Today, we look at when (or if) you folks believe that Taxi “jumped the shark.”
This is “Just Can’t Jump It,” a feature where we examine shows and whether they “jumped the shark.” Jumped the shark (coined by Jon Hein) means that the show had a specific point in time where, in retrospect, you realize that show was going downhill from there (even if, in some rare occasions, the show later course-corrected). Not every show DOES jump the shark. Some shows just remain good all the way through. And some shows are terrible all the way through. What we’re looking for are moments where a show that you otherwise enjoyed hit a point where it took a noticeable nose dive after that time and if so, what moment was that?
Taxi was an acclaimed sitcom about a cab company in New York City, both the drivers, the dispatcher and the cab company’s mechanic. It has one of the most acclaimed sitcom ensembles of its era, with Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Tony Danza, Andy Kaufman, Carol Kane, Jeff Conaway and Christopher Lloyd. It ran on ABC for four seasons, before being picked up for a fifth and final season by NBC in the 1982-83 season, paired with a new show by the main director of the series, Jim Borrows, and two of the main writers, Glen ans Les Charles,, some show about a bar in Boston.
So first…DID IT JUMP THE SHARK? I don’t think it did, no.
WHEN DID IT JUMP THE SHARK As noted, I don’t think it ever did. I think it was still putting out the same high quality episodes in its final season that it was in its first. I mean, like anything, the longer it was on, the stranger some of the relationships became (if only because certain characters seemed to be designed to be people who were only driving a cab until their next step in their life began, but because of the setup of the show, said next step never came), but it was still very, very well written and acted right to the end. It literally won Emmys for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress for its final season.
Let me know what you think in the comments or on social media!
Feel free to e-mail me at brian@poprefs.com for suggestions for shows to do in future installments!
I’m offended by you even raising the question.
Yeah, one of the great comedy series of all time. It had its ups and downs, but it was genius from beginning to end. I miss how it brilliantly mixed laughs with genuine sadness and introspection. Just so damn good.
The only character who actually moved on into the next phase of his life was Bobby (Jeff Conaway).
Even switching stations–which can lead to a drop in quality–didn’t hurt this show. Put me firmly in the “didn’t jump” category.
I agree that TAXI didn’t jump. Then again, it also is one of few classic sitcoms that called it quits by season 5, even though I am sure the ratings were good enough that it could have lingered if “CHEERS” wasn’t coming along.
As I have said before, very, very few sitcoms, even good ones, can maintain their peak beyond 5 seasons. Some don’t even stay good that long. But once season six enters, few shows are still in their primes. The fact that “THE SIMPSONS” was still at or near prime by season 10 has earned it at least twenty years of goodwill (to a fault).
“SEINFELD” was similar; rather than linger until the ratings dwindled to infomercial levels, it ended in its prime with the audience still wanting more. That is ideally when any performer should exit the stage. But it’s tough, especially for supporting actors and the crew who don’t always work steady.