Huh?!? 'Taxi' Was A DEPRESSING Sicom??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-18-2010, 04:14 PM

MTM floundered after the mid-’70s as Paramount Television Studios swooped in to hire many of its best writers, including Brooks, promising them creative freedom if they’d just create a show the network could sell to ABC. Moore veterans Brooks, David Davis, Ed. Weinberger, and Stan Daniels wanted to create a “guys’ show.” What they came up with was Taxi, one of the funniest sitcoms of the ’70s, but also its most depressing. Set at a garage full of people who want to be anything but taxi drivers, Taxi boasted a stellar ensemble that included Danny DeVito, Andy Kaufman, and Christopher Lloyd). Its gritty New York setting was surprisingly accurate for a network sitcom, and its grim mood challenged audiences, leading to the show being canceled twice. It’s the first great American sitcom about giving up on the American dream.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/70s-sitcoms,45254/

catlover79 · 09-18-2010, 07:50 PM

Huh??? Did they never see Judd Hirsch dancing on top of the bar to "Do the Boogaloo"? They never saw Reverend Jim taking his driver's test??

Marvo301 · 09-18-2010, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Huh??? Did they never see Judd Hirsch dancing on top of the bar to "Do the Boogaloo"? They never saw Reverend Jim taking his driver's test??

Whaaaaat dooeeeees aaaaaa yeeellooooow liiiiiight meeeeaaaan? There's nothing depressing about that! It's just pure hilarity!!

Adamantium · 09-18-2010, 09:13 PM

There's no denying that "Taxi" was a very funny show but it could be depressing at times. It wasn't always a happy show. Many episodes had either average or sad endings. The music for the show kind of set the mood as well.

Look at Alex Reiger. His life, besides his friends, sucks. He's a lonely guy who can't seem to find the right woman. He fell in love and proposed, but she rejected him and moved away. He's at a dead-end job that he'll have until he retires or dies.

Jim, although a very funny and nice character, who's probably very content with his life is a former druggie, who lives in an abandoned apartment building and never fits in.

Louie had the love of his life leave him and then get married. His mother got married and left him. Because of his behavior, he has no real friends and is also a lonely guy.

Bobby was a struggling actor. Even when he left the show, they couldn't write him off getting a TV show. He was fired after the pilot was sold and decided to move to LA anyways.

Tony is now basically stuck with a woman he's not in love with because he got her pregnant. Of course Tony's career is a bust. And just when Tony adopts Brian, the little kid gets murdered by a gang down the street. That's from a lost episode, of course.

Latka came to America and ends up a mechanic, who's always being bossed around by Louie. Latka's life at least has an up side, when he marries Simka. But before that, in her first episode, it was a sad break-up for them.

steevo · 09-21-2010, 11:31 AM

At times, "Taxi" also was able to combine the comedy with the sadness. There was the episode where Jim stays with Louie and burns the place down. Louie was upset with Jim to the point of never wanting to speak to him again. All of a sudden, it changes in a funny scene where Louie tries to take Jim for a lot of money from Jim's inheritance when he offers to help buy him a new apartment.

catlover79 · 03-12-2011, 08:52 PM

Ironic that the name of the characters' place of employment was the Sunshine Cab Company!!!

ekkostar · 03-12-2011, 09:23 PM

That's what made the show great, though. Did it have to be 100% hilarious all the time? The best comedies have a balance of both.

biffbronson · 03-14-2011, 07:37 AM

I agree with what ekkostar just wrote.

Some of the heavier or depressing aspects:

- The overweight woman who is very depressed regarding her life and dating prospects

- Finding out that Reverend Jim had a Harvard background but more or less threw away his future, though it was brilliantly handled with a lot of funny moments

- The death of Jim's father, who leaves him a cassette tape -- very sad when he plays it

ajgenard · 07-24-2011, 12:17 PM

Never really thought about it before but yeah I'd have to agree that Taxi is depressing. Virtually all the characters are lost souls who fall short of their life goals. The main set is a dirty garage in an old run-down, often infested building. A lot of the episodes have strange or sad endings. It's working class reality. All good humor has soom root in reality.

catlover79 · 07-24-2011, 07:42 PM

^

JerseyBounce · 07-26-2011, 01:15 PM

Just why is it that characters in an American sitcom have to be happy happy people, and that Life is a dance around the Maypole?

09-18-2010, 04:14 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: 63,107	Huh?!? 'Taxi' Was A DEPRESSING Sicom??? MTM floundered after the mid-’70s as Paramount Television Studios swooped in to hire many of its best writers, including Brooks, promising them creative freedom if they’d just create a show the network could sell to ABC. Moore veterans Brooks, David Davis, Ed. Weinberger, and Stan Daniels wanted to create a “guys’ show.” What they came up with was Taxi, one of the funniest sitcoms of the ’70s, but also its most depressing. Set at a garage full of people who want to be anything but taxi drivers, Taxi boasted a stellar ensemble that included Danny DeVito, Andy Kaufman, and Christopher Lloyd). Its gritty New York setting was surprisingly accurate for a network sitcom, and its grim mood challenged audiences, leading to the show being canceled twice. It’s the first great American sitcom about giving up on the American dream. http://www.avclub.com/articles/70s-sitcoms,45254/ 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*

09-18-2010, 07:50 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Huh??? Did they never see Judd Hirsch dancing on top of the bar to "Do the Boogaloo"? They never saw Reverend Jim taking his driver's test??
	__________________ "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

09-21-2010, 11:31 AM	#5
steevo It is Green Senior Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,474	At times, "Taxi" also was able to combine the comedy with the sadness. There was the episode where Jim stays with Louie and burns the place down. Louie was upset with Jim to the point of never wanting to speak to him again. All of a sudden, it changes in a funny scene where Louie tries to take Jim for a lot of money from Jim's inheritance when he offers to help buy him a new apartment.
	__________________ "God be gracious to us and bless us..." Psalm 67:1

03-12-2011, 08:52 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Ironic that the name of the characters' place of employment was the Sunshine Cab Company!!! Attached Images

03-12-2011, 09:23 PM	#7
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	That's what made the show great, though. Did it have to be 100% hilarious all the time? The best comedies have a balance of both.
	__________________ "All my sitcoms had an audience, with four or five cameras, so working this way has always been appealing to me." - John Larroquette A living legend, five Emmys and a Tony award! Your favorites could never...

09-18-2010, 09:13 PM	#4
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,825	There's no denying that "Taxi" was a very funny show but it could be depressing at times. It wasn't always a happy show. Many episodes had either average or sad endings. The music for the show kind of set the mood as well. Look at Alex Reiger. His life, besides his friends, sucks. He's a lonely guy who can't seem to find the right woman. He fell in love and proposed, but she rejected him and moved away. He's at a dead-end job that he'll have until he retires or dies. Jim, although a very funny and nice character, who's probably very content with his life is a former druggie, who lives in an abandoned apartment building and never fits in. Louie had the love of his life leave him and then get married. His mother got married and left him. Because of his behavior, he has no real friends and is also a lonely guy. Bobby was a struggling actor. Even when he left the show, they couldn't write him off getting a TV show. He was fired after the pilot was sold and decided to move to LA anyways. Tony is now basically stuck with a woman he's not in love with because he got her pregnant. Of course Tony's career is a bust. And just when Tony adopts Brian, the little kid gets murdered by a gang down the street. That's from a lost episode, of course. Latka came to America and ends up a mechanic, who's always being bossed around by Louie. Latka's life at least has an up side, when he marries Simka. But before that, in her first episode, it was a sad break-up for them.

03-14-2011, 07:37 AM	#8
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,409	I agree with what ekkostar just wrote. Some of the heavier or depressing aspects: - The overweight woman who is very depressed regarding her life and dating prospects - Finding out that Reverend Jim had a Harvard background but more or less threw away his future, though it was brilliantly handled with a lot of funny moments - The death of Jim's father, who leaves him a cassette tape -- very sad when he plays it
	__________________ In memory of lovely Erin Moran 1960-2017 ~ Missing you "For you are beautiful ~ And I have loved you dearly ~ More dearly than the spoken word can tell..." "What's the word?" (Paul Martin) ~~ "I don't want money for nothing." (Timmy Martin) -- Lassie ROCKS! WORD UP "It's just a dugout that my dad built... In case the reds* decide to push the button down..."*

07-24-2011, 12:17 PM	#9
ajgenard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2011 Location: PA Posts: 369	Never really thought about it before but yeah I'd have to agree that Taxi is depressing. Virtually all the characters are lost souls who fall short of their life goals. The main set is a dirty garage in an old run-down, often infested building. A lot of the episodes have strange or sad endings. It's working class reality. All good humor has soom root in reality.

07-24-2011, 07:42 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	^

07-26-2011, 01:15 PM	#11
JerseyBounce Loyal Order of Raccoons Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 25, 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 14	Just why is it that characters in an American sitcom have to be happy happy people, and that Life is a dance around the Maypole?
	__________________ You can lead a horse to water, but you can't look him in the mouth...