Product Details

• Actors: Tony Randall, Jack Klugman, Herbie Faye, Larry Gelman, Cynthia Lynn
• Directors: Alan Rafkin, Bruce Bilson, Charles R. Rondeau, Garry Marshall, George Tyne
• Format: NTSC, Color, Full Screen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Dubbed: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 5
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: April 24, 2007
• Run Time: 698 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000MGBSH6
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,455 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "The Odd Couple - The First Season" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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.

The series' loyal following is amply rewarded with this five-disc set. In addition to all 24 first season episodes, a bonus disc contains four billed as "Tony and Jack's Favorite Episodes," including the one where Oscar attacks Felix in his sleep, and the duo are paired as contestants on the game show Password. In a clip from The Mike Douglas Show, Tony Randall promotes the series, and somehow ends up challenging Douglas and Pat Boone to a push-up contest (Boone wins!). A reunited Randall and Klugman, his voice a rasp following his throat cancer surgery, are seen in a priceless clip from a 1993 performance of The Odd Couple to benefit Randall's National Actor's Theatre. A gag reel is negligible, but Klugman contributes home videos of a book tour and he provides commentary for a clip of him winning his first Emmy Award ("I've never seen this," he says delightedly). The Odd Couple is the very model of a classic character-driven comedy. From its dream-team casting to the literate, witty writing, there is nothing odd about why this series' remains one of the most beloved in all TV Land. --Donald Liebenson

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Stills from The Odd Couple: The First Season (click for larger image)

Product Description

Two divorced New Yorkers---a slob and a fussbudget---try to live together "without driving each other crazy" in this classic sitcom based on Neil Simon's hit play and movie. Both Jack Klugman and Tony Randall won Emmys in the leads, the latter in the final year of a five-season run. "Now if I only had a job," Randall said at the Emmy gala. The show inspired two remakes, one an animated series portraying the main characters as a cat and a dog, and a 1982-83 version with a mostly black cast.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 102 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth The Wait! February 11, 2007

By Servo VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

"On November 13th, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence. That request came from his wife. Deep down, he knew she was right. But he also knew that someday he would return to her. With nowhere else to go, he appeared at the home of his childhood friend, Oscar Madison. Some time earlier, Madison's wife had thrown him out, requesting that he never return. Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?"

That question, delivered in a hilarious monotone by veteran narrator William Woodson ("Battle of the Planets"), would scratch at the minds of Odd Couple viewers for 5 seasons (1970-1975). Starring Tony Randall as fastidious photographer Felix Unger and Jack Klugman as sloppy sportswriter Oscar Madison, "The Odd Couple" (based on Neil Simon's play and the 1968 film) was a humorous yet brilliant character study of one of television's greatest comedy duos. The beauty of the show is in the simplicity of the premise which practically begs the question: Are you (the viewer) a Felix or an Oscar?

The show's supporting cast include Monica Evans & Carole Shelley (reprising their 1968 film roles) as daffy neighbors Cecily & Gwendolyn Pidgeon; Garry Walberg, Ryan MacDonald, Larry Gelman, and Al ("Happy Days") Molinaro as poker pals Speed, Roy, Vinnie, and Murray the cop. Look for Penny ("Laverne & Shirley") Marshall and Joan Hotchkis later on as Oscar's secretary, Myrna Turner and girlfriend, Dr. Nancy Cunningham respectively.

The Odd Couple - The First Season is a 5-disc set featuring all 24 episodes in Full Frame (1.33:1) video and English mono, plus the following Special Features: audio intros on each episode by producer Garry Marshall, cast and crew commentary on select episodes, original network promos, Emmy Award acceptance footage, cast talk show appearances, Tony Randall and Jack Klugman on stage in "The Odd Couple" in 1993 and more! Here are how the discs will be configured:

Disc One:
"The Laundry Orgy"
"The Fight of the Felix"
"Felix Gets Sick"
"The Jury Story"
"The Breakup"
"Oscar's Ulcer"

Disc Two:
"I Do, I Don't"
"Oscar The Model"
"The Big Brothers"
"It's All Over Now, Baby Bird"
"Felix Is Missing"
"Scrooge Gets An Oscar"

Disc Three:
"The Blackout"
"They Use Horseradish, Don't They?"
"The Hideaway"
"Lovers Don't Make House Calls"
"Engrave Trouble"
"Bunny Is Missing Down By the Lake"

Disc Four:
"You've Come A Long Way, Baby"
"A Taste of Money"
"Oscar's New Life"
"What Makes Felix Run"
"What Does A Naked Lady Say To You?"
"Trapped"

Disc Five:
(Tony Randall and Jack Klugman's all-time favorite episodes)
"Sleepwalker" from Season Two
"Password" from Season Three
"Last Tango in Newark" from Season Four
"The New Car" from Season Four

Highly Recommended!

56 of 61 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY PARAMOUNT'S JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON!!! January 20, 2007

By Tamra J. Gibson

Format:DVD

It's should'nt surprize me that Paramount has finally taken an interest in releasing The Odd Couple's first season on dvd, after Time/Life released it back in August and it sold like hotcakes. I suppose they (the idiots in charge of dvd releases) was'nt smart enough to realize that The Odd Couple still has a huge fanbase and people will definately buy the entire series on dvd!!!

Needless to say I already bought the first season release from Time/Life and it was fantastic!!! The episodes were even funnier than I remembered in syndication! This release from Paramount seems pretty similiar to Time/Life's, except for the cover art and perhaps an extra disc of Tony Randall's and Jack Klugman's favorite episodes. The good thing about this release from Paramount is there's good chance The Odd Couple's remaining seasons will see the light of day, and the bad thing is it will be a long wait for season 2!!!

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to DVD Felix and Oscar February 6, 2007

By Bennet Pomerantz VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Tony Randal & Jack Klugman take over from Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in the Television version and make this version their own.

This first season of the TV show on DVD has a few extra, each episode has Garry Marshall, creator for Television/Producer and director doing openning intros to each episode. Marshall and Jack Klugman do audio commentary. One would wish Tony Randel was still with us toi do to hear what he says. Also missing is commentary by Penny Marshall, one can hope for season two

What I loved about this set is the odd partner and the chemestry Randall and Klugman have on the screen, it is amazing to watch. This partnership will never come again, but it so great to watch it

There are extras as in audio commentary on assorted episodes, Mike Douglas shows and Emmy win speech from Klugman.

and a 5th disk that is not in the Time Life release with 4 episode which are Randall & Klugman favorites..Password, Sleepwalker, Last Tango in Newark and The New Car

It is worth it? You better believe it

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD