Oscar Madison and his impact on our industry.

Yes, the official "RIP Jack Klugman" thread is elsewhere, but I believe the passing of a giant of this industry is worthy of his own thread.

What influence did Oscar's work have on your own? In what ways did he inspire you? Was it his immense body of work, or his exemplary lifestyle?

Do any of you have stories from the press box about Oscar? What was he like to work with? Do you remember any ledes of Oscar's that have stuck with you over the years?

I can say confidently that Mr. Madison was an early influence in my decision to aspire to seek a career in this business. I am just as confident that many of you feel similarly. This is a separate thread to share stories about the man, the legend: Oscar Madison.

 

When single, I had some Oscaresque ideas about housekeeping, but I had to change.

This request came from my wife.

 

Senior year of high school, I auditioned for the school play in hopes of winning the role of "Oscar." I had never been in the school theater before. They wanted to give me the role of Murray the Cop. I said "but I don't want to be a cop, I want to be a sportswriter." They convinced me and I took my first acting role. Hung out a lot with one of the "Pigeon sisters" which helped me to achieve another first. Thanks, Jack Klugman.

 

Ray Barone almost made me not want to be a sports writer.

 

I always figured the Pigeon sisters were carriers.

 

The obit says "The Odd Couple" started in 1970, but I don't remember watching religiously until the show was in reruns, probably sometime in the '80s, and I was already in the industry. I had always hoped to run into Klugman whenever I was at one of the Southern California racetracks, but I never did.

Yep, Oscar had what I considered the best job ever: another day, gotta go cover another game.

 

I've always wanted to be a reporter. I have to admit the Oscar Madison character created by Neil Simon and perfected by Walter Mathau and Jack Klugman solidified my desire. There have been times when I've been sloppy but efficient like those characters. I've tried to change and have to some extent. So many people, when they find out what I do, ask me Oscar-type questions.
In general, I'd say the character has been good for the business.

 

^^^ That there, kids, is worth the price of admission.

 

He didn't.

I became a journalist because of Fletch, Roger Ebert, Metallica, Ted Koppel and the 1994 World Cup.

Don't think I ever watched an entire episode of The Odd Couple.

 

Ah but he did, he did. Little known fact of the New York sporting scene is that Oscar was standing at the urinal with Bob Sheppard when he came up with the idea of playing "Mister Sandman" by the Chordettes whenever Steve Hamilton came on to pitch in relief for the Yanks. This would be in like '66 or so. The practice later evolved into the use of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" when Mariano Rivera came on to twirl the horsehide.

 

Got to use the full name, though. They're the "coo-coo" Pigeon sisters.

 

I'm a bigger fan of his niece Ashley.