4022
CHiPs California Highway Patrols was a mainstay
of disco-era TV, and still stands today as an immensely
enjoyable throwback to the period. Created in 1977 by
producer Rick Rosner, the show followed a troupe of
California motorcycle cops as they patrol the Golden
States freeways looking for neer-do-wells of all stripes
(the formula was about five cases per one-hour episode).
Leading the way is Officer Francis Ponch Poncherello,
a carefree cop with a devestating, lady-killing smile and
an easy-going (but not TOO easy-going) attitude to match
the SoCal lifestyle. His partner through most of the series
six year run was blonde-haired Officer Jonathan Baker,
who balanced Ponchs free spirit with a healthy dose of
reason and logic. Wilcox left the show in 1982, and was
replaced by Tom Reilly, playing Officer
Bobby Hot Dog Nelson.
With John Carl Parkers memorably brassy theme greeting
viewers each week, CHiPs began spearheading NBCs
Thursday night family hour schedule, but after a while,
moved to weekends, where it flourished, breaking into
the top 25 highest-rated shows for three years straight.
Its chief weapon: a very family-friendly attitude with
still enough room left for plenty of car chases, IN ONE GREAT EPISODE THE TEAM STOP A MOTORIST FOR SPEEDING, IT TURNS OUT TO BE BRODERICK CRAWFORD FROM THE EARLIER SERIES "HIGHWAY PATROL"
motorcycle wipeouts, jack-knifing trucks, frantic
or wise-cracking motorists, and disco dancing.
of disco-era TV, and still stands today as an immensely
enjoyable throwback to the period. Created in 1977 by
producer Rick Rosner, the show followed a troupe of
California motorcycle cops as they patrol the Golden
States freeways looking for neer-do-wells of all stripes
(the formula was about five cases per one-hour episode).
Leading the way is Officer Francis Ponch Poncherello,
a carefree cop with a devestating, lady-killing smile and
an easy-going (but not TOO easy-going) attitude to match
the SoCal lifestyle. His partner through most of the series
six year run was blonde-haired Officer Jonathan Baker,
who balanced Ponchs free spirit with a healthy dose of
reason and logic. Wilcox left the show in 1982, and was
replaced by Tom Reilly, playing Officer
Bobby Hot Dog Nelson.
With John Carl Parkers memorably brassy theme greeting
viewers each week, CHiPs began spearheading NBCs
Thursday night family hour schedule, but after a while,
moved to weekends, where it flourished, breaking into
the top 25 highest-rated shows for three years straight.
Its chief weapon: a very family-friendly attitude with
still enough room left for plenty of car chases, IN ONE GREAT EPISODE THE TEAM STOP A MOTORIST FOR SPEEDING, IT TURNS OUT TO BE BRODERICK CRAWFORD FROM THE EARLIER SERIES "HIGHWAY PATROL"
motorcycle wipeouts, jack-knifing trucks, frantic
or wise-cracking motorists, and disco dancing.
