Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Living… with his recently divorced best friend, Felix Unger, in 1970s New York. In modern times they might call each other “frenemies” because Felix, a neat freak, drives the slobby Oscar crazy.
Profession… New York sportswriter. He's a cigar-smoking, poorly-dressed curmudgeon, so he fits right in when he plops down in the Shea Stadium press box to cover the Mets.
Interests… gross food, baseball, and a nice cigar. He’s a guy’s guy who enjoys the simple pleasures. As soon as Felix brings up opera or Greek literature, Oscar tunes out.
Relationship Status… divorced and loving it. If he weren't stuck with Felix he could sleep late and take off his pants as soon as he walked in the door. In other words, his life would be perfect. He still likes to date, though, as long as Felix can iron his suit for him.
Challenge… dealing with Felix. After Felix's divorce, he showed up at Oscar's apartment and never left. Along the way he cleaned the place and provoked Oscar into hundreds of shouting matches and disagreements.
Personality… messy, grumpy, and loud. He's the kind of guy who will wipe his hands on the closest available item. Unfortunately for Oscar, Felix is a tidy perfectionist who has no patience for Oscar's... resourcefulness. Sure, there's a lot of friction in their Manhattan apartment, but Felix needs someone to feed and Oscar is always hungry.
Get to Know him in...
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After Felix Unger's wife kicked him out, he had nowhere to go. Seriously, nowhere. If he had a better place to go he wouldn't crash with Oscar Madison, a guy who drinks 33-cent wine and leaves the empty bottle on the floor. Oscar is a serious slob who not only dirties the place up, but can't even hold his own in a conversation about the art of opera. Their time together is one of endless friction, yelling, and disagreements.
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Oscar's life seems almost perfect...sure he's divorced and his apartment is a mess, but he's the host of a well-known sports show, and is enjoying his bachelor lifestyle in New York City. That is until his college friend, Felix, shows up at Oscar's apartment having just been dumped by his wife. Oscar does his best to console his old buddy and get him back on the dating horse, but his attempts uncover just how unresolved his own feelings are about his ex.
