17 Taxi ABC 1978-82 NBC 1982-83

A versatile comedy about cab drivers waiting for their real dreams to come true, Taxi could dig deep into realistic characters like Judd Hirsch’s jaded Alex, or go broad with Christopher Lloyd’s Sixties burnout, Jim, and Danny DeVito’s cruel dispatcher, Louie. In its best moments, the show could do the unexpected, wringing goofy laughs from Alex or genuine tears from Jim.