1049 Park Avenue: An Odd Couple Podcast

"The Princess"

This week we analyze S3E3 "The Princess" in which Oscar falls in love with royalty.  We discuss the resume of guest star Jean Simmons (who is not Gene Simmons), the lushness of this episode, the drama of this episode and the fact another TV series based on a Neil Simon play was on the ABC Fall schedule during The Odd Couple's first season.

"Big Mouth"

Howard Cosell joins the boys for S2E2 "Big Mouth".  Cosell plays himself of course and he is a pitchman for an ad campaign Felix is working on but Oscar insults him and then Felix insults him.  They have to apologize so Felix can keep his job.  We discuss Cosell's rise to fame, the odd addition of a boy scout character, the random little lines that dot this episode and the hilarious "play-by-play" coverage Felix gives as Oscar.

"Gloria, Hallelujah"

We start a new year with a new season of The Odd Couple - S3E1 “Gloria Hallelujah”.  Among the topics we cover are the history of computer dating, Elinor Donahue’s resume, the odd dynamic of the Felix / Miriam relationship and the perfectly-crafted scene when Oscar is filling out his dating form.

"All of Season 1!"

In this extra long episode we analyze the 19 out of 24 S1 episodes that we can watch on streaming and address the 5 we could not watch (we don't own the DVD of S1 because we don't like S1).  Each episode gets 2-7 minutes of our attention as some are too painful to discuss while others have some noteworthy moments.  

"Psychic, Shmychic"

We have come to the end of S2 with our coverage of "Psychic, Shmychic", the second season finale.  Our topics include the careers of The Amazing Criswelll and Bernie Kopell, and the popularity of ESP in 1972.

"Oscar's Promotion"

S2E22 - "Oscar's Promotion" - Oscar is assigned to be the editor of a new sports supplement at his newspaper and his first assigned is a Chinese v USA exhibition wrestling match.  And he needs a photographer!

We discuss guest star Jack Soo, the state of Chinese-US relations & the time and the specific event that triggered this episode, and the fact that China's best wrestler is aged 55 according to this episode.

Oddball 4-Pack - Mini Review of 4 Lesser Odd Couple S2 Episodes

We divert from our normal format this week and cover four episodes of the show from S2 that we think are not very good.  We call then "Oddballs" and we give each one about 20 minutes of time to discuss why we don't like them but also the funny moments that do exist (plus a clip).  The episodes are "Natural Childbirth", "A Grave For Felix, "Does Your Mother Know You're Out Rigoletto" and "Where's Grandpa".

"A Night To Dismember"

This week we cover S2E21 "A Night To Dismember" -- a Rashomon-style episode depicting the New Year's Eve episode that led to Oscar and Blanche's divorce.   Among the details we discuss are 1) the timeline inconsistencies this episode create 2) the origin and use of Rashomon in pop culture 3) Ted's search for the restaurant depicted in the opening scene and 4)guest star Joan Van Ark

"Good, Bad Boy"

S2E20 "Good, Bad Boy" is our topic this week.  Oscar and Felix help out a reform-school teen ager who asks Edna to the school dance.  We discuss the KLM building in NYC, the career of guest actor Johnny Silver and the careers of Lew Alcindor/Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Walt Frazier and Earl The Pearl Monroe.

"Partner's Investment"

In our Podcast this week we analyze S2E19 "Partner's Investment".  In this episode Felix invests his money, and money he has stolen/secured from Oscar, in a Japanese restaurant.  The topics we address include 1) the biography of guest star Pat Morita 2) the racist undertones of this episode 3) the absurd moments of this episode 4) and the history of Japanese food popularity in the U.S. in the 1970s.  Enjoy!