The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple is a satirical play by American playwright Neil Simon. It opened on Broadway in 1965 and chronicles the unconventional relationship between friends turned roommates, Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar. The play found enduring success and inspired subsequent film and television adaptations. It was nominated for a New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award in 1965.

Many of Simon’s plays are influenced by his own upbringing. Simon was born in the Bronx and grew up during the Great Depression. His parents’ relationship grew strained due to the financial pressures of the time, and he frequently sought solace in comedic movies. As such, much of his work takes place in New York and focuses on the comedy inherent in everyday interpersonal problems. The relatability helps explain the longevity afforded to Simon’s works. Other plays by Simon include Barefoot in the Park, Brighton Beach Memoirs and Lost in Yonkers.

This guide uses the 2010 Samuel French edition of The Odd Couple.

Plot Summary

The play opens in Oscar Madison’s apartment in New York City. As his friends begin to arrive for their weekly poker night, they are disgusted by the state of Oscar’s home. They are also concerned by the absence of their friend Felix, who is incredibly punctual and a perfectionist. Oscar tries to distract everyone by providing refreshments. However, his friends are disgusted by his offerings of moldy sandwiches and flat soda. They scold Oscar, telling him that he needs to clean up his apartment and get his life together. He refutes this, reminding them that his wife and kids just left him, claiming that it makes it difficult to keep his house in order. In the middle of the argument, he receives an angry phone call from his wife, who tells him that he is behind on alimony payments. Oscar promises to send it as soon as he can, but his friends doubt he will.

Shortly after, the men learn that Felix’s wife intends to divorce him. A noticeably distraught Felix arrives for the game. After some tears, Felix admits to sending his wife a suicide note via telegram to convince her to take him back. Worried for Felix’s health, the men suggest that he stay with Oscar. They believe it will be a mutually beneficial arrangement: Felix will have someone watching out for him, and Oscar can learn from Felix’s fastidious ways and save money on rent. Though Felix is visibly put off by the mess, he accepts Oscar’s invitation to move in. The two are initially excited by the prospect of companionship.

However, the happy union soon sours. Felix is disgusted by Oscar’s slovenly nature, and Oscar feels that Felix is too inflexible to live with. By the next poker game, the apartment is drastically changed. The air is meticulously filtered, and Felix prepares gourmet sandwiches for his guests. This makes Oscar upset, as he feels like he no longer has anything to offer to his friends. The guests, however, are too busy eating their sandwiches to notice.

As time goes on, the tension in their home worsens. Oscar finds himself desperate to combat Felix’s high-strung nature and thinks it will be helpful to encourage him to move on from his ex-wife. He arranges a dinner date with Gwendolyn and Cecily Pigeon, their upstairs neighbors. Felix figures that preparing a meal and cleaning the apartment will be relaxing, and Oscar promises to be home from work by 7pm to help have everything ready by 8pm.

7pm comes and goes with no sign of Oscar. Felix arranged for the course to be served on a stringent timetable and is furious when Oscar arrives home an hour late. Gwendolyn and Cecily also arrive later than planned, and Felix’s meticulously crafted London Broil is rendered inedible. Felix also finds himself overwhelmed by the prospect of a new relationship, and cries in front of the Pigeons while talking about his ex-wife. To his surprise, the Pigeons are enamored by his sensitivity. Oscar hopes to use this to progress the date further after the Pigeon sisters invite them to resume dinner at their apartment. Felix refuses to join him and stays in the apartment to brood.

Oscar perceives this as a betrayal and is furious with Felix. Their differences become insurmountable, and Oscar finally kicks Felix out of the apartment. However, he immediately regrets his actions, and finds himself missing Felix. When the men arrive for the poker game, their worry for Felix prevents them from playing. As if on cue, Felix arrives for the remainder of his items. He is safe and well and is moving in with the Pigeon sisters until he can find more stable housing.

Oscar is happy that Felix seems to be in better spirits, and the two reconcile. Felix notices that Oscar now uses coasters and ashtrays for his guests and is pleased that he was a good influence. Each man ultimately realizes that their destructive habits impacted their relationships with both their wives and each other. They resume the poker game in better spirits.