Criticism > Drama Criticism > Simon, Neil - Robert K. Johnson (essay date 1983)

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Robert K. Johnson (essay date 1983)

Neil Simon, Twayne Publishers, 1983, pp. 16-22, 34-42, 43-51.

[In the following excerpts, Johnson argues that the third act of The Odd Couple, is flawed because Simon has created such fully realized characters that he is unable to manipulate them convincingly for the happy ending he has contrived. Johnson also states that in Plaza Suite Simon is showing that outward success may not be enough, and that Last of the Red Hot Lovers does not meet the challenge it sets for itself to mediate the conflict between self-isolating cynicism and concerned human contact.]

THE ODD COUPLE

It is significant that Simon originally envisioned The Odd Couple as “a black comedy.”¹ He wanted to push beyond the simple comedy formats of Come Blow Your Horn and Barefoot in the Park. The tryout troubles that the new play incurred are also significant. On the...

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1. Introduction
2. Principal Works
3. Criticism: Author Commentary
   1. Jackson R. Bryer with Neil Simon (interview date 1991)
   2. James Lipton with Neil Simon (interview date Winter 1992)
4. Criticism: Overviews And General Studies
   1. Clifford A. Ridley (essay date 20 November 1971)
   2. Helen McMahon (essay date October 1975)
   3. Robert K. Johnson (essay date 1983)
5. Further Reading
6. Copyright

1. Drama