1049 Park Avenue: An Odd Couple Podcast

”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 of the company when Elmo has the most money invested; the great presentation scene; and how barnacles are inspiring use of adhesives in the medical field in 2021.

”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 scene to other episodes.

”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 Clare Frost 5) the multiple connections to the Honeymooners.

"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 the temperature bet, Riggs’ prowess at all the events show in the episode, and the lack of clues to the passage of time in the ping pong scene.  

Here is the ad we refer to at the end of the episode.

"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 differences in Super 8 & 16MM film, and what exactly is a XX rating.

"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 guest appearance.

"The New Car"

It’s our one year anniversary and 50^th 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 episode celebrates romance in NYC 5) how the episode tells an emotional story in a short period of time 6) the significance of a “Chicano” musical named Lettuce 6) how this episode proves Miriam means nothing to Felix