Ep 8. The Great Race

The Great Race is the eighth episode of the second season of the famous American sitcom, Taxi. Initially, the episode aired on November 23, 1979, on ABC Network, and it was later released on DVD and streaming services. The episode's runtime is approximately 30 minutes, and it is directed by James Burrows and written by Glen & Les Charles.

The plot revolves around a friendly competition among the employees of the Sunshine Cab company. Louie De Palma (Danny DeVito), the cabbie's manager, announces that he has arranged a "Great Race." The race is a scavenger hunt, where the drivers have to collect various items from different locations around New York City. The winner who gathers the items the fastest wins a cash prize.

The episode features all the regular cast members of Taxi, including struggling actor Alex Reiger (Judd Hirsch), laid-back hippie Latka Gravas (Andy Kaufman), ladies’ man Tony Banta (Tony Danza), divorced mother of two Elaine Nardo (Marilu Henner), and naive mechanic Jim Ignatowski (Christopher Lloyd).

As soon as Louie announces the race, the drivers team up in pairs, with Alex pairing up with Elaine, Tony with Jim, and Reverend Jim with Latka. They all hit the road in their cabs, racing against each other to collect the items. While the episode mainly focuses on the dynamics among the characters, the scavenger hunt also takes the viewers on a tour of New York City.

The first task is to find a book by G. Gordon Liddy, known for his involvement in the Watergate scandal, at a local bookstore. Alex and Elaine quickly get their hands on the book, but they discover later that they must also find a picture of Liddy. Meanwhile, Jim and Tony are in the lead, thanks to Jim's vast trivia knowledge of various locations in New York City.

The second task is to take a picture of a police officer holding a marshmallow, and Reverend Jim and Latka cleverly fulfill this task by visiting a fire station and convincing a firefighter to play along. By the third task, which involves finding a copy of "TAO of Physics," Alex and Elaine are trailing, while Jim and Tony's lead is still strong.

In the final task, the drivers must obtain a rare Beatles album, "Yesterday and Today," signed by the famous American artist Andy Warhol. Knowing that other pairs would not think to check a flea market, Alex and Elaine head to an antique store, where Elaine actively assists Alex in bargaining for the record. Tony and Jim find a copy of the album in a record store but fail to obtain the necessary signature. Meanwhile, Latka and Reverend Jim wander and end up at a driving range, where they offer to trade Jim's cherished coat for the signed album despite not golfing in the rain. Louie is visibly annoyed when Latka and Ignatowski win the race despite being the least focused team.

The episode ends with Louie De Palma awarding a $200 prize to the winning team of Reverend Jim and Latka and trying to convince the drivers that the race will become an annual event.

Overall, The Great Race is an enjoyable episode of Taxi that provides some lighthearted moments while showcasing New York City's iconic sites. With its engaging storyline, witty dialogue, and well-developed characters, this episode remains a favorite among fans of the show.