Trivia - CHiPs

Every time I’m driving down the 101 or the 5 freeway heading into downtown Los Angeles, I can’t help but picture Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada—better known as California Highway Patrol officers Jon Baker and Frank “Ponch” Poncherello—cruising side by side on their motorcycles, effortlessly solving crimes and lending a helping hand, all while looking impossibly cool. I must’ve watched way too many episodes of "CHiPs" as a kid… and I regret nothing!

If you grew up during the late 1970s or early ‘80s, chances are you have fond memories of this wildly entertaining series, which aired for 139 episodes over six action-packed seasons. It wasn’t just the high-speed chases and sunny SoCal scenery that made the show a hit—it was also the terrific ensemble cast. In addition to Wilcox and Estrada, "CHiPs" featured Robert Pine as the firm but fatherly Sgt. Joseph “Joe” Getraer; Lew Saunders as Officer Gene Fritz; Brodie Greer as Officer Barry “Bear” Baricza; Paul Linke as the affable Officer Arthur “Grossie” Grossman; Lou Wagner as the CHP’s trusty mechanic Harlan Arliss; Brianne Leary as Officer Sindy Cahill; Randi Oakes as Officer Bonnie Clark; Michael Dorn as Officer Jebediah Turner; and Caitlyn Jenner (credited at the time as Bruce Jenner) as Officer Steve McLeish.

To celebrate my newly released two-part interview with the fantastic Robert Pine on the Hollywood Obsessed podcast, I thought it was the perfect time to take a ride down memory lane. So grab your helmet and buckle up for a fun list of trivia about this classic cop show that so many of us grew up watching and loving. Let’s see how much you remember!

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The series originally aired on NBC from September 15, 1977, to May 1, 1983.

The series ran for 139 episodes over six seasons, plus one reunion television film in October 1998.

Although doubles were used for far-off shots and various stunt or action sequences, Wilcox and Estrada did a great deal of their own motorcycle riding and performed many smaller stunts themselves.

Jon and Ponch never drew their weapons during the series, but Baricza (Brodie Greer) did after getting beat up after fighting some car strippers.

The freeway chases and crash scenes were filmed on nearly-finished stretches of Southern California freeways in the northern areas of Greater Los Angeles.

Jon Baker (Larry Wilcox) was named after the nephew of the show's creator, Rick Rosner. The boy had a small role in the first episode as a boy stopped by Ponch and Jon for riding his bicycle on the highway.

Baker's partner was originally written as an Italian-American named "Poncherelli". The "i" was changed to an "o" when Erik Estrada was cast.

Various California Highway Patrol cars featured on this show were used California Highway Patrol cruisers, bought at auction for the show. The age of the cars used tended to lag three or four years behind the actual cruisers used by the California Highway Patrol at the time.

Erik Estrada suffered a very serious motorcycle accident while filming an episode. Until he recovered, he literally shot scenes from his hospital bed.

Randi Oakes played a car thief in a second season episode. The following season, she joined the cast as Bonnie Clark.

In October 1981, two real-life California Highway Patrolmen were injured in the line of duty. The show's cast took time out to donate blood for the two officers. One survived.

The word "Chippie", as slang for California Highway Patrol Officer, dates to the 1950s or earlier, but was rarely used, until popularized by this show. The word "CHiP" was coined by the producers, after the network balked at the name "Chippies".

Erik Estrada spent time, and went through training at the California Highway Patrol Academy, to see what it was like to be a patrol officer.

Real California Highway Patrol Officers were sometimes on the scene, due to filming locations, which sometimes confused crew members as to who were actors, and who were real officers there for security and traffic control reasons.

In real life, California Highway Patrol motorcycle Officers do not ride in pairs. In the first two seasons, this was explained away as being because Ponch was on probation, and Jon was his mentor. However, the viewing audience got so used to seeing them working together that it stayed that way for the entire show's run, without any further objections.

Ponch was among the first leading characters on a dramatic series who was Latino. He's often cited as among the first positive or non-stereotypical portrayal of a Latino-American on a regular prime time drama series.

Aside from Larry Wilcox's well publicized departure from the series prior to the final season, other cast changes were made for that season as well. The characters played by Michael Dorn, Brodie Greer, and Randi Oakes (Turner, Baricza, and Bonnie) were written off and replaced, with no explanation.

Sergeant Joe Getraer (Robert Pine) was named after a college friend of series creator and producer Rick Rosner.

When Larry Wilcox quit the series, it was explained that Jon had moved back home to Wyoming.

Gwynne Gilford, who had a recurring role as Sergeant Getraer's wife, Betty, was the real-life wife of Robert Pine, who played Getraer.

Midway through the final season, Tom Reilly (Bobby) was arrested for drug possession. This resulted in his role being reduced, with Bruce Penhall having his role as Bobby's brother Bruce being increased. The California Highway Patrol also threatened to revoke the show's use of their badge and related imagery, over the bad publicity, due to the arrest.

Jon was among the first characters on a television series to be identified as a Vietnam Veteran. Larry Wilcox had served in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine during the Tet Offensive.

A series of 8 inch and 33⁄4 inch "CHiPs" action figures was released by toy company Mego in the late 1970s. Due to the materials used to construct the figures, many of them have discolored (typically turning green) or started to decompose over the years, making good conditioned examples quite hard to find on the collectors market.

Final season regular Bruce Penhall had been a Motorcycle World Speedway Champion. His character Bruce Nelson was a World Speedway Champion transitioning to be a motorcycle Officer with the California Highway Patrol. Footage of Penhall competing in the 1982 World Speedway Championship was used in an episode portraying his character competing in the event.

Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada were often said to frequently clash, and did not get along well with each other during the production of this show. This was reported to be a factor in Wilcox's decision to quit the series. Estrada was said to be similarly displeased working with Tom Reilly, who replaced Wilcox as Poncherello's partner Officer Bob "Bobby" Nelson.

Early in season five, Erik Estrada briefly walked off the show, due to contract disputes. He was replaced by Bruce Jenner, playing Steve McLeish. During the absence, normal opening credits with Estrada's name and image continued to run, and Bruce Jenner was listed among the guest stars.

Michael Dorn, who spent three seasons on this show, with Robert Pine, would go on to be best known for playing Lieutenant Worf on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987).

Robert Pine played Jon and Ponch's stalwart sergeant, Joseph Getraer. Robert is the father of actor Chris Pine, who plays James T Kirk in the rebooted "Star Trek" franchise.

NBC originally wanted to replace Erik Estrada with Bruce Jenner for the seventh season because he expressed interest in leaving the show for other projects. But since the TV show had declining ratings, NBC canceled the show after season six.

Erik Estrada, Robert Pine, and Paul Linke were the only cast members featured throughout all six of the show's seasons.

In 1992, Estrada showed up in a commercial for Taco Bell, where he plays a patrolman who stops a girl in jeans who's eating the latest offering from Taco Bell, and asks her if she has a license for her dangerously tasty new taco.

Future Hollywood star Michelle Pfeiffer made one of her earliest filmed appearances in the series 3 story 'The Watch Commander', first shown in 1979.

"CHiPs '99" - which aired in October 1998 - was a made-for-television reunion film and sequel to the series. It was directed by Jon Cassar. Several cast members from the original series reprise their roles. Original cast with promotions were Jon Baker (Larry Wilcox) as a captain and Joe Getraer (Robert Pine) as the CHP Commissioner.

A film remake of "CHiPs" was released on March 24, 2017, with Dax Shepard co-producing with Andrew Panay, writing, directing and starring as Officer Jon Baker, Michael Peña as Frank "Ponch" Poncherello and Vincent D'Onofrio as the film's villain.

Some facts sourced from IMDB & Wikipedia.

Don’t miss my exclusive two-part interview with the legendary Robert Pine on the latest episodes of the Hollywood Obsessed podcast! Filled with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, fun anecdotes, and insights from his remarkable 60-year career, this is a conversation you won’t find anywhere else.

Tap the links below to listen and be inspired!

Episode 121 - HERE

Episode 122 - HERE