Taxi - The Complete Second Season

Rating:
Summary: The Reverend has landed!
Review: All right, the man has arrived! While the first season of TAXI made for some pretty funny viewin', the second season was even MORE of a howler thanks to the addition of "Reverend Jim" as a regular! Sure, Andy Kaufman's antics might have made headlines, but it was Christopher Lloyd's portrayal of one of the greatest characters in American sit-com history that made TAXI worth watching! His odd behavior, less-than-lucid statements, and just plain spaced-outness made me a fan of the show when it was endlessly rerun on Nick at Nite a decade ago. From his triumphant return in "Reverend Jim: A Space Odyssey" to becoming a fixture by the second half of the second season, I just couldn't get enough of the guy!

But here's the weird thing: when I was but a wee `Norch, and TAXI was airing on network in prime time, "Iggy" scared the commode-cloggers outta me. I saw him as (I swear I'm not making this up) some sorta boob-tube boogeyman. I was afraid he'd bust outta the cathode screen to grab me while I was watchin' Sesame Street, and then... well, and then he'd probably introduce me to the wonders of illicit substances or something, I dunno. Maybe show me how a flux capacitor works? Anyhoo, it probably doesn't need to be said that I led a pretty sheltered existence at age six...

But the Rev wasn't always a load of laughs; some times he could also be quite touching. His efforts to pick up the spirits of a friend in "Elaine's Secret Admirer" almost had me at a tear. Then there was his eulogy to Gary at the end of "Jim Gets a Pet", which was a wonderful mix of oddball laughs and poignant somberness.

This season's also notable for Louie tryin' to get the first, er, normal romantic relationship he's ever had going with the vending-machine lady (played by Danny DeVito's real-life wife Rhea Perlman), as well as his memorable "goodnight kiss" with Elaine. Then there's Tony Danza's young son playing different characters in two consecutive eppies. And who could forget Latka almost going back to the old country to lead a revolution, or finding & losing a potential nik-nik interest with a fellow countryman... er, woman? Man, what a ride TAXI's second year was...

Sadly, while this batch of episodes started off strong, the "Fantasy Borough" two-parter that concluded this run was kinda weak. Not quite "jump-the-shark" weak, but definitely touchin' the shoreline. Even guest shots by Herve Villechaize and Lassie couldn't lift this pair of eppies outta the doldrums of mediocrity. On the upside, it was nice to see Latka fantasizing about turnin' the tables on the ever-abusive Louie. And Alex's bizarre attempt at a romantic fantasy had a reasonably funny conclusion. Sadly, Reverend Jim's little dreamy-dream was kinda... well, ordinary. Well actually it wasn't all that ordinary, but for a guy like Jim it was bordering on the downright mundane.

But even though the second season ended with a whimper, I can hardly wait to get my hands on the third season set. In the meantime, I'm gonna go help my friend with his driver exam. I sure hope he doesn't ask me what a yellow light means...

`Late

Rating:
Summary: Best TV Show Ever
Review: Enough said. This one is basically the best TV comedy show ever done. Danny de Vito, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd and Andy Kaufman in one single show!

The second season and the third one are my favorites. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Taxi: Complete Second Season
Review: One of the funniest series ever on TV. Danny DeVito, Andy Kaufmann, Judd Hirsch, Tony Danza, Marilu Henner and Christopher Lloyd, some of the funniest people ever. It is my pleasure to write a review for this TV series. This season has Louie not knowing what to do when he dates a "nice girl", Christopher Lloyd (Reverend Jim) starting as a regular cast member in the third episode, and Rhea Perlman, Herve Villechaize and Eric Severeid as guest stars. Marc Anthony Danza, who plays a sick child, is Tony Danza's real-life son.

01 Louie and the Nice Girl gs: Rhea Perlman: Zena, the woman who refills the vending machines has a crush on Louie.
02 Honor Thy Father: Alex visits his estranged father in the hospital.
03 Reverend Jim: a Space Odyssey: The cabbies help Reverand Jim get a job as a cabbie.
04 Nardo Loses Her Marbles: After Elaine loses it at an art gallery reception, she comes on to Alex.
05 Wherefore Art Thou, Bobby?: Bobby helps a new young actor, who gets a job his 2nd day in New York.
06 The Lighter Side of Angela Matusa: Alex's overweight date from Season 1 has lost 100 pounds.
07 A Woman Between Friends: Tony and Bobby are dating the same woman and they ask her to choose between them.
08 The Great Race: After Louie brags about what a great cabbie he was, he and Louie have a contest to see who can book more fares.
09 The Apartment gs: Dick Butkus: Latka rents a fabulous penthouse, after misunderstanding what it will cost him.
10 Alex's Romance: Alex falls in love with an actress friend of Bobby's, who then gets a job in Los Angeles.
11 Latka's Revolting: Latka finds out that he has become a general in his country's army, and he is called home to fight in the revolution.
12 Elaine's Secret Admirer: Elaine receives love poems from a secret admirer.
13 Louie Meets the Folks gs: Rhea Perlman: Louie is worried about meeting Zena's father, a minister.
14 Jim Gets a Pet: Jim starts gambling and buys a horse with his winnings.
15 The Reluctant Fighter: gs: Marc Anthony Danza: When Tony is to fight a former champ, he finds out that a sick child, Brian, idolizes the champ.
16 Tony and Brian gs: Marc Anthony Danza: Brian is better, and Tony wants to adopt the orphaned boy.
17 Guess Who's Coming for Brefnish: Latka dates a woman from his own country, until he finds out her lower class background.
18 What Price Bobby? When Bobby's fare is a theatrical agent, he takes the opportunity to tell her what a good actor he is.
19 Shut It Down (1) Tony's cab's brakes fail and Elaine, the shop steward, goes to Louie.
20 Shut It Down (2) Elaine has to go out on a date with Louie as part of the strike settlement.
21 Alex Jumps out of an Airplane: Alex becomes an adrenaline junkie.
22 Art Work: Elaine encourages the gang to bid in an auction on the work of a terminally ill artist.
23 Fantasy Borough (1) gs: Herve Villechaize, Eric Sevareid: When Herve Villachaize (from Fantasy Island) rides in Tony's cab, the gang discusses their fantasies.
24 Fantasy Borough (2) Continuation of the gang discussing their fantasies.

Rating:
Summary: Whaaat dooees aaaa yelloooow liiiiiight meeeeaan???
Review: Taxi's second season was one of it's best seasons, but if you were to buy it just for the episode where Reverend Jim takes his driver's license test - it would totally be worth the price!

That is, without a doubt, one of the funniest scenes ever in the history of television.

Rating:
Summary: The Sunshine Cab Co. still at your service!
Review: The second season of TAXI is not much different from the first. The original cast is still here. Dispatcher Louie DiPalma(Danny DeVito) is still his bitchy and grouchy self. Sexy Elaine Nardo(Marilu Henner) is still catching the eyes of girl-hungry guys. She's still driving just like Alex Rieger(Judd Hirsch),Bobby Wheeler(Jeff Conaway),Tony Banta(Tony Danza) and Latkas Gratvas(the late Andy Kaufman).