Sketch o’the Week: Taxi!

Many of the most popular sitcoms in the 1970’s seemed to be dominated by large, ensemble casts in shows that were set in one room or environment. Our last few “Sketch o’the Week” caricatures were good examples of that trend. This week’s is another.

“Taxi” is found on almost any list of the best sitcoms ever, and given it won 18 Emmys over its five season run that’s hardly unexpected. Its cast featured the early work of actors who would go on to become household names like Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, Andy Kaufman, Christopher Lloyd, Carol Kane, Marilu Henner and Judd Hirsch. Jeff Conaway was already a pretty well known actor from his co-starring role in the movie “Grease”. Featured in our sketch are (Top Row): Christopher Lloyd, Marilu Henner, Tony Danza, Jeff Conaway (Bottom row): Danny Devito, Andy Kaufman, Judd Hirsch.

I loved this show when it ran and in reruns, especially the character “Reverend” Jim Ignatowski memorably played by Christopher Lloyd. One episode that I still remember 40 plus years later had a scene where Henner’s character Elaine and Rev. Jim are invited to a swanky black tie party by an art patron Eliane is trying to impress. Worried that Jim’s bizarre behavior will embarrass her, Eliane is mortified when, after the pianist the host had booked does not show up, Jim volunteers to play to entertain the attendees. Jim starts by tentatively playing “Mary had a Little Lamb” and keeps hitting the wrong notes. After a few attempts, he says “The hell with it!” and launches into a masterful concerto. That made me laugh so hard I still remember that scene today.