"Taxi"

1978-1983
Deserving of its place in the pantheon of television's sitcoms? Well...yes. And no. Bursting with potential its first season, it had a chemistry and balance not one sitcom in two hundred comes near. A put-upon everyman, a struggling actor, an abysmal boxer, a hopeful single parent, a dippy foreign mechanic, a drug-addled ex-hippie, and an acerbic dispatcher - perhaps the most across-the-board resonant cast of characters ever. But the show treads water for a few seasons, always just a few IQ points away from brilliant, or one cojone away from bold. Then creators james burrows, glen charles, and les charles leave, and the show becomes a shadow of its former almost-glory. The addition of the wonderful carol kane can't pull them out of the doldrums, and late season appearances by ted danson, tom hanks, penny marshall, and wallace shawn are wasted....but a "best of" marathon might delight.
GREATEST EPISODES (season)
-Like Father, Like Daughter (1)
A polish and effortlessness that belie a pilot episode. As elaine joins the cab company, alex reveals he has a daughter (talia balsam - HAPPY DAYS, MAD MEN) he hasn't seen in fifteen years, who is about to leave the states for school in Portugal. The gang convinces him they should all take a cab to say farewell in Miami. The meeting at the airport is poignant and unforced.
-Blind Date (1)
Alex arranges a blind date with the sweet-voiced woman (suzanne kent - PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE, HISTORY OF THE WORLD: PART 1) on bobby's answering service. In person, she's obese and spitefully defensive. Can a sitcom make you both laugh and think deeply about an issue, perhaps subconsciously but for years to come? Yes.
-High School Reunion (1)
Louie dreads his approaching high school reunion, and wants revenge on his tormentors. Bobby convinces louie to let him go in his place, made up as a taller, more successful de palma. Louie agrees, but can't resist coming too. Jeff conaway is eye-poppingly brilliant.
-Memories of Cab 804 (1)
One of the most seamless pieces of ensemble work ever, on this show or any. The oldest company cab gets wrecked (by outgoing castmate randall carver, fittingly), and all the others tell their cab 804 stories. Guest starring tom selleck and mandy patinkin. Pinch me.
-Louie and the Nice Girl (2)
The vending machine woman (rhea perlman - CHEERS, KIRSTIE) falls for louie. He brags about all the sex they're having...except they're not. Wonderful chemistry. Brilliant and touching.
-Fantasy Borough, pt. 2 (2)
Sparked by an herve villachaize appearance in the middling pt. 1, the crew share their fantasies. You'll be smiling and chuckling non-stop, as louie dreams of being the only rich person in the world (and firing lassie), elaine & co. perform "The Lullaby of Broadway", and even alex's romantic fantasies go very wrong. Guest starring a sizzling priscilla barnes (THREE'S COMPANY, MALLRATS).
-Tony's Sister and Jim (3)
Jim romances tony's sister (julie kavner - RHODA, THE SIMPSONS). Tony is appalled. It sounds groaningly cliched - and it is. Yet the comedic talents of lloyd, kavner, and yes danza, make this one a non-stop laugher.
-On the Job, pt. 2 (3)
The Sunshine Cab Co. goes out of business. Again part 1 is middling, but 2 sparkles. Bobby works children's parties as a six-foot bunny, and alex is woeful as a night watchman. With a charming guest turn by al lewis (THE MUNSTERS, CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU?).
-I Wanna Be Around (4)
Louie creates an armageddon shelter, and invites elaine, jeff, and tony to be his fellow survivors. Their two-day drill survives only eleven minutes. One of the few episodes to humanize louie, and give a substantive role to j. alan thomas, the actor always behind louie in the cage (and a fine fellow to be featured, as his name has the proper syllabalization to join "marilu henner" and "danny devito" in the lyricized version of the theme music).
-The Wedding of Latka and Simka (4)
Not as funny as other greatest entries, but charming and delightful for giving perhaps the most honest, progressive wedding (if you'll pardon the contradiction in terms) in sitcom history. Its quirks are explained by its being from latka's "backward" country...but don't let that fool you. The bride is given a REALISTIC admonition of what to expect, the couple wear each other's clothes for the ceremony, and defiance of authority is the test they must pass to be wed. Plus a lil' Dr. joyce brothers.