CBS Cancels ODD COUPLE After 3 Seasons; Announces Pilot Pickups

Variety reports that CBS has cancelled the comedy series THE ODD COUPLE after three seasons. An adaptation of the Neil Simon play, the series starred Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon. In its third season, the multi-camera show averaged a 1.0 rating in the 18-49 demo and 5 million total viewers, according to Nielsen live-plus-same day data. Produced by CBS Television Studios, "The Odd Couple" was executive produced by Perry, Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum, Sarah Timberman, and Carl Beverly.

In other news, the network has picked up pilot dramas "SEAL Team," "Wisdom of the Crowd," "SWAT," and "Instinct," along with previously announced comedy order "Young Sheldon" and "9JKL," "Me, Myself, and I," and "By the Book" from executive producer and "Big Bang" star Johnny Galecki.

THE ODD COUPLE stars Matthew Perry as endearing slob Oscar Madison, and Thomas Lennon as uptight neat freak Felix Unger, two former college buddies who become unlikely roommates after the demise of their marriages. It's not long after Oscar lets Felix move in that Oscar fears he's made a monumental mistake. Oscar's jack-of-all-trades assistant, Dani, and his long-time agent, Teddy, have their hands full trying to keep Oscar's career as a sports radio host on track as he deals with this new living situation and begins dating again. Fortunately, Felix finds a new love interest with their quirky next door neighbor Emily who helps him adapt and rein in his copious eccentricities. Despite how exasperated Oscar and Felix make each other, in the end, these mismatched friends agree they can help each other move on from their divorces and somehow make this crazy living arrangement work.

Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS