Well now, what have we here? It's a Specimin of Near Perfection, copiously assembled from all obviously Imperfect Parts! (Kinda like you and me, Schultz!)

redryan64

TAKE a bunch of real, stock-type characters, tweak 'em a little to give 'em some outstanding and unique personalities. Bring them together under an artistic umbrella; which creates a natural and ongoing reason to together. The addition of a foible laden grouch of a boss with an over-active yet under nourished libido and a general hatred for mankind makes for the sort of antagonism which we know will provide plenty of great, comic situations for many a week and multiple season run.

THE ADDITION of a leading character, who somehow maintains an even keel, supplying the rest of the stock company of characters with sterling, unerring paragon of wisdom and bright shining beacon of hope, is the other ingredient which gives fine balance to a series premise and its stories. In this way, a series, no matter how seemingly far out, off the wall and ludicrous its "funny" characters may seem to be.

IN the case of TAXI (John-Charles-Walters Productions/Paramount Television/ABC/NBC, 1978-83), the line-up is peppered with a fine assortment of madly disposed tenants; each of which are walking examples of the best in sheer comic zaniness. We have Bobby (Jeff Conaway) an aspiring Actor, Elaine (Marilu Henner) a sort of underachieving Professional Woman, Tony (Tony Danza) Prizefighter, Reverend Jim (Christopher Lloyd) relic of '60's and Latka (Andy Kauffman) newly arrived immigrant auto mechanic of unknown, mythical ethnicity.

TOPPING off this menu is Louie DePalma (Danny DeVito) the cab dispatcher with zero scruples and even less socially redeeming qualities. While ruling the garage like the barn boss of a major penitentiary, Louie is equally adept at being overly obsequious and subservient to the Cab Company's owner, Mr. McKenzie; who he both worships and fears. Complicating this relationship even further is the fact that a very physical Mrs McKenzie (Eileen Brennan) has designs on Louie's bod. The whole situation is a topper to such a fine a group of stories ever seen since the hey day of THE HONEYMOONERS in 1855-56.

THE one remaining peculiarity remaining lies with Judd Hirsch's characterization of Alex Reiger. Whereas this character would normally be above all of the various temptations plaguing his co-workers; being a sort of Sheriff Andy Taylor at heart the direct opposite is truer in this case.

CABBIE Alex, you see, is every bit as human as any of his seemingly lesser peers. His lead and counterbalance to the zany happenings is a most unique characterization in the annals of Television. This is the true reason that TAXI proved to be so memorable, unique and figuratively being directly ancestral to later outstanding sitcoms as CHEERS, COACH and FRAZIER. .

score 10/10

redryan64 25 November 2008

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1980921/