There’s something about the combination of Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon, who coincidentally appeared first in the hugely popular sit-com Friends , where they barely met and then in the successful film 17 Again , where Lennon plays Perry’s lovable, geeky friend and now in The Odd Couple , where they play roommates.
The Odd Couple , which has been renewed for a third season by CBS, revolves around the lives of untidy Oscar Madison (Matthew Perry) and the neat nut Felix Unger (Thomas Lennon). They are former college roommates who are living together again after their respective divorces.
“The show is about the chemistry between Matthew Perry and myself, people can tell that while we drive each other crazy, there is also love and friendship between us,” Lennon explains over the phone from the US. “ 17 Again laid the groundwork for what we do here because our characters in the movie were similar.
What made the film work was that it was not a stretch for us to play these characters. Matthew is comfortable being messy and I’m pernickety about a lot of things.”
Lennon, who has appeared in movies such as Transformers: Age of Extinction and The Dark Knight Rises says, “ The Odd Couple also showcases real aspects of our personalities. I do yoga and play the cello. The dynamic between Matthew and me is the same as on the show. The only difference is that in real life, we like each other 20 per cent more.”
This is the sixth rendition of The Odd Couple , which was originally a play written by Neil Simon and subsequently made into films, cartoon strips and two television shows in 1970 and 1982.
“I debated for a long time on whether it was a good idea to do this when so many great actors had already played the role. But I felt that we could come up with fun, new stories with old-fashioned characters, a part of the appeal of the show is that it is old fashioned. It is a throwback to a show in the 70s with an updated storyline.”
Lennon calls his ongoing stint in The Odd Couple a dream come true because it is performed in front of a live audience, like Friends . It also puts Matthew Perry in his element as he too loves performing in front of a live audience.
“Unlike its predecessors, this version features an ensemble cast, more like Friends and Gary Marshall, who created the original television series is present at every taping giving his inputs.”
Lennon, who is known for his work in Comedy Central Show Reno 911!, appearances in How I Met Your Mother and New Girl , originally wanted to be a stage actor, but couldn't because his resting face was too ‘amusing’.
“I don’t know whether it is my face or my eyes, but I could see nobody took me seriously when I first came to New York. I felt that I didn’t have a future in serious dramatic acting so I had to become a comedian. I have one of those faces that are naturally fun,” explains the actor.
“What is wonderful about comedy is that that you always know whether it is working out because the feedback is instantaneous.”
The 45-year-old actor is also known for his work as a screenwriter, often teaming up with Robert Ben Garant on films including Night At the Museum, Hell Baby and the upcoming Baywatch film starring Dwayne Johnson and Priyanka Chopra.
“I never rest, never take a day off. When I come home from working on The Odd Couple , I play with my son and then I go to my office and work on scripts.
It has been an intense few years, I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone because it can be all-consuming sometimes, but I enjoy it. It is hard to stay employed as a writer or an actor. I consider what I have a blessing.”
Seasons one and two of The Odd Couple will air on Star World and Star World HD from June 23 onwards.
