The New Odd Couple

In 1982, seven years after The Odd Couple left the air and became a hit in reruns, ABC revived the show as The New Odd Couple. What was new about The New Odd Couple? Not much. First, Felix and Oscar were black with Ron Glass of Barney Miller and Demond Wilson, formerly of Sanford and Son as Felix and Oscar. The only caucasian cast member was John Schuck as Murray the Cop. It seemed that Al Molinaro, who originated the role in the original series was unavailable since he was in Joanie Loves Chachi, a Happy Days spinoff.

The familiar Neil Hefti theme is given an update and is a lot more up tempo than the original. I liked the updated theme.

As for what hasn't changed, Felix is still a photographer and Oscar is still a sportswriter. Unlike Tony Randall's portrayal of Felix, he leads a theatre group instead of an opera company. Several episodes were remakes of the original series. This was due to a writer's strike that paralyzed the television industry.

All of this adds up to a show which lacks the chemistry of Randall and co-star Jack Klugman and was canceled after only 18 episodes. I should also point out that JoMarie Payton, who played Mona, one of the Pigeon Sisters and Telma Hopkins, who portrayed Felix's ex-wife Frances, the same name as the character in the Neil Simon played would later work together in the sitcom Family Matters.