1049 Park Avenue: An Odd Couple Podcast
Ted Linhart and Garrett Eisler analyze every episode of the classic TV comedy 'The Odd Couple'. They highlight hilarious moments, the dynamic chemistry between the actors, and the frequent plot inconsistencies. The podcast offers a detailed, episode-by-episode examination of the beloved series.
Episodes
The Original Edna Unger!: An Interview With Pamelyn Ferdin
It's A Biggie! Ted and Garrett are delighted to welcome Pamelyn Ferdin to the podcast. We discuss her incredible television career before The Odd Couple; her path to becoming Edna; her two episodes "Surprise, Surprise" and "Good, Bad Boy"; why she left the show; her incredible television career after The Odd Couple; and her career switch into nursing and animal activism.
SCRIPTS: The Hideaway and Hospital Mates
In this episode, we compared a final draft script of S1's The Hideaway and a first draft script of the first episode filmed for S2 Hospital Mates to the filmed versions. And before we get into the scripts, we discuss four new instances of The Odd Couple IP / the cast in the zeitgeist.
OLD FLAMES NEVER DIE SCRIPT
In this new episode, we discuss the differences between the filmed episode and the "Revised Final Draft" script for the third-to-last episode aired Old Flames Never Die. If you want to read the script along with us, please email us at 1049pod@gmail.com for the Dropbox link.
Garry Marshall Archives - Memo and Testing
In this episode we discuss a trove of documents from the Garry Marshall archives at Northwestern University. Topic covered are
- Testing of the episodes Hospital Mates and Felix's Ex-Wife's Boyfriend.
- A bombshell of a memo about what S2 of The Odd Couple could have been.
- The Writers room needs for a "script girl"
- Episode budget details
- Script needs for the back half of S1
- A mysterious s
Unproduced Script: "Decision Of Judges Is Final"
In this episode we discuss a script we have obtained for an unproduced episode for S4 of The Odd Couple entitled The Decision Of The Judge Is Final in which Oscar judges a beauty contest. We also cover some clips of The Odd Couple in pop culture and a TV Guide cover article from 1972. If you would like a PDF of the article/script discussed here please email us at 1049Pod@gmail.com
Original Odd Couple Pilot Testing Results and "Rain In Spain" Script
In this episode of 1049 Park Avenue we review two very important documents:
1) Courtesy of the Garry Marshall archives at Northwestern University is the actual pilot testing report for the first episode of The Odd Couple – “The Laundry Orgy”.
2) The script for The Rain In Spain which we compare to the actual filmed episode.
Also, Garrett has a new book out about the famous screenwriter and playwri
Scott Marshall Interview P2
Scott Marshall returns for part two of our interview with him to celebrate his father’s legacy. In this second installment we discuss Laverne and Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Angie, Joanie Love Chachi, The New Odd Couple, the 2010s Odd Couple reboot, failed pilots and hit on Garry’s movie career too especially Nothing in Common / Jackie Gleason. We also cover Scott’s acting work on the sitcoms and
Scott Marshall Interview P1.
In this episode we are joined by Scott Marshall, Garry Marshall’s son, who provides us an inside, charming and humorous look at his father’s legendary career and his exposure to all of it growing up. This is only part one of our interview as there is so much to cover. We discuss:
Garry’s upbringing in the Bronx and his family
His college days at Northwestern University
Writing for Jack Paar and
Lowell Ganz Interview P2
This week we welcome Lowell Ganz back for part two of our interview. In these two hours we cover:
The trouble with The Odyssey Couple
The furniture in Take My Furniture Please
The stories behind the appearances of Hugh Hefner, Bobby Riggs and Rob Reiner
Why there was a series finale when most 5-season shows don’t get that chance
What the plans were if there was a S6
Lowell’s move to Happy Days
H
Lowell Ganz Interview P1
In this episode we are honored to be joined by Lowell Ganz who, with his partner at the time Mark Rothman, wrote more episodes of The Odd Couple than anyone else - 12. They were also on the writing staff for S3-S5 so they have a hand in all episodes for those seasons.
In this first of a two-part interview we discuss Mr. Ganz's background and the incredible story of how he got his first job in sho
The Bigger They Are Script
In this episode we review an original "pre-production" script for S5E13 The Bigger They Are. Among the topics covered are 1) how John Byner's casting, which was clearly not known at the time of this draft, changed several key elements of the script, 2) the difference in motivations for Felix and Oscar in the script vs. the finished episode, 3) what distinguishes catsup vs. ketchup [will make sen
TV Writer Dave Mandel & Unproduced Episode "Thanks For The Giving"
This week we are joined by one of television's best comedy writers Dave Mandel (SNL, Seinfeld, Veep) to discuss an unproduced episode of The Odd Couple for which we have obtained an official script from 1973. It is a Thanksgiving episode and would have been for the 4th season to air in November 1973.
We start by discussing Dave's history with The Odd Couple and how it influenced his TV writing
Adam Klugman Interview
In this episode we welcome Adam Klugman to talk about his father’s legendary career in depth – for more than two hours. Among the many topics we cover are: Jack’s childhood in Philadelphia and a shocking story about his mother; how he discovered acting; his early working days in theater and live television; The Twilight Zone; performing in The Odd Couple the play; of course playing Oscar on the
SCRIPTS - WIN ONE FOR FELIX & OSCAR IN LOVE
In this episode we analyze the differences in “final” scripts vs the filmed episode for Win One For Felix and Oscar In Love.
The script for Win One For Felix is called Little League Football and is lacking four pages so we spend less time on this one. Also, it is not dramatically different than the filmed episode but it is missing the emotional motivations behind Felix’s actions as we discuss.
T
Marty Nadler Interview Part 2
We welcome back Marty Nadler to discuss his TV writing career after The Odd Couple including his work on Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Chico & The Man, The Last Resort (not a well-known show), and Perfect Strangers. Marty shares some get great inside stories about such topics as 1) ABC wanting to rename Happy Days "Fonzie's Happy Days", 2) the toxic environment of Laverne & Shirley, 3)
Marty Nadler - Odd Couple Writer - Interview
In this episode we interview TV writer Marty Nadler who worked for Garry Marshall for 40 years. As one of his first jobs Marty punched up scripts and wrote jokes for S5 of The Odd Couple. Marty discusses the process of how Odd Couple scripts were written; a few specific classic bits he remembers witnessing; interacting with some of the show’s famous guest stars and other insider knowledge from so
Heather Randall Interview
We are honored and delighted to welcome Heather Randall to the podcast. Heather was married to Tony Randall from 1995 until his passing in 2004 and they had two children together. Heather shares many stories passed down by Tony and those she lived through regarding: his early life in Tulsa, Oklahoma, career beginnings on stage and radio, becoming a star on Broadway and movies, The Odd Couple of
Guest: Peter K Ackerman - Son of Elinor Donahue and Harry Ackerman
This week we welcome a special guest – Peter K Ackerman who is the son of Elinor Donahue and legendary TV producer Harry Ackerman. He has written a new book called Mom, Dad, Me and Classic TV about their lives and his experiences growing up as the son of two TV legends. It is available wherever books are sold including here on Amazon
We discuss his father’s career helping to create I Love Lucy, p
SCRIPTS - FELIX THE HORSEPLAYER & TWO ON THE AISLE
In this episode we discuss the differences between original production scripts for Felix The Horseplayer (known as The Stung on the script) and Two On The Aisle.
Both scripts feature known-but-never-seen characters who are referenced during the series that are supposed to make actual on-camera appearances but were written out before the episodes were filmed.
There are some other significant scen
SCRIPTS - MY STRIFE IN COURT & TAKE MY FURNITURE PLEASE
In this episode we review two early drafts of these classic episodes and how different they are from the actual filmed episodes. Among the topics covered are:
1) Whether or not the most famous line from The Odd Couple about assuming is in the script for Court.
2) The fact that the script for Court is structured as a flashback and how so many of the classic gags from the episode are missing while
SCRIPTS - THE ODD MONKS AND THE IDES OF APRIL
This week we discuss scripts for two more episodes of The Odd Couple - this time from S3 - The Odd Monks and The Ides of April - and the differences between what's on the page and what's on the air. In a major piece of revelation we find out what was said in the missing Louis Guss scene at the IRS in the Ides of April. We also find out how The Odd Monks could have been very different as the scri
SCRIPTS - SECURITY ARMS & YOU SAVED MY LIFE
In this episode we discuss the differences between "Revised Final Scripts" for the two S2 episodes "Security Arms" and "You Saved My life" and the actual released episodes. If you want access to PDFs of the scripts please email us at 1049Pod@Gmail.com.
Nov 13 2023 - The Day Felix Unger Was Asked...
We celebrate Felix Unger Day with a new podcast previewing an exciting new project that will fuel some more episodes of 1049 Park Avenue. Take a listen to find out more details!
Tony and Jack Post OC Shows - Pt. 2.Tony Randall Show, Love Sydney, You Again?
The second half of our discussion about Jack and Tony's series after The Odd Couple contains in-depth looks at The Tony Randall Show (1976-78), Love Sydney (1981-1983) and You Again? (1986-87).
Tony and Jack Post OC Shows - Pt. 1. Quincy, M.E.
In this episode we start looking at the four series Jack and Tony did after The Odd Couple - Quincy, The Tony Randall Show, Love, Sydney and You Again?. This is part one where we cover only Quincy. The next episode will cover the three sitcoms.
Tony and Jack Clips
This episode covers Jack Klugman and Tony Randall's TV appearances as themselves - on talk shows, in ads, on Dean Martin roast, and in song.
1993 TV-Movie, 2015-2017 CBS, 1975 Cartoon The Oddball Couple
In this episode our subjects are:
1) The 1993 reunion movie featuring Jack and Tony. We cover the behind-the-scenes talent that was and was not involved with the project; who was and was not in front of the camera; the quality of the writing (or lack of it); and how it performed in the ratings.
2) The 2015-2017 CBS reboot starring Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon. Topics include how this fits int
The New Odd Couple (1982/83)
We start the episode intending to discuss both the 1982/83 New Odd Couple (“NOC”) AND the 1993 Odd Couple reunion TV-movie but end up speaking so long about New Odd Couple we decide on the fly to hold the movie for another episode. Before we start I surprise Garrett with an item I bought on eBay – the full PDF can be seen here
Odd Couple Program
Regarding NOC we 1) provide our overall opinion on
The Neil Simon / Odd Couple Universe Outside of The TV Show
This week we delve into the world of The Odd Couple centering around the plays and the movies, some of which were made before the TV show and some of which came after. We discuss the origins of the play and how that turned into the movie; our thoughts on the film; the updated versions of the play that Neil Simon wrote later in his career and the unnecessary film sequel. We play dialogue from the
Super Fan Interviews
This week Ted and Garrett stop talking so much and let two other Odd Couple fans discuss the show with them. First up: James Bradley discusses his love of S1 and explains why there is a group of fans who enjoy it passionately. Second is Lee Spilberg who has helped the podcast with lots of information especially regarding all of the music cuts. These are two separate interviews.
The Murray Awards!
This week, Ted and Garrett hand out The Murray Awards for various "best of" categories regarding The Odd Couple. Examples include - Best Use Of Honking, Best Scene Where Felix Gets Mad at Oscar (and vice verse), Best Performance by a Male Celebrity Playing Themself, and many others. Yes, we could have just called it "The Oscars", but we have been using Murray as a metric since early on the podca
Odd Couple Look Back - Our Most and Least Favorite Episodes
With the episode by episode recap now over we look back and discuss our most and least favorite episodes by season and of the series overall. We focus on S2-S5 but do have some discussion of S1.
”Felix Remarries”
Felix and Gloria get back together in the series finale “Felix Remarries”. In our discussion we cover 1) some new info our listeners provided to fill in the gaps on our prior episode about Laugh Clown Laugh, 2) the return of Janis Hansen / Doney Oatman / Leif Garrett 3) the multiple classic lines in the episode – some of which came from the play/movie 4) goop mélange 5) who is and who is not at t
”Laugh Clown Laugh”
Felix has a feud with Oscar’s latest TV show co-host Richard Dawson in the series’ penultimate episode Laugh Clown Laugh. We cover 1) Dawson’s career and how he came to appear on this episode 2) the resume of guest star magician Mark Wilson, the quality of his on-air tricks and the way he comes out onto the show 3) the mystery of who wrote this episode 4) Felix’s history in WWII 5) the multiple f
”Old Flames Never Die”
Felix feels old after finding out his high school sweetheart is a grandmother, and drags Oscar into his misery, in S5E20 “Old Flames Never Die”. We discuss 1) the production order of this episode 2) the implications of this storyline on how old Felix and Oscar are; 3) the second appearance of Oscar’s “new” secretary Tina; 4) the numerous guest stars including the return of some old favorites; 5)
”The Roy Clark Show”
Roy Clark guest stars on an episode named after him in S5E19 “The Roy Clark Show”. We discuss the many songs and pieces of music in this episode; Clark’s resume and his time on Hee Haw; the return of John Wheeler a Mr. Felscher; guest star Albert Paulsen; edits on the version airing on Decades TV; our observations of ad-libs and laugh tracks in the episode.
”Two Men On A Hoarse”
Oscar and Felix both lose their voice in “Two Men On A Hoarse” - S5E18. We discuss 1) guest star Dick Cavett 2) Jack Klugman’s real appearance on The Dick Cavett Show and discussion of his real-life throat issues, 3) guest star Phil Foster, 4) The return of guest actors Louis Guss, Filip Field, and Joshua Shelley, 5) a mention of The Odd Couple on the new Paramount+ series The Offer 6) Laurence O
”The Rent Strike”
Felix organizes a rent strike against 1049 Park Avenue after its new manager fails to keep up the building in S5E17 “The Rent Strike”. Topics covered include 1) The Library of Congress receiving Neil Simon’s archives 2) Jerry Lewis' failed talk shows 3) guest star Victor Buono 4) the potential tie-in of his character’s name and The Wild Wild West 5) guest star Rodney Allen Rippy and his Jack In T
”Felix, The Horse Player”
Oscar and Felix use inside source Harry Tallman, a horse exercise rider, to make a lot of money at the track in “Felix The Horse Player”, S5E16. Topics discussed include 1) guest player Jerry Maren, 2) the two entrances of the San Remo which stands in for 1049 Park Avenue, 3) the many uses of the Press Box restaurant exterior, 4) guest star Fritz Feld and his “popping” noise, 5) the return of OC g
”Your Mother Wears Army Boots”
Howard Cosell and opera singer Martina Arroyo co-star in the infamous “Your Mother Wears Army Boots”, S5E15. We discuss and/or debate: 1) Other appearances of TV show creators on their own shows in reference to last week’s Neil Simon appearance 2) how this episode came together 3) when it was filmed 4) similarities to the prior Cosell episode 5) Arroyo’s background 6) guest star Jack Carter 7) gu
”Two On The Aisle”
Oscar uses Felix to write off-Broadway theater reviews in S5E14 “Two on the Aisle”. We dive into such details as 1) Neil Simon’s cameo 2) the appearance of real-life theater critics John Simon, Dan Sullivan and Joan Crosby, 3) appearance of real-life TV host John Barbour, 4) the theater critic George Jean Nathan, 5) the playwright Jean Anouilh 6) the apartment bathroom, 7) Felix’s dates, 8) an app
”The Bigger They Are”
Oscar wears a fat suit for a TV commercial Felix is directing in S5E13 “The Bigger They Are”. We discuss 1) The silliness of the plot and all the holes it brings including the fraud being committed 2) whether or not the opening shot is of the Plaza hotel 3) the return of John Byner 4) the return of other guest actors Peter Hobbs and Cliff Emmich 4) the bizarre fake ads shown at the end of the ep
”Oscar In Love”
Oscar dates a widower with two kids in S5E12 “Oscar In Love”. The many topics we discuss include 1) episode writer Carl Gottlieb 2) guest star Dina Merrill, 3) I Love Lucy on Paramount+, 4) the child actors who play the kids 5) words we learned from TV shows 6) the current state of RKO pictures, 7) the magic tricks depicted and how Tony Randall “milks” a joke using an illogical gesture, 8) How lo
”The Big Broadcast”
Felix meddles in Oscar’s radio show in S5E11 “The Big Broadcast”. Topics discussed include: 1) Tony Randall and writer Frank Buxton’s enthusiasm for old-time radio, 2) Dick Butkus’ wedding 3) How audiences of the 1970s remember entertainment from the 1920s-1930s. 4) Angry radio in the 1970s and host Bob Grant 5) How S5 of The Odd Couple was aired out of production order and how that impacts the
”Our Fathers”
Felix tells the story of how Oscar’s father tried to kill Felix’s father via a flashback to the 1920s in S5E10 “Our Fathers”. We cover 1) the exact year of the episode 2) the character timelines and inconsistencies that occur and the ones that don’t 3) the way the 1920s/1930s setting is established 3) the connections to The Untouchables 4) the career of guest star Elijah Cook Jr. 5) Garrett’s imp
”The Paul Williams Story”
Edna runs away from home to follow Paul Williams and Felix and Oscar go after her in S5E9 “The Paul Williams Story”. Topic covered include 1) the career of guest star Paul Williams, 2) the fact that this episode was originally written for John Denver, 3) an Odd Couple reference in the current season of Billions, 4) the illogic in the episode’s plot, 5) the very funny bit when Felix reads Edna’s n
”The Subway Story”
Felix and Oscar get trapped on a stuck subway car in S5E8 “The Subway Story”. We go off on multiple tangents such as 1) catching up on the homework we had regarding some scenes from the prior episode ‘The Odd Candidate’, 2) Jack Klugman’s pre Odd Couple sitcom Harris Against The World, 3) New York crime in the 1960s and 1970s and a brief history of the NYC subway system, 4) the guest stars includ
”The Odd Candidate”
Oscar runs for NYC Council in “The Odd Candidate.” We dive into such minutiae as 1) The many street scenes filmed in NYC, 2) the unusual angle of the kitchen that is shown which brings up issues of weirdly-placed shelving units, absence of 4th walls and a mysterious set of keys 3) 1970s local TV horror hosts 4) what footage is being used for The Mysterious Planet Debbie, 5) smoking cigarette bil
”Strike Up The Band or Else”
Oscar owes $500 and tricks Felix into using his band into playing at a charity barn dance as payment in S5E6 “Strike Up The Band Or Else”. Topics covered include: 1) the horrendous musical cuts on the DVD featuring Cocktails For Two, while the Hulu version preserves the scenes with this song 2) the career of guest star Pernell Roberts, 3) the return of Felix’s band now called the Sophisticados 4)
”The Dog Story”
Felix kidnaps a famous acting dog after witnessing poor treatment during a photo shoot in S5E5 The Dog Story. We discuss among other topics: 1) the return of guest star John Fiedler 2) Odd Couple writer Bill Idelson who plays the judge, replacing Curt Conway, 3) the many Sanford and Son spin-offs which ties into the episode’s writers 4) how much the studio audience loves the episode, 5) the appea
”The Hollywood Story”
Felix and Oscar go to Hollywood for Oscar’s cameo in a sports movie but Felix poses as his agent to help get him more screen time and money in S5E4 "The Hollywood Story”. Topics covered include 1) the many plot similarities to I Love Lucy 2) the career and scandals of guest star George Montgomery 3) Bob Hope’s appearance 4) the return of Leonard Barr and Allan Arbus 5) the authentic location shoo
”The Frog”
Felix and Oscar must deal with Leonard’s missing/hurt frog in S5E3 “The Frog.” Topics covered include: 1) The career of guest star Leif Garett who plays Leonard for the first time 2) the career of Sabu who is referenced in the episode 3) the return of the great Richard Stahl, 4) the dangerous stunt with the frog and the blender 5) when the frog is real and when it is fake, 6) the music cut in the
”To Bowl Or Not To Bowl”
Felix, the star bowler of Oscar’s bowling team, refuses to play in the championship out of principle but Oscar think Felix has a fear of losing in S5E2 “To Bowl Or Not To Bowl.” Topics covered include: Murray mentioning he has a son we have never heard about before; the careers of guest stars Noam Pitlik and Leonard Barr; the origins of the scene where Oscar sprays cleaner into Felix’s food; the p
”Rain In Spain”
We are back for our first episode of 2022 with the first episode of season five, “The Rain In Spain”. We discuss guest star Rob Reiner, All In The Family, other guest star Garo Yepremian, the chopped liver football, the reason Penny Marshall left the series and her wonderful performance here, and Jerry Vale + Corbett Monica.
”One For The Bunny”
In a flashback we see Oscar get Felix a job at Playboy, where Oscar works, but trouble arises when then-fiancée Gloria wants to pose nude in the S4 Finale “One For The Bunny”. Topics discussed include 1) the career of Melvin Belli, 2) the casting of Asian-American actor Lloyd Kino as Al Fischer 3) the Playboy magazine edition used in the episode 4) the third and final appearance of Curt Conway as
”New York‘s Oddest”
Felix decides to get involved in his community and join the NYPD civilian patrol, and drags Oscar along, in S4E21 “New York’s Oddest”.
Topics covered include 1) the set design when we are looking into the apartment from the outside hallway 2) the silent film history of guest star Lassie Lou Ahern 3) the credits of guest Michael Lerner, and 4) the multiple returning guest performers.
”The Insomniacs”
Felix has insomnia and it’s driving Oscar crazy in The Insomniacs – S4E20. Topics covered include 1) The old time actors mentioned by Felix on the “late, late, late show”, 2) the cut song “Dream” by Johnny Mercer, 3) the popularity of waterbeds, 4) the many visual gags in this episode, 5) how TV stations used to sign off the air overnight, and 6) Tony Randall showing off his poker chip tricks.
”A Different Drummer”
Monty Hall returns and Felix tries to get his band on Monty’s new TV show but needs Oscar’s help to make it happen in S4E19 “A Different Drummer”. Topics covered include: 1) the many songs from the 1920s that are sung in the show and the multiple music cuts 2) the firing of Julius LaRosa 3) another debate about whether is Oscar is 40 or 50 given that Monty, who is 53, and Oscar were in college to
”Shuffling Off To Buffalo”
Felix moves to Buffalo to work with his brother at his bubble gum company in S4E18 “Shuffling Off To Buffalo.” Discussion includes the following topics: 1) Oscar’s wearing 74 on his jersey and our assumed reference to Merlin Olsen 2) The career of the main guest star William Redfield 3) the resume of some of the other guest stars 4) the early deaths of some of those guest stars 5) the use of teleg
”Vocal Girl Makes Good”
A shy but talented woman whom Oscars works with has a crush on him while Felix wants her to sing Carmen in his opera in S4E17 “Vocal Girl Makes Good”. Topics discussed: The career of Marilyn Horne; the gullible and moronic nature of her character; the amount of singing in the episode; the timeline problems caused by an unnecessary prop that is very visible; and several oddly or incorrectly said
”The Flying Felix”
Oscar helps Felix get over his fear of flying in S4E16 “The Flying Felix.” We discuss the numerous guest actors in the show including Teri Garr in one of her earliest roles; the state of air travel and air travel advertising in the early 1970s; the episode’s reference to the movie Patton; the higher budget of the episode given multiple sets and large number of guest actors and extras; the classic
”Cleanliness Is Next To Impossible”
Oscar is hypnotized in order to become neat for his new girlfriend in S4E15 Cleanliness Is Next To Impossible. We discuss: 1) whether Felix said “specialty” or “special” when discussing Oscar’s crane operator date 2) the wonderful psychiatrist scene with Richard Stahl and the connection of the actress who plays the secretary to I Love Lucy 3) the famous Shakespeare quote used in the episode 4) th
”The Moonlighter”
Oscar moonlights at a greasy spoon in order to pay back money Felix gave him for Yankees tickets that Oscar lost gambling. Among the many details we discuss are: 1) The tricky list of guest cast especially Sam Nudell 2) the return of Bella Bruck and Phil Leeds 3) the implausibility of having a cow, alone, in a NYC building zoned for commercial use, 4) non-dairy creamer 5) and how Tony Randall bre
”A Barnacle Adventure”
Oscar want Felix to invest in a new invention created by his dentist – barnacle glue in S4 E13, “A Barnacle Adventure”. Topic covered include the careers of the multiple guest stars including Val Avery who plays Dr. Elmo Most; Ted’s naïve wonderment at how they did the bowling ball / pencil gag; how Oscar wants to invest in the glue without using any of his own money; how Felix becomes President
”The Exorcists”
We discuss S4E12 “The Exorcists” in which Felix thinks the air conditioner is haunted. Ted really doesn’t like the episode and makes that clear early, Garrett is much more generous. Topics: 1) how Herbie Faye played the super in multiple episodes and seemed to always have a different name 2) guest star Victor Buono, 3) the jingle for Italian Swiss Colony wines 4) the similarities of the tag sc
”Maid For Each Other”
Felix hires a Nanny for Oscar in S4E11 “Maid For Each Other”. Topics discussed: 1) The mystery of writer Marlene Barr who has no other major credits 2) The IMDB error crediting “Crony 1” as the noted acting teacher Robert Lewis instead of the character actor Buddy Lewis and how Garret determines this is a mistake 3) how much the audience enjoys the episode 4) the great casting of Reta Shaw as Cl
"The Pig Who Came To Dinner"
Oscar loses “everything”, including Felix, to hustler Bobby Riggs in “The Pig Who Came To Dinner.” We discuss the historical significance of this episode because of its timing just weeks after the “Battle Of The Sexes” Primetime tennis match, the fact Ted thinks Billie Jean King is a horrible actress while both Ted and Garrett agree Bobby Riggs is good, Ted being confused by the exact nature of th
"Felix Directs"
Felix sets out to make a documentary about Oscar and ends up almost directing a porno film in “Felix Directs”. Items of discussion include: the use of prunes for breakfast, the multiple NYC location shots, the career of guest actors David White and how he and character actor Louis Guss have a unique scene in the episode, how PBS’s American Family and the movie Mondo Cane are referenced, the diff
"The Songwriters"
Jaye P. Morgan and Wolfman Jack guest star on “The Songwriters” as Felix writes the classic song “Happy and Peppy and Bursting With Love” for Morgan. Topics covered include 1) the biographies of Jaye P. Morgan and Wolfman Jack 2) the clever way the song come together 3) where the piano comes from and 4) is Tony Randall playing the piano?
"This Is The Army Mrs. Madison"
We flashback to Oscar and Blanche’s wedding night at an army base in This Is The Army Mrs. Madison. Topics examined include 1) the dizzying amount of continuity issues in this episode 2) the attempts and non-attempts to make the actors look younger 3) the odd names in this episode and the fact Blanche’s maiden name in this episode is the same as the actress that plays her 4) and Richard Stahl’s
"The New Car"
It’s our one year anniversary and 50th recorded episode! Oscar and Felix win a new car which ends up causing more problems than benefits in “The New Car”. We discuss 1) the geographic inconsistencies this episode causes regarding where Felix and Oscar live 2) the many external street scenes 3) John Byner and 4) Bella Bruck who plays Pushover Page
"The Odd Holiday"
In “The Odd Holiday”, a flashback episode, Felix and Oscar go to the Caribbean with their wives and Felix tries to help Oscar’s marriage while not realizing his in jeopardy.
"That Was No Lady"
Felix falls for a football player’s wife but doesn’t know she is married in S4E4 “That Was No Lady”. Topics covered include: 1) Listener feedback to our question about the line “Every body loves pizza and beer” in our last episode 2) The biography of guest stars Alex Karras and Patricia Harty 3) phrases we are not familiar with such as “good offices”, “honky tonk”, “red dog”. 4) the way this epis
"The Odd Decathalon"
Felix and Oscar compete in athletic events to prove who is the better insurance risk in S4E3 “The Odd Decathlon”. Topics discussed include 1) Our confusion as to why the studio audience applauds at the line “Every body needs Pizza and beer”, 2) Murray's terrible refereeing skills and 3) The state of employment insurance in the 1970s
"Last Tango In Newark"
World-renowned ballet dancer Edward Villella guest stars in S4E2. We discuss 1) the selling of orange and orange beverages at theaters 2) the potential skittishness of ABC regarding the assumption that ballet implies lack of manliness 3) the resume of Dan Dailey and 4) the physical humor of Jack Klugman in this episode.
"Gloria Moves In"
Gloria stays at Felix and Oscar’s apartment while her house is being painted in the 4th season premiere “Gloria Moves In”. Topics covered include 1) When this episode was filmed vs aired and how that impacts the living room furniture which had just been changed in the prior aired episode 2) The directing flourishes of Garry Marshall 3) Tony Randall’s great performance of Felix playing cards while
"The Murray Who Came To Dinner"
Murray has a fight with his wife and moves in with Felix and Oscar in the season three finale The Murray Who Came For Dinner. We discuss the fact this episode was the third filmed for the season but the last to air and speculate about why this was. We also cover in-depth that the actress who plays Murray’s wife also played Oscar’s mother this season. Other topics include: McGuffins vs red herri
”Take My Furniture, Please”
Felix buys new furniture for the apartment but his tastes and Oscar's are very different in S3E22. We discuss the fantastic set design in this episode; the legendary character Charles Lane who makes an appearance; the terrible doormen in 1049 Park Avenue who let anyone up at anytime; the fact Miriam and Felix show mild affection here and the episode's great sight gags.
"The Odyssey Couple"
Felix finds Oscar a date who isn’t what she seems in order to make Oscar’s mother happy in S3E21 The Odyssey Couple. We talk about: 1) how people used to call a phone number to get the exact time, speculate about why there is a new actress play Oscar’s mother, 2) the 70s references to Dom DeLuise, Liz & Dick, John and Yoko and Raquel Welch, 3) the endless dancing in this episode, 4) the connectio
"Let's Make A Deal"
Monty Hall guest stars as Oscar burns Felix's custom mattress and tries to win a new one on Let's Make A Deal in S3E20. We make a few corrections/additions from the prior week's episode about My Strife in Court, play a short clip from Gilmore Girls referencing The Odd Couple, discuss Monty Hall's bio and why he was on the show, and cover the origins of a quote misattributed to Abraham Lincoln.
Recommended
The Daily
The Joe Rogan Experience
World News Tonight with David Muir
Talk About Talk - Executive & Leadership Communication Skills
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Stand In The Circle
Conspiracy Files with Paige Carter
Learn English B1 with Daily News | English Listening Practice
Bad Friends
The Swerve Podcast: Obscure Topics | Conspiracy Theories
The Bread and Banter Podcast
The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
