MovieChat Forums > The Odd Couple (1970) Discussion > how did they really meet?

how did they really meet?

posted 9 years ago by orangeandyellow
5 replies | jump to latest

i LOVE this show. it is one of my all time favorites, but it feels like there is quite a bit of inconsistency. the one that really gets me is how and when felix and oscar met. season 1 they met at jury duty. the opening of the show says that they were childhood friends. another episode said that they met in the early 50's...

i don't get it. these are some of the best writers/producers from the 70's. why couldn't they keep it consistent.

also, on that note, the same actress that plays felix's daughter in season 2 played the bratty camper from season 1.

on a smaller note: the kitchen in the apartment became open concept the second season.

i am sorry if someone has already covered this.

[–] pepperdog61 9 years ago

Continuity was never a priority on OC. They'd change the characters' history at the drop of a hat if it met that week's comedy needs.

Really doesn't bother me actually.

[–] daverindone 9 years ago

I'll try to put it in order, even thought it's really fuzzy and I haven't watched the show in a few years:

- Early Childhood in Chicago
- Felix was still a bachelor, then meets Oscar's "date", Gloria
- Jury Duty
- The Army (Oscar was dating Blanch)

I'd like to believe the Jury Duty one as they wouldn't have really remembered meeting as children in Chicago. After that, they sort of hit it off and kept in touch. Of course, this totally negates the opening narration.

[–] rjrmemorabilia2 9 years ago

There was a specific reason jury duty was used. It was a salute to Jack Klugman's performance in 12 Angry Men. The man who would really know how they actually met is Neil Simon. I wonder if in the original play there's a backstory as to how Felix and Oscar met. Even Tony Marshall, the show's producer, writer and occasional guest star knew that Felix and Oscar's origin story was told 4 different times in 4 different ways.

So they only person that would know for sure is Neil Simon himself.

[–] ScarletKnights 9 years ago

LOL That would be Garry Marshall

[–] brendanchenowith 9 years ago

I just got Season One and have been binge-watching it through the weekend, and I noticed the inconsistency. I saw Jury Duty, then another episode in which Felix says he's known Oscar for 15 years. How, in the same season, can two divorced men meet at a jury trial 7 years ago, then have one claim to know the other for 15 years.

I always thought the flashback to when they met as children was a bit hokey - I like the jury duty one best. I also caught the 12 Angry Men reference. I was amused when Oscar opened the window. "Oh, so he's juror 8 now, is he?"

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked.