Taxi – “Nardo Loses Her Marbles”

Taxi Season Two DVD

Original Air Date: October 2, 1979
Starring: Andy Kaufman, Danny DeVito
Directed by: James Burrows

Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: A maddening schedule and the pressure of being a mom working two jobs starts to get to Elaine Nardo (Marilu Henner) which prompts Alex (Judd Hirsch) to suggest she seek therapy.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): In the opening segment of the episode, Latka (Andy Kaufman) finishes cleaning out a cab and presents Louie with the small amount of change he has found. Louie doesn’t believe Latka is giving him everything and demands he empties out his pockets then and there. Latka proceeds to pull numerous odd items out of the pockets of his coveralls, including a packet of cat cookies. When asked why he needs cat cookies, Latka pulls out a tiny kitten from the other pocket.

Taxi - Nardo Loses Her Marbles - Latka Andy Kaufman pulls kitten from pocket with Louie Danny DeVito

Taxi - Nardo Loses Her Marbles - Latka Andy Kaufman pulls kitten from pocket with Louie Danny DeVito

Taxi - Nardo Loses Her Marbles - Latka Andy Kaufman pulls kitten from pocket with Louie Danny DeVito animated gif

Louie tells Latka to “get that mangy thing outta here!” Latka then tells the kitten that this is the Louie he was telling him about, then reacts as the kitten supposedly pees on him. “So you recognize his name!” Latka states, then walks away with the kitten, which is not seen again.

Taxi - Nardo Loses Her Marbles - Latka Andy Kaufman reacts to kitten peeing on him with Louie Danny DeVito

Taxi - Nardo Loses Her Marbles - Latka Andy Kaufman holding tiny kitten with Louie Danny DeVito

Taxi - Nardo Loses Her Marbles - Latka Andy Kaufman walking away with tuxedo kitten

What’s funny is there are several hints of what is to come beforehand, as the kitten’s mews can be heard before the reveal. Actor Andy Kaufman has to keep putting his hand discreetly in his right pocket to keep the kitten from poking out, but it does manage to be seen just inside the pocket a couple of times.

Taxi - Nardo Loses Her Marbles - Latka Andy Kaufman with kitten poking out of pocket with Louie Danny DeVito

Taxi - Nardo Loses Her Marbles - Latka Andy Kaufman with kitten poking out of pocket with Louie Danny DeVito

Final Mewsings: Is that a kitten in your pocket or … ?

Many thanks to Erin T. Aardvark for letting us know about the kitten in this episode!


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