ON NOVEMBER 13th................. The Odd Couple Lives

"On November 13, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence. That request came from his wife. Deep down, he knew she was right, but he also knew that someday, he would return to her. With nowhere else to go, he appeared at the home of his childhood friend, Oscar Madison. Several years earlier, Madison's wife had thrown him out, requesting that he never return. Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?"

This was the opening dialogue of my favourite TV show: "the Odd Couple" for the first two seasons. It is also featured on the third season of the DVD release as well. The narration was done by actor Bill Woodson. The famous Odd Couple theme was written by Neil Hefti for the 1968 Odd Couple movie. Hefti also did the classic Batman theme & TV show music.

The "childhood friend" reference was only used during the first season and was later changed to "friend". Also, "sometime earlier" was changed to "several years earlier" followed by Madison's wife throwing him out.

The opening credit sequence consisted of Felix and Oscar in various humorous situations around New York City. The show was very New York oriented and gave a real feel for living in Manhattan, although it was filmed in Hollywood at Paramount Studios #19 where Happy Days would later be filmed. In later seasons, the opening sequence featured highlights from the shows' past episodes mixed with the previous footage.

The apartment building the boys lived in was 1049 Park Avenue, referred to by the boys & shown in the opening credits. However, in the episode "The New Car" Felix and Oscar were living at 74th St. and Central Park West (the San Remo Building). Many short clips were filmed on location outside that apartment for later seasons. Such as Oscar taking a morning walk in his bathrobe, Oscar & Felix hailing taxis, Murray the Cop's police Car, etc.

FELIX UNGER: Felix is a free lance Photographer "Portraits A Specialty", he is a hypocondriac neat freak that always meddles in other peoples buisness. He loves cooking, cleaning, the opera, the ballet, fine wines and heads the "Lexington Avenue Opera Club" If he gets upset his sinuses begin to make a honking sound. He is a pest & he drives anyone he lives with crazy. All he wants in life is to get back with his ex wife Gloria & his kids.

OSCAR MADISON: Oscar is a sloppy, messy, sports writer for the New York Herald. He loves to gamble, chase women, drink beer, smoke cigars and yell at Felix. Under his rough exterior he has a big heart. He is always in debt and behind on his alimony. His clothes never match, his room is a total mess & there is usually food in his bed. Oscar usually wears a Mets cap at home. Through his sports writing he has made many famous friends in the sports & entertainment world. All he wants is to live alone.