The Odd Couple: Lovers Don't Make House Calls
ABC
January 29, 1971
Sitcom
DVD
B-
Not only does this episode debut the famous opening narration explaining the set-up, but it introduces Joan Hotchkis as Dr. Nancy Cunningham, who hits it off with Oscar enough that she'll return ten more times that year. I kept waiting for the script by Ron Friedman to go sour, to turn sexist or annoying or implausible. But, other than Nancy being referred to as "a girl" (Hotchkis was 43 but didn't look it), she is treated with respect, as both a doctor and as a love interest. Oscar almost does something underhanded, putting mayo on allergic Felix's sandwich, but he can't go through with it, and every time he tries to lie to Nancy, he stops himself. Felix is sneaky in the way he tries to get Nancy to pay a house call, but he means well and it does lead to a funny bit where he's dancing next to Nancy and Dr. Melnitz (who we learn is 60). Note that Felix has a couple dates with Gloria, his ex-wife that he hopes to reconcile with, but we don't see her yet.
Cosmo Sardo is the Waiter and previously was a Restaurant Patron, presumably a different restaurant. This time Leonard Barr is the Panhandler.
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