they went to the new apartment set and the 3-camera live-audience format, and each episode was the new visiting real-life celebrity of the week -- Howard Cossell, Monty Hall, and on and on and on. Then the totally unbelievable airplane episode.
Only the first season was true to the movie and all.
"Backed by the full faith and credit of the American taxpayers."
Only the first season was true to the movie and all.
Just because a show is "filmed in front of a studio audience," it doesn't mean some laughter wasn't added.
Oh dear, now more than ever we can use you in our sadly depleted organization.
This was a TV series that never jumped the shark.
To me, if you really love a series, the first season can never be the worst. Without a first season, there would never be others. :)
Oh dear, now more than ever we can use you in our sadly depleted organization.
Well, I disagree with that logic. I think there are a number of fine shows out there wherein the first season could legitimately be argued to be the worst. Some shows just take a while to find themselves. A couple other shows I love but think the first season is the worst: "Star Trek: The Next Generation", "The Black Adder", and "The Simpsons".
The only time this series jumped the shark
was at the start when the network decided to put an
obnoxious laugh track behind it. An insult
to viewers who know when to laugh.
If you want laughter, write something
funny. Luckily Tony Randall realized that
and pressured them into getting a live
audience.
The Odd Couple was a better concept
than actual movie. It took this tv
series with two brilliant comic
actors who had incredible chemistry
and comic timing to bring it to
fruition.
Like any classic tv program
from the past, there were some
low moments along with some
celebrity episodes that we could
live without, but overall, tv
comedy does not get much
better than this.
The original Odd Couple
belongs in the tv hall of
fame right next to
the likes of The Honeymooners,
The Dick Van Dyke Show,
Seinfeld, Andy Griffith
(especially with Don Knotts)
and M.A.S.H.
All of them have certain
things in common,
brilliant intelligent writing,
talented actors with
great onscreen chemistry
and perfect comic timing.
The only time this series jumped the shark
was at the start when the network decided to put an
obnoxious laugh track behind it. An insult
to viewers who know when to laugh.
If you want laughter, write something
funny.
Lots of funny shows have laugh tracks.
Oh dear, now more than ever we can use you in our sadly depleted organization.
That's your preference. I found the film dated and not as funny as the shows. Like someone else stated, Odd Couple aficionados like myself hate the first season. Finally, no other than Neil Simon himself said he liked Randall and Klugman's version best.
shareI'd say The Odd Couple never completely jumped the shark, but it certainly veered in the sharks direction. As a 7 year old kid it was a little tough watching the show (on Friday nights?) and from what I remember there was some episode about frogs in central park and it was kind of boring and I don't think I tuned in very much after that.
In short, I think OC with Tony Randall, Jack Klugman, and Al Molinaro were just talented and at times hilarious enough to keep the show plowing on for 5 seasons.
Shall we play a game?