The Odd Couple (2015)

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Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 26, 2015
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
42

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 31
  3. Negative: 10 out of 31
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Critic Reviews

  1. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Feb 19, 2015
    63
    This Odd Couple, starring Matthew Perry as messy Oscar Madison and Thomas Lennon as fastidious Felix Unger, just feels forced, tired and not funny enough.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 84 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 84
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 84
  3. Negative: 29 out of 84
  1. BobbyZim
    Mar 8, 2015
    8
    I was wary of this one, being as I am a big fan of the play (which I've seen in various productions), the Jack Lemmon/Walter Matthau movie andI was wary of this one, being as I am a big fan of the play (which I've seen in various productions), the Jack Lemmon/Walter Matthau movie and the Tony Randall/Jack Klugman series. Normally I loathe remakes - especially of classics - but the more I thought about it, the more I realized... the original "classic" was based on a movie based on a stage play of which I have seen numerous productions. This isn't a remake, it's another adaptation. Had Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon been playing Oscar and Felix on stage, I would have gone in a second. If it seems like a million other shows, it's not because it's "recycled." The 1965 play is the original that everyone else recycled in other sitcoms not called "The Odd Couple." Calling this premise "recycled" is like calling the premise of a Superman movie a rip-off of Spider-Man and Iron Man. Besides, much like Superman, the premise is so basic and simple ("He's a slob. He's a neat freak. They're best friends and roommates. Comedy ensues.") that it's almost archetypal and has been adapted for women, for people of color, for later decades and even for significantly foreign cultures like Japan.

    The question, of course, is how they pull it off, and the answer is, if I'm completely intellectually honest and objective: Pretty well, actually. Perry clearly has as much if not more affection for the material as I have - this was reportedly a pet project of his for a decade - and it shows. He wants to get it right, and so he basically does. The updates for the 2010s (Oscar Podcasting from his apartment; Felix's love of vegan cooking and yoga) are all logical and smoothly introduced. The supporting cast - including a finally-aging Dave Foley (when he was on KITH and "NewsRadio," I kept wanting to ask him if his dad knew he was doing his show for him) - are great. Most importantly, the chemistry between Perry and Lennon works. They clearly like each other personally, so you believe them as friends, and both are equally skilled enough at playing either straight men or comics that they're able to maneuver the delicate pushmi-pullyu nature of the premise in all its incarnations.

    On top of that, the show avoids the major pitfalls into which it easily could have fallen. There are people of color in the cast - this isn't the magically lily-white New York City of "Friends" or even "Agent Carter" - and as Oscar's literary agent, Wendell Pierce even plays a character of authority. Still more surprisingly given the premise and ESPECIALLY the lead-in (two words: Chuck Lorre), the show manages not to be misogynistic, even granted Oscar's womanizing. The replacements for the "coo-coo Pigeon Sisters" have individual personalities, motivations and quirks mirroring Oscar's and Felix's and are no longer the "two-headed monster" of the original. (Although, it should be noted, in most American stage updates, the Pigeon Sisters' stand-ins are Latin, so there is a missed opportunity here.)

    If I could find one fault with the show three episodes in, it's that the writing is not YET quite as sharp and crisp as it clearly could be. But to be fair, that's a flaw of MOST traditional sitcoms in their first few episodes, and "The Odd Couple" has shown steady improvement since the pilot. By the time its second season starts (and there likely will be one, given its ratings success thus far), the writing staff will probably have gotten into the swing of things, and this will be that most endangered of all species in the TV ecosystem: A multi-cam sitcom that's funny, likable and not offensive.    … Full Review »
  2. AverageTVViewer
    Feb 26, 2015
    2
    Sadly, I hated it. I loved the original tv version and really, really wanted to like this one since I really, really like Matthew Perry. ButSadly, I hated it. I loved the original tv version and really, really wanted to like this one since I really, really like Matthew Perry. But I thought the writing was terrible, the characters didn't seem natural as if they were interacting in real-life situations, they seemed to me just like what they are, actors waiting for their turn to say their next lines. Everyone seemed so stiff, but hopefully it was nervousness or that they haven't found their groove yet, so I will watch another week or 2.
    Oh--and that laugh track. I don't know why, but it was so noticeable. A laugh track should be unobtrusive and add to the humor, but this laugh track was just to noticeable to the point of annoyance. Maybe it was because the show didn't engage me that the laugh track stood out so much, but again, I'll try another episode or 2 only because I really like Matthew Perry. He is so much better than this show----at least this show so far.    … Full Review »
  3. Rysingzombie
    Feb 20, 2015
    9
    As I look back to some of my favorite sitcoms, I don't think I have ever enjoyed a first episode as much as I enjoyed "The Odd Couple!" BothAs I look back to some of my favorite sitcoms, I don't think I have ever enjoyed a first episode as much as I enjoyed "The Odd Couple!" Both Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon had great chemistry together and I actually really liked the supporting cast! I highly recommend that people give this series a chance. There were a number of times I found myself actually laughing out loud. After the show was over both my wife and I turned to each other and said, "Wow that was actually pretty funny!" I'm crossing my fingers for good ratings! Thanks CBS for giving us another great comedy!… Full Review »
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