Taxi

"I'm not really a cab driver. I'm just waiting for something better to come along. You know, like death." - Alex

How is it that a show that lasted five season and racked up 18 Emmy awards is mostly forgotten and ignored in reruns? Taxi aired on broadcast television from 1978-1983, but it is only available on paid streaming of Paramount Plus or Pluto TV with commercials. I recently binged all five seasons and gained an appreciation for the chemistry and writing of this sitcom.

The show was inspired by a magazine article, and was created by many of the people from the just-ended Mary Tyler Moore Show. A show about taxi drivers doesn't sound that engaging, but most of the action doesn't take place in cars, but in the garage where everyone hangs out.

Being from 1973, Taxi looks odd from a 21st century viewpoint. Uber didn't exist, and neither did cell phones (the only phone was a large pay phone on the wall that the cabbies shared.) There was a charming camaraderie between the drivers, one that probably doesn't exist in today's much faster paced world. These people were friends who played poker in the garage, shared personal stories, and made us all laugh. The cast was something special. The show was a launching pad for some of the most talented actors and writers of the time.

Judd Hirsch was the straight man and the star with top billing, though he wasn't that well known back then. He mainly got the offer because of appearances on the MTM show, and he became the sensible person that the rest of the cast bounced off of.

Tony Danza was a professional boxer who was discovered by the show. He took the role of Tony Banta, also a boxer, but a lovable naive one. Danza would go on to star in his own sitcom after Taxi wrapped.

Jeff Conaway played Bobby Wheeler after getting his start in the Grease movie. He had also appeared on MTM, but was cut from the show in season 4 reportedly due to drug use.

Marilu Henner was the main female cast member, and her romance with Judd Hirsch's character was hinted at in several episodes but rarely significant. A single mother and somehow a taxi driver, Henner brought some female energy to a garage filled with mostly men. She has also become famous for her exceptional memory- she can remember vividly every day of her life from the age of 11.

The true stars of the show were the three most colorful and outrageous members of the cast.

Danny DeVito played the dispatcher Louie DePalma as a vile, egotistical and nasty little man. Given DeVito's stature, he packed a lot of energy into his performances against a cast that towered over him. Taxi was his big break in television, and he went on to act, produce, and direct many movies and tv episodes.

Christopher Lloyd played the space cadet Reverend Jim, and was hysterical with his out of touch quotes and quirky behavior. See the video below for his best moment. Lloyd would go on to be Doc Brown in Back to the Future and many other characters for the next 40+ years. His distinctive gravely voice landed him roles in Star Trek, The Addams Family, Wednesday, and many other productions.

Last but not least is Andy Kaufman, who portrayed the timid but funny mechanic Latka. Kaufman was known to be difficult on set, but he became the most popular cast member to many with his odd behaviors. He had an alternate character, Tony Clifton, that he treated as real. Clifton was the opposite of Latka in many ways- brash, loud, and horny, and the show let Kaufman bring the character out in season three. Kaufman had a brief but controversial career, doing bits on Saturday Night Live and David Letterman that appeared to be real but were staged. I watched the film Man in the Moon where Jim Carrey played him, and it was an eye-opener.

Taxi had three components that are hard to find in a sitcom these days- heart, writing, and a talented cast. I recommend catching it on streaming when you can. Here are some of the highest rated episodes via IMDB:

• Reverend Jim: A Space Odyssey

  (1979)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  9.1 (530)

  The guys run into Reverend Jim and try to get him a job, but first they have to convince Louie to hire him and help him pass the exam.

  DirectorJames BurrowsStarsJudd HirschJeff ConawayDanny DeVito

  Jim the Psychic

  (1981)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  8.5 (301)

  Jim has a vision that Alex will die on Thursday at 7 p.m.. Louie is convinced that it is real, but Alex refuses to believe it. Latka is not allowed to talk for a week after a run-in with Tony.

  
  

• 
  

  Latka the Playboy

  (1981)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  8.4 (256)

  Latka creates a suave but obnoxious alter ego, Vic Ferrari, to help him score with the ladies. However, nobody likes his new persona, and Alex tries to convince him to bring the old Latka back.

  
  

• 
  

  Jim's Inheritance

  (1982)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  8.4 (214)

  After Jim's father dies he is visited by the probate for his father's estate.

  
  

• Alex Goes Off the Wagon

  (1982)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  7.7 (188)

  Alex has a gambling problem again.

  Latka's Cookies

  (1981)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  8.1 (218)

  Following the death of Latka's grandmother he inherits her cookie recipe. He intends on going into business with this recipe, but there's a catch, it contains a special ingredient.

  
  

• 
  

  Louie Moves Uptown

  (1983)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  7.4 (168)

  Louies has a revelation, he lives like he is so he sets his sights on a high rise condo. All he needs to do is borrow money from Jim and beat out Penny Marshall for the flat.

  
  

• 
  

  The Call of the Mild

  (1981)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  7.7 (195)

  Alex, Tony, and the gang end up stranded without provisions in a mountain cabin when a freak snowstorm and an intrusive bear wreck their well laid plans.

  
  

  Louie Bumps into an Old Lady

  (1981)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  7.5 (167)

  After Louie hits an old lady with his cab, she takes him and the Sunshine Cab Company to court for a million dollars. Louie soon realizes that he has a strong case against her when Alex remembers from a prior experience that she is a known ambulance chaser.

  
  

• 
  

  Elegant Iggy

  (1982)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  8.6 (250)

  Elaine is invited to a high society dinner, with Jim as her date.

  
  

  Tony's Sister and Jim

  (1980)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  8.3 (250)

  Tony Banta's newly divorced sister, Monica, falls in love with Jim Ignatowski much to Tony's dismay.

• 
  

  The Great Race

  (1979)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  8.1 (257)

  Alex and Louie engage in a friendly competition to see who can take in the most money. If Louie wins he gets a date with Elaine.

  
  

  On the Job: Part 1

  (1981)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  7.7 (204)

  After the Sunshine Cab Company goes bankrupt, the gang decides to meet at Mario's a month later to tell stories about their new jobs.

  
  

  Louie Goes Too Far

  (1981)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  7.8 (185)

  Louie gets fired after Elaine accuses him of voyeurism.

  
  

  The Unkindest Cut

  (1982)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  8.0 (208)

  Elaine decides to treat herself to an expensive hairstyle, but the results leave her in tears. Uncharacteristically, Louie leaps to her defense, but Alex persuades Elaine she needs to stand up for herself.

  
  

  Zen and the Art of Cab Driving

  (1981)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  7.9 (193)

  After Jim picks up a couple of businessmen at the airport he realizes that his life is missing something. Focusing on being the best cab driver he can be Jim breaks company trip sheet records amassing enough wealth to achieve goal.

  
  

  Art Work

  (1980)

  1978–198325mTV-PGTV Episode

  7.5 (191)

  Upon discussing how an artist's work rises in value after they're gone,Elaine ends up helping the guys try and win a painting at an auction by one who's rumored ill at the time.

  : 

  The Apartment

  (1979)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  7.7 (223)

  After his apartment complex is torn down, Latka unknowingly signs a lease to live in a luxurious penthouse for $3,000/month. Realizing that Latka will have to move out after a month, the cabbies decide to spend every minute enjoying the perks of the apartment.

  
  

  I Wanna Be Around

  (1982)

  1978–198330mTV-PGTV Episode

  7.6 (179)

  Louie, fearful of an apocalypse, starts building a "doom room" to survive a catastrophic event.

  
  

  Elaine's Secret Admirer

  (1979)

  1978–198325mTV-PGTV Episode

  7.9 (243)

  Elaine is intrigued when a secret admirer sends her several romantic poems. She soon realizes that it must be someone in the garage.