1049 Park Avenue: An Odd Couple Podcast

In this episode we discuss S3E18 “The Hustler” in which Felix’s opera club needs money and Oscar helps via gambling and pool.  Among the topics covered are: the signature credits of the multiple guest stars, the reasons this episode was likely inspired by the favorite real-life activities of its stars, the audience laughing too hard in some spots, the similarities to the movie The Hustler, and Garrett does some heavy sleuthing to figure out the origin of the song at the end.

Felix the impresario tries to jumpstart Mryna's lapsed/burgeoning tap dancing career in S3E17 "Myrna's Debut."  Before we get into the episode itself we mention an enjoyable interview with Odd Couple writer Lowell Ganz on the I Love The Odd Couple Facebook page and relate some new info to our prior episode about The Ides Of April.  We then discuss the rationale for this episode due to Penny Marshall's family history, the great use of guest characters, the wide use of music compared to other episodes on DVD / streaming where songs are cut, and the clever finale scene / tag.

This week our subject is S3E16 The Ides of April in which Felix is summoned to the IRS to resolve a discrepancy.  We talk about the similarities to a Honeymooners episode; Ted’s view that the character of the tax examiner is inconsistent; how other 70’s shows put women in places of power in the workplace as part of their storylines; and the inclusion of a recognizable character actor in the credits (Louis Guss) who has no dialogue in the actual episode on DVD or streaming. 

This week we discuss S3E15  “I Gotta Be Me” in which Felix and Oscar go to therapy and try role reversal. Topics include; pop psychology, some confusing dialogue that sets up the group therapy; the Hobo news; a music edit in the DVD and streaming version that ruins the tag; the fact that this is Ted’s favorite episode of the entire series and Garrett’s pet peeve.

Felix takes Oscar on a cruise for senior citizens to help his ulcer in S3E14.  Topics include 1) the credits of the veterans who play their fellow cruise passengers 2) the sloppy prop work in this episode 3) the 2nd appearance of Monroe, the super's son 4) and some favorite lines of ours.

Felix and Oscar fall for the same girl - with a mysterious past - in S3E13 "Don't Believe Roomers."  We discuss the history of the song "Buckle Down Winsocki, the impressive set design of the diner scene, the 2nd appearance of guest Star Marlyn Mason, and the more adult themes of this episode.

Felix tries to get Edna to like him by taking her to work and attending her baseball umpire debut in S3 E12 "The Odd Father".  We discuss the cringey-but-funny little people scene, the big problem with an address Felix gives Oscar, the change of actress who plays Edna, the similarities to other episodes and the many visual gags in this episode. 

ARISTOPHANES!

Felix’s attempts to throw Oscar a surprise party is the plot of “Oscar’s Birthday” (S3E10) which is the topic of this week’s episode.  We get into such details as: 1) Why the production started to use a building other than the real 1049 Park Avenue for exterior shots 2) the first of two appearances of Monroe - the super’s son and the actor who played him 3) speculation that Felix and Miriam seemed to have a platonic relationship instead of a romantic one 4) Oscar has a brother?!?!  

The birth of Felix’s daughter Edna is the topic of S3E9 "The First Baby”. Enjoy as we get a bit lost trying to connect all the consistencies, inconsistencies and references in this episode to other episodes - but we eventually figure it all out.  These include: which other episodes featured Oscar’s stuffed gorilla? when else was Lolita mentioned?; the fact Gloria was originally Oscars’ date; and who met Murray first.  We also discuss 1) the fact Oscar says he has three bathrooms in this episode - Ted believes this is not true while Garrett isn’t so sure 2) bug bombs and their potential dangers to pregnant women 3) Oscar eating pickles during the entire episode 4) and Felix's weird reference to Myrna not wearing a bra.  Please pardon a bit of static towards the end of the episode.