Stuff I Learned About Taxi - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 10-30-2004, 11:57 PM

I've been going to websites learning Taxi stuff. Here's some stuff I learned. Maybe you'll find it interesting.

-Jeffery Tambor was the producer's original choice to play Alex Rieger. I'm not sure, however why it didn't work out. Although I'm glad.

-Mandy Patinkin (the nervous father-to-be in "Memories of Cab 804 (Part 2)") was the producer's original choice to play struggling actor Bobby Wheeler. He turned the job down however, deciding to stay in Manhattan.

-Andy Kaufman was appearing at The Comedy Store when the producers were in the audience. They liked him and asked him to join the show. Andy didn't like the idea of giving his "Foreign Man" character to them, but did it anyways needing money.

-Christopher Lloyd was supposed to be a one episode character. That of course being "Paper Marriage." After the episode was filmed, the producers got together and agreed to make him a regular.

-Randall Carver was fired from the show at the end of season 1. They were getting ready to bring in Reverend Jim as a regular and decided they had too many characters. John Burns was the character they decided to write off the show.

-Carol Kane approached Jim Brooks asking if she should do television. He answered her by giving her a guest spot in the second season episode "Guess Who's Coming for Brefnish." The episode got so much positive response, that she returned for two guest spots in season 4 and joined the cast in season 5.

-It was Ted Danson's guest spot in 1982 that James Burrows approached him about auditioning for Sam Malone on "Cheers."

Brian Damage · 10-31-2004, 12:12 PM

Cool info

TJL · 10-31-2004, 12:59 PM

I agree. Very intersting bits of trivia.

Last night channel 11 showed the Taxi ep where Jeffery Tambor guest starred. I don't think he would have been a good Alex, but he's still one of the best comedic actors on TV today.

vashti1999 · 10-31-2004, 09:34 PM

Watching the season one set also sparked my interest in finding out some more info on the show. I hadn't known it was the Best Comedy Emmy winner its first year out, that's pretty good. As much as I loved Robert Guilliame on Soap, Danny Devito was great that season. It would've been nice to see him get that supporting actor award.

Adamantium · 10-31-2004, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vashti1999
Watching the season one set also sparked my interest in finding out some more info on the show. I hadn't known it was the Best Comedy Emmy winner its first year out, that's pretty good. As much as I loved Robert Guilliame on Soap, Danny Devito was great that season. It would've been nice to see him get that supporting actor award.

I was surprised to learn that "Taxi" kept getting worse in the ratings each year. It's first season was the highest rated season. I'm one of the few who loved the John Burns character. However, I feel the show got better after he left.

1st Season - 9th Place
5th Season - 73rd Place

Something that gets me thinking. When Jeff Conaway left the show after the third season, they didn't replace him right away. Simka came in the fifth season (with only two guest spots in year 4). But even then, they never replaced Bobby in the garage. My point? I found myself not missing him that much. I mean, I liked it better when he was there. However, they did a great job replacing him with just more stories for the current cast. I wonder why they didn't just bring in a new cabbie?

10-30-2004, 11:57 PM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,824	Stuff I Learned About Taxi I've been going to websites learning Taxi stuff. Here's some stuff I learned. Maybe you'll find it interesting. -Jeffery Tambor was the producer's original choice to play Alex Rieger. I'm not sure, however why it didn't work out. Although I'm glad. -Mandy Patinkin (the nervous father-to-be in "Memories of Cab 804 (Part 2)") was the producer's original choice to play struggling actor Bobby Wheeler. He turned the job down however, deciding to stay in Manhattan. -Andy Kaufman was appearing at The Comedy Store when the producers were in the audience. They liked him and asked him to join the show. Andy didn't like the idea of giving his "Foreign Man" character to them, but did it anyways needing money. -Christopher Lloyd was supposed to be a one episode character. That of course being "Paper Marriage." After the episode was filmed, the producers got together and agreed to make him a regular. -Randall Carver was fired from the show at the end of season 1. They were getting ready to bring in Reverend Jim as a regular and decided they had too many characters. John Burns was the character they decided to write off the show. -Carol Kane approached Jim Brooks asking if she should do television. He answered her by giving her a guest spot in the second season episode "Guess Who's Coming for Brefnish." The episode got so much positive response, that she returned for two guest spots in season 4 and joined the cast in season 5. -It was Ted Danson's guest spot in 1982 that James Burrows approached him about auditioning for Sam Malone on "Cheers."

10-31-2004, 12:59 PM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	I agree. Very intersting bits of trivia. Last night channel 11 showed the Taxi ep where Jeffery Tambor guest starred. I don't think he would have been a good Alex, but he's still one of the best comedic actors on TV today.
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10-31-2004, 09:34 PM	#4
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Watching the season one set also sparked my interest in finding out some more info on the show. I hadn't known it was the Best Comedy Emmy winner its first year out, that's pretty good. As much as I loved Robert Guilliame on Soap, Danny Devito was great that season. It would've been nice to see him get that supporting actor award.
	__________________ .

10-31-2004, 12:12 PM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Cool info