A pair of old “Friends” may be TV’s next new “Odd Couple” if Matthew Perry gets his way!
The 44-year-old actor – whose TV career has stalled in recent years – is working overtime to recruit former “Friends” co-star David Schwimmer to play neat-freak Felix to his sloppy sportswriter Oscar.
Ih his latest attempt to score a hit, Matt is starring, co-writing and executive-producing a new CBS series based on the hilarious Neil Simon play about divorced roommates.
Matt has wanted to play Oscar ever since he saw the film version of “The Odd Couple,” which starred Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, when he was a kid.
The show was also a huge TV hit for Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, but Matt thinks he can out-Oscar Klugman and believes David would be perfect as neurotic Felix.
Aside from a turn as a recurring character on “The Good Wife,” Matthew has floundered from failed sitcom to failed sitcom with shows such as ABC’s “Mr. Sunshine” and NBC’s “Go On” since “Friends” ended in 2004.
“David hasn’t fared much better,” a source noted. “They starred as best friends Chandler Bing and Ross Geller for 10 seasons and played off each other beautifully.
“But both actors have had a difficult time overcoming the stigma of their ‘Friends’ characters.”
Sources say that these days, David, 47, prefers directing to acting. He recently helmed a new series pilot, “Growing Up Fisher,” for NBC.
“But Matt’s sure he’s already found his Felix in David,” the source said. “He’s hoping he can convince his friend to be his screen buddy again.”
