Rating: - retooled for laughter . . .
A one camera setup was used in the first season of The Odd Couple, and the look of the episodes shot inside the New York apartment set was tight, almost claustrophobic at times. Stars Tony Randall and Jack Klugman felt the setup cramped their style and retarded their creativity. For the second season, the program was filmed on an entirely new set, before a live audience, using three cameras. As a result, The Odd Couple was a wide open look and feel, with smooth transitional shots now possible. It is a huge improvement, and the two stars display new energy in their performances, taking their comedy to a higher and more physical level. In one episode, Oscar is showing Felix how to play football, and a nimble Randall leapfrogs over Klugman while he is down in a football stance. Another time Felix does a headstand, then kips up on a desk, finishing with flurry of pushups in an impressive display of physical fitness. Oscar isn't as physically active, but when properly motivated, you can find him running around the living room exercising a greyhound.

While much activity is still centered around apartment life, the boys get out and about town too. The circle of characters really opens up to more than just the boys over for a poker game. With Felix's ex-wife Gloria (Janice Hansen), and Oscar's ex-wife Blanche (Brett Sommers), both being featured prominently in various episodes. Dr. Nancy Cunningham (Joan Hotchkis) is Oscar's steady girlfriend, and Al Molinaro is back as Murray the cop. For this season, Pamlyn Ferdin is Felix's daughter Edna, and Penny Marshall makes her first appearance as Oscar's Secretary Myrna.

Notable guest stars include Pat Morita, John Fiedler, Joan Van Ark, Vito Scotti, and Hal Smith. The eclectic parade of celebrity guest stars that would become an Odd Couple trademark begins with the likes of opera singer Richard Fredericks, and comedian David Steinberg.

Highlights include `The Fat Farm', where the guys head to a retreat to lose weight, `Security Arms', where they move into a high-security building, and `Partner's Investment' which features Felix and Oscar toiling in a Japanese restaurant.

This is a great season, rich with diversity and expansive character development. There is a lot going on. The plots have moved beyond early clichés, like Felix's bad back going out, and Oscar's frequent threats to kick Felix out on the street. From here, the stage is set for even better things to come. The only downside is that unlike the Season One set, which had a bonus disc and various commentary tracks, Season Two has absolutely no extras.