The Odd Couple (2015)

:

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

Where To Watch

Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  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 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 numerousI 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.    … Expand
  2. jcreighton
    Apr 27, 2015
    10
    I find the show very comedic. The cast is very talented! Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon make a perfect Oscar and Felix, respectively. Along with the witty Yvette Nicole Brown and the very funny Lindsey Sloane.
  3. edmh007
    May 2, 2015
    7
    I like this show. The actor playing Felix really makes the show work. Matt Perry is ok and the supporting cast is ok too. Hope the show makes it. Its too good to cancel!
  4. Sbeyer69
    May 20, 2015
    9
    I watched the Odd Couple with my Dad growing up.. I feel my opinion of this show holds water being a fan of the original. Mathew Perry is a great choice as Oscar! He delivers modern topics with a retro tone! Thomas Lennon is dead on Felix!!! Kick back and just enjoy a good laugh because that's what this show is about. Agree to Disagree and be odd!!
  5. DanaD
    Jul 19, 2015
    10
    For the first time in a long while I've actually laughed watching a comedy show. The couple Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon are really hitting it off, so to say. Their fine mimic is simply exquisite and very suggestive. I haven't seen such great comedy in a long time, all supported by a very funny script. Love the show. Great cast. Keep up the great work!
  6. 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!" 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. AfterAs 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!… Expand
  7. falakrohitFGR
    May 7, 2015
    10
    i love this show.............its very comedic.............,Matthew Perry rocks.....i am from India.. and cant able to see it live so i download it and enjoy myself..........................................its awesome
  8. Auntbeabea
    Apr 2, 2015
    9
    I love, love, love the new Odd Couple. I don't understand all the negative reviews! Perry has seemed to take on the roll of Oscar well and Thomas Lennon is ha Felix pretty much to a "r" without hating. I know it's a re-make of an old show but these guys seem to really seem to some pretty chemistry They just have one thing working against them --The crazy people at CBS decided to put itI love, love, love the new Odd Couple. I don't understand all the negative reviews! Perry has seemed to take on the roll of Oscar well and Thomas Lennon is ha Felix pretty much to a "r" without hating. I know it's a re-make of an old show but these guys seem to really seem to some pretty chemistry They just have one thing working against them --The crazy people at CBS decided to put it and "Mom" up against "Scandal" and "The Blacklist" -- Come on people -- most DVRs will only record to shows at one time and you can't watch a third while the two shows are recording which totally interrupts my house cleaning schedule. (I clean house in the evening and record the TV I want to watch then I can fast-forwarding through commercials. NBC should really move their comedies to Friday nights or any other day other week but Thursday , Ms. Rhimes has that "locked." Mom the number one comedy on TV last year and The Odd Couple started out strong, but don'y let these these two very goo shows get canceled on your watch!!!

    .    … Expand
  9. moonlightlilies
    Aug 26, 2015
    10
    Absolutely love this show! Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon are wonderful and hilarious. Can't wait for the new series! A lot of people are being extremely negative, in these reviews, they're not even giving the programme a chance! Very funny.
  10. naggia
    May 10, 2015
    7
    my husband and i really enjoy all the people and the rmake. sadly Perry is annoying. Why is he stretching his eyes and not in the moment. Such bad acting. I usually am a fan but he is ruining the sitcom. This could be great.
  11. Claire0
    Jun 11, 2015
    10
    I LOVE this show and I hope it has a long run. Matthew Perry is his usual hilarious self, and the jokes are great... I keep hearing such great NEW ideas in comedy, and I even rewind to watch parts again. All the characters are great but i HOPE MATTHEW PERRY makes a great go with this because he NEEDS to be on t.v. he's so funny.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Margaret Lyons
    Feb 20, 2015
    10
    The oddest thing about The Odd Couple is that it took Perry, Lennon, Bibb, Lindsay Sloane, Dave Foley, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Wendell Pierce and wasted every molecule of their combined talents.
    Read full review
  2. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Vicki Hyman
    Feb 20, 2015
    30
    This show does nothing interesting with the premise, relying almost entirely, it seems, on the brand to break out.
    Read full review
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Feb 20, 2015
    30
    There's not a lot to love in this strained, often deafening update of the Neil Simon perennial. [16 Feb-1 Mar 2015, p.15]
See all critic reviews »