The 'Taxi' TV series is one of my all-time favorites, and currently I am re-watching all old episodes on DVD.
In this episode Louie has promised Latka the day off because his mother is visiting the USA for the first time from "the old country." But 3 cabs need repair and Louie cancels Latka's day off, and Latka pleads with Alex to help entertain mama. Alex probably has visions of an old, very heavy and ugly woman and makes excuses why he is too tired ... until Latka's mama shows up in the garage.
Susan Kellermann is Latka's mama, Greta Gravas, statuesque and very pretty and also very personable. Suddenly Alex has time.
All Taxi fans know how Andy Kaufman as Latka Gravas created and spoke this fictional language, but it was fun seeing him and mama both speaking this language. With the gestures we could get a good idea what Greta was telling Latka about all the terrible things that had happened to each one he asked about. One even blew his brains out. At the end, Latka says, "It is good to get news from home."
Since Latka had to work, he gave Alex two tickets to a Rockettes show, and he went with Greta. The next morning Alex is telling Elaine in 'code' what a great time they had, and we know they ended up in the sack together. How to keep it from Latka? But never mind, when Latka shows up with a big smile, calling Alex 'papa'.
A funny episode.
In this episode Louie has promised Latka the day off because his mother is visiting the USA for the first time from "the old country." But 3 cabs need repair and Louie cancels Latka's day off, and Latka pleads with Alex to help entertain mama. Alex probably has visions of an old, very heavy and ugly woman and makes excuses why he is too tired ... until Latka's mama shows up in the garage.
Susan Kellermann is Latka's mama, Greta Gravas, statuesque and very pretty and also very personable. Suddenly Alex has time.
All Taxi fans know how Andy Kaufman as Latka Gravas created and spoke this fictional language, but it was fun seeing him and mama both speaking this language. With the gestures we could get a good idea what Greta was telling Latka about all the terrible things that had happened to each one he asked about. One even blew his brains out. At the end, Latka says, "It is good to get news from home."
Since Latka had to work, he gave Alex two tickets to a Rockettes show, and he went with Greta. The next morning Alex is telling Elaine in 'code' what a great time they had, and we know they ended up in the sack together. How to keep it from Latka? But never mind, when Latka shows up with a big smile, calling Alex 'papa'.
A funny episode.
