Taxi (TV Series) Paper Marriage (1978) User Reviews

Latka's 'Wedding'

[ccthemovieman-1 · 14 March 2010]

This episode is probably best remembered for two things: "Latka" gets married and we are introduced to the famous character, "Reverend Jim," played by Christopher Lloyd. "Jim Ignatowski" doesn't appear again until the next season and then slowly becomes a regular.

Not only is "Rev. Jim" not really a minister but Latka isn't really married, either, A "paper" ceremony takes place to "marry" him so that he can't be deported after immigration agents come looking for him at the taxi garage. Latka learns that by marrying an American woman, he can stay in the country. For how he and the gang - and the 15-minute "bride" (a hooker, no less) manages this, see the episode.....you'll laugh, too.

Louie De Palma plays an unusual role in here, too: actually being nice and doing a good deed! You don't see that often on this show with this nasty character! Louie even plays the violin at the wedding!

'Boy, America's a tough town.'

[TxMike · 24 July 2008]

I have been a big fan of the 'Taxi' TV series for years, and presently I am re-watching all the old episodes on DVD. This is the episode that introduces Christopher Lloyd as Reverend Jim.

The core of this episode has immigration agents looking for Latka. When they ask Latka about it, he shows the other cabbies a letter he had gotten, requesting a response by a certain date. That date was 2 weeks ago and Latka had not done anything and now he was in danger of being deported.

Latka states that he needs a woman. Alex says yep, that might make you feel better for a little while, but it won't stop the deportation. Latka clarifies, he needs one to marry. One of the cabbies has an idea, and gets a hooker friend to agree to do it. In Elaine's borrowed dress, and Latka in a suit and tie, and all the cabbies gathered around, in comes Reverend Jim Ignatowski to perform the ceremony.

Immediately after, Vivian the hooker takes off the dress and hands it to Latka. He asks, "No honeymoon?" As Alex shakes his head 'no' Latka responds, 'Boy, America's a tough town.' The episode was most significant for introducing Reverend Jim, who would go on to be a key comedic character in future episodes. Almost all of my favorite stories involve Ignatowski which, for those who don't know, is 'flower child' spelled backwards!