Taxi

Taxi is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1978 to 1982 and on NBC for its fifth and final season in 1982 to 1983. Created by James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, David Davis, and Ed. Weinberger, the series is set almost entirely within the dingy Manhattan garage of the fictional Sunshine Cab Company. It follows a group of New York City taxi drivers, most of whom view driving a cab as a temporary job on the way to other dreams, even as the years pass and those dreams stay out of reach.

At the center of the ensemble is Alex Reiger, a steady and decent career cabbie who serves as the moral anchor and reluctant confidant for the rest of the garage. Around him orbit aspiring actor Bobby Wheeler, single mother and art-dealer hopeful Elaine Nardo, would-be boxer Tony Banta, sweet-natured immigrant mechanic Latka Gravas, and the aging hippie Reverend Jim Ignatowski. Lording over them all from his metal dispatcher cage is Louie De Palma, a vindictive, money-grubbing tyrant who became one of television's most memorable comic villains.

Praised for its sharp writing and its blend of broad comedy with moments of genuine pathos, Taxi won 18 Emmy Awards across its run, including three consecutive wins for Outstanding Comedy Series. The show launched or elevated the careers of much of its cast, including Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Andy Kaufman, Tony Danza, Marilu Henner, and Christopher Lloyd. Its cancellation by ABC, followed by a brief revival on NBC, became an early high-profile example of fan and industry campaigns to save an acclaimed but ratings-challenged series.