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 love it it is refreshing to watch and bring it into a new decade
I SAY KEEP IT I LOVE THAT SHOW EVERYONE IS FANTASTIC IN IT.. BUT I THINK OSCAR NEEDS TO BE MORE SLOPPY.. ALSO WOULD LOVE TO SEE MATTHEW PERRY IN A DRAMATIC MOVIE, HE WOULD BE GREAT AS HE IS NOT ONLY GOOD LOOKING BUT A WONDERFUL ACTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hate it the characters in the movie Wakter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, tv series Jack Klugman and Tony Randall, all funny but the most important thing is they were happy with themselves, a cigar smoking, poker playing, liquor drinking slob but happy. a neat freak, healthconscious hypochondriac but happy these new characters not funny they are always depressed trying to change themselves not funny funniestthing so far was the chair that didnt work right and it wasnt that funny I hate to see anybody out of work but 2 big thumbs down,, it is horrid, in otherwards cbs keep… Read more »
I do not know why they try to remake original classics. Leave the past in the past.
I say KEEP IT! Of course it’s not the same as the original… what is? But it’s cute & funny so far.
I saw one episode. It was kind of soulless. The script was well constructed but the actors raced through it mechanically. As for Perry he didn’t seem a natural for the part. In fairness, I may have been spoiled by the dead perfect casting of the TV show (and also the film)
Yes keep it!
They should renew it! It is not always lol funny but does have a a lot of good moments for sure!
Train wreck. Matthew Perry not believable in this role. Not sure why he was cast.
That is a stupid question. Of course the network should keep the show. It is really funny. Te are a lot of bad shows out there and this is definitely a great show.
Nothing will ever be as good as the original, however this is as close as we’re likely to get. The writing is a bit uneven, but with things looking good that Thomas Lennon will do some writing if the show’s renewed, it would be a crime not to give this show a chance. Shows (and audiences) need time to grow. Networks and advertisers need to be (CONSTANTLY) reminded of this, PARTICULARLY CBS, who isn’t in a good position to throw out the potential for a hit they have on their hands with “The Odd Couple.”
I agree
The show is horrible. Perry is incredibly unfunny. Lennon looks like a sane man trying politely to wriggle out of a straightjacket.
They should let Lennon write and produce going forward. The jokes would not be so damn predictable.
I look forward to seeing the show every week. I’m not going to try to compare it to the original, but on its’ own, it’s a very good show. Let’s keep it on!
looks like cbs is keeping no matter what people think considering its timeslot
I’m watching and having fun so far. I might become annoyed at felex but I’ll see. So far so good.