Taxi: Latka imitates Tony

From the episode: Elaine's Strange Triangle
Elaine's dating a man who, unknown to her, is actually homosexual and attracted to Tony. Tony begs for Alex's help in letting the man down easy.

[@ericjohn8466]

Because of this, I'm gonna start a Taxi marathon tonight after work. I miss this kind of television.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Kaufman and Lloyd on one show...insane talent

[@flapjackid]

and Devito.

[@victorwilburn8588]

NewsRadio had a similarly strong cast, though perhaps didn't have QUITE the incandescent stars as those two.

[@airfoilengine3799]

Christopher Lloyd is a genius. Brilliant performances.

[@jeremykrause153]

A lot of guest stars would go on to star in Cheers too.

[@Tertullian1971]

Andy was great, but the whole cast was exceptional. Hirsch, DeVito, Lloyd, and Kane all won Emmy awards for the show. Danza later had his own very successful sitcom. Conaway had starred in both the stage & screen versions of Grease. With a gang like that, no wonder Taxi won the best comedy award three years in a row.

[@wnerko7484]

latka saying we race then chain up bisexuals is the total predecessor to borat

[@chazinko]

It's so politically incorrect, it's delicious!

[@tonywright8294]

Yes but funny

[@micmaliss]

Yes! Now you know where Cohen go his inspiration.

[@mortb9]

The Cheech and Chong "Hair piece" scene was WAY better.

[@michaellavery4899]

Spot on.

[@whiskyngeets]

"So am I." This deserved a better laugh.

[@garnetnard4284]

Yeah it did. Everyone missed it. Probably the best joke of the scene.

[@brentcanfield8883]

I thought the exact same thing!

[@Skizze37]

@@garnetnard4284 It was the punchline for the whole scene, what a shame.

[@HR-rt9nh]

woke ism started that day....with that audience...

[@Bolgernow]

Bingo. It was brilliant social political commentary

[@craigfazekas3923]

This episode won an Emmy, it was Taxi episode "Elaine's Strange Triangle". Taxi is one of my top 5 shows of all-time.

[@bySterling]

Tony’s got some of the best hair ever

[@Jons01]

Still. He has grown in out and it looks like. well, Tony!

[@prabhleenreen3594]

yesssssssss

[@Fakename70]

How in the hell did Danza manage to keep a straight face during that scene?

[@carolleslie517]

Fakename70 I know right?

[@alcoholya]

probably took a couple of takes.. he looks like he wanted to crack on the first impersonation.

[@robertflores477]

Was thinking the same thing!

[@DocRunaway]

Specially considering Kaufman never rehearsed with them so Danza faced this impression for the first time during the taping.

[@ClareLouise1Dx]

One of the great things about the series is watching the actors try not to laugh at each other- particularly Andy Kaufman. He was a comedic genius.

[@moegreen77]

I imagine Sasha Baron Cohen seeing this scene in his youth and the seed for Borat's homeland culture is planted.

[@edreid7872]

The final scene in the gay bar with Alex dancing with the crowd is priceless...

[@seththomas9105]

We watched this show every week when I was growing up.

[@joaquindelarosa1215]

I am in a state of shock right now. Because I have not watched taxi in decades. Been watching some clips. And when I hear that theme song again it will be too much to take. For these brief moments I feel like I have taken a time machine to 1980. The good old days! WTF happened!

[@mikedixon8830]

I was too young to understand back then. I love the writing and characters (a great show!) Monty python, the young ones, Newhart as well.

[@fin_jan]

Seeing this 40 years ago, as a kid, I was more impressed by the bisexual joke.

[@MrPedal88]

The mid 70's, polyester official on field Yankees jacket.Made by the Felco Co. Coolest Yankees jacket of all time.

[@jamesage24]

I used to have that exact jacket as a kid and wore it all the time. I went to Catholic school. One day it was like 90°, the recess bell goes off, I'm putting on my jacket to go outside and the nun yells, "JAMES, TAKE THAT JACKET OFF!"

[@jacobrichardson1952]

I wish I had that Yankees jacket

[@MrPedal88]

@@jacobrichardson1952 I've got one. I bought it in the early 80's.

[@nirmalsuki]

I don't think the human race as a collective appreciated the true genius of Andy Kaufman, and Andy's early death didn't help either. What a trailblazer in comedy. There was no other act like him at the time.

[@byronp2311]

My favorite Latka impression was that time he became Alex

[@blankpool]

You know, no ones ever seen Andy Kaufman and Krist Novoselic in the same room

[@user-ellievator]

He didn't die, he just got goofier looking.

[@toronto-policeandcityaudit1539]

Ask Chad how that feels

[@RickWolffTV]

that impersonation is more Stallone than Danza, but it's still funny

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

I think that's what makes it funny, he's actually making fun of Danza even more. Anthony Cumia does a perfect Tony Danza, btw.

[@Ducati_Dude]

Sounds like Barney Rubble...

[@JeffRyan_88keys]

Agreed! The only funny part about it is that he transitions his voice so much from the Latka voice. But yeah...more Stallone.

[@teetoys76]

Who cares ... it’s funny . Stop over analyzing.

[@ViaticalTree]

It’s not supposed to be accurate, bro. Lol

[@omnipop4936]

Danza's facial expression at 1:17, trying to figure out what tf Latka is talking about, is just perfectly played.

[@bobareeniobobareenio2935]

So sad that it was so long ago . Some of the actors are already gone !! Used to have some great shows in those days . Don’t wanna sound like an old fuddy duddy, but it’s true. All the MTM shows were aces ! GREAT! The Mary TYler Moore SHow, Lou GRant and all the rest. . OH MY how I was in love with Linda Kelsey who played Billy Newman . Taxi was so good . I could keep on going , but , well, we also have to more on and keep going . So, let’s all find the new shows we can appreciate. Well, I also wish i was that age again. Hahahah. Even some of my friends are gone and some are going ~ ~ ~. It sucks. . Really sucks . .

[@bobareeniobobareenio2935]

Saying hello to whomever gave me the thumbs up. Big smile on,thanks. Needed some positive …

[@stephencraig5938]

Another thumbs up 👍

[@davidgrahambrown3793]

One of the best tv comedies of all time, sadly neglected over here in the UK.

[@HoldenNY22]

I think it is also negelected in the U.S. I think it is interesting they never did a Reboot of the Show. But driving a Taxi in New York really isn't very Funny. A lot of Taxi Driver drive a Cab 12 to 14 hours a day, some even more. Six and for some some people 7 days a week.

[@spenser9908]

They'd show it on the Paramount Comedy channel here in the UK. I loved it when I were a lad.

[@superdoonz1]

"Good night, Mr. Walters." "RRR-rrrr....."

[@mahumike7531]

Only had a couple celebrity crushes in my life but Tony was ALWAYS No. 1

[@kikionthetrailoflove7036]

Andy Kaufman was a genius comedian.

[@christopheryounggnomery3761]

That bar has a Regal Beagle feel to it.

[@krisscanlon4051]

I believe they were called Fern bars and indeed you are correct

[@quad5186]

Christopher Young Larry Dallas’ brother Barry was due any minute.

[@Ampersand100]

It's certainly no Boar's Nest.

[@rchydrozz751]

How Tony kept a straight face we''ll never know.

[@michaeltaylor8835]

Massively talented cast

[@LisaSmith-tb8bb]

That’s the best bicycle joke I’ve ever heard

[@smoog]

How many bicycle jokes have you heard?

[@tahaniahmedmahfouz2862]

Ramez will study with me in USA 11/8/2023-23/8/2023 what is your phone number?

[@rockbay79]

Always loved this show.

[@Goruthar]

Old school Borat, masters of the trope.

[@wesleyturner3494]

Andy Kaufman was truly iconic comedian

[@elifriend6556]

HAHAHAHAHAHA CAN'T STOP LAUGHING! "SO AM I!"

[@BusStopProductions.]

I, find Tony Danza's voice soothing.

[@MMMarvelous]

The best part of this was when Latka says "So am I". The laugh track guy should've laid on the laugh button on that one.

[@maxkol4380]

I was fifteen then, I wore a NY Yankees coat like Tony Danza, and I combed and cut my hair like TD, and even though I'm from Seattle, I tried to talk like TD. I can probably do Bay Ridge, Brooklynese like a native. lol

[@jimiknowsbest5099]

Soooooo..... who are you impersonating these days ?

[@maxkol4380]

@@jimiknowsbest5099 Doin' my best to just do me.

[@SWog617]

That's a lot of admiration you got for Tony Danza... you're not a bicycle, are you?

[@alf6259]

@@SWog617 🤣🤣🤣

[@richardmorris7063]

Too funny! I loved latka.

[@dalynsanders]

"Ugh thats alright your my pal...ugh pals... pals don't need no money"

[@walterjunovich6180]

This still holds up in 2022 !! 😆😆😆😆

[@MsNooneinparticular]

Craziest part: Andy came to exactly one read-through per week & never missed a line. The cast hated him for it. He had a Black dude stand in for "Latka" during rehearsals 😂

[@davidbrothers3788]

He sounded more like Rodney dangerfield than Tony danza

[@OceanbornAngel]

Andy Kaufman, brilliant comedian gone way too soon.

[@DarthAmethyst94]

MonsterHunterRoon 100% agree with you 😟

[@PinkAmadeus]

Way, way too soon! One of a kind!

[@GeekTalkwithMerg]

@szs voc underrated comment.

[@edreid7872]

He was probably pinching his thigh under the table...

[@jimiknowsbest5099]

He didn't die.

[@masterj4777]

Man that sounded like Rodney Dangerfield 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

[@randomgrinn]

7 years ago already! Time flies so fast!

[@rucksackzen]

How did Tony Danza not laugh?

[@dan_hitchman007]

I think most of the cast would get tired of working with Andy even though he only showed up for two days of shooting a week contractually... they didn't think his antics on set and off were particularly funny.

[@ViaticalTree]

Pro

[@oilersridersbluejays]

@Dan Hitchman actually you got it backwards. The rest of the Taxi cast didn’t care much for Andy Kaufman at first, but actually warmed up to him and got along. Watch any interviews about him from any other Taxi cast member and they would pretty much say “he was an amazing talent, just weird and took a bit to warm up to.”

[@porflepopnecker4376]

I don't think the audience got the "So am I" joke.

[@joevining2603]

Back before everything was a forced laugh track we had to determine for ourselves what was funny and whether we got the joke.

[@TheAzmountaineer]

@@joevining2603 Desi Arnaz invented the laugh track back in the 50's, long before this show was on TV. But yeah, Taxi was 'filmed before a live studio audience' so that one apparently zoomed right by.

[@joevining2603]

@@TheAzmountaineer Yes, I should've phrased it as the "seemingly ubiquitous laugh track"

[@CycolacFan]

Remember that although it was taped before a live studio audience they would still add in laughter if a joke didn’t get a big enough response, it’s been done that way for years. It’s how they get around retakes where the audience has already heard the punchline. I think Andy didn’t deliver that line as well as he could have.

[@DaveLL500]

@@CycolacFan Andy's timing was off that day, I agree. His Tony impression was even weaker. Still, Kaufman was underrated as an actor. Check out the Taxi episode with the Latka homeland vignette.

[@operasinger2126]

They don't do shows like this any more.

[@styldsteel1]

I cant imagine how many takes, it took for Danza to keep a straight face.

[@JaneDoe-em7zi]

Lol, Tony looks like he's trying not to laugh. 😂😂😂

[@Ducati_Dude]

Andy's impession of Tony sounds like Barney Rubble...

[@mahumike7531]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

[@EphemeralProductions]

The bicycles/bisexual part! Too cute and funny!

[@DavidLS1]

But we'll never know which one Latka was talking about.

[@DarthAmethyst94]

Is sucks that I just discussed Andy Kaufman and how funny he is and finding out he was gone so soon, breaks my damn heart. 😟😟😟 ✌ Andy is forever✌

[@jimiknowsbest5099]

Andy didn't die..... he's alive to this day.... saw him in Seattle just two weeks ago. He's doing well .....

[@NuisanceMan]

@@jimiknowsbest5099 Was he chillin' with Elvis?

[@jimiknowsbest5099]

@@NuisanceMan As a matter of fact, he was.... lol.

[@tls4022]

@@NuisanceMan 😂😂😂🤣🤣

[@OTACIE]

I think borat has been watching taxi

[@lowerclassbrats77]

Most brilliant sitcom ever.

[@garichar]

I remember a time when people left the house and nobody had any Money. Strange.

[@daysleepnightread6905]

it was like we didn't need it

[@tomitstube]

ikr? had some of the best times without a nickel, now a days everything costs a fortune and nothing is free.

[@leighfoulkes7297]

Lol, we still do it today, except we use plastic cards instead of money.

[@user-qt5eh9wb7g]

Leigh Foulkes I'm keeping that alive and well you all.... Lol. Broke as a joke and still up in smoke. :-)

[@dan_hitchman007]

Now it's real life.

[@andrewsmactips]

Ok, that was genius.

[@stevengodoy315]

They just don't make them like this anymore

[@soupbone10olgathecat45]

I met him ,Andy Kaufman. He was my hero ,still is. Genius!

[@johnwhite1871]

I wanna see this whole episode now

[@skylark4901]

"So am I"!!

[@caperboy1169]

Too talented

[@llg3pe]

Marilu Henner remembers every desktop of this scene

[@nancyblake1000]

It was so ahead of it's time.. very humane and nuanced in how it dealt with certain themes and characters but with an edge evocative of the period it was produced. It's still very watchable..

[@twc3546]

A little Norton from the Honeymooners too

[@nigelcarren]

Forget the double-entendre (therefore the word bicycle) and this really could have been a scene from Borat (especially the chaining them up at night part). 😂 Mr Kaufman was way ahead of his time, now I know where I had seen Borat before.

[@soyroos626]

nigelcarren haha bisexuals racing and being chained at night on racks lol

[@nigelcarren]

@Nich Hodge Agreed mon ami... Borat just made them wear blue hats! 😂

[@Fireball409]

If anything, when Latka was imitating Tony he reminded me of Rodney Dangerfield!

[@ldrobarts]

Too bad he went loco. Such a funny person

[@9Crow]

i always thought Tony was good lookin' growing up.

[@danos1011]

brilliant.

[@gabehills2489]

He makes Tony sound like Ed Norton.

[@ronaldredmond3308]

I don't know how Tony kept a straight face when Andy was impersonating him.

[@mattnobrega6621]

The good old days 😏

[@Tim_the_Enchanter]

I look back at the career of Tony Danza and think to myself: "How?"

[@rdanalytics9197]

I know. He had zero talent. The only thing I can think of, was that he came out during the the whole Rocky craze. Producers probably saw him as a half-ass Stallone copy and tried to cash in...

[@brentkiely657]

@@rdanalytics9197 i think tony danza is a good actor.. not sure why you are ripping him to shreds ?

[@Amandaclody]

yes.. terrible actor

[@brkitdwn]

@@rdanalytics9197 Just characters representing society's impressions.

[@flannigan7956]

You don't mean his cool-ass talk show too...

[@extremeconcepts1]

Imagine Andy was still alive...

[@jeffgraham9089]

Sounds more like Art Carney in the Honeymooners.

[@lynnettewooden4933]

There are some talent actors on taxi but jim is my favorite especially the episode when he went to get his driver's license what year did jim start on the show

[@timepoet77]

It’s a known fact that Andy Kaufman didn’t like sitcoms as he found them predictable and formulaic for his kind of comedy. As a result, the show’s writers created the alter ego of Latka, the suave yet conceited Vic Ferrari.

[@PeteMcCorvey]

He was a horrible comedian.

[@mulemule]

@@PeteMcCorvey (But an *astonishing* wrestler!)

[@Charles.Wright]

@@PeteMcCorvey - please link to some of your comedy

[@MDK2_Radio]

@@Charles.Wright that’s a lame response. I’m sure there’s some successful comedian you don’t like, but you’re not one so does that make your opinion invalid? (I thought Kaufman was hilarious so this isn’t about agreeing with the other guy.)

[@Charles.Wright]

@@MDK2_Radio - your point is fine, but I think you're ignoring a lot of the context... And there isn't much to start with! Pete gave a low effort, negative response to an informative comment on a Kaufman video. He gets what he gets.

[@RickMahoney2013]

He was very funny I miss those days

[@jameshayes1840]

Kaufman was simply brilliant. Often misunderstood.

[@davidfulton179]

I always felt that as great as this show was, all of the characters were from different shows.

[@Uglyboy616]

“So am I” 😆

[@stevehuntley3089]

Thank you very much!

[@therealmorklyn3871]

Tony: afk Andy: hello tony

[@17donhol]

The GREAT Andy Kaufman..

[@airfoilengine3799]

Perfect Strangers.

[@etxkevin7452]

"So am I." Wtf?!? hahaha

[@artistamisto]

This episode was one of my favorite ones. Tony is devastated because he doesn't know how to break it to Elaine that the nice guy she was dating just admitted he was bisexual and preferred Tony. Alex was walking in and about to do a favor for him and go talk to the guy at a gay bar... with hilarious results. There are several great funny episodes in seasons 2 and 3, my favorites with a lot of Latka and Rev Jim.

[@snaggletooth14]

Dank yoo beddy much.

[@Chelelinda]

Tony is gorgeous

[@nineteenfifties7700]

Borat got definitely influenced by this guy

[@Puffster]

This is my interpretation. Latka wouldn’t make a good pal. First he tries to get Tony to buy drinks. Then he realizes he doesn’t have money and walks off.

[@camcook7241]

That was a good Stallone

[@gordoschmordo2826]

The part he was born to play.....

[@DanijeI]

I now can see who inspired the character of Borat ☺️

[@sanchezmindandmusicchannel690]

By now, (here in the year 2020) I'm sure everyone is familiar with all the great new motorized bisexuals. What fun!!!

[@rickv4473]

Yea you can go for a ride and let it do all the work

[@jamesotisjr2322]

if you have one between your legs and it starts smoking, ditch it and run. when they burst into flames nothing will put them out.

[@this_Joe_Smith]

This entire episode was adorable, Tony handling a bisexual coming on to him ... I really liked the way everybody dealt with it

[@kuriaki71]

Sure miss Andy.

[@raysonraypay5885]

Hey Alex I got the worst problem in the world lol.

[@Mozart1220]

Sounds more like Stallone.

[@basspfosten]

Hold me closer Tony Danza

[@jcee6886]

Pheobe?

[@emilygibson1024]

@@jcee6886 yes, Phoebe did say this while singing Tiny Dancer, but it's a perfectly valid request too.

[@Burhanontheranch]

The bicycle joke was the buried lede here

[@MrZombiejoe]

He still could have. Cutting The Takes!!! LOL