Matthew Perry plans a new take on The Odd Couple
Matthew Perry is planning to star, write and executive produce, in the role of Oscar Madison.
- Published by David Knox
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Oh dear.
Matthew Perry is planning a “new take” on The Odd Couple, set to star, write and executive produce for CBS, in the role of Oscar Madison.
Mad About You‘s Danny Jacobson is also on board to executive produce and write.
This follows short-lived television projects for Perry including Go On, Mr. Sunshine and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
The Odd Couple is a classic premise and sitcom, which ran for many years with Jack Klugman and Tony Randall. But they were not the original Odd Couple, played on Broadway by Walter Matthau and Art Carney (Jack Lemmon took the Felix role in the film version), while a “new Odd Couple” aired briefly in 1983 with a primarily African-American cast.
But in truth the premise of polar opposites as roommates has been revived time and again to great effect: Will and Grace, Dharma and Greg, Two and a Half Men.
Perry’s multicam comedy has received a script plus penalty commitment from the CBS, and there’s no word on who would don the Felix role. Let me guess, the role is either gay, female or another nationality?
Source: Hollywood Reporter
6 Responses
Hope it doesn’t screen in Oz until next year.
Our little theatre company has just bought the rights to produce the original male version in Oct/Nov this year.
If the Perry version screens beforehand, it could kill an audience’s desire to see it staged!
Have these guys run out of original thought,want the Odd Couple on TV then there’s nothing wrong with the original series (and the best for years to come no doubt).
I hope this works, I’ve loved his recent work even if they didn’t make it past the 1st seasons. I’ll be watching.
Why give themselves the added pressure of the Odd Couple brand. Look what happened to the Ironside revisit this year.
I remember during a special on Friends when it was in it’s heyday, Matthew saying he used to watch The Odd Couple as a kid, so he’s always been a fan. But really, enough with the remakes, especially when the original would still stand up today if it were re-run.
Loved The Odd Couple back then, not sure about a remake, probably give it a go to see what it’s like.