Taxi (1978–1983)

The staff of a New York City taxicab company go about their job while they dream of greater things.

Creators:

James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, David Davis, Ed. Weinberger

Stars:

Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner

Won 4 Golden Globes. Another 22 wins & 55 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Judd Hirsch	...	Alex Reiger (114 episodes, 1978-1983)
Danny DeVito	...	Louie De Palma (114 episodes, 1978-1983)
Marilu Henner	...	Elaine O'Connor-Nardo (114 episodes, 1978-1983)
Tony Danza	...	Tony Banta (114 episodes, 1978-1983)
Andy Kaufman	...	Latka Gravas (98 episodes, 1978-1983)
Christopher Lloyd	...	Reverend Jim Ignatowski (84 episodes, 1978-1983)
J. Alan Thomas	...	Jeff Bennett (83 episodes, 1978-1983)
Jeff Conaway	...	Bobby Wheeler (69 episodes, 1978-1982)

Storyline

Louie De Palma is a cantankerous, acerbic taxi dispatcher in New York City. He tries to maintain order over a collection of varied and strange characters who drive for him. As he bullies and insults them from the safety of his "cage," they form a special bond among themselves, becoming friends and supporting each other through the inevitable trials and tribulations of life.

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Plot Keywords:

new york | new york city | city | taxi | single mother | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Táxi

Filming Locations:

Dover Garage - 534 Hudson Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

John-Charles-Walters Productions, Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (115 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Andy Kaufman asked the producers before he signed his contract to give guest appearances to one of his friends called Tony Clifton. So they agreed to give few guest appearances to Tony Clifton and Andy signed the contract as Latka. Later the producers learned that Tony Clifton was a very rude drunk Las Vegas entertainer. Tony showed up on the rehearsals very drunk and with some under-dressed ladies and every time he was late. The producers fired Tony on his 3rd day. Later some people said Tony Clifton was actually a non existing person and in fact Andy Kaufman was masked to Tony. The story was never really cleared up as Andy Kaufman always denied it to be masked as Tony Clifton for taxi.

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Quotes

Alex Rieger: It's so quiet up here you can hear yourself think.
"Reverend" Jim Ignatowski: I don't hear anything.

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Connections

Referenced in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)

User Reviews

one of my top 5 favorite American comedies- Season 1

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