TAXI - was the show wrenched away from Judd Hirsch??

Taxi started out as a show which mainly revolved around Judd Hirsch's
character, "Alex". He was the "nucleus" of the show, with all of the
other cabbies, and even Louie always coming to him with "advice". He
was always the honest, rational one who set Louie, and occasionally the
other cabbies straight if their integrity began to unravel. He had top
billing, the credits reading "Judd Hirsch in TAXI"

weberm...

Your initial premise is wrong. This was an ensemble show from the start.

The Space Boss...

Not really. He had top billing. His name preceeds the name of the show
ITSELF in the opening credits for Pete's sake !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What you're describing is Alex's role as the 'straight man".

Do you think some of the other dominant characters of the show such as
Jim Ignitowski, Latka Gravis, and even Louie DePalma began to
"overshadow" and "take over" Alex's domination as being the main one on
the show?

JXStern...

I always wondered about that, too, but equally I wondered, just what
did they possibly have in mind, if he was to be the central character?
Guess that stumped everyone!

Jack Thompson...

He was always the central character. Even in episodes where other
characters were the stars, they usually played off Alex. He was never
the most interesting, but he wasn't meant to be. His character was
basically the straight man for the others.

I've heard the criticism of other shows like "Seinfeld" and "Frasier"
that the lead character isn't as funny as the others. But they're not
supposed to be. Their main role is to have chemistry with the other
characters and if they do, the show is usually successful.