Taxi: The Complete Series

Good old tv shows

Bringing back memories from my younger years

Once in a while, a TV series will catch lightning in a bottle, with an interesting premise, intelligent writing, and a stellar cast. "Taxi" was one of those series. Original writers Glen Charles and Les Charles, along with director James Burrows, went on to create "Cheers," "Wings," and "Frasier." In the TV series "Taxi," Judd Hirsch starred as Alex Rieger, the level-headed, life-long taxi driver, who everyone turned to for advice. Danny DeVito played Louie De Palma, the head dispatcher for the Sunshine Cab Company. His sleazy, mean-spirited, amoral character was one of the most memorable characters in TV sitcom history. Danny became a successful star after this series. Speaking of characters, the brilliant Andy Kaufman played Latka Gravas, an immigrant from an unnamed foreign country, who worked as a mechanic. Carol Kane played Simka, a native of Latka's country, who married Latka in season four. Christopher Lloyd played Reverend Jim Ignatowski, the burned out, spaced out taxi driver. IMHO, the season two episode, "Reverend Jim: A Space Odyssey," when Jim took an exam to become a taxi driver, was the funniest episode of the series. Christopher became a successful star after this series.Tony Danza played Tony Banta, a mediocre boxer who also drove a taxi. Tony became a successful star after this series. Jeff Conaway played Bobby Wheeler, a struggling actor who drove a taxi to earn a steady income. Unfortunately, Jeff's drug addiction lead to his leaving the series in season four. Last but not least is the beautiful Marilu Henner, who played Elaine Nardo, a divorced mother of two, who worked as a receptionist in an art gallery, in addition to driving a cab. That's an all-star cast if ever there was one, with apologies to Randall Carver, who only played taxi driver John Burns in the first season. After four seasons, ABC cancelled the series. NBC picked up the series for its fifth and final season. The fifth season is bittersweet, including the death of Jim's father, the death of Alex's dog, Alex hitting rock bottom as a gambling addict, and Louie's former girlfriend Zena Sherman (Rhea Perlman) marrying another man. Surprisingly, the very last episode is a regular episode that doesn't tie up loose ends, or wrap up the series in any way. The good news is, this box set includes all five seasons. The colors were somewhat sharp, and the audio was clear. The bad news is, other than commercials (promos) for episodes, and a couple of series promos, there are no bonus features. There are no cast commentaries, interviews, bloopers, or even animated menus. That shouldn't deter anyone from purchasing the complete series of one of the best sitcoms in television history.

One of the best comedies ever made. Modern comedies need to take a lesson from shows like Taxi. Every comedy being produced today, with very few exceptions, seem to offer nothing more than humorous stories, week after week, about the characters romantic relationships (which gets boring real quick). Taxi, as with other timeless classics, offers great characters with distinct personalities and depth beyond their sexual insecurities/desires. Dont get me wrong: Episodes about a character's love-life can be hysterically funny, but I usually demand more depth over the course of the full series of a comedy show. Taxi gives you stories about each character: family, friends, work, dreams, regrets, morality, etc... Even though some of the fashions and hairstyles are dated (obviously), the show's humor is still top shelf. As far as I can tell, the show is not poorly re-edited like some other modern releases of older comedies. The case is plastic and the discs are held in it efficiently and firmly, like pages in a book. My only complaint is that the "book" is not attached onto the "spine" of the case. Other than that, take my advice: Dont pass on this one.

Who thought a whole comedy show could be about taxi drivers. Louie de Palma is the glue that holds it together with his caustic attitude toward the taxi drivers. Of course everyone but Alex this was just a temporary job until they found the perfect career like an actor. Latka was my least favorite character! Great video quality and I am happy to relive all their funny antics!

I received the Taxi series today. Because of reviews I checked the last disc right away. There were about 5 spots on the disc where the adhesive had transferred to the disc. Since the disc was unusable as it was I tried using a risky method to remove the adhesive from the disc, and it seems to have worked. I used surface safe GOO GONE Automotive Goo and Sticker Remover, rubbing it on the disc with a few drops of water. Then I removed the Goo Gone from the disc with straight Ivory dish soap. I had to repeat the process a few times, using only my finger to spread the Goo Gone and the dish soap. When it felt like all residue had been rinsed away with water, I dried the disc and put it in my Pyle dvd player. I tried it randomly on normal play, fast forward, and skipping chapters. The disc seems to be fine from beginning to end despite a few small scratches that the disc had when it arrived. I didn't watch the whole disc on normal speed because I haven't watched the rest of the episodes yet.

I am loving revisiting this series. For the money, I'm getting a high retu rn on investment.

This series gloriously launched a number of actors whose fame we take for granted nowadays. The series is as fresh today as it was all those years ago. With over 90 episodes there are only a few that dip below the very high standard of comedy that Taxi brought us. The picture quality is not up to today's high resolution but that goes unnoticed after the very first minute. This is one of those very few video experiences that it's possible to watch over and over again. The sheer genius of Danny de Vito, of Christopher Lloyd, of the late great "Latka" and of his eccentric wife is a constant source of pleasure and amazement throughout the series. Do you get the impression that I like "Taxi" ... and the theme tune!!

四千円ほどでDVD17枚組とは素晴らしいです。日本では放送されなかった番組ですから貴重な資料でもあります。

Ah man, I absolutely love this series. I was too young to watch it when it appeared on the TV in the late 70s early 80s but I have enjoyed watching it now. Just wish we lived in an era where people actually cared about one another (except for Louis of course!). Good quality recording. ***Spoiler alert*** good to see Judd Hirsh in TBBT as Leonard's Dad

私が米国に留学した80年代後半ころ、すでに再々々放送ぐらいの古いTVコメディです。同じ場所設定でのコメディシリーズをアメリカではシットコム（シチュエーション・コメディ）と呼びますが、70年代後半から80年代前半にかけて5年間放送された有名なシリーズです。ニューヨークのタクシー会社が舞台で、運転手をする数々の人たち、成功を夢見つつ生活費を稼ぐ俳優、生活費の足しに来ている美術画廊に勤めながら子育てする美しいシングルマザー、東欧から移民してきたメカニック（ラッカーアンディ・カウフマン）、配車係のルイ（ダニー・ダビート）、ベトナム帰りでボクサー上がりのトニー（トニー・ダンザ）、みんなの頼りになるユダヤ人の相談役アレックス（ジュディ・ハーシュ）、ハーバード出身のエリート学生だったのにドラッグで人生の落伍者となったジム（クリストファー・ロイドーバック・トゥ・ザ・フューチャーでのドック役）などでのちにスターになった人ばかり。残念ながら日本で知られている俳優は多くはありませんが。TVのアカデミー賞にあたるエミー賞を何回も受賞しています。私は英語とアメリカのユーモアをこのシリーズで習得しました。

Absolutely brilliant classic, the only problem this can't be brought under £50 yet new. Now and then there is one which comes up less but very rare, however it was a classic and there is a lot entertainment and hours of laughter for the money, there is just some things money can't buy and that is a good laugh and this series certainly gives that.

Had never seen this show before ordering and discovered it to be an amazingly wonderful and witty show which still stands strong today. Had no problems with the postage and packing and all the DVD's work (with the assistance of a region 1 player of course.) What more could you ask for? Highly recommend!