Tag: Friends

My summer of binge-watching and catching up

Summer is the slow season for TV.

So what’s a TV blogger to do? Catch up and binge-watch. #ThanksNetflix

Here are some of the shows I’ve binged this summer, along with my binge, savor or skip verdict:

Parenthood

I’ve always heard people talk about this show — how sad it was, how poignant it was, how underrated it was.

So when I was in the mood for some sad TV to get some tears out, I started watching.

But I barely cried. I didn’t think it was that sad. But season 4, when Kristina (Monica Potter) goes through breast cancer treatment, got me. I was tearing up almost every episode.

Overall though, it seemed pretty average. I found some of the characters extremely annoying and unbearable to watch, but I still rooted for the Braverman family to stick together.

Verdict: Skip it

Episodes

While this Showtime show ran for 5 seasons, it’s only 41 episodes, so I watched the whole series in 2 days.

While I enjoyed watching Matt LeBlanc play a bit of a douchebag, a mix of real-life debauchery and Joey’s womanizing ways, it seemed like some plots were irrelevant.

Seasons 3 and 4 just plotted along without much punch; I couldn’t tell you most of the main plot points. Season 5 wraps up everything nicely, but almost too nicely.

Verdict: Binge it

Grace & Frankie

This is one of those shows that I missed when it came out, and then felt like I couldn’t catch up. Summer was the perfect time to catch up.

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin really work as two women struggling to pick up the pieces after their marriages end, and then thrive in their 70s.

It’s pretty inspiring to watch these two thrive, even when they’re bickering with each other. And I find myself laughing almost every episode.

I don’t really need some of the secondary stories, such as Grace’s daughter’s divorce and Lisa Kudrow‘s appearance as a widow looking to get her house back from her stepkids (that 3-episode arc was just a major “Friends” fan service if you ask me).

At 13 30-minute episodes each season, they are easy to speed through, but now I’m bummed I don’t have new episodes to watch.

Verdict: Savor it

GLOW

Season 2 of this Netflix show holds up. I may say it’s better than season 1 because it has a more ensemble focus.

Yes, it’s a bit campy; it is a show about female wrestling in the 80s. But it also touches on women’s rights and sexual harassment in a subtle way.

Ruth’s (Allison Brie) meeting with a studio head and Debbie’s (Betty Gilpin) reaction to Ruth not sleeping with the exec resonates in the #MeToo era. It broke my heart to see a character act so nonchalant about a heinous act of power.

Verdict: Savor or binge it

Queer Eye

I saved the best for last. I’m obsessed along with numerous others.

I’ve fallen in love with the Fab Five. They seem like a fun, honest bunch of guys, and they seem to have a genuine interest in helping the heroes, the name they give the real people they help each episode.

I watched season 1 in May and season 2 the day it came out. I’ve already seen both seasons twice, and don’t be surprised if I start re-watching it once I finish this blog.

Verdict: Binge it (over and over)

Bonus

Because I’ve already seen “Queer Eye,” I may do a workout during my next watch through, following these guidelines:

Intro music: 30-second wallsit
Transition slide (day 1, etc.): 5 burpees
Fab Five on-camera interview: 10 situps
Antoni is delighted/disgusted by food: 10 lunges (per side)
Jonathan says YAS/queen/girl/honey: 5 pushups
Tan gives fashion advice: 20 jumping jacks
Karamo has a heart-to-heart with a hero: 10 tricep dips
Bobby says “this space”: 10 bicycles (per side)
Crying: 10 bridges
Swearing: 10 squats
Hugs/Kisses: 10 mountain climbers
The Reveal: 30-second football run
“They’ll feel better about themselves”: 10 Russian twists
Something gets thrown out: 30-second plank

Now that’s some quality TV watching.

How TV comedies handle death

Resting in peace isn’t the easiest topic to cover.

While TV dramas seem to handle death on a regular basis, TV comedies handle it without consistency.

But how should a show that mostly about making people laugh handle one of the saddest life events?

Two popular sitcoms, “Friends” and “How I Met Your Mother,” went from one end of the spectrum to the other.

Two of the deaths on “Friends” were played for laughs. In TOW Nana Dies Twice, Ross and Monica’s grandmother is thought to be dead, but she has one last breath at the hospital, freaking out the siblings. At the burial, Ross falls into a gravesite. Yikes.

When Phoebe’s grandmother dies, 3-D glasses are passed out at the funeral. And later, her ashes are still in her taxi cab when Joey drives to Vegas. What?

The laughs went a little too far into an unrealistic, overly silly concept in both episodes.

On the other side, there’s “How I Met Your Mother,” which I think has one of the saddest deaths on a TV comedy.

When Marshall’s dad dies, it’s revealed at the end of the episode. Just when Marshall finds out they don’t have anything to worry about with infertility, Lily breaks the news about his father.

On IMDb, it’s said that actor Jason Segel didn’t know that’s what Alyson Hannigan would say, so his shocked reaction is real. And it’s so raw.

In the following episode, Last Words, Marshall urges his friends to remember the last words they said to their fathers. It really makes you think while showing a major life event and how it can affect friends.

While sitcoms are typically at a heightened reality, on-screen deaths and funerals can benefit from showing multiple emotions. In real life, death can bring laughter and tears.

On “Scrubs,” death is built into the hospital setting. Sometimes it was sad to watch beloved patients pass, and the writers did a great job with J.D.’s narrations commenting on how short life is and how everyone passes. On the hand, sometimes they made a point to make you at least chuckle. There is fantasy sequence where Turk and Carla raise a pumpkin and fret when he/she/it breaks.

It’s a nice balance on a show that’s filled with laughs and medical jargon.

“Modern Family” also had its script legs in both sides.

In Goodnight Gracie, the whole crew goes to Florida when Phil’s mother passed. Alex is confused and upset when her grandma, whom she bonded with deeply, leaves only a lighter for her, but by the episode’s conclusion, she discovers that the lighter had a memory and a hidden meaning from her grandmother.

Phil and Claire, on the other hand, awkwardly try (they first claim to be traveling vacuum salespeople) to meet a woman whom Phil’s mom thinks would make a great new partner for her surviving husband.

In season 3, the Dunphys’ neighbor passes, and all Luke wants is his TV. At first, Claire doesn’t think he’s accepted the death (even though she herself couldn’t stop smiling when telling people the neighbor had died), but it turns out it was a memory for him, and Claire calms down.

While these moments may be less memorable, they feel more in tune with the emotions we feel when someone dies.

But hey, that’s not really what sitcoms are for, are they?

Top 5 TV weddings to make you feel better about yours

Ah, wedding season.

June is here, which means many of us are dressing up and watching friends and family declare their love for their partners. But not every wedding goes off without a hitch.

In no particular order, here are my top 5 TV weddings:

Monica and Chandler, “Friends“

Monica and Chandler are definitely the more stable couple in the “Friends” world. But their wedding was not so stable.

Chandler, of course, freaked out, and Joey almost missed the ceremony due to a movie role.

Plus there was the whole who’s-actually-pregnant question.

In the end, they got married, vowing to stand by each other, and Chandler even tried to dance at the reception.

Lily and Marshall, “How I Met Your Mother“

On their wedding day, nothing seemed to go right for Lily and Marshall, who were finally tying the knot after a broken engagement, a cancelled Atlantic City at-sea wedding and many years together.

The harpist went into the labor, Lilly’s ex showed up and Marshall shaved a part of his head. Lilly tried to keep it together, but she finally panicked.

And no, the actual wedding wasn’t the focus, but their intimate outside ceremony was, and it even included some crying from Barney, who claimed no one should get married.

Miranda and Steve, “Sex and the City“

The perfect wedding for the down-to-earth couple.

Miranda wasn’t the one who necessarily wanted marriage, but after proposing to longtime (albeit on-and-off) lover Steve, she finds making the moment not so over-the-top and cliche was a challenge (“I have a child – the jig is up!” she says to someone trying to help her find a dress for the occasion).

But the couple finds a beautiful, tranquil garden. And Miranda wears an understated maroon outfit. Simple and fit for them.

Jim and Pam, “The Office“

Another wedding gone wrong. Quite the theme on TV.

This lovely couple tries to go with the punches, but in the end, they sneak off to marry in a secret ceremony.

Who wouldn’t want a guy like Jim? He’s a sweetie who tries to make the best of the situation.

And here’s where everyone swoons: “And Plan A was marrying her a long, long time ago. Pretty much the day I met her.”

*Note: This is the only episode of “The Office” I’ve ever watched.

Becky and Jesse, “Full House“

Any time Jesse sings on “Full House,” I’m in.

Course you have to watch him finally make his way to the chapel first before his wedding. And that trek includes skydiving, a truck of tomatoes and a bus filled with a gospel choir.

But by the end, with all the 80s/90s fashion, there’s crooning to “Forever” and “Jailhouse Rock,” so you can’t go wrong there.

What are your favorite TV weddings?

Mother’s Day 2016: 5 TV moments when moms don’t have it all together

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on May 4, 2016.

While moms are sometimes expected to be superheroes, it’s not always the case.

Moms are only humans, so even they mess up, freak out and/or need help some days.

Here are five moments where TV moms did just that:

RACHEL, “FRIENDS”

Episode: “The One Where Emma Cries,” season 9

First-time mothers learn a lot as they go. For new mom Rachel, that included letting her daughter sleep.

The day she brings home Emma, her newborn daughter with Ross, Rachel is so enamored that she decides to hold her sleeping baby, which wakes her up.

She should’ve listened to Monica, who’d advised against it. Emma wails for hours, and Rachel can’t figure out how to calm Emma down.

Fortunately she has friends to help, especially Monica, who seems to have the way to make Emma sleep.

CLAIRE, “MODERN FAMILY”

Episode: “Under Pressure,” season 5

Sometimes a reality check can be good.

Out of the three Dunphy kids on “Modern Family,” Alex is by far the smartest. But she’s also a perfectionist, and SAT prep gets to her so much that she decides to see a therapist after a birthday meltdown.

On the same episode/day, her mom, Claire, goes to parent-teacher conferences. By the way, Claire is the type of mom who wants her kids to have fun … and maybe didn’t do as well as Alex in school.

While Alex realizes she works so hard to be noticed, Claire realizes Alex’s classes are a lot to handle … and then stresses out in front of teachers.

The mother-daughter pair meet up after the therapy session, and Claire tells Alex how proud of her she is.

DJ, “FULLER HOUSE”

Episode: “Our Very First Show, Again,” season 1

Raising three kids with someone helping you is hard enough … imagine handling that on your own.

After her husband dies, DJ Fuller has family and friends help her raise her three boys. But they all have other obligations.

When they have a goodbye party and Jesse sings “Forever” to his wife, Rebecca, she tears up a bit.

Then, the next day, she has a sick child, work, a dog who’s about to give birth, and more.

So when she goes to take care of her baby, she talks to him, saying she’s scared and unsure because she doesn’t know how she’ll handle everything.

Little does she know her family and friends, who are about to leave, can hear her through the baby monitor.

Of course, this sets the reboot in motion, as sister Stephanie and best friend Kimmy decide to step up for DJ.

KITTY, “THAT ’70S SHOW”

Episode: “The Kids Are Alright,” season 6

When Red Foreman has a heart attack, he’s forced to rest and not work.

That means his wife, Kitty, has to pick up the slack. A lot of slack.

While Eric, their son, is preparing to leave town for college, Kitty picks up extra shifts at the hospital to help pay for everything, on top of taking care of her husband and the house.

But once Eric realizes Kitty can’t handle it all — he catches her doing laundry at about midnight because she’s between shifts and it’s the only time she can, and then finds her asleep on laundry — he agrees to stay home to help out.

LILY, “HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER”

Episode: “Band or DJ?” season 8

While most of “How I Met Your Mother” revolves around Ted and his love life (this episode is no different), there are moments where other characters get some focus.

In this episode, Lily and Marshall are dealing with the struggles of having a newborn, their son Marvin. In this episode, he’s crying … and producing empty diapers.

So Lily takes Ted up to the roof to talk. And she admits she wishes she wasn’t a mom sometimes, and that she hasn’t painted in months because she’s busy taking care of Marvin.

But she pulls through for her son, just like Ted has to move on from Robin. See, it all ties together!

So don’t forget to thank you mother or motherly figure in your life this weekend. Happy Mother’s Day!

In support of TV’s supporting characters: Why ‘Manhattan Love Story’ and ‘A to Z’ were doomed TV shows

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Dec. 28, 2014.

After watching all the new fall TV shows and then seeing a lot of comedies, I came to a conclusion:

If the supporting characters on a TV show are less than desirable, not even good leads can save it.

Cases in point: “A to Z” and “Manhattan Love Story.”

These two comedies were among the first of the 2014 season to be axed (Though “A to Z” is still airing new episodes, production will most likely not continue). And I was not too surprised.

I thought the leads for the shows were endearing. But their friends on the shows were awful.

The lead actress in “Manhattan Love Story” roomed with her college friend and her husband.

And boy, were they obnoxious. The college friend, Amy, was always talking like she knew everything, with a whiny voice, might I add. And her husband, David, was just stupid and loud.

Same sort of problem in “A to Z.” Cristin Milioti (“How I Met Your Mother”) and Ben Feldman (“Mad Men,” “Drop Dead Diva”), the leads, were quirky and entertaining.

But both characters had best friends who were archetypes. The girl friend was desperate for love and the guy friend was a player.

It’s 2014, almost 2015. TV viewers are smart — they are beyond watching stereotyped characters. It’s boring, uninteresting and a waste of time.

Not every show can be an ensemble show like “Friends” or “Modern Family,” where every character has enough of a story line each episode to give them purpose.

But shows should not have useless characters that only add frustration instead of enjoyment to a TV program.

Think “Breaking Bad” or “The Big Bang Theory.” Those shows have obvious lead and supporting actors. But you’re invested in every character no matter how many minutes they are on your TV screen.

A smart show needs smart characters. And only smart shows will survive.

I get that comedies are hard to write because it’s difficult to be funny. But it can be done. And we don’t need to bog down with dramas. We need to laugh, too.

Valentine’s Day 2015: 5 TV episodes celebrating the holiday

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Feb. 10, 2015.

Love is in the air. Or not.

Whether you’re single and ready to mingle or hopelessly in love, here are five Valentine’s Day-themed TV episodes you can enjoy.

Desperation Day: “How I Met Your Mother,” season 6

Oh, Barney. Always searching for what’s easy.

Barney refuses to have a Valentine’s Day date, but that doesn’t mean he can’t find a “victim” on Desperation Day, aka Feb. 13.

Lily struggles to get Marshall to care about their relationship after the death of his father. In the end, he pulls through for his Lilypad.

My Funky Valentine: “Modern Family,” season 1

Phil and Claire aren’t always the most adventurous, so to mix things up, they create fake personas.

But things go awry when Claire’s overcoat gets stuck in the escalator, and everyone, including her father, sees.

The One with the Candy Hearts: “Friends,” season 1

In a lot of moments of this beloved show, Ross can’t seem to catch in break.

In this episode, he ends up on a date at the same restaurant as Carol and Susan, his (first) ex-wife and her partner. Awkward.

Chandler ends up on a blind date with Janice, the woman he can’t seem to shake off. Also awkward.

Phoebe, Monica and Rachel burn mementos of ex-boyfriends. Not awkward, just super funny.

First Date: “That ’70s Show,” season 1

After a bit of back and forth, it seems like Donna and Eric will finally get together.

But this is TV, so of course, there’s a hitch. And his name is Hyde.

It’s an episode featuring young love and the nervousness that comes with it.

Silly Love Songs: “Glee,” season 2

Back when “Glee” was still good, this episode featured the right amount of cheesiness, heartbreak and sappy songs.

Puck tries to woo a girl by singing “Fat Bottomed Girls,” and we get to see Artie and Mike channel Michael Jackson with “P.Y.T.”

The episode will leave you saying, “Awww.”

‘How I Met Your Mother,’ ‘Friends’ offer great TV comedy

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on April 2, 2015.

Two successful shows. Two decades. Two unique premises?

Maybe not.

Some people say popular comedies “How I Met Your Mother” and “Friends” are similar in nature. They aren’t wrong.

Just look at these parallels:

A married couple in the friend group (Lily and Marshall vs. Monica and Chandler)
A will-they-or-won’t-they couple (Robin and Ted vs. Rachel and Ross)
A central hangout (McLaren’s vs. Central Perk)
Multiple weddings
A main living space (Ted’s/Lily’s/Marshall’s apartment vs. Monica’s apartment)
New York City setting
Friend who uses numerous tricks or plays to get women (Joey vs. Barney)
Dating within the friend group (Robin dated Ted and Barney vs. Rachel dated Ross and Joey)

And, both sitcoms ran for more than 200 episodes, in nine seasons for “How I Met Your Mother” and 10 for “Friends.”

But there are also differences, such as:

The theme of the show. “How I Met Your Mother” focuses on finding love, while “Friends” focuses on navigating life
Marshall and Lily date through most of the show (except for those sad episodes in season 2), while Monica and Chandler don’t start dating until the end of season 4.
“How I Met Your Mother” is narrated by older Ted (voiced by Bob Saget), while “Friends” is never narrated.
“Friends” had more flashback episodes that used prior footage, but “How I Met Your Mother” filmed material that was supposed to span decades.
“How I Met Your Mother” had fantasy episodes thanks to the imagination of the characters (and writers), and the show had an episode filled entirely with rhyming dialogue. “Friends” stuck to what was happening in the moment, for the most part.

Do these differences and similarities make the shows bad? Do they cheapen the value of these iconic shows? I don’t think so.

Yes, they have similar concepts, and some people like both shows equally, but they have enough differences to keep interest.

And, both shows handled relevant issues, even though they aired over a 20-year period.

If these shows had premiered in the same year, it would’ve been hard to choose. Fortunately, they didn’t.

I’m glad I can enjoy both shows over and over again.

What do you think? Is “Friends” better than “How I Met Your Mother,” or vice versa? Why?

Thanksgiving 2016: Ranking the ‘Friends’ Thanksgiving episodes

Even though “Friends” ran for 10 seasons, it showcased Thanksgiving holiday fun almost every year.

So in honor of Turkey Day, here’s the order from best to worst “Friends” Thanksgiving episodes.

10. The One with the List, season 2

This episode has to go last because it’s the only episode that doesn’t really surround the Thanksgiving holiday.

It’s also a sad episode because it revolves around Ross’ Julie vs. Rachel debate.

9. The One Where Chandler Hates Dogs, season 7

If you love Rachel with her much-younger assistant Tag, then you might rank this episode higher.

The beginning of their relationship is the highlight of this episode, along with the realization that Chandler isn’t allergic to dogs…he just doesn’t like them.

8. The One with the Late Thanksgiving, season 10

Monica is usually in charge of the Thanksgiving meal, which makes sense since she’s a chef.

But in the last season, she wasn’t planning on cooking. But her friends make her, and then they’re all late.

Locking the door on them was pretty funny though. Monica and Chandler also get news that they have a baby to adopt for them, melting their anger away.

7. The One with Chandler in a Box, season 4

Chandler and Joey rarely fight…but when a girl, Kathy, got in the way, it got ugly.

Desperate to get Joey to talk to him and forgive him, Chandler agrees to stay stuck in a box for a time. Without the holiday food.

Meanwhile, Monica needs to go to the eye doctor, but she’s embarrassed after her failed relationship with Richard, her old eye doctor. But that goes away when she sees Richard’s son…but then it gets awkward. Fast.

6. The One with Rachel’s Other Sister, season 9

Nothing like a holiday to bring family tensions.

When Rachel’s sister (played by Christina Applegate) comes to town, the topic of who will become Emma’s godparents hits.

All the fighting ends in the china from Monica and Chandler’s wedding breaking all over the apartment floor. But at least Chandler steps up and realizes he can be a parent.

5. The One with the Football, season 3

Oh, Monica. She’s so competitive!

When the old Gellar Cup resurfaces from Ross and Monica’s childhood days, the gang goes outside for a game of football. It doesn’t go well as sibling rivalry takes over.

Also, Joey and Chandler try to flirt with a Dutch girl.

4. The One With the Rumor, season 8

My main reason for putting this episode in the top 5 is because of Brad Pitt, who was with Jennifer Aniston (Rachel) at the time.

But they don’t like each other in this episode. And his character is out for revenge against the girl who made fun of him in high school.

It makes for an awkward, confrontational dinner.

3. The One Where Ross Got High, season 6

Poor Rachel, she tried to make a good dessert. But a trifle does not have a layer or potatoes and peas.

During the course of the day, it comes out that Chandler isn’t like by the Gellar parentals. And they don’t know he moved in with Monica either.

Ross tries to come clean, but it just ends to a yelling match where everyone says not-so-great things about others in the room.

2. The One Where Underdog Gets Away, season 1

We all know holidays never go as planned, but this episode features a big fail.

As the friends all recall why they’re not with their families, one of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloons gets loose.

It’s fun to watch all the friends watch the balloon float away together, but it’s even better to laugh when the group of six eat mac and cheese after their dinner burns.

The One with the Thanksgiving Flashbacks, season 5

Fat Monica! Seahawk hair Chandler! And one big turkey!

This episode featured a lot of the past and problems between Rachel, Chandler, Ross and Monica…but it also featured a glimpse into the future of Monica and Chandler.

What more could you want? Oh wait, how about the first “I love you” spoken between Monica and Chandler. Aww.

How would you rank these “Friends” episodes?

Top 5 Thanksgiving-themed TV episodes

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Nov. 24, 2014.

Holidays tend to bring out funny stories, both in real life and on screen.

So before you stuff your face with turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, check out my top five Thanksgiving-themed TV episodes.

5. Thank You: “That ’70s Show,” season 5

Eric Foreman (Topher Grace) never ceases to screw up a situation.

After getting promoted to the adults’ table at Thanksgiving, Eric decides it’s time to tell his parents that he and Donna (Laura Prepon) are engaged.

But then Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) brings a date to the holiday dinner: Eric’s math teacher. By the way, Eric is failing math.

It’s a recipe for a holiday meal gone wrong.

4. Punkin Chunkin: “Modern Family,” season 3

The fun of “Modern Family” is that the families are filled with misfit individuals, and this episode highlights that fact.

The “Dreamers” and the “Pritchetts” is how this episode divides the parents, who then partake in a punkin chunkin challenge.

Watching them launch pumpkins is pretty incredible, but watching them bond is even better.

3. Slapsgiving: “How I Met Your Mother,” season 3

Major Buzzkill! A slap countdown! What more could you want from this show?

Robin and Ted are always confused about where they stand in their relationship/friendship (which makes more sense if you know that they end up together in the end), and this episode is no different.

But in the end of the episode (after a guys vs. girls debate about what to do), they remain friends as they continue to connect with an inside joke (saluting while saying “Major Buzzkill”)

And who could forget the slap countdown Marshall made for Barney? Lilly almost stops it from happening, but in the end, Barney got too cocky, of course.

2. The One with the Thanksgiving Flashbacks: “Friends,” season 5

It’s hard to choose just one Thanksgiving-themed episode from “Friends,” since there is one in every season except for season 2.

This is the one where the gang recalls their worst Thanksgivings, including the time when Chandler (who is secretly dating Monica at this point) called Monica (Courtney Cox) fat when he went to the Gellars’ house with his roommate, Ross (David Schwimmer).

At the end of the episode, Chandler (Matthew Perry) tells Monica “I love you” for the first time … as she wears a turkey on her head.

The flashbacks provide entertainment, but the “I love you” moment provides a sweet and hilarious moment.

1. A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving: “Gilmore Girls,” season 3

For one, Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) drinks way too much in this episode since her husband’s family decided to deep fry everything, including the turkey. And she’s one funny drunk.

Next, we see the beginnings of Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Jess (Milo Ventimiglia), including the town members making fun of them for a “weak” kiss.

And of course, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory, not wanting to disappoint anyone, go to four Thanksgiving dinners. But really, who could handle that better than this mother-daughter duo?

What are your favorite Thanksgiving TV episodes?

Matthew Perry is back on TV; new show ‘The Odd Couple’ worth a watch

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on March 15, 2015.

Could we BE any more excited?

Chandler Bing, also known as Matthew Perry, is back on TV.

The actor has been part of many failed TV shows since “Friends” ended in 2004, but “The Odd Couple,” a new winter TV show airing on CBS, has a good chance of making it past season 1.

It helps that it’s a funny show.

Moments of the first two episodes made me laugh out loud, which is a major success for the show. And Perry’s comedic timing is excellent.

That doesn’t mean it’s a groundbreaking show, but “The Odd Couple” is based on the 1960s play of the same name, so you can’t expect it to stretch the boundaries of plotlines.

The comedy also stars Thomas Lennon of “Reno 911!” fame. Fun facts: Perry and Lennon were both in “17 Again,” and Lennon guest-starred on an episode of “Friends.”

Dave Foley, Lindsay Sloane, Yvette Nicole Brown and Leslie Bibb have also made appearances in the first two episodes.

Do I think “The Odd Couple” is the best comedy I’ve ever seen? No. But it’s definitely an improvement over some of the new shows of the 2014-15 season.

Now, for those of you desperate to see Chandler again, you’re out of luck.

But that’s part of the fun of the show.

Perry’s character, Oscar Madison, isn’t the nicest guy. He’s messy, uncaring and, at times, mean. He’s critical of his new roommate, Felix Unger (Lennon), who’s just trying to figure out his life after his wife leaves him.

“Lovable” is not a word to describe Oscar. But “growing” might be. A major point of the show’s makeup is Oscar and Felix’s friendship, which survives many disagreements. It’s obvious that both characters will grow during the show’s run.

And if you’ve ever had a roommate or lived in a dorm, you’ll probably find some of Oscar and Felix’s spats relatable.

I’ll admit I haven’t seen the play, so I’m not sure if/when the show will surpass the play’s resolution.

But I am sure that I’ll keep watching “The Odd Couple,” even if I’m not watching an older version of Chandler Bing on TV.

“The Odd Couple” airs at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, following “The Big Bang Theory.”