Confirmed: Odd Couple edits are getting worse
Dan Plankton | Somerville, MA | 01/22/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Sad to say, but possibly the greatest TV sitcom ever is getting hacked for DVD release. Season 1 of the Odd Couple on DVD was perfect -- no cuts. Season 2 was near-perfect -- only a couple of pieces of incidental music were changed.
But sure enough, there are serious cuts this season that make viewing less enjoyable. The worst: the famous "role reversal" has its closing punchline cut off. The show stops when Felix says "I believe I sing better than you, Oscar." We don't get to see the bit where Felix sings "Cocktails for Two" and Oscar shuts him in the closet. Parts of Felix singing are also cut from at least two other episodes.
Three stars because the shows are still great and the total cuts on the season seem to be about two minutes. Still, this does not bode well for future seasons: Felix's band playing the square dance ... Paul Williams ... Laugh, Clown, Laugh ... Jaye P. Morgan ... Roy Clark ... Those episodes will be ruined if the music is cut.
"
Such a disappointment
A. Petrone | Palm Coast, Fl | 02/03/2008
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I can't even begin to explain the disappointent in this DVD set. Odd Couple fans have been waiting for decades for this series to be released on DVD. When they finally get around to it, they give us these inexcusable edited versions. I have counted at least five episodes with deleted, changed, or shortened scenes, due to someone (usually Felix) singing a few lines from a song. ("Sweet mystery of life" from 'The Odyssey Couple'; "Secluded Rondevoux" from 'Role Reversal'; "Sun in the morning..", from 'Murry who came to Dinner'; "Look for the Silver Lining" from 'The Odd Monks', and "Peg of my heart" from 'The Odd Couples')
I think someone owes true fans of the series an explanation. Other than here, where can we register our complaints? The sad fact is, if we do, instead of correcting them, they will probably respond by not releasing the 4th and 5th seasons. Shame on Paramount!
How sad.
amp427"
No more butchered episodes for me.
Willard Eisenhower | Washington, DC | 01/24/2008
(1 out of 5 stars)
"There is a disclaimer on the box that warns that these episodes are edited; however, I was hoping they would be minimal as in the previous two releases. They are not minimal and many episodes are unwatchable for knowledgeable fans. I'm not in agreement with those who say that edited versions are better than nothing. Because of the disclaimer, I cannot return this item, as I would like; however, this is the last season of this show that I'll buy. What a shame for Paramount to show such contempt for its customers."
Keep Away From Edited Sets
Jesse Ross | San Francisco | 01/23/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I was thrilled to hear that season three of The Odd Couple was being released. It is my favorite TV show of all time, and I have the first two seasons which were released in near perfect condition. However, the same isn't true for season three.
Season three sees The Odd Couple butchered like never before. It's a shame that fans might never again see the episodes in their original form. As a big fan of classic TV, I feel like I've put up with this long enough. I bought season one of The Cosby Show and Roseanne -- both edited -- and all four edited seasons of ALF. I even went so far as to purchase WKRP. But this one takes the cake. There is no way I am putting down good money for an edited set of The Odd Couple.
So long Oscar and Felix."