'The Odd Couple' Review: Matthew Perry Comedy Premiere Doesn't Close the Deal

“Friends” star Matthew Perry‘s newest series takes one of television’s oldest premises into 2015 on CBS’s remake based on Neil Simon’s 1965 play, “The Odd Couple,” which was also made into the 1968 film and an ABC sitcom during the early-70s.

In accordance with the Simon premise, CBS’s 2015 version finds sloppy Oscar Madison (Perry), a sports radio host, welcoming his college pal Felix Unger (“Newsreaders” actor Thomas Lennon) into his home after separating from his wife. An allergy-prone neat freak, Felix proceeds to clean Oscar’s home, alienate Oscar’s sports buddies and endear himself to Oscar’s beautiful neighbor, Casey (“GCB’s” Leslie Bibb), and her quirky sister, Emily (“Horrible Bosses” actress Lindsay Sloane).

As CBS only made the premiere episode available to critics, I can say that there is some chemistry between Perry and Lennon that I’d expect to grow on later episodes. But, it’s tough to say since comedies need some time for the cast to find their footing.

Also Read: Matthew Perry Says He’s Doing ‘Odd Couple’ Revival ‘Because My Attempt at Being a Movie Star Failed’

Perry performs as one would expect him to on a multi-cam comedy with an audience. He’s high energy, eyes working the room and prone to react with tick-like body movements. In contrast, Lennon performs Felix in a much more reserved, quiet way.

In a nod to the “The Odd Couple’s” place in pop culture, the CBS remake decided to address the gay undercurrents that have always surrounded the story about two single men living together. Spoiler alert: Felix is not gay.

The supporting cast is strong. Bibb doesn’t play the dumb blonde. Rather, she gets everything that Oscar is throwing at her, but has a very modern take on the kind of relationship she’s interested in. Sloane is a sleeper surprise for me. Like Lennon, she underplays the role and it works for the character’s need to speak the truth about those around her and her own new divorce.

Also Read: ‘Parenthood’ Star Lauren Graham Cast in Matthew Perry’s ‘Odd Couple’ Reboot

“Community” actress Yvette Nicole Brown also plays a small role on the premiere episode as Oscar’s assistant. He records his radio show at home and she only appeared for a few minutes at the top of the episode. Again, it was too little time to critique her acting, but it does make me wonder how the show will utilize her on future episodes.

As a fan of Perry’s, I’ve been rooting for him in all his attempts to return to television. I was a big fan of his last NBC comedy, “Go On,” and was surprised when NBC decided to cancel the solidly-watched (by NBC standards) show.

Perry’s fandom is perhaps not sizable enough to carry his shows at NBC, which has struggled to find audiences for its comedies in the last several years, so CBS may just be the place for him. For whatever reason, CBS’s older-skewing viewers show up for its programming and may find some enjoyment in this remake of a classic.

Also Read: ‘Community’ Alum Yvette Nicole Brown Promoted to Series Regular on CBS’s ‘Odd Couple’ Reboot

As for big, belly laughs, there were a few. But, I’m not the kind of guy that goes for your usual joke setup and delivery that plagues multi-cam comedies. Nevertheless, I was entertained and curious about where the episode would lead.

The premiere episode is a solid introduction to Oscar and Felix’s new world. The curiosity of how they’ll form their living situation and what role the supporting cast will play may bring people back for more episodes.

But as for this critic, I’m not quite hooked. And if others feel the same way and with the overabundance of TV options today, then that doesn’t bode well for “The Odd Couple.”

27 Movie-to-TV Remakes in the Works: Hollywood's Big Screen to Small Screen Craze (Photos)

"American Gigolo" – Paramount and Jerry Bruckheimer are teaming once again for a television adaptation of the Richard Gere crime movie.
Paramount Pictures
“The Mortal Instruments” – Using Cassandra Clare’s young adult novel series, the television project will pick up where the first film left off. Ed Decter is attached to run the show, with production starting in 2015.
Sony Pictures
“Bachelor Party” – ABC has brought over “New Girl” writers J.J. Philbin and Josh Malmuth to rewrite the Fox comedy flick.
Twentieth Century Fox
“The Illusionist” - The CW is bringing the 2006 film to TV with a script by Mark Hudis, who was nominated for an Emmy for "Nurse Jackie."
Contagious Entertainment
“In Good Company” - CBS and Universal are teaming for the television project. Josh Bycel and Jon Fenner wrote the pilot script but Paul Weitz, who wrote and directed the movie, is also involved.
Universal Pictures
“Shooter” – TNT has hired John Hlavin to write the script for the drama adaptation.
Paramount Pictures
“Monster-In-Law” - Amy R Harris (The Carrie Diaries) and John Riggi (30 Rock) are writing the multi-camera project for Warner Bros. TV.
New Line Cinema
“12 Monkeys” – The SyFy series has received a 13-episode order starring Aaron Stanford, Emily Hampshire and Tom Noonan. The show premieres in January 2015.
Universal Pictures
“Big” - Kevin Biegel and Mike Royce are executive producing and writing for 20th Century Fox Television.
20th Century Fox
“Uncle Buck” – CBS adapted the movie for a 1990 television series that lasted one season. Now ABC is trying its luck with Steven Cragg and Brian Badley writing.
Universal Pictures
“Phantom of the Opera” – Marc Cherry is developing the drama for ABC, providing his own take on the Gaston Leroux novel.
Warner Bros. Pictures
“Problem Child” – NBC has hired Scot Armstrong, writer of “Old School” and “The Hangover” to adapt the comedy.
Universal Pictures
“The Truman Show” – Paramount is developing but no production has started and the individuals involved have yet to be named.
Paramount Pictures
“Shutter Island” – Martin Scorsese will return to direct the pilot for HBO and Paramount that will be called, “Ashecliffe” and tell the story before the events of the Leonarado DiCaprio film. A full series order has already been ordered with Dennis Lehane writing.
Paramount Pictures
“Ghost” – Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner are teaming to retell the Patrick Swayze-Demi Moore 1990 hit film for Paramount TV.
Paramount Pictures
“Hitch” – Executive produced by Will Smith, with a script from Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan, the dating guru reboot is possibly coming to Fox.
Columbia Pictures
“Rush Hour” - Bill Lawrence and Blake McCormick, who previously paired on “Cougar Town,” are writing and executing producing the remake of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker’s hit flick.
New Line Cinema
“Marley & Me” – Despite the conclusive ending, the film is being developed for the small screen by 20^th Century Fox TV.
20th Century Fox
“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” - DHX Media and Sony Pictures are bringing the hit animated film franchise to the small screen.
Columbia Pictures
“Scream” – The hit horror flick franchise moves to MTV with an original script from Jay Beattie and Dan Dworkin. Willa Fitzgerald, Amy Forsyth, John Karna, Carlson Young and Amadeus Serafini are all set to star but the Ghostface killer will not be a feature for the television project.
Dimension Films
“Underworld” - Len Wiseman, who wrote and directed all four “Underworld” films, is said to be involved on the TV project.
Screen Gems
“School of Rock” – Nickelodeon ordered “School of Rock” straight to series with Tony Cavalero taking the lead role from Jack Black. Jim and Steve Armogida will executive produce and write.
Paramount Pictures
“The Devil's Advocate” - John Wells and Arnold Kopelson serve as producers with Matt Venne writing the first script for NBC.
Warner Bros. Pictures
“In the Heat of the Night” – The 1967 film has already spawned an NBC series that ran for seven seasons between 1988 and 1995. The new reboot comes from MGM Television and Showtime, written and directed by Tate Taylor.

United Artists
“Westworld” – Thandie Newton, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood and James Marsden will star in the HBO drama pilot based on the 1973 Michael Crichton film about a problematic amusement park.
MGM
“Real Genius” – Being rebooted by NBC, the project comes from Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment.
TriStar Pictures