Were There Any Characters Who Were Strong Enough For Their Own 'Taxi' Spinoff??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-12-2011, 12:32 AM

Of all the characters who starred on Taxi, were there any who could've had a spinoff? OR Were they simply better as part of an ensemble?

Marvo301 · 05-12-2011, 12:51 AM

Most of the characters on Taxi worked best as part of an ensemble. The one character I could see possibly working in a spinoff is Elaine.

Dr. Thong · 05-12-2011, 01:22 PM

I think the ensemble nature of the show was the dynamic that made it work. Frankly, I can't see any one character anchoring a show built around them.

But then again, many of the same creative people who worked on Taxi later worked on Cheers and many people thought that a spinoff based around the Frasier Crane character wouldn't fly, so who knows...?

The Flying Dutchmans · 05-12-2011, 01:22 PM

If any character would have made good in his own spinoff, I think it would have been the character, Louie, but Danny Devito went on to become a big star instead. Of course Judd (Alex) was the star of Taxi already.

Dr. Thong · 05-12-2011, 01:24 PM

I suppose an Alex spinoff might have worked, as Judd played the lead character and anchor of Taxi. But that was such a great ensemble, it's hard to see any one of those characters out of that context.

catlover79 · 05-19-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I think the ensemble nature of the show was the dynamic that made it work. Frankly, I can't see any one character anchoring a show built around them.

But then again, many of the same creative people who worked on Taxi later worked on Cheers and many people thought that a spinoff based around the Frasier Crane character wouldn't fly, so who knows...?

Adamantium · 05-19-2011, 10:30 PM

They each had their own little "pilots" from time to time. By that I mean the episodes where the cabbies tell stories about their lives or fantasies. In those scenes, we see the characters in a new environment. Of those, I could see Elaine with her own spin-off. Louie is funny but he might be a bit too much for a starring role. Tony might be okay if the supporting cast was good but I would bet that a Tony Banta spin-off would fail.

Of course Jim and Latka were mearly supporting characters and couldn't carry a show on their own.

I could see Bobby Wheeler as the main character in a spin-off following him to Hollywood.

Retro4Life · 05-19-2011, 11:05 PM

I agree with the ensemble theory. Lots of great characters but I don't see anyone being really able to strike out on their own. Like Dr. Thong said, though, given the right creative team one never knows. I never thought Frasier would be as good as it was (in the first few seasons, anyway), nor did I think it would last that long.

Dr. Thong · 05-21-2011, 12:35 AM

Joey from Friends is a prime example of a character who really needed to be part of a group in order to work. It just didn't work as a spinoff, but at least NBC gave it two seasons instead of two weeks to find an audience.

catlover79 · 05-21-2011, 05:36 AM

05-12-2011, 12:32 AM	#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	Were There Any Characters Who Were Strong Enough For Their Own 'Taxi' Spinoff??? Of all the characters who starred on Taxi, were there any who could've had a spinoff? OR Were they simply better as part of an ensemble?
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-12-2011, 12:51 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Most of the characters on Taxi worked best as part of an ensemble. The one character I could see possibly working in a spinoff is Elaine.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-12-2011, 01:22 PM	#3
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I think the ensemble nature of the show was the dynamic that made it work. Frankly, I can't see any one character anchoring a show built around them. But then again, many of the same creative people who worked on Taxi later worked on Cheers and many people thought that a spinoff based around the Frasier Crane character wouldn't fly, so who knows...?
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

05-12-2011, 01:22 PM	#4
The Flying Dutchmans Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 30, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,017	If any character would have made good in his own spinoff, I think it would have been the character, Louie, but Danny Devito went on to become a big star instead. Of course Judd (Alex) was the star of Taxi already.
	__________________ A strange red light as of a phantom ship all aglow, in the midst of which light the mast, spars and sails of a brig 200 yards distant stood out in strong relief." The Flying Dutchman

05-19-2011, 11:05 PM	#8
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I agree with the ensemble theory. Lots of great characters but I don't see anyone being really able to strike out on their own. Like Dr. Thong said, though, given the right creative team one never knows. I never thought Frasier would be as good as it was (in the first few seasons, anyway), nor did I think it would last that long.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

05-12-2011, 01:24 PM	#5
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I suppose an Alex spinoff might have worked, as Judd played the lead character and anchor of Taxi. But that was such a great ensemble, it's hard to see any one of those characters out of that context.

05-19-2011, 10:30 PM	#7
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,825	They each had their own little "pilots" from time to time. By that I mean the episodes where the cabbies tell stories about their lives or fantasies. In those scenes, we see the characters in a new environment. Of those, I could see Elaine with her own spin-off. Louie is funny but he might be a bit too much for a starring role. Tony might be okay if the supporting cast was good but I would bet that a Tony Banta spin-off would fail. Of course Jim and Latka were mearly supporting characters and couldn't carry a show on their own. I could see Bobby Wheeler as the main character in a spin-off following him to Hollywood.

05-21-2011, 12:35 AM	#9
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Joey from Friends is a prime example of a character who really needed to be part of a group in order to work. It just didn't work as a spinoff, but at least NBC gave it two seasons instead of two weeks to find an audience.

05-21-2011, 05:36 AM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376