Taxi: Season 3
The third season of Taxi aired on ABC from November 19, 1980 to May 21, 1981.
Season 3 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Taxi Season 2.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
The third season of Taxi aired on ABC from November 19, 1980 to May 21, 1981.
Episode Guide
Season 3 Progress Shield
Louie's Rival
Nov 19, 1980 · 24 min
Louie and Zena are running into trouble in their relationship, and Zena dumps him after confessing that she's been dating Dwight, a bartender at Mario's. A depressed Louie tells Al
Tony's Sister and Jim
Nov 26, 1980 · 24 min
Tony's sister, Monica, has returned to New York after her divorce, and Tony has set her up on a date with Alex, with hopes that they will fall in love. However, while Monica waits
Fathers of the Bride
Dec 3, 1980 · 24 min
Alex learns through a wedding notice in the newspaper that his daughter is getting married in New York. Alex is very upset that he hasn't been invited and calls his ex-wife, whose
Elaine's Strange Triangle
Dec 10, 1980 · 24 min
At Mario's, while Elaine is complaining about problems with her love life, a handsome man named Kirk approaches. Tony then plays matchmaker for Elaine and soon she and Kirk are dat
Going Home
Dec 17, 1980 · 24 min
Jim is sought out by a detective, hired by his wealthy father to locate him and give him plane tickets to come visit him in Boston. Jim explains to the gang that he has been estran
The Ten Percent Solution
Jan 7, 1981 · 24 min
Bobby is fed up after losing an acting gig to an inferior actor with the right look, which he explains to be like Tony. Tony decides he wants to capitalize on this and give acting
The Call of the Mild
Jan 21, 1981 · 24 min
After witnessing Bobby playing a lumberjack in a beer commercial, the guys are inspired to go camping and rough it in the woods for a week. They opt for a hunting cabin 100 miles a
Latka's Cookies
Feb 5, 1981 · 24 min
When Latka's grandmother dies, he is pleased that she has left him her famous cookie recipe, complete with a supply of the secret ingredients. He bakes up some for the cabbies to e
Thy Boss's Wife
Feb 12, 1981 · 24 min
At the garage, the cabbies overhear a screaming match between the company's owner, Mr. McKenzie, and his wife. Meanwhile, Louie tells them that whenever McKenzie and his wife are f
The Costume Party
Feb 19, 1981 · 24 min
Bobby finds a fancy briefcase in the back of his cab, and when the cabbies are going through it, with the intention of returning it to its rightful owner, they find an appointment
Elaine's Old Friend
Feb 26, 1981 · 24 min
In her cab, Elaine picks up a woman who turns out to be her old high-school rival, Mary. Elaine is embarrassed that she is a cab driver, especially since Mary heads a prestigious a
Out of Commission
Mar 12, 1981 · 24 min
After Tony is beaten badly in his most recent boxing match, the state takes his boxing license away.
Zen and the Art of Cab Driving
Mar 19, 1981 · 24 min
Jim picks up two men in his cab and overhear them talking about the secret to success: dynamic perfectionism. Jim takes it to heart and decides to use the technique to reach his g
Louie's Mother
Mar 26, 1981 · 24 min
Louie is reveling in the news that he's moved his mother out of his apartment and into a nursing home and is throwing a party to celebrate, inviting only Alex. Alex grudgingly sho
Bobby's Roommate
Apr 9, 1981 · 24 min
Elaine is forced out of her apartment when her building goes co-op and moves into Bobby's place while he's away with a touring stage production. Soon, Bobby returns because he is
Louie Bumps into an Old Lady
Apr 16, 1981 · 24 min
Louie, driving a cab in order to give pointers to a new driver, accidentally runs into an old lady pedestrian. Louie starts catering to the old lady, in the hopes of avoiding bein
Bobby and the Critic
Apr 30, 1981 · 24 min
Bobby, who is appearing in a one man play, is fired up about a ruthless theater critic who has been writing scathing reviews. Bobby writes an angry letter to the critic, but throw
On the Job (1)
May 7, 1981
The cab company goes bust, and the gang is forced to get other jobs. They meet at Mario's a month later to discuss their new jobs. Tony is a collector for a bookie, but feels gui
On the Job (2)
May 14, 1981
In part two, the gang continues talking about their new job experiences. Louie gets a job as a stock broker, after convincing the boss that his persistence and lack of morals will
Latka the Playboy
May 21, 1981
After Latka is rejected by a snobbish, but beautiful woman at Mario's, he decides to change his image by taking some time off and studying Playboy magazines and English language ta