The Great Line

I can see why "John" didn't last on "Taxi.," although the show's bosses could have at least told the actor (Randall Carver) why, instead of just letting him go at the end of this first season. In later years, Carver maintained his character on "Taxi" was too similar to Tony Danza's and they just decided to keep Tony instead.

The character, "John Burns," played by Carver, just isn't funny to watch or as appealing as Danza's, even if it was similar. The other regulars are on this show are much funnier. (Yes, one could say Marilu Henner's characters wasn't funny, either, Marilu's looks in an- otherwise-all male show, drew no complaints.)

Anyway, "John" is featured on this episode, but it's a lame story with very few laughs and almost none provided by Carver's character. I can't blame the actor; he didn't write the script (s).. In fact, the writers - who are normally terrific - really didn't do much for poor "John," who gets a "Dear John" letter in this show and then one for real after the season.

Anyways, this story involves John spotting a pretty lady sitting at a nearby table at the gang's local hangout. He's smitten with her and, before you know it, they are married in Maryland (I'm skipping a lot of the story, but it is mostly dumb anyway, and Carver comes across as flat and unbelievable.)

The ending with the two at the female's house with her parents and "Alex" has some good lines but the most fun part of the show doesn't involve any of the regulars but some guy who can down a glass of beer in about one second!

. . . but the writers on the show didn't have to give us 'The Great Line' just to prove me right. I watched this series when it was first on in the late 70s - early 80s and decided to watch it again now on. I was tempted to skip the first season since it only had Christopher Lloyd in one episode, and I remembered the character of John as being pretty bland. Boy, did this episode prove my point. Not a funny story, and very few of the few laughs provided by John, who's the focal point of this story.