videorama-759-859391
More so, than anything, it's the characters and their committed performances that make the show work. We really get into their lives at the cab rank. Christopher Lyodd is a classic, Judd Hirsch likable, as so the late unforgotten Jeff Conaway, in more happier times, as well as the impulsive and enterprising Tony Daanza, where it's really groucho old Danny Devito's great acting that steals the show. It is entertaining, and quite funny, and when it is, it's gold sometimes, but it just doesn't stack up the comedy quota. The show's theme is great, and in it's after ending, it's always great to see the human creator, resigning himself, from the office, to take off for the weekend. Still Taxi is very entertaining, where may'be I would of found it more funnier at the time, when I saw it as a kid, or even if I was an adult in that time. Watch it especially for Devito and LYODD. One show especially funny, has Hirsch, developing a gambling addiction. Hey, how many taxi drivers have them?
cckoso
I may be overstepping if the intention is to limit comments here to the first season of "Taxi," and if so I apologize, because I propose to speak to the entire run of some 106, 108, (I can't remember the exact number) episodes. I believe it to be the finest work Danny DeVito ever did. I haven't seen everything he's done, but his Louie DePalma surpasses everything else I have seen by orders of magnitude. Similarly, Christopher Lloyd, as Reverend Jim, presents in this series (also of course in my layman's opinion)one of the true works of genius in the history of comedic acting. The late Andy Kaufman (sp?) of course single handedly creates Latka Gravas. Perhaps he was hired to do a character with that name already supplied, but I suspect the rest of the persona was the sole creation of that troubled genius. Given the tours De force of those three it is difficult to write about the rest of the cast and seem properly respectful, but that is unfair, for they all, with the single exception of the actor who plays John, who suffered with a character that paled in the light of all those other supernovas, were at once integral parts of a truly magical ensemble and at the same time individually brilliant. I loved them all, and with my willing suspension of disbelief I am saddened that they are gone, and, even more, that I was never privileged to be a member of that most exclusive society. We may never see the likes of that show again.
wolf008
Well,it means the following...TAXI is irrefutably one of the most sophisticated and classy sitcoms in Televisions history. The characters were complex, real people, portraying the lives of NY City cab drivers with such believability, as they coped with everyday life.Probably most importantly however, the show was downright funny. The writers did not rely on cheap sexual gags and one liners, and instead utilized mature situational humor, that was mostly derived from character development.The writing was above board,(especially comparing it to today's sub-par sitcoms), and the show altogether was nothing short of a work of art in every aspect. The cast and crew showed respect for it's audience, and never stooped to the lowest common denominator, just to obtain a quick laugh.One would hope that today's Television industry would learn from shows like Taxi, and use what they have learned in their work. However, I regret that today's industry has learned nothing, and continues to dismiss the intellect of it's audience. That is why the quality of the modern sitcom is so lacking, and why with very few exceptions are any worth remembering that have recently been produced.Taxi was a classic from day one, and will always be a classic by any measure. The writing, directing, and of-course the cast, are a shining example of the modern sit-com at its best; and for that matter, Television at it's best!
movieman_kev
The first season of this classic sitcom started off on the ground running as we're introduced to the down-trodden, brow-beaten denizen taxi drivers of the Sunshine Cab Company, the advice giving Alex Reirger (Judd Hirsh), failed boxer Tony Banta (Tony Danza, failed actor Bobby Wheeler (Jeff Conaway), new immigrant, Latka (superbly played by Andy Kaufman) as well as new cab drivers Elaine and John (Marilu Henner and Randall Carver respectively), and cranky, hateful boss Louie De Palma (Dsnny DeVito, in the role of his career). These people are life losers, but the writing is such that they are NEVER treated as such. All of the characters were highly relatable and one couldn't help but feel empathetic to each of them. We're laughing with these guys, not at them. And it's a very funny, poignant show. Guest stars this season included Former Welterweight Champion of the World Carlos Palomino, Tom Selleck, Jeffrey Tambor, Martin Mull, and Suzanne Kent in a very memorable part as Alex's blind date, the overweight self-pitying Angela who would return next season in a surprising way. The first Season of Taxi was a few outstanding shows, a few funny ones, but not a clunker in the bunch. And you have no choice but to love that theme song.My Season 1 grade: A