ODD COUPLE, THE: OSCAR'S NEW LIFE (TV)

Summary

One in this comedy series about two divorced men, Felix Unger and Oscar Madison, who share an apartment in New York City. In this episode, Oscar's boss -- sports editor Bill Donnelly --- fires him for missing an important story. Felix is shocked, but Oscar is unfazed, explaining to Felix that this annual ritual invariably ends with Donnelly realizing he needs Oscar and hiring him back. Felix becomes indignant on Oscar's behalf and visits Donnelly, demanding a raise and apology if he wishes Oscar to return. Donnelly becomes enraged, and a sheepish Felix goes home to inform Oscar that he is now unequivocally unemployed. Feeling guilty for meddling, Felix tries to convince the now-depressed Oscar he should get out of sports writing and try a new career. He introduces Oscar to Beau "Buffy" Buffingham, the swinging, pipe-smoking editor of "Harem," a skin magazine with literary pretensions. Buffingham hires Oscar at a sizeable increase in salary, and soon Oscar is sporting a turtleneck and ensconced in a huge "groovy" office with mini-skirted assistants at his beck and call. Oscar appears happy with his new life -- but Felix senses otherwise. Includes commercials and promos.

(This is a repeat telecast of an episode that originally aired Friday, March 5, 1971 at 9:30 PM EST.)

(Note: Tony Randall and Jack Klugman waged a public campaign against the use of canned laughter on "The Odd Couple," and as a result, this episode was aired without a laugh track to test home viewers' response. Beginning the second season, the series was taped before a live studio audience.)

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: September 10, 1971 Friday 9:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:28:58
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: T:12772
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1970-1975
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - Bright Side shampoo
  • TV - Commercials - Hostess snacks
  • TV - Commercials - Johnson's baby powder
  • TV - Commercials - Sine-Aid sinus headache tablets
  • TV - Commercials - Ultra Brite toothpaste
  • TV - Commercials - Wonder bread
  • TV - Promos - "Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law"
  • TV - Promos - "The F.B.I."

CREDITS

• Garry Marshall … Executive Producer, Developed for television by
• Jerry Belson … Executive Producer, Developed for television by
• Jerry Davis … Producer
• Charles Shyer … Associate Producer
• Tony Marshall … Associate Producer
• Alan Rafkin … Director
• Simon, Neil (See also: Simon, Doc) … Based on the play "The Odd Couple" by
• Jack Winter … Writer
• Neal Hefti … Music by
• Tony Randall … Cast, Felix Unger
• Jack Klugman … Cast, Oscar Madison
• John Astin … Cast, Beau Buffingham
• Ed Platt … Cast, Bill Donnelly
• Britt Leach … Cast, the Nephew
• George Wyner … Cast, the Art Director
• Dee Gardner … Cast, the Model
• Carolyn Stellar … Cast, the Secretary
• Liv Von Linden … Cast, Beautiful Girl #1
• Rena Horten … Cast, Beautiful Girl #2