1049 Park Avenue: An Odd Couple Podcast

"Speak For Yourself"

S2E16 “Speak For Yourself” Is our topic this week.  We go back in time to watch the story behind Oscar proposing to Gloria for Felix in the 1950s. Among the topics covered are the major inconsistencies of the plot compared to other tales of how Felix and Oscar met; the bizarre fact that an actress plays a character named Mitzi in this episode set in the 1950s and essentially the same character in another episode set in the 1970s; and the brilliant pantomime work from Tony Randall.

"Security Arms"

This week we analyze S2E15 - the classic "Security Arms".  Felix and Oscar movie into a high-security apartment building after determining their building and neighborhood is unsafe. Topics include - character actor John Fiedler, what NYC was really like in the 1970s, the wonderful set design in this episode and the cartoonish scene that propels the storyline.  

“And Leave The Greyhound To Us?”

This week we analyze S2E14 in which Oscar wins a racing greyhound named Golden Earrings in a poker game.  References/topics we discuss include Tuesday Weld, Death Of A Salesman, Father Flanagan, hijackings to Cuba and custom felt card-playing mats.

"Felix, The Calypso Singer"

This week our topic is S2 E13 "Felix, The Calypso Singer".  Oscar takes Felix on his Caribbean vacation when Nancy has to stay behind for work, but when Nancy eventually shows up Felix is kicked to the curb.  We discuss the terrible tragedy of actress Barbara Colby who appears in this episode, the state of air travel in the 1970s and how Felix loves to be a martyr.

"Surprise, Surprise"

This week we dive into S2E12 "Surprise, Surprise".  Felix throws his daughter Edna a party for her 10th birthday. The surprise for Edna is  his hiring of Sherman The Clown.

Among the topics we cover are 1) Garrett's personal connection to one of the writers of this episode who had a bad experience with Tony Randall working on the show  2) the meaning of "x-rated movies" in the early 1970s and 3) why its weird that Oscar refers to Edna as "your kid" when talking to Felix.

CORRECTION: In the episode we say that Pamelyn Ferdin played Bunny in a S1 episode of the show but she actually played Cindy.

Here is the link to the YouTube clip from the interview with the writer  that we reference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lyz7RJftLQ

 

 

"Being Divorced Is Never Having To Say I Do"

This week we cover S2E11 - "Being Divorced Is Never Having To Say I Do" - in which Oscar's ex-wife Blanche gets married to a man she just met.  We discuss Brett Somers, since this is her first appearance on the show, and her on-screen chemistry with her-real-husband-at-the-time Jack Klugman, + how we learned about alimony as children from watching The Odd Couple. 

"Win One For Felix"

We tackle (pun!) S2E10 - "Win For Felix" - in which Oscar teaches Felix how to coach Leonard's (Felix's son) football team.  We discuss how The Odd Couple was a pioneer in showing a divorced dad on TV acting emotionally open with his son, the pedigree and professionalism of Willie Aames, and Knute Rockne.

"The Odd Couple Meet Their Host"

This week we cover S2E9 "The Odd Couple Meet Their Host", guest starring comedian David Steinberg who puts both Felix and Oscar on his TV show where they make fun of each other.  Topics include why Steinberg was such a big deal at the time, the location of Felix's photography studio in NYC, the "meta" aspects of this episode and the fact this features the maddest we ever hear Felix get at Oscar.

"Fat Farm"

This week we cover S2E8 "Fat Farm" in which Felix and Oscar go to Dr. Berger's health retreat to lose weight and get in shape.  We discuss the famous dining room scene where desserts are served on empty plates, the numerous bad audio and video cuts in this episode and the resume of the numerous guest players.

"Murray The Fink"

This week we cover S2 E6 entitled "Murray The Fink" -- Felix and Oscar are arrested by Murray during their poker game after they tease him for being too timid and nice.  Topics include a deep dive into Speed, Vinnie, Murray and the other guest characters in this episode; the great use of courtroom scenes in the series; and the fun names - real and fictional - used throughout the episode.