Ep 18. Bobby's Big Break

Bobby's Big Break is the eighteenth episode from the first season of the fantastic TV series Taxi. This episode follows the young aspiring actor Bobby Wheeler, who has been a struggling artist since he moved to New York City. After living in the city for two years, Bobby has yet to score a break in the entertainment industry, and he is starting to lose hope. However, he suddenly lands a commercial for Amalgamated Donuts and is over the moon with excitement.

The episode showcases Bobby's experience while shooting the commercial, where he feels that this job could be the gateway to his big break. He has high hopes, but he is not oblivious to the fact that the commercial isn't anything more than a small gig.

While Bobby is shooting the commercial, the rest of the taxi crew is busy with their own activities. Alex Reiger, their leader, is juggling his girlfriend's desires and his big workload at the garage, and Tony Banta, the resident boxer of the group, has a big fight coming up. Moreover, Louie De Palma, their obnoxious boss, is preoccupied with his family's misfortune, and Elaine Nardo, the office receptionist, is dealing with her own issues with her professor.

Bobby's Big Break is a testament to the struggles of an artist in the entertainment industry and how small jobs, such as a commercial, can give them hope in achieving their ultimate goals. But it also shows the different facets of life outside the entertainment industry that sometimes play a much bigger role in our lives. We see that life is full of interrupted moments and sidetracks, and sometimes we have to push through to get to where we want to be.

Overall, this episode serves as a relatable and honest representation of the struggle of an artist trying to make it in New York City as well as an examination of the different lives intersecting with the taxi drivers. It tackles relatable themes such as ambition, hope, disappointment, stress, and personal battles that one needs to overcome. Throughout the episode, the audience watches as each character discovers small nuances about themselves and they begin to look at life from a different perspective.

The cast of this show is exceptional, and their performances in this episode are nothing short of superb. Judd Hirsch, who plays Alex Reiger, brings depth and sensitivity into his character, and Andy Kaufman, who plays the ditsy and quirky Tony Banta, is always a joy to watch. Christopher Lloyd, who plays Jim Ignatowski, the spaced-out philosopher, has a few scenes in this episode that are naturally hilarious. Marilu Henner, who plays Elaine Nardo, the office receptionist, delivers her lines with a relatable and friendly demeanor, making her one of the most likable characters in the show. Danny DeVito, who plays Louie De Palma, the obnoxious boss, delivers his lines with precision, reminding us why his character is one of the most memorable in TV history.

To conclude, Bobby's Big Break is a well-written and well-executed episode that shows the different sides of life intersecting with the taxi drivers while giving us a glimpse of what it's like to be an artist in New York City. It's a relatable and enjoyable episode that will make you smile, laugh, and empathize with the struggles of each character.