Ed Weinberger Movies

The premiere episode of The Cosby Show finds obstretrician Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) and his attorney wife Clair (Phylicia Rashad, billed throughout Season One as Phylicia Ayers-Allen) facing domestic dilemmas from all corners. When Cliff confronts son Theo (Malcolm Jamal-Warner) about his bad report card, the boy flippantly responds that he doesn't care because he hasn't the slightest intention of going to college--whereupon Cliff uses a carefully manipulated pile of monopoly money to show Theo the folly of his ways. Meanwhile, daughter Denise (Lisa Bonet) shocks one and all by bringing home her latest boyfriend (Todd Hollowell), who sports a tattoo and has a police record! Small wonder that, when finally settling into bed at the end of the day, Cliff sighs "I just hope they get out of the house before we die." Longtime Cosby Show fans will notice several significant difference between the pilot episode and the series proper: The Huxtable living room looks different, Clair lapses into Spanish when she gets angry, Theo is referred to throughout as "Teddy", and at one juncture Cliff makes a pointed comment about the fact that he and Clair have only four children (Sabrina Le Beauf as oldest daughter Sondra had not yet been added to the cast). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It has been several months since Tony Banta (Tony Danza) gave up his boxing career, and though he still feels unfulfilled, he is resigned to his decision. All this changes when Tony is apprised of a gallant comeback attempt by former football pro Lucius Franklin (played by genuine NFL veteran Bubba Smith). Inspired, Tony sets about to renew his boxer's license...and one trembles, wondering if Tony is setting himself up for yet another (painful) fall. ~ All Movie Guide

Taxi remained a succès d'estime for ABC as it entered its fourth season, gathering scores of industry awards and garnering the love of its most loyal fans and the respect of Hollywood insiders, while still continuing to post lukewarm ratings. The series hadn't cracked the "Top 25" shows throughout the 1980-1981 season and failed to do so during 1981-1982 as well. ABC had seriously considered dropping the program after its third season, but the uproar of protest from its devotees moved the network to give the property another chance -- albeit in a new time slot on Thursday evening opposite NBC's Gimme a Break and CBS' Knots Landing. Two major developments marked the progression of events on season four. The first was the defection of Jeff Conaway in the role of part-time cabbie and would-be actor Bobby Wheeler, though Conaway would return for a guest appearance in the episode "Bobby Doesn't Live Here Any More." The second was the marriage between mild-mannered immigrant taxi mechanic Latka Gravas (Andy Kaufman) and his countrywoman Simka Dahblitz (Carol Kane in an Emmy-winning characterization) -- though the nuptials were postponed until Latka was able to divest himself of his slimy, womanizing "alter ego" Vic Ferrari (also played by Kaufman, who insisted that the series' producers sign "Vic Ferrari" to a separate contract!) As in previous seasons, Taxi offered a two-part episode in which the cabbies were forced to put their lives in perspective. On this occasion, the episode was the season finale "The Road Not Taken," wherein Elaine (Marilu Henner) mulled over the opportunity to leave New York for a new out-of-town job, prompting her fellow cabbies to reflect upon the various pivotal moments in their own lives. With the ratings continuing to sag, ABC reluctantly concluded that Taxi was expendable, and the series was canceled. For a while, it looked as if the property would be revived by the cable service HBO; but in the end, it was NBC that came to the rescue, picking up Taxi for its fifth (and as it turned out, its final) season. ~ All Movie Guide

Securely imbedded as the ninth most popular program on American television, Taxi inaugurated its second season on the same network (ABC), but in a new timeslot (Wednesday rather than Thursday). A few changes had been made in the cast as well. Randall Carver, who spent all of season one playing cabdriving college student/newlywed John Burns, was suddenly written out of the series with no explanation as to where his character had gone. Filling the breach was Christopher Lloyd, repeating the role of burned-out hippie minister Reverend Jim Ignatowski that he'd originated in the first-season episode "Paper Marriage." Yanked off the streets by the compassionate cabbies of the Sunshine Cab Company, Reverend Jim himself became a driver -- and a permanent cast member -- in the third episode of season two. This was also the season that introduced a handful of semi-regulars. Rhea Perlman, longtime significant other (and later wife) of Taxi co-star Danny DeVito, made a brace of appearances as Zena Sherman, the deceptively sweet-natured girlfriend of the cab company's terrible-tempered dispatcher Louie DePalma (DeVito, of course). Also, Carol Kane was seen for the first time as Simka Dahblitz, countrywoman and sweetheart of Sunshine Cab's foreign-born mechanic Latka Gravas (Andy Kaufman), a relationship that would culminate in marriage at the end of season three.

In addition, Marc Anthony Danza, the son of Taxi regular Tony Danza, appeared twice as Brian Sims, a nine-year-old orphan who befriended kindhearted cabbie-cum-boxer Tony Banta (Danza). Basking in the success of the previous season's two-part episode "Memories of Cab 804," the producers of Taxi served up a couple of additional two-parters during the second season. The first, "Shut It Down," found the cabbies going on strike, a situation that could only be remedied if "shop steward" Elaine Nardo (Marilu Henner) made the supreme sacrifice and agree to date the despicable Louie (an earlier episode had intensified the relationship between Elaine and fellow cabbie Alex Rieger [Judd Hirsch], establishing a "will they or won't they?" situation that would permeate the remaining seasons). And in the season finale, "Fantasy Borough," the entire Taxi gang indulged in some elaborate wishful thinking prompted by a set of publicity photos left in one of the cabs by Fantasy Island star Herve Villechaize. Although Taxi would pick up two more Emmy Awards during the 1979-1980 season, the series' move to Wednesdays proved detrimental to the ratings -- which explains the shift to a new Thursday-night slot when the next season got under way. ~ All Movie Guide

Having just broken up a relationship, Elaine (Marilu Henner) is unusually receptive to the unsigned love notes being sent to her by an unknown admirer. Can it be that Elaine's mystery man is Don Reavy (Michael de Lano), the handsome new driver in the Sunshine garage? Whatever the case, Elaine and Don begin dating...and it is then that the real author of the love notes makes himself known -- but only to Alex (Judd Hirsch). ~ All Movie Guide

The classic sitcom Taxi spent all of one episode establishing its premise and characters -- then proceeded forward with the confidence of a series that had been on the air for years. In episode one, the viewer was swiftly and economically introduced to the personnel of New York's Sunshine Cab Company. Alex Rieger (Judd Hirsch) was the most experienced member of the fleet and the only one who worked as a cabbie full-time. The rest of the drivers were moonlighting, pursuing their life goals when not pursuing fares and tips. Elaine Nardo (Marilu Henner) was an art gallery receptionist, hoping someday to establish her own gallery and high-class clientele. Bobby Wheeler (Jeff Conaway) was an aspiring actor who never seemed to get a break. Tony Banta (Tony Danza) was a boxer who spent most of his time flat on the canvas. John Burns (Randall Carver) was a naïve, bumbling college student, who only a few months into the series found himself struggling to support not only himself but his new bride Suzanne (Ellen Regan). And Latka Gravas, the company's mechanic, was a good-natured foreigner who came from an obscure little Eastern Bloc country and spoke in a language peculiarly his own. Then there was pint-sized Louie DePalma (Danny DeVito), the hostile, sarcastic dispatcher, who considered the day wasted if he didn't humiliate someone -- but who often as not ended up on the receiving end of humiliation. Debuting on ABC's powerhouse Tuesday night schedule as part of a sitcom lineup which included Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and Three's Company, Taxi proved worthy of its company by closing out its first season as the 9th highest-rated TV program in the United States, tied with CBS' All in the Family. The series also racked up two Emmy awards, for Outstanding Comedy Series, and for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (single performance), an award which went to the indefatigable Ruth Gordon for her performance in the episode titled "Sugar Mama." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Taxi briefly moved from its first-season Tuesday night slot to Thursday for this episode in which cab driver and would-be actor Bobby Wheeler (Jeff Conaway) reaches a crossroads in his life. Bobby has given himself three years to land an acting job; if he fails in that period, he'll give up show biz for good. Now, with only 24 hours before the deadline, Bobby has several surprises in store for his friends -- and vice versa. Future Hill Street Blues regular Taurean Blacque is appropriately cast as a cop, while Miami Vice producer Michael Mann also shows up in a pre-celebrity bit part. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It is a testament to the brilliance of The Mary Tyler Moore Show that the series' 168th and final episode earned an Emmy Award for Best Comedy Writing. When WJM-TV is taken over by new owners, everyone in the newsroom is certain that he or she will be given the pink slip -- none more so than anchorman Ted Baxter (Ted Knight), who literally hides behind his family during a meeting with newly installed station manager Coleman (Vincent Gardenia). But in one of the worst-kept secrets of the 1976-1977 TV season, everybody in the newsroom is fired except for Ted. Even so, there's still plenty of time for laughter, tears, and cameo appearances by former regulars Valerie Harper (Rhoda) and Cloris Leachman (Phyllis). And remember: It's a long way to Tipperary.... "The Last Show" originally aired on March 19, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Former That Girl costar Ted Bessell appears as Joe Warner, the new man in the life of lovelorn Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore). Joe's elaborate displays of public affection are a source of both delight and embarrassment for Mary. But the heroine's friends cannot help but notice that Joe never says anything about "Love" -- and soon Mary notices his avoidance of the L-word as well. Valerie Harper makes a return appearance as Mary's pal Rhoda, with David Groh as Rhoda's new husband Joe Gerard. "Mary Richards Falls in Love" was originally broadcast on November 22, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

At long last, WJM-TV news anchor Ted Baxter (Ted Knight) wins the coveted "Teddy" award bestowed by the local broadcasters. At first so overcome with emotion that he can barely deliver his standard "It all started on a 5,000-watt radio station in Fresno" speech, Ted soon develops so enormous an ego (more enormous than usual) that he becomes convinced he will be invited to co-anchor the CBS network newscast with Walter Cronkite. As indicated by the title of this episode, Cronkite makes a cameo appearance as himself -- and to reveal any more of what happens would be absolutely criminal. "Ted Baxter Meets Walter Cronkite" made its first appearance on February 9, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Having always congratulated herself for dating men of intelligence, Mary (Mary Tyler Moore) surprises everyone when she goes out with a fellow on the basis of his dazzling handsomeness alone. Mary's friends are convinced that anyone as good-looking as her new beau, Paul van Dillen (Robert Wolders), must have a corresponding shallow personality. The big question is: Does Mary really care if Paul's beauty is only skin deep? Capped by a rare moment of scatology from the winsome heroine, "Not Just Another Pretty Face" originally aired on September 21, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Tensions mount when Mary (Mary Tyler Moore) and her friends are trapped in the newsroom by a sudden November blizzard. Unfortunately, the gang is already at each other's throats, thanks to a series of minor squabbles. In hopes of unruffling everyone's feathers, Mary and Sue Ann (Betty White) decide to hold a Christmas party one month early. Capped by a brilliant burst of non-sentimentality, "Not a Christmas Story" originally aired on November 9, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide