Customer Reviews

The Odd Couple - The Third Season

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Sad to say, but possibly the greatest TV sitcom ever is getting hacked for DVD release. Season 1 of the Odd Couple on DVD was perfect -- no cuts. Season 2 was near-perfect -- only a couple of pieces of incidental music were changed.

But sure enough, there are serious cuts this season that make viewing less enjoyable. The worst: the famous "role reversal" has its closing punchline cut off. The show stops when Felix says "I believe I sing better than you, Oscar." We don't get to see the bit where Felix sings "Cocktails for Two" and Oscar shuts him in the closet. Parts of Felix singing are also cut from at least two other episodes.

Three stars because the shows are still great and the total cuts on the season seem to be about two minutes. Still, this does not bode well for future seasons: Felix's band playing the square dance ... Paul Williams ... Laugh, Clown, Laugh ... Jaye P. Morgan ... Roy Clark ... Those episodes will be ruined if the music is cut.

I can't even begin to explain the disappointent in this DVD set. Odd Couple fans have been waiting for decades for this series to be released on DVD. When they finally get around to it, they give us these inexcusable edited versions. I have counted at least five episodes with deleted, changed, or shortened scenes, due to someone (usually Felix) singing a few lines from a song. ("Sweet mystery of life" from 'The Odyssey Couple'; "Secluded Rondevoux" from 'Role Reversal'; "Sun in the morning..", from 'Murry who came to Dinner'; "Look for the Silver Lining" from 'The Odd Monks', and "Peg of my heart" from 'The Odd Couples')

I think someone owes true fans of the series an explanation. Other than here, where can we register our complaints? The sad fact is, if we do, instead of correcting them, they will probably respond by not releasing the 4th and 5th seasons. Shame on Paramount!

How sad.

amp427

I had been waiting for years for the Odd Couple to be released on DVD, and when they finally came out I was ecstatic. I bought Seasons 1 & 2 as soon as they hit the shelves and I enjoyed them alot, and didn't even notice any of the supposed cuts or music changes, possibly because they were very subtle. Not the case with Season 3. The cuts are very noticeable, and really take away from my enjoyment of seeing the episodes again. I was really shocked by this. I can't imagine how much it would have cost Paramount to pay for the right to use a line or two from some old songs, but I'm sure the $34.99 everyone paid for the DVDs would help cover the cost and leave us all alot happier.
As one other reviewer said, what will happen with some of the later episodes? There are a few that revolve around music especially those with Felix's band the Sophisticados, and the Paul Willam's episode. Will these episodes be cut to bits? This type of greed is unacceptable and I will not be buying any future sets of The Odd Couple I'm sad to say. What a diasappointment.

There is a disclaimer on the box that warns that these episodes are edited; however, I was hoping they would be minimal as in the previous two releases. They are not minimal and many episodes are unwatchable for knowledgeable fans. I'm not in agreement with those who say that edited versions are better than nothing. Because of the disclaimer, I cannot return this item, as I would like; however, this is the last season of this show that I'll buy. What a shame for Paramount to show such contempt for its customers.

I was thrilled to hear that season three of The Odd Couple was being released. It is my favorite TV show of all time, and I have the first two seasons which were released in near perfect condition. However, the same isn't true for season three.

Season three sees The Odd Couple butchered like never before. It's a shame that fans might never again see the episodes in their original form. As a big fan of classic TV, I feel like I've put up with this long enough. I bought season one of The Cosby Show and Roseanne -- both edited -- and all four edited seasons of ALF. I even went so far as to purchase WKRP. But this one takes the cake. There is no way I am putting down good money for an edited set of The Odd Couple.

So long Oscar and Felix.

Once again, CBS/Paramount has screwed up another TV show on DVD. The second season of Happy Days on DVD was the worst example of corporate greed I have ever seen. Now they have done the same shoddy work to The Odd Couple. To be fair, the quality of the film transfer is excellent, even on a 42" LCD TV. But sadly, many episodes are edited. I have copies of taped episodes from syndication which have scenes not included in this DVD. One example is "Oscar's Birthday" when his dance teacher is introduced. On the syndicated version , she comes out and tap dances all around Oscar much to his embarrassment. But on these butchered DVDs, her whole dance sequence is cut out, probably because she is dancing while Murray is singing to a song that Paramount wouldn't buy the rights for. Another obvious edit is the final scene of "I Gotta Be Me" when Felix says he sings better than Oscar. On the original episode he starts to sing "Cocktails For Two" when Oscar shuts him in the closet. The song is cut from the DVDs. I guess CBS/Paramount can't afford to pay the royalties for a 74 year old song. It's a shame that for the price of these DVD sets, we cannot get the original episodes as they aired. I guess we are at the mercy of stingy billionaire companies!

Well being a huge Odd Couple fan I was excited when Paramount released these DVDs.
Also being a huge fan I was disappointed with the 3rd season DVD. I've noticed some scenes were deleted that were in when I would watch the show on TV. Scenes that were funny and added to the episode. I don't know why ANYTHING would be deleted from these DVD versions. I foolishly thought by purchasing the DVD I would be getting full uncut episodes. I understand that when old shows are aired in repeats they have to edit them a bit to allow for commercials. But in my opinion, and I'm sure this goes for all the other Odd Couple fans, We should get the ORIGINAL UNCUT episodes as they originally aired.

I first noticed it in "Role Reversal." In the original uncut episode, the episode ends with Felix saying, ""I think I sing better than you do," then hanging up his coat while delievering a bar or two of "Cocktails for Two" while Oscar slams the closet door on him, closing him in. **Now,** the DVD ends with Felix saying "I think I sing better than you do." Cut!!!! Preposterous. Who is so tight that they'd take offense to Tony Randall singing a bar or two of a song???? Do they think they are losing money by allowing me to hear those two bars without paying royalties? What's next -- arresting me for humming while I walk down the street? Someone is taking CYA to the sublime here.

Paramount,Viacom-the edits on this set are truly.......ARISTOPHANES !!!!
Fans,DO NOT buy. Let our voices be heard through the ONLY way that they ever listen to us: Money. Boycott this travesty!

I am so excited that the 3rd season is going to be released in January, 2008 (only wish it were sooner). Probably the best season of the Odd Couple with gems like the "Let's Make a Deal" episode, or the one where Oscar's Computer date is Gloria! And who could forget the immortal Ode to Spot Moskowitz!! Great show!!!!