TV on DVD

New Odd Couple gets better, but not as funny as it thinks

The Odd Couple, Season 1
The Odd Couple, Season 1

What is it? The Odd Couple, Season 1, 12 episodes on two discs from Paramount Home Video

When? Now

How much? $36.98

I think I've heard of this. Not surprising. The Odd Couple, which started out as a hit play by Neil Simon in the 1960s, has since been reborn and reimagined multiple times on the big screen, small screen and stage.

This is the latest version of the familiar tale, though with some tweaks to adapt it for the 21st century.

Oscar Madison (Matthew Perry) is a slovenly, womanizing sports writer and talk radio host. Recently divorced, he's reveling in the bachelor life -- and in the piles of dirty dishes, unfolded clothes and old pizza boxes that litter his apartment. His agent/buddy Teddy (Wendell Pierce) and other pals Roy (Dave Foley) and Murph (Geoff Stults) regularly use his apartment for drinking beer and watching sports on his big TV wall.

Then, an old friend, Felix Unger (Thomas Lennon), shows up on his doorstep. Felix is a professional photographer and certified neat freak who has just been kicked out by his wife after years of unsuccessful couples counseling. Oscar offers Felix a place to stay and the two settle in as roommates.

Sort of. Their divergent personalities and grooming standards naturally set them up to clash -- a lot.

They're also both dealing with their own personal issues. While Oscar is constantly on the prowl, Felix can't let go of the hope that he and his ex will reconnect. Emily (Lindsay Sloane), a sweet, insecure jewelry maker who lives upstairs, slips into the "female friend" slot while waiting for Felix to finally notice her. Oscar's outspoken assistant, Dani (Yvette Nicole Brown), serves as a sarcastic Greek chorus, giving advice.

Is it as good as the old series? No. No, it is not. The show gets off to an awkward start (as most new shows do) and then improves as the season goes on, but it never becomes great.

The writing, in particular, is pedestrian, with a laugh track that thinks the show is funnier than it is.

There's some good talent at work here and Lennon, Brown and Sloane in particular, fit their roles well. Perry, on the other hand, comes across as a caricature and his line readings are forced more often than not, surprising from someone with so much sitcom experience.

Extras? There's a funny four-minute gag reel, a 12-minute puff-piece featurette on the making of the show and another seven minutes about adapting The Odd Couple for the 2010s and about consultant Garry Marshall's involvement.

New this week: And Then There Were None, miniseries; Dog House, complete series; Haven, complete series; Little House on the Prairie, Season 9; Pretty Little Liars, Season 6; Silicon Valley, Season 2; Veep, Season 4.

Next week: 19-2, Season 1; The Beverly Hillbillies, Season 1; Hot in Cleveland, Season 6 and complete series; Royal Pains, Season 7; Schitt's Creek, Season 2; The Monkees, complete series (Blu-ray).

Style on 04/17/2016

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