Kaufman was great, but it was Devito who helmed the show. Unforgettable moment when after hearing his booming voice on the tannoy bullying and insulting the other cabbies, the little guy finally appeared on screen for the first time and we nearly choked on our supper. And lets not forget the coolest music for the opening credits.
It's almost like comedy is a subjective medium. Whatever you may say about Andy Kaufman, you cannot deny that the man knew how to commit to a bit. The man had balls.
I've seen several of the various Taxi stars commenting about Andy, but only two are very open about the fact they couldn't stand him. The others are more apt to say how wonderful he was, etc... The real truth for all of them, and the truth for all of us, is that we are never aware when we are in the presence of an artistic genius. This has been true from time immemorial. It is only after the genius dies that their genius is recognized, and only then that the people who knew them can look back and in hindsight say "I was in the presence of genius, but was too wrapped up in my own emotions not to recognize it." The Van Gogh's and Kaufmann's of the world were unappreciated during their lifetime, but are now known for who they really were - bright stars on an otherwise dark world.
Andy never rehearsed. The others showed up everyday and rehearsed Monday through Thursday, taping on Friday. Andy showed up for the read through on Tuesday and then for the taping on Friday. And he never made a mistake, a single mistake.
"It was like a Mad House"-- aka it was new, exciting, and different... the best way to live life! Way to make the most of it Andy, i hope you really are still out there!!!
Nah what now? When Denny DeVito confirms that Tony Clifton wasnt Andy Kaufman? Then might the brilliant Andy is still with us and do Meditation somewhere? How much I would love to see him comin' back! Man! He was the greatest!
how is it that videos like this have such hi def quality and most of the rest of the schlubs here are pixelated to death? What's the secret? Do the big companies pay off the internet carriers? Probably
I completely don't understand this story--so they all agreed to indulge Andy in this private joke he wanted to play only on the cast, while everyone knew it was a joke, but everyone went along with it anyway? I totally don't get this. So what, Andy would have gotten mad and quit the show or something if they didn't let him play this stupid joke? Latka was the worst thing about Taxi. (I love Andy, but Latka was not very funny, and he led to Simpka, who was even worse. I love Carol Kane also, but Simpka was awful.)
Danny DeVito such a legend
Danny DeVito has such a great presence doesn't he?
Thank you danny you are still around and you look healthy thanks danny so we can hear you speak.
Kaufman was great, but it was Devito who helmed the show. Unforgettable moment when after hearing his booming voice on the tannoy bullying and insulting the other cabbies, the little guy finally appeared on screen for the first time and we nearly choked on our supper. And lets not forget the coolest music for the opening credits.
I think Andy Kaufman saw the whole world as a stage.
True that Kaufman was a vegetarian who never smoke or drank but Tony Clifton did all those things. Brilliant.
It's almost like comedy is a subjective medium. Whatever you may say about Andy Kaufman, you cannot deny that the man knew how to commit to a bit. The man had balls.
This is brilliant story telling by DeVito!
the distance between genius, idiot and whack job is surprisingly short.....
Bob Zmuda was Andy's best friend and helped him stage many of the stunts he pulled.
Danny has quietly, or not so quietly, become one of the greatest comic actors of our time ...
kaufmann seemed like the ultimate real life troll
I've seen several of the various Taxi stars commenting about Andy, but only two are very open about the fact they couldn't stand him. The others are more apt to say how wonderful he was, etc... The real truth for all of them, and the truth for all of us, is that we are never aware when we are in the presence of an artistic genius. This has been true from time immemorial. It is only after the genius dies that their genius is recognized, and only then that the people who knew them can look back and in hindsight say "I was in the presence of genius, but was too wrapped up in my own emotions not to recognize it." The Van Gogh's and Kaufmann's of the world were unappreciated during their lifetime, but are now known for who they really were - bright stars on an otherwise dark world.
Wow, Danny DeVito aged WELL... he just has to dye his hair, and it's 1982 all over again. lol
I'm reading all the comments..you guys are so nice....Andy was strange
Andy never rehearsed. The others showed up everyday and rehearsed Monday through Thursday, taping on Friday.
Andy showed up for the read through on Tuesday and then for the taping on Friday. And he never made a mistake, a single mistake.
Wyld Will And all the while I thought he was known for the Kathryn Hepburn thing while married (jk).
TV Legends has just gotten better and better. Glad I was one of the first subscribers.
"It was like a Mad House"-- aka it was new, exciting, and different... the best way to live life! Way to make the most of it Andy, i hope you really are still out there!!!
Great insights into the Andy K,WHAT A TALENT.
The Tony Clifton that showed up for Taxi was rumored to be Bob Zmuda, Andy's writing partner.
Andy Kaufman was a troll. The world's first breed troll. It was hilariously priceless
What a genius / madman!
How do you spell Richie Feringy?
ironic that andy got the idea of having the audience hate him from Yoko Ono and andy's fans hate her
Shapiro says that Zamuda was there repping for Clifton, and that Andy was Clifton on Taxi.
what an absolute hero
beautiful just beautiful... that's because I'm at Kauffman fan big time
so good... Thank you.
No matter what.. Kaufman + Zmuda = GENIUS.
who is Zmuda??
woww devito looks sooo different, he didn't age a minute up until It's Always Sunny, and then now....
Nah what now? When Denny DeVito confirms that Tony Clifton wasnt Andy Kaufman?
Then might the brilliant Andy is still with us and do Meditation somewhere?
How much I would love to see him comin' back! Man! He was the greatest!
This is 1 of tha funnyest thingz I evar saw
Freakin hilarious.
how is it that videos like this have such hi def quality and most of the rest of the schlubs here are pixelated to death? What's the secret? Do the big companies pay off the internet carriers? Probably
I made it to 3:49, can anyone top that?
I completely don't understand this story--so they all agreed to indulge Andy in this private joke he wanted to play only on the cast, while everyone knew it was a joke, but everyone went along with it anyway? I totally don't get this. So what, Andy would have gotten mad and quit the show or something if they didn't let him play this stupid joke?
Latka was the worst thing about Taxi. (I love Andy, but Latka was not very funny, and he led to Simpka, who was even worse. I love Carol Kane also, but Simpka was awful.)
Andy was a genius!
damn i thought it was Don Rickles
I nodded off three times during this story.
Danny devito is a great actor and I'm sure a really sweet guy, but he can't tell a story to save his life lol. I got totally lost lmao
How'd you get lost? It's a pretty cut and dry story if you *paid attention*.
All the eye rubbing didn't help.
Kaufman was a freak and unfunny IMO.
what a gag!
ATS!
Y......a......w.....n
i don't get it. is devito trying to make himself look bad???
God he looks awful. He looks like that guy that killed Dru Sjodin.