Starring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall, the original Odd Couple TV show ran for five seasons on ABC. A later version called The New Odd Couple was cancelled after 18 episodes. How’s this new version doing? Will it see a second season?
On CBS’ version of The Odd Couple, endearing slob Oscar Madison (Matthew Perry) is a sports-writer and uptight neat freak Felix Unger (Thomas Lennon) is a photographer. They’re two former college buddies who become unlikely roommates after the demise of their marriages. Other castmembers are Lindsay Sloane, Wendell Pierce, and Yvette Nicole Brown.
Airing on the night of the Two and a Half Men series finale, the newest Odd Couple debuted to a very healthy 3.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 13.57 million viewers. In week two, the numbers fell by 10% in the demo and 18% in viewership. In week three, the ratings grew a bit.
The fourth installment hit a new low with a 2.5 in the demo and 10.24 million. Last week’s took a big dip, hitting another new low with a 1.9 demo rating and 8.7 million. It’s worth noting that all of the CBS shows were way down last week.
While it seems that Odd Couple’s ratings haven’t quite settled in yet, it appears that the sitcom is a safe bet for renewal. If the numbers continue to go way down, it could be headed for cancellation but that doesn’t seem likely.
In short, CBS still needs new sitcoms. The McCarthys will surely be cancelled and they dropped The Millers midway through its second season. They’ve already renewed four comedies for next season so that leaves them with two half-hour timeslots open for 2015-16 (and that’s presuming they don’t want to add more sitcoms back into the schedule).
While Odd Couple’s ratings retention from its Big Bang Theory lead-in could be a lot better, the new series is currently the network’s second-highest rated show in the demo. It doesn’t hurt that it has a couple name actors in the cast which helps sell the series to new viewers (can a mini-Friends reunion be far behind?). Renewal looks like a safe bet.
But, what do you think? Do you like The Odd Couple on CBS? Would you like to see it cancelled or renewed for a second season? Would you make any changes?
I thoroughly enjoy the series. Please don’t take it off the air. I don’t have many shows left to watch these days.
It actually seemed better tonight, so there’s hope. Let’s give it a chance.
I haven’t watched the show and I am not likely to do so. The trailers seem forced one liners at best. I know Matthew Peery’s acting and he is very good, but it just doesn’t seem to be his show. Maybe it is the writing but it would have to get a lot better to get me to watch.
I watched the show for the first time what is wrong with Mathew Perry? He acts like a robot. Not very funny. Cancel the show if it’s the same every week.
I wish ” The Millers” was back on. I loved that show.
Since it was cancelled I have taken to watching ” The Odd Couple”
So please keep it on!
For the most part, this is just a dumb show, but dumb can often find an audience and they will love it. It pales in comparison to the original. Dumb isn’t always bad as long as it is clever, but the Odd Couple is not clever, just kinda mean spirited. The only reason I watch it is because it follows Big Bang and CBS’s online demand is crap now that they charge you to watch over the air TV. Even the Millers and he McCarthys was better than this. Maybe CBS will find a smart comedy to replace The Odd… Read more »
I love Matthew Perry’s acting but his portrayal of Oscar isn’t very good. Jack Klugman is a tough act to follow. Scripts are hit and miss. I think the writers need to rewatch the original series to see where they need to improve. Otherwise, I would highly recommend its cancellation.
Doesn’t even compare to Two and On Half Men. As a matter of fact I think the stars are abusive to each other and that is not what I like to see promoted, whether between man and woman or man and man. They are grown people and it’s easy to see they are both unsuccessful with relationships. Dump it!
I feel they should be renewed. Both Matthew and Tom are fitting their characters well and I don’t believe in ‘dumping’ new series before they’ve had a chance to build an audience. Please give them a chance.
Please keep it, I like it and the cast is funny.
keep it; its ok
I used to watch the original one back in the early 70’s. I loved it, but I just can’t get into this one. I don’t like it.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT CONTINUE AND GIVE IT A CHANCE. A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHED THE NIGHT OF TWO AND A HALF MEN FINALE.
Keep the odd couple it’s one of the only true decent comedy out there we need more of them on tv. Thanks
I think this one is doing great! They have good chemistry and I laugh. And it’s all about the laughs.
I loved Matthew Perry on Friends, but is it me or does it look like his speech is slurred as if drunk and creepy look in his eyes on Odd Couple?