Chandler Bing returns to record in front of a live studio audience

Co-written by Danny Jacobsen, The Odd Couple marks the return of former Friends alum Matthew Perry, whose portrayal of the witty, sardonic and sarcastic Chandler Bing, is just as popular today as it was almost two decades ago, into the multiple camera situational comedy formats. CBS has secured a script deal with a penalty fare to revive what is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest comedic works, Deadline confirms. With CBS having the exclusive first-look rights to The Odd Couple, Perry shifts loyalty from the Friends network NBC to CBS. This isn’t the first time Perry would delve into comedy, what started with Mr. Sunshine on ABC two years ago, right up to Go On at NBC, both were unable to bring back the magic of Friends, which resulted in their eventual cancellation after just one season. The latter’s early demise coming as a surprise given its Olympics push. The story of The Odd Couple –which started out on Broadway, became a film in the late '60s and then a TV series in 1970, and a reunion TV movie, also by CBS –follows Oscar Madison (played by Perry), an easygoing, messy bachelor, and Felix Ungar, the uptight clean freak he ends up living with after both men get divorced. Perry told Deadline the movie is the inspiration behind his vision: “Ever since seeing the movie The Odd Couple when I was 10 years old, it has been a dream for me to play Oscar Madison,” he said. “To be given the opportunity to develop a modern version of it for CBS has put a permanent smile across my face. Plus, I think it’s time for me to be in front of a live audience again. I miss that. The search for Felix Ungar is on.” Matthew Perry recently filmed a guest spot in an upcoming episode of Cougartown which unites him with his former on-screen best friend and eventual wife on Friends, Courtney Cox.