I Just Learned That Jeff Conaway Didn't Leave Because of A Movie Career.... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-24-2010, 07:42 PM

I always thought Jeff Conaway (Bobby Wheeler) left 'Taxi' to pursue a film career. Either that or his addiction to drugs and neither were the case. In actuality, he wanted to stay on the show, but had a falling out with the writers because he felt they turned his Bobby Wheeler character into a "Dumb Blonde."

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...+conaway&hl=en

catlover79 · 08-24-2010, 11:44 PM

Bobby Wheeler was indeed the dumb blond, but to be fair Tony Banta was the dumb brunette.

Brian Damage · 08-25-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Bobby Wheeler was indeed the dumb blond, but to be fair Tony Banta was the dumb brunette.

Well, at least in the case of Tony Banta, there was an excuse, he was Punch drunk from losing so many boxing matches. LOL

In the case of Bobby Wheeler, I have to respectfully disagree. I really didn't find the character dumb at all. Maybe its just me.

catlover79 · 08-25-2010, 06:05 PM

Re: Tony - very true.

About Bobby, actually he was more vain than dumb, but I think you get my point.

Marvo301 · 08-25-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Re: Tony - very true.

About Bobby, actually he was more vain than dumb, but I think you get my point.

Let's face it. There's a pretty thin line between stupidity and vanity.

Mr. Television · 08-25-2010, 08:27 PM

I think he was wrong to leave regardless. All the rest of the cast had long careers and it started with this show. Andy Kaufman who was the biggest star on the show at the time probably would have too if he hadn't died. Sometimes it's best just to stick with it. Tony Danza played a dumb character and a year after the show ended came back with WTB. That show was even more popular than Taxi and he wasn't a dumb jock in there either. lol

catlover79 · 08-25-2010, 10:14 PM

Even Jeff Conaway did have another hit show when he was on Babylon 5. It's just that his addictions ruined his career. It's so sad to look at him now.

Marvo301 · 08-25-2010, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Even Jeff Conaway did have another hit show when he was on Babylon 5. It's just that his addictions ruined his career. It's so sad to look at him now.

I know. I was just watching Grease yesterday on AMC and every time Kinicki came on the screen and I couldn't help but think of how downhill Jeff's health (and life) have gone since then.

Latka Gravas · 05-05-2019, 02:26 AM

It's interesting that I started watching both Babylon 5 & Taxi for the first time in 2018. And, I don't know of much else that JC was in other than these two series. He definitely didn't go on to become huge in a myriad of TV series and/or movies. And, though I am a big B5 fan (though I saw the show long after it's release) I don't think it was extremely popular when it was out.

I do definitely think he should have stayed on Taxi throughout all five seasons, though circumstances may have made this impossible. One of my favorite episodes featuring the character was when he was trying to convince the gang how good of an actor he was, and genuinely acted like he was upset with them, which was very convincing. And, then it was revealed that it was all "an act" - LOL.

cbikle · 05-14-2019, 02:03 PM

At first, Bobby was kind of dumb, but when Tony Danza became a bigger part of the show, Bobby's character was written as very actor-y and kindof "1970's NY era sophisticated" to differentiate him.

Also, whereas most shows are lucky to have one "Urkel", Taxi eventually had 3 breakout characters (Louie, Latka & Reverend Jim), so it's hard to say how much more would be done with Conaway's character.

I have a feeling that Bobby would have been used as a "bridge" into storylines involving NYC plays, TV shows & commercials, but only in a superficial role.

However, if Judd Hirsch had left the show, it's possible that Conaway and/or Marilu Henner would have become promoted to the show's lead character (straight man).

DEH55 · 05-24-2020, 05:45 PM

Recently I read that Jeff left the show because of drug problems. Apparently he was found passed out on set and that was it. I guess that was kept quiet back then. Whatever the reason Jeff seemed bitter about his taxi days. That they kept him from going out to do movies etc. He complained that Danny DeVito never hired him for anything when he was out of work. Who knows.

cbikle · 05-25-2020, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEH55

He complained that Danny DeVito never hired him for anything when he was out of work. Who knows.

That's rough and I can relate to that situation where someone you know is in a position of authority and minimal help from them could be life-changing for you (in a good way) and, for whatever reason, they don't.

Of course, Devito might've been hesitant to try and pull someone out of quicksand that might wind up pulling him in.

08-24-2010, 07:42 PM	#1
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: 63,108	I Just Learned That Jeff Conaway Didn't Leave Because of A Movie Career.... I always thought Jeff Conaway (Bobby Wheeler) left 'Taxi' to pursue a film career. Either that or his addiction to drugs and neither were the case. In actuality, he wanted to stay on the show, but had a falling out with the writers because he felt they turned his Bobby Wheeler character into a "Dumb Blonde." http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...+conaway&hl=en Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

08-24-2010, 11:44 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Bobby Wheeler was indeed the dumb blond, but to be fair Tony Banta was the dumb brunette.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

08-25-2010, 08:27 PM	#6
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	I think he was wrong to leave regardless. All the rest of the cast had long careers and it started with this show. Andy Kaufman who was the biggest star on the show at the time probably would have too if he hadn't died. Sometimes it's best just to stick with it. Tony Danza played a dumb character and a year after the show ended came back with WTB. That show was even more popular than Taxi and he wasn't a dumb jock in there either. lol
	__________________ Sonny

05-05-2019, 02:26 AM	#9
Latka Gravas Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 27, 2019 Location: United States Posts: 396	It's interesting that I started watching both Babylon 5 & Taxi for the first time in 2018. And, I don't know of much else that JC was in other than these two series. He definitely didn't go on to become huge in a myriad of TV series and/or movies. And, though I am a big B5 fan (though I saw the show long after it's release) I don't think it was extremely popular when it was out. I do definitely think he should have stayed on Taxi throughout all five seasons, though circumstances may have made this impossible. One of my favorite episodes featuring the character was when he was trying to convince the gang how good of an actor he was, and genuinely acted like he was upset with them, which was very convincing. And, then it was revealed that it was all "an act" - LOL.
	Last edited by Latka Gravas; 05-06-2019 at 01:26 PM.

08-25-2010, 06:05 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Re: Tony - very true. About Bobby, actually he was more vain than dumb, but I think you get my point.

08-25-2010, 10:14 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Even Jeff Conaway did have another hit show when he was on Babylon 5. It's just that his addictions ruined his career. It's so sad to look at him now.

05-14-2019, 02:03 PM	#10
cbikle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 15, 2019 Posts: 113	At first, Bobby was kind of dumb, but when Tony Danza became a bigger part of the show, Bobby's character was written as very actor-y and kindof "1970's NY era sophisticated" to differentiate him. Also, whereas most shows are lucky to have one "Urkel", Taxi eventually had 3 breakout characters (Louie, Latka & Reverend Jim), so it's hard to say how much more would be done with Conaway's character. I have a feeling that Bobby would have been used as a "bridge" into storylines involving NYC plays, TV shows & commercials, but only in a superficial role. However, if Judd Hirsch had left the show, it's possible that Conaway and/or Marilu Henner would have become promoted to the show's lead character (straight man).

05-24-2020, 05:45 PM	#11
DEH55 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 19, 2020 Posts: 319	Recently I read that Jeff left the show because of drug problems. Apparently he was found passed out on set and that was it. I guess that was kept quiet back then. Whatever the reason Jeff seemed bitter about his taxi days. That they kept him from going out to do movies etc. He complained that Danny DeVito never hired him for anything when he was out of work. Who knows.