Taxicab Confessions

Taxicab Confessions (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Taxicab Confessions is a television series of hidden camera documentaries that have aired on HBO since January 1995. In segments taped in New York City and Las Vegas, the taxi drivers are also producers who steer both the vehicle and the conversations with passengers.

When passengers enter the cab, they are recorded with several small cameras hidden in the taxi. The producer prompts passengers into discussing their past and/or present circumstances. This has led some participants to reflect on their life, recalling extreme tragedies or triumphs.

Much is verbally or visually graphic, including explicit sex talk and sex acts performed in the back seat. At the end of the taxi ride, passengers are asked to sign waivers allowing the hidden camera footage to be used on the program, and footage of this revelation is sometimes seen during the closing credits.

Separating the segments are short video montages showing life in the city, incorporating quick cuts of club interiors, flashing neon signage, strippers and the homeless, along with the series theme music, "Over the Rainbow" by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.

The series originated in New York, moved to Las Vegas and in recent years returned to New York.

Awards

The first episode won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Special. The show was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2001 and 2002.

Appearances in the media

The show has been parodied numerous times:

Comedian Chris Rock on his series The Chris Rock Show in a segment titled "Taxi Driver Confessions" where Rock played a cab driver who said outrageous things to unsuspecting customers.
The Goo Goo Dolls, who had a member of their band, Dave Schulz, appear in episode #6, spoofed the show in their video for the single, "Sympathy." '
The Simpsons makes a reference to the show in the episode "How I Spent My Strummer Vacation", in which Homer complains about his family on a program called Taxicab Conversations.
In Spin City Michael Flaherty asks after being interrogated by a taxi driver whether this is Taxicab Conversations. At that point, there is a cut and the rest of the scene is portrayed to be from the view of an on-board hidden camera.
In a Season One episode of Two and a Half Men, "Drive East on Sunset Until You Reach the Gates of Hell," the two brothers hail a cab after leaving a bar: the two are drunk and as the episode ends, the duo wake up on the deck of Charlie's house; nearby is a form saying they've signed the waiver for a TV show called Taxicab Confessions. Two clips of the recordings made in the cab follow.
In The Office episode 6 "Diwali" Season 3, Pam drives Michael home in the back seat of her car, Michael admit that he is not wearing his own shoes and then says "this is just like taxi cab confession". Pam responds; "One more word and I'm stopping the car".
In Ugly Americans episode "Bat Person" Randal pitches a show exactly like it and is told so numerous times.

Taxicab Confessions

Taxicab Confessions (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Awards

Appearances in the media

See also