NO MATTER how original, popular and funny a show may be, there still comes a time when the show, its cast and crew hit the proverbial wall. New ideas seem to come with great difficulty. The grind of doing a weekly half hour spot takes its toll on everyone at some time or other.
IF a trip to the doldrums lasts too long, then we'll have ratings drop, sponsors take notice, advertising men panic and the suits at the "Web" (what the folks over at Variety call the Networks.) prepare to get out the old axe out for the proper cancellation time.
SO how then can a show do something to at least get a stay of execution; if not a complete reprieve? WE have all witnessed the situation of a top rated sitcom that has gone on for a number of seasons have some really extreme change of locale, cast or format in the attempt to give it a little more 'shelf life'. OUR MISS BROOKS, McHALE'S NAVY, LAVERNE & SHIRLEY and COACH are all good examples of what we are talking about.
USUALLY the monkeying around with the shows ends up in cancellation' inasmuch as whatever was the magic combination to begin with is now gone altogether. So, is there some middle ground which can be sought out instead? YES there is and we are seeing a fine example in this subject today, TAXI: On the Job. (Part One). By the choice of a 2 part story, the producers bought not just one week, but two in order to give them a longer breather; yet not tamper with the general tone and overall continued storyline.
HOW was this was accomplished is elementary. The contrivance is chosen of a story in which it is announced that the Taxi Company is going bankrupt and will have to close its doors; unless a buyer is found. The gang decides to all meet over at Mario's Restaurant and Bar in Four Weeks in order to relate the stories of their flirtation with new employment.
FOUR weeks passes and Alex, Elaine, Louie, Bobby, Tony, Latka and Reverend Jim all assemble at the proper time and place to have their evening of show and tell. Immediately and by the use of flashback, they one by one take the floor.
TONY relates how he became a Rocky Balboa-type collector for a Skylark; going after deadbeats on Juice Loan money. He seemingly is having second thoughts and has gone to talk it over with a Priest; spouting all sorts of convoluted and faulty logic. Elaine takes some office position. Latka states that he is at his job working there at Mario's.
THIS brings us up to about the half hour line, when we're told the old 'To Be Continued Next Week ..
BEFORE we can catch on, the show has given us 3 or so little comic vignettes using established characters in situations that are outside their normal parameters. All have been amusing and used the characters to their best advantage. NOTE: PLEASE, go and take a look see at our write-up of "TAXI", On the Job (Part 2)! POODLE SCHNITZ: Part 1
IF a trip to the doldrums lasts too long, then we'll have ratings drop, sponsors take notice, advertising men panic and the suits at the "Web" (what the folks over at Variety call the Networks.) prepare to get out the old axe out for the proper cancellation time.
SO how then can a show do something to at least get a stay of execution; if not a complete reprieve? WE have all witnessed the situation of a top rated sitcom that has gone on for a number of seasons have some really extreme change of locale, cast or format in the attempt to give it a little more 'shelf life'. OUR MISS BROOKS, McHALE'S NAVY, LAVERNE & SHIRLEY and COACH are all good examples of what we are talking about.
USUALLY the monkeying around with the shows ends up in cancellation' inasmuch as whatever was the magic combination to begin with is now gone altogether. So, is there some middle ground which can be sought out instead? YES there is and we are seeing a fine example in this subject today, TAXI: On the Job. (Part One). By the choice of a 2 part story, the producers bought not just one week, but two in order to give them a longer breather; yet not tamper with the general tone and overall continued storyline.
HOW was this was accomplished is elementary. The contrivance is chosen of a story in which it is announced that the Taxi Company is going bankrupt and will have to close its doors; unless a buyer is found. The gang decides to all meet over at Mario's Restaurant and Bar in Four Weeks in order to relate the stories of their flirtation with new employment.
FOUR weeks passes and Alex, Elaine, Louie, Bobby, Tony, Latka and Reverend Jim all assemble at the proper time and place to have their evening of show and tell. Immediately and by the use of flashback, they one by one take the floor.
TONY relates how he became a Rocky Balboa-type collector for a Skylark; going after deadbeats on Juice Loan money. He seemingly is having second thoughts and has gone to talk it over with a Priest; spouting all sorts of convoluted and faulty logic. Elaine takes some office position. Latka states that he is at his job working there at Mario's.
THIS brings us up to about the half hour line, when we're told the old 'To Be Continued Next Week ..
BEFORE we can catch on, the show has given us 3 or so little comic vignettes using established characters in situations that are outside their normal parameters. All have been amusing and used the characters to their best advantage. NOTE: PLEASE, go and take a look see at our write-up of "TAXI", On the Job (Part 2)! POODLE SCHNITZ: Part 1
