, Neil Hefti's jaunty, jazzy theme, which was introduced in the 1968 film. As with M*A*S*H, the series would establish its own identity and supplant previous incarnations in the public's consciousness. The Odd Couple was never a ratings smash before it became a syndication staple.
The series' loyal following is amply rewarded with this five-disc set. In addition to all 24 first season episodes, a bonus disc contains four billed as "Tony and Jack's Favorite Episodes," including the one where Oscar attacks Felix in his sleep, and the duo are paired as contestants on the game show Password. In a clip from The Mike Douglas Show, Tony Randall promotes the series, and somehow ends up challenging Douglas and Pat Boone to a push-up contest (Boone wins!). A reunited Randall and Klugman, his voice a rasp following his throat cancer surgery, are seen in a priceless clip from a 1993 performance of The Odd Couple to benefit Randall's National Actor's Theatre. A gag reel is negligible, but Klugman contributes home videos of a book tour and he provides commentary for a clip of him winning his first Emmy Award ("I've never seen this," he says delightedly). The Odd Couple is the very model of a classic character-driven comedy. From its dream-team casting to the literate, witty writing, there is nothing odd about why this series' remains one of the most beloved in all TV Land. --Donald Liebenson
Happy & Peppy I haven't laughed so much in a long time. This is a great collection of one of the best shows on TV. I already bought season 1&2 and will be buying 3&4 shortly.
Classic.... Peanut butter and jelly.....franks and beans...cookies and milk....you really can't beat any of these combos, but Felix and Oscar together are truly the best....A ton of laughs....can't wait to relive season 2.
COOL FEATURE - listen without the laugh track [edit] [I see people have said my review is "not helpful" simply because I didn't like the show. Grow up people. Not everyone likes the same thing; my review is my honest opinion. That's what a review is meant to be.]
I discovered a rather neat feature on one of the episodes (disc 4). Since the episode was originally aired without a laugh track, viewers have the option to listen to the original episode (no laughter) or the rerun version (fake laughs).
As for the actual show (season 1):
It's fairly good. I wouldn't call it the best comedy ever, because a lot of the pacing feels glacial, but overall it's worth the half-price bargain I received. Being in my mid-30s, I'm used to the more fast-paced sitcoms that I watched during the 1980s and 90s (Family Ties, Cosby, Seinfeld). Tony Randall commented in one of the bonus interviews that the Odd Couple attracted few viewers, and was always on the verge of cancelation..... well now I can see why. The comedy starts to feel repetitive. You start to say, "Haven't I already heard that joke in the previous episode?"
I also purchased season 2, and it was funnier than season 1, but at times still seemed "glacial" in pace. My mother (age 75) had the same opinion and commented that when the show was on the air in the 1970's, she often preferred to watch other programs on competing networks.
My Favorite Show Ever! I love "The Odd Couple", unfortunately, it's been a long time since I've seen it on TV reruns; hence my purchase of the DVDs. I started with season two, and now I am getting into season one. The two are different in that season one is done in a different apartment and with a laugh track, while season two is with a live audiance. Season one moves a little slower but is still hilarius. The chemistry between Jack Klugman and Tony Randall is perfection. I love these guys. The underlying sadness of the show is quite an interesting ingredient to the humor involved. Although it's only touched upon occasionally in the show, these are two men who are dealing with a terrible thing-namely divorce; and coming to terms with their own faults that led them there. The overt hostility and the deep down affection Felix and Oscar (as well as Tony and Jack) have for each other makes this show really special.
This DVD also comes with wonderful extras from future seasons (Jack Klugman's favorite episodes), and clips from vintage television featuring Odd Couple"-related material. That was a nice surprise!
Great service Great service on delivering item in a timely manner. Odd Couple First Season is very enjoyable. Nice to watch some classic tv comedy.
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