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| Taxi Season 4 : |
| The fourth season of Taxi aired on ABC from October 18 1981 to May 6 1982. |
| Episode 1 - [Jim The Psychic] |
| Details : Jim announces he has psychic dreams and unfortunately he has had one about Alex culminating in his death. The gang becomes increasingly worried about Alex when one by one all of the events Jim dreamed about start coming true. However Alex continues to reject Jim's superstitions. Louie becomes so worried about Alex he comes to Alex's apartment to take him somewhere (so the final part of Jim's dream doesn't come true since he is to meet his doom that evening at home) but possibly to spite Louie Alex decides to stay and tempt fate. In the end it turns out that the doom Jim dreamed about was a girl scout knocking at Alex's door instead of his death but when Louie leaves Alex actually appears very relieved that Jim's premonition was wrong. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : James Burrows | |
| Air Date : Oct. 08, 1981 |
| Episode 2 - [Vienna Waits] |
| Details : Alex and Elaine decide to take a vacation together through Europe. However Alex feels it necessary to tell Elaine in no uncertain terms that they are going together as platonic friends so there's no resentment if he meets and wants to spend time with any other ladies on vacation. Elaine agrees to this and they decide to do things mostly separately during the days but to meet up once a day to write post cards together. During the trip it turns out that Elaine is getting all the action while Alex is lonely and unhappy. The last night however Elaine takes pity on Alex (more or less) and propositions him suggesting that their friendship is strong enough to endure one night of love. They then go off together... |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Writer : Ken Estin | |
| Air Date : Oct. 18, 1981 |
| Episode 3 - [Mr Personalities] |
| Details : Latka begins exhibiting multiple personalities again: not only Vic Ferrari but also a cowboy and best of all he becomes Alex! Elaine refers Latka to her psychiatrist but meanwhile Latka is becoming even more Alex-like than Alex himself: he is a better cab driver and gives better advice to the gang. Alex decides he'd better sit in on a psychiatric session with Latka and Latka Alex is about to reveal the answer to all of Alex's problems (somehow he has figured out the secret to Alex in the midst of subconsciously becoming him) when he becomes Latka again. This leaves Alex extremely frustrated and after Latka leaves Alex sticks around to talk to the psychiatrist further. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Writer : Howard Gewirtz | |
| Air Date : Oct. 22, 1981 |
| Episode 4 - [Jim Joins The Network] |
| Details : While driving a television executive in his cab Jim exhibits more psychic behavior by predicting TV ratings. Mitch the executive seeks Jim out the next day in hopes of getting more advice about TV programming that might save his job. Jim starts helping Mitch regularly and Mitch becomes a star at the network but the gang soon convinces Jim (who isn't being compensated for this help) that he's being taken advantage of. Jim angrily confronts Mitch who agrees to tell the network head honchos all about Jim and to get him a job but Jim has a change of heart saying he doesn't want to profit from his God-given gift as a psychic. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Writer : David Lloyd | Director : Noam Pitlik | |
| Air Date : Oct. 29, 1981 |
| Episode 5 - [Louie's Fling] |
| Details : Zena asks Louie to drive her friend Emily who has just been dumped and is drugged drunk and upset back to her apartment. While there Emily comes on to Louie and he ends up cheating on Zena. Louie soon brags of his conquest but Elaine gets so angry that she is about to tell Zena everything. Louie decides to tell Zena himself though who understandably dumps him. Louie then shows up at Emily's apartment but Emily is clearly regretting her indiscretion with Louie and is getting back with her boyfriend anyway so she kicks him out quickly. Louie back at the garage is in tears because he is so upset at the turn of events. Alex feeling sorry for Louie gives him some sage advice on how to get Zena back. All of a sudden Louie turns off the tears and Alex sees that he's been had and gets furious with himself. As Louie goes to talk to Zena (and presumably gets back together with her) he assures Alex that the tears were real. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : James Burrows | Writer : Sam Simon | |
| Air Date : Nov. 05, 1981 |
| Episode 6 - [Like Father Like Son] |
| Details : Alex's estranged father contacts Alex and reluctantly Alex agrees to have lunch with him. At first Alex lays into his father about having deserted his family but eventually they start having a nice conversation. Alex's father a real ladies' man even sets him up with an attractive woman sitting at the table next to them at Mario's. When Alex leaves Mario's Alex's father makes a date with the woman as well. Evidently both men continue dating the woman but when Alex learns that his father has double crossed him he becomes furious and confronts his father. Ultimately Alex's father lays on the charm enough with Alex that Alex forgives him and they are seen having dinner together. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : James Burrows | Writer : David Lloyd | |
| Air Date : Nov. 12, 1981 |
| Episode 7 - [Louie's Mom Remarries] |
| Details : Louie becomes irrationally upset when he learns that his mother plans to marry an elderly Japanese man. Louie makes his mother miserable in an effort to thwart the wedding but she still goes through with the wedding (a traditional Japanese ceremony) and Louie refuses to attend. At the last minute Alex talks Louie into going however and Louie proclaims that whatever despicable act he might perform at the wedding would be Alex's fault for convincing him to go. When Louie is very close to wrecking the wedding he has a change of heart and gives the couple his blessing. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : James Burrows | |
| Air Date : Nov. 19, 1981 |
| Episode 8 - [Fledgling] |
| Details : Elaine makes it her mission to try to cure a talented and friendly but troubled artist of his severe agoraphobia (fear of public places). Alex (possibly jealous of Elaine spending time with another man) advises Elaine to leave the treatment to a professional but she ignores his advice and eventually brings the artist to the garage. Predictably the artist is scared to leave the cab but while Alex and Elaine bicker about her methods the artist walks out of the cab and appears to be making progress. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : James Burrows | Writer : Ken Estin | |
| Air Date : Nov. 26, 1981 |
| Episode 9 - [Of Mice And Tony] |
| Details : Tony becomes the manager of a promising young heavyweight boxer at his gym but after the boxer wins a major fight the syndicate (which turns out to be some doctors looking for an investment rather than the mob) makes Tony an offer he can't refuse and takes over the boxer's management. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Writer : Les Charles | Writer : Glen Charles | Director : James Burrows | |
| Air Date : Dec. 10, 1981 |
| Episode 10 - [Louie Goes Too Far] |
| Details : When Louie spies on Elaine changing in the garage bathroom she enlists a NOW representative's help and gets Louie fired. Louie appeals to Elaine at her apartment one evening though and begs her forgiveness (and her help getting his job back). After Louie exhibits actual remorse and demonstrates through a touching story that he knows how it feels to be violated Elaine accepts his apology (and presumably gets him rehired at the garage). |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Writer : Danny Kallis | Director : Michael Lessac | |
| Air Date : Dec. 17, 1981 |
| Episode 11 - [I Wanna Be Around] |
| Details : Louie becomes scared of nuclear war after hearing someone talk on Donahue and he sets up a bomb shelter in the garage. He schedules a weekend drill with Jeff and Tony in tow but finds he's too soft to survive if war really broke out since he is unwilling to throw Jim (who has stowed away in a radiation suit) out of the shelter. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Writer : Les Charles | Writer : Glen Charles | Director : James Burrows | |
| Air Date : Jan. 07, 1982 |
| Episode 12 - [Bobby Doesn't Live Here Anymore] |
| Details : Bobby who has moved to Hollywood comes back to the garage for a visit and announces that he's filmed a pilot for a new prime-time soap opera. During his visit he learns that the pilot has been picked up as a series and Bobby throws a party at the Plaza Hotel to celebrate. He soon learns that although the series is a go they no longer want Bobby to appear in it. Bobby is upset and entertains the idea of moving back to New York until Alex convinces him to follow his dream in Hollywood. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Writer : Les Charles | Writer : Glen Charles | Director : James Burrows | |
| Air Date : Jan. 14, 1982 |
| Episode 13 - [Nina Loves Alex] |
| Details : Alex is strangely rejecting the advances of a cute bubbly young African American cab driver named Nina. Alex is growing more and more annoyed until he decides to invite Nina over to his apartment to talk to her and try to explain why she shouldn't be so interested in him. Although he succeeds with a fatherly talk where he comes off very dull they kiss goodnight. After the kiss Nina is convinced there's no spark between them after all while Alex seems to change his tune also but it's too late. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : Joan Darling | Writer : David Lloyd | |
| Air Date : Jan. 21, 1982 |
| Episode 14 - [Tony's Lady] |
| Details : Tony takes a second job working as a chauffer for a wealthy but friendly woman named Christina. The two of them hit it off while he's driving her around and Tony develops a crush on her. By the time Tony finally gets up the nerve to ask her out it's too late-- she has just become engaged. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : Michael Zinberg | Writer : Ken Estin | |
| Air Date : Jan. 28, 1982 |
| Episode 15 - [Simka Returns] |
| Details : Latka is eagerly anticipating a reunion with his ex-girlfriend from the old country Simka. She arrives at the garage and while Latka is in the bathroom Alex warns her of Latka's multiple personalities. Sure enough at Latka's apartment later Vic Ferrarri makes his appearance and seduces Simka. Much to Latka's dismay soon his alter-ego Vic and Simka seem to be an item. Alex encourages Latka to fight Vic for Simka which he does in hilarious fashion and Vic never returns. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Writer : Howard Gewirtz | Director : Michael Zinberg | |
| Air Date : Feb. 04, 1982 |
| Episode 16 - [Jim And The Kid] |
| Details : Jim befriends a runaway child who has stowed away in Tony's cab and soon has adopted him. When the gang gets wind of this they find the kid's parents and reunite them. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : Michael Zinberg | Writer : David Lloyd | |
| Air Date : Feb. 11, 1982 |
| Episode 17 - [Take My Ex-Wife Please] |
| Details : Alex runs into his ex-wife Phyllis eating alone at a restaurant and when she tries to reach out to him he gently tells her he's not interested. Nonetheless Phyllis shows the next day at the garage to find Alex but he's out driving. Louie manages to arrange a date with Phyllis who is particularly vulnerable having just gone through a divorce. When Alex learns of this (after Louie tries to rub it in) Alex becomes concerned about the depths that Phyllis has sunk to and goes to her hotel to talk. Too late- Louie has already arrived and has already tried to seduce Phyllis much to her disgust. Alex then takes Phyllis out to dinner leaving Louie naked in Phyllis' hotel room. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Writer : Howard Gewirtz | Director : Noam Pitlik | |
| Air Date : Feb. 18, 1982 |
| Episode 18 - [The Unkindest Cut] |
| Details : Elaine spends over $200 to go to a trendy hairstylist before a special date but the result is outrageously bad. When she expresses some disappointment the hairstylist insults her and she leaves crying but still pays. Alex talks her into going back and standing up for herself so she can get her hair fixed and her money back. That doesn't go too well but in the end Louie who has followed Alex and Elaine to the hairstylist exacts revenge on the guy by pouring a bucket of red hair dye on him. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : Noam Pitlik | |
| Air Date : Feb. 25, 1982 |
| Episode 19 - [Tony's Comeback] |
| Details : Tony begins working out with a new cabbie Lucius who is a former football player. Tony is in great shape all of a sudden and Lucius inspires Tony to try to get his boxing license reinstated. Tony is not hopeful that the boxing commission will reinstate him so he is surprised when he gets his license back. In addition he getes a major fight scheduled with a promising young fighter. Meanwhile Lucius goes away to Miami to try out for the Dolphins. Without Lucius around Tony loses his motivation and his training suffers. At the fight he is getting pummelled until Lucius who has learned that he has made the Dolphins arrives to inspire him. With Lucius' support Tony turns the fight around and knocks out his opponent. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : Michael Lessac | Writer : Sam Simon | |
| Air Date : Mar. 04, 1982 |
| Episode 20 - [Elegant Iggy] |
| Details : Jim invites Elaine to a concert and while there they run into an important patron at Elaine's art gallery. The woman invites them both to a party although Elaine is very worried that Jim will embarrass her in an event that's important to her career. Still she doesn't quite have it in her to ask Jim not to go. At the party Elaine's worst fears are realized with Jim's behavior until he surprisingly wows the crowd on the piano and turns things around. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Writer : Ken Estin | Director : Noam Pitlik | |
| Air Date : Mar. 11, 1982 |
| Episode 21 - [The Wedding Of Latka And Simka] |
| Details : Latka who Joyce Brothers has declared is cured of his multiple personality disorder asks Simka to marry him. They then must endure a bizarre series of tests as is the marital tradition for members of their religion. In hilarious fashion things get ugly at the ceremony itself and Simka denounces her religion when her minister reveals that she has just passed the last test and they are now married. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : James Burrows | Writer : Howard Gewirtz | |
| Air Date : Mar. 25, 1982 | Rating ➦ ★★★★★★★ |
| Episode 22 - [Cooking For Two] |
| Details : After Jim's home is destroyed by a wrecking ball he stays with Louie much to Louie's dismay after Jim declares him his best buddy. Jim soon burns Louie's apartment after a cooking accident though. Initially Louie is angry but sees an opportunity to make some money when he learns that Jim gets a blank check from his wealthy father to reimburse Louie for his losses. Louie is not sure how much to ask for though since Jim says he has to call his father to okay the amount. After much lamenting over the amount Louie settles on about $30000 and Jim's dad okays it. Louie is overjoyed until he learns that Jim's dad was expecting the amount to be more like $200000. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Director : James Burrows | Writer : Sam Simon | Writer : Ken Estin | |
| Air Date : Apr. 08, 1982 |
| Episode 23 - [The Road Not Taken Part 1] |
| Details : When Elaine is offered a job as an art gallery manager in Seattle she asks the gang for help in making a decision. The cabbies share with Elaine some stories about life changing decisions they once had to make. Tony talks about how he refused to take a dive in a major fight even though he will likely be in trouble with the mob. In the fight Tony learns that the other fighter has also been paid to take a dive and the fighter does so in comic fashion. Next Louie talks about how he became a taxi dispatcher after mercifully taking over for the kindly old dispatcher who had to take his wife to the doctor. Louie finds he likes the job and forces the old man out of the dispatcher's job into retirement. Finally Jim tells of how he was very studious at Harvard until his free-spirit girlfriend turned him on to hash brownies. (Part one of two) |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Charles Cioffi | Director : James Burrows | Writer : Sam Simon | Writer : Ken Estin | |
| Air Date : Apr. 29, 1982 |
| Episode 24 - [The Road Not Taken Part 2] |
| Details : (Part two) In a continuation of the previous episode the cabbies share past experiences with Elaine. Latka discusses his decision to leave his mother and move to America. Alex talks about an opportunity for a major promotion at a desk job he had but would not compromise his principles to take it. Meanwhile the man who offered Elaine a job comes to the garage to get a decision from her but he withdraws his offer when he sees how wishy washy Elaine is being about it. |
| Guest Cast and Crew : Eric Sevareid | Max Wright | David Mendenhall | Director : James Burrows | Writer : Howard Gewirtz | |
| Air Date : May. 06, 1982 |