The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
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The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
EXCLUSIVE: Neil Simon’s classic The Odd Couple is eying a return to television, with Matthew Perry as the star, co-writer and executive producer of a multi-camera comedy project for CBS, which has received a script commitment plus penalty. The new take on two mismatched roommates — the messy Oscar Madison (Perry) and the neat freak Felix Unger — will be co-written by Perry and comedy veteran Danny Jacobson, who previously co-wrote another multi-camera couple comedy with the series’ co-lead: NBC’s Paul Reiser vehicle Mad About You. The Odd Couple hails from CBS TV Studios and two of its top pods, Timberman-Beverly and The Tannenbaum Co. It marks Friends alum Perry’s return to multi-camera comedy filmed in front of a live audience after two single-camera shows — ABC’s Mr. Sunshine, which he also co-created, and NBC’s Go On. Simon’s play The Odd Couple premiered on Broadway in 1965 with Walter Matthau as Oscar and Art Carney as Felix and spawned a successful 1968 movie, in which Matthau reprises his role alongside Jack Lemmon as Felix, and the 1970 ABC/Paramount TV series, in which Oscar was played by Jack Klugman and Felix by Tony Randall. It ran for five seasons.
For Perry, doing The Odd Couple has been a dream 34 years in the making. “Ever since seeing the movie The Odd Couple when I was 10 years old, it has been a dream for me to play Oscar Madison,” he said. “To be given the opportunity to develop a modern version of it for CBS has put a permanent smile across my face. I met up with a wonderful writing partner in Danny Jacobson. We both have such a passion for the source material that we have instantly become obsessed with making this great. Plus, I think it’s time for me to be in front of a live audience again. I miss that. The search for Felix Ungar is on!”
Perry and Jacobson are executive producing the project with Carl Beverly & Sarah Timberman and Eric Tannenbaum & Kim Tannenbaum.
For Perry, doing The Odd Couple has been a dream 34 years in the making. “Ever since seeing the movie The Odd Couple when I was 10 years old, it has been a dream for me to play Oscar Madison,” he said. “To be given the opportunity to develop a modern version of it for CBS has put a permanent smile across my face. I met up with a wonderful writing partner in Danny Jacobson. We both have such a passion for the source material that we have instantly become obsessed with making this great. Plus, I think it’s time for me to be in front of a live audience again. I miss that. The search for Felix Ungar is on!”
Perry and Jacobson are executive producing the project with Carl Beverly & Sarah Timberman and Eric Tannenbaum & Kim Tannenbaum.
#2
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
This would give Perry a show on his 4th big network. Though his FOX show was before Friends.
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#6
DVD Talk Legend
re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
They're really desperate to get him onto a show. When are they going to realize that he just can't carry a network TV show?
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re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
My first thought was he would be playing Felix also but in retrospect, he is more the comic than the "straight man". I think he would be better in the part of Felix and I have a difficult time picturing him as Oscar but I do see why he wants that part.
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#10
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re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
Both The Odd Couple and Matthew Perry are my boner jams, but man, I'm already saddened by the cancelation.
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#12
DVD Talk God
re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
If this is being developed as a CBS sitcom, chances are it will be multi-cam, studio with audience/laugh track, which pretty much everyone here despises.
Last edited by DJariya; 12-16-13 at 01:06 PM.
#13
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re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
Just to clarify, Perry is playing Oscar according to the article. So he's the cranky old man.
#14
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re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
What late 40's to 50's actor can play a relatively straight by the book man?
If Bradley Whitford wasn't on Trophy Wife on ABC, he could pull off Felix. It would be a Studio 60 reunion.
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re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
I've enjoyed both Mr. Sunshine and Go On, and look forward to seeing Perry again...but I don't like the "in front of a live audience" part. The format just seems so tired to me, and while I enjoy shows like Seinfeld in reruns, trying to watch new shows, like Tim Allen's new one, with all the laughter and constant one-liners just seems annoying.
#16
DVD Talk Limited Edition
re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
So kinda like Two and a Half Men without the 1/2 and one of them is a slob instead of a womanizer. Got it.
#19
DVD Talk Legend
re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
The Chandler/Joey relationship WAS an Odd Couple remake.
Oh, and having Matthew Perry as the Oscar, is fucking retardivo.
Oh, and having Matthew Perry as the Oscar, is fucking retardivo.
#21
re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
Maybe Neil Patrick Harris, John Cho or James Van Der Beek could play Felix?
If there were a BBC version of the Odd Couple, I would probably pick these guys.
If there were a BBC version of the Odd Couple, I would probably pick these guys.
Spoiler:
#23
DVD Talk Hero
re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
The great thing about the Odd Couple movie (Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau) and tv show (Tony Randall and Jack Klugman) when you just heard the actor's names you knew exactly who played who. That instant attachment to the characters really helped to sell the shows.
If Matthew Perry is in this, he should be Felix and get John Goodman for Oscar.
If Matthew Perry is in this, he should be Felix and get John Goodman for Oscar.
#24
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re: The Odd Couple (CBS) - Series Thread - S: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon
I had to read the article 3 times before I realized they weren't saying Paul Reiser would be playing Felix. That wouldn't be bad casting.
If they want to really bring in the viewers (for one episode, anyway), they should case Schwimmer or LeBlanc. Or Kudrow.
If they want to really bring in the viewers (for one episode, anyway), they should case Schwimmer or LeBlanc. Or Kudrow.