I've heard people here basically call it one of or the worst season of the show, but take an episode like The Jury Story or Oscar's Ulcer. I couldn't stop laughing! They were in fact just as funny as episodes from season 2. I'm wondering only why people think this? Maybe some notice a difference in style and tone, but it pretty much stayed the same?
shareI think there were definitely some funny episodes in Season One. My favorite is the one where they get locked in the basement with Nancy. It does have a different look and pace to it, it's more like the movie than the live sitcom it became.
Now if you'll excuse me I've got to go fill my freezer with my own blood
Yes, season 1 is very underrated, but I'm still happy that they went with a live audience. You can just tell Tony and Jack got all charged up with it. It also added to the chemistry of the show.
Spenser with an "S", like the poet.
I wouldn't say worst, I'd say "least great." Definitely has some great episodes but the reasons I'd rank it 5th of the 5:
a. The laugh track is annoying.
b. At times Klugman seems to be channeling Matthau a little too much. IMO he didn't fully make the Oscar role his own until Season 2.
c. The "swinging bachelor" personas they gave to both in Season 1 worked OK with Oscar but seemed awkward with Felix. Liked him better in future years pining over Gloria (or at least having a steady in Miriam).
d. Trying to bring the Pigeon Sisters over from the movie. I found them terribly unfunny.
e. Likewise, Phillip the bratty kid next door was a clunker. (I see he only appeared in 3 episodes, which surprises me as it feels like he ruined scenes in more shows than that.)
To the good, "Oscar's Ulcer," "It's All Over Now, Baby Bird," "Oscar's New Life" and "What Does a Naked Lady Say to You?" are all classics.
I actually don't really like What Does A Naked Lady Say To You?. But I'd also add The Jury Story and Felix Is Missing.
shareFair enough. I liked "Naked Lady" for a few reasons. For starters, the depiction of the play in the grubby little off-off-off-off-off-off-off-Broadway theater was such a dead-on sendup of the pompous, pseudo-important, pseudo-intellectual absurdist plays that were the rage in New York around then ("I am wrapped in a towel of indifference!" ha ha ha perfect).
Also, I loved the final scene where Felix says goodbye and then laments his foolishness to Oscar. This was, I believe, the second-to-last episode aired in Season 1, indicating it was probably filmed late in the production cycle. As I mentioned before, I never liked the "2 swingers" thing they attempted in Season 1, Randall's Felix just wasn't suited for it. (Klugman's Oscar was better at it although ironically his character was the first to get a steady.) Seems the writers are putting a foot in the door of Felix in seasons 2-5, a one-woman man at heart, whether it's a girlfriend (Miriam) or his ongoing quest to reunite with Gloria.
Damn I love this show lol.