Who could ever forget one of the best T.V. shows of all times. Taxi was a sitcom that dealt with the crew of a New York City taxicab company that go about there job while they dream of greater things in life. The show ran from 1978 until 1983. It was one of the best comedy series ever produced for television. The show was produced by the John Charles Walters Company and funded by Paramount.
Taxi Judd Hirsch's Alex Reiger was a main character, but his importance seemed secondary to the centrality of the ensemble and the Sunshine Cab Company itself. He was the one that everyone turned to for advice. The shows success was due to its excellent writing and award-winning directing using his innovative four-camera technique, and its largely unknown but talented cast Danny DeVito's Louie DePalma soon became one of the most despised men on T.V.,possibly the most unredeemable and worthless louse of a character ever to reside on the small screen. Nothing seems beneath him. He lives with his mother and TV guide ranked De Palma first on the list of the 50 greatest TV characters of all time.
Taxi Judd Hirsch's Alex Reiger was a main character, but his importance seemed secondary to the centrality of the ensemble and the Sunshine Cab Company itself. He was the one that everyone turned to for advice. The shows success was due to its excellent writing and award-winning directing using his innovative four-camera technique, and its largely unknown but talented cast Danny DeVito's Louie DePalma soon became one of the most despised men on T.V.,possibly the most unredeemable and worthless louse of a character ever to reside on the small screen. Nothing seems beneath him. He lives with his mother and TV guide ranked De Palma first on the list of the 50 greatest TV characters of all time.
The show launched successful careers for for Danny DeVito and Christopher Lloyd who played Reverand Jim Ignatowski, the zany and unpredictable 60's burned out character. He was once a hard-working, serious student at Harvard University, but one bite of a drug laden brownie was enough to get him hooked and send him into a downward spiral. He occasionally exhibits unexpected talents, such as the time he and Elaine were at a party and Jim sits down and plays the piano masterfully. As he stands up after his recital, and with the perplexed look on his face, he turns to Elaine and states "I must have taken music lesions someplace" The man is definitely in his own world and that's what makes his character so lovable.TV Guide placed the character of Ignatowski 32nd on its list of the 50 greatest TV characters of all times.
It also helped the careers of Tony Danza who played Tony Banta and Marilu Henneras the sexy Elaine O'Connor-Nardo. One character, Andy Kaufman who played Latka Graves died of cancer in 1984. Another character Bobby Wheeler, the conceited actor, played by Jeff Conway, has appeared in various shows throughout the years. He has had some problems with drug addition and we all wish him the best of luck in his personal and professional life.
Taxi is one of the most lauded television shows in American history. During its run, the sitcom was nominated for 31 Emmy Awards and won 18, including three for Outstanding Comedy Series. It was also nominated for 25 Golden Globes, with four wins (three for best TV Series -Musical/Comedy). In 1979, it received the Humanities Prize in the 30 minute category. Despite winning fourteen Emmy Awards in only five seasons on TV, the program's ratings were rock-bottom for its final seasons. It thrives in syndication and is still well loved by many viewers and I personally think that Taxi was one of the best sitcoms ever produced.
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