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.
Cast and Characters
Tony Randell as Felix Unger
Jack Klugman as Oscar Madison
Al Molinaro as Murray Greshner
Garry Walberg as Speed (1970-1974)
Larry Gelman as Vinnie
Archie Hahn as Roger (1973-1974)
Brett Somers as Blanche Madison
Ryan McDonald as Roy (1970-1971)
Joan Hotchkis as Dr. Nancy Cunningham (1970-1972)
Janis Hansen as Gloris Ulger (1971-1975)
Broadcast History First Telecast: September 24, 1970 Last Telecast: Mar 7, 1975 Number of Episodes: 114
Number of Seasons: 5
Original Network: ABC
September 1970- January 1971, ABC, Thursday 9:30-10:00pm
Janruary 1971- June 1973, ABC, Friday 9:30-10:00pm
June 1973- January 1974, ABC, Friday 8:30-9:00pm
January 1974- September 1974, ABC, Friday 9:30-10:00pm
September 1974- January 1975, ABC, Thursday 8:00-8:30pm
January 1975- March 1975, ABC, Friday 9:30-10:00pm
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.
