The Odd Couple

Season 1 – 60% – The project that Matthew Perry reportedly tried to get on the screens for years ultimately feels a bit sad. It is completely old-school, qualitatively variable, but above all forgettable, especially considering its nearly fifty-year-old predecessor. At least if you don't take the main duo into account. Their perfect timing in even the most trivial gags brings a smile to the audience's face and makes it worth returning to their busy apartment over and over again. The problem, however, lies with the supporting characters. When Dani or Emily come to the forefront, it's still quite decent, but the scenes with Roy or Murph are occasionally on the verge of suffering. Nevertheless, I am quite looking forward to the next episodes. Thomas Lennon's perpetually bulging eyes or Perry's convulsive smile have no chance of getting boring, even this time in the form of a one-off undemanding diversion. Season 2 – 50% – The ten percent difference in the rating mainly expresses one thing: it is that slight, but unfortunately all the more burning difference between what was last year a pleasant old-fashioned feel and this year an unnecessary obsolescence. The joke only works in the direct interaction of Felix-Oscar, and if it weren't for the ever reliable Teri Hatcher, I would rate the second year of the new Odd Couple even lower. For likable actors like Wendell Pierce or Yvette Nicole Brown to seem incapable of delivering even the most banal of lines is truly an art. Season 3 – 40% – On the same wavelength as last year. It repeats both the better, meaning the contrasting main duo, and the worse, meaning the mediocrity of everyone else. Unfortunately, there are occasionally moments of sheer awkwardness because several episodes (I'm looking at you, penguins) lack even the slightest point or hint of ordinary humor. The series only makes it to an average rating thanks to my respect for Perry. Cancellation is the desired liberation for this group. (05/30/2015)