The Truth about Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada from TV's "CHiPs"

Here are my thoughts about the relationship between Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada who starred as Jon and Ponch on the classic TV show "CHiPs".
Get "CHiPs" on DVD here: amzn.to/3Gw3AtZ
Here's Larry talking about Erik: • Larry Wilcox on Erik E...
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This video is not intended for children under the age of 14. Quite frankly, kids...I'm just some random old dude talking about nostalgic TV and movie stuff from a really long time ago and I highly doubt that it is going to interest you.
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[@anthonystike6034]

The conflicts between them not spilling over into the series, is a testament to their ability as actors.

[@jdsundstrom]

Agreed!

[@kendallrivers1119]

Unlike Bruce and Cybill lol.

[@picard714]

...as actors and as professionals. 100%!

[@SunShine-zo7of]

Erik & Larry handled their situation back then very professionally, and as they became older they realized if they wanted to succeed changes had to be done in their life. Both of them are great actors and today they are best friends. I admire them both.

[@billd7829]

I met Larry and Erik at Rhode Island Comic Con.. 2 of the nicest guys I've ever met.. I talked to Larry for about an hour.. he was really down to earth and he didnt mind talking with me for the long.. and I spoke to Erik for about 15 minutes because his line was getting long.. so was Larry's.. they both took a picture with me near the chips motorcycle then have me a picture of theirs and both autographed it for free.. that's something I will never forget... 2 real genuine guys..

[@jdsundstrom]

So good to hear! Thanks for sharing.

[@jerrypeacock2234]

I met Erik Estrada years ago when he came into the restaurant I worked at, I found him to be a real genuine nice guy, he stayed a couple hours to sign every autograph and speak to his fans. thats a real celebrity, one who doesn't forget the fans who made them.

[@ontogeny6474]

There is "screen" chemistry that doesn't necessarily translate into day-to-day chemistry. That said, the balance of the two personalities worked well for the show. Sort of like a living version of yin and yang, they complimented each other in equal, albeit somewhat opposite ways. The producers knew exactly what they were doing.

[@jdsundstrom]

Well said!

[@Oonagh72]

Larry Wilcox, in my opinion, really was underrated as an actor. He should have been a Costner or Gibson.

[@sonicvasquez4673]

Erik Enchilada was so full of himself with his capped teeth . Larry was such a awesomely down to earth dude.

[@harperstacey9604]

Erik Estrada had a very bad attitude. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@sdb92]

I still watch CHiPs on Charge TV! I remember my fav episode “Super Cycle” like it was played yesterday. One of several shows that will always be part of my youth! 🤙🏻🇺🇸

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing your memories SD B!

[@brendastepp5896]

My favorite show as a kid and still one of my favorites today. Larry was always my favorite. Even named my son Jon!

[@ROHM53]

Man, I loved that show! The original "CHiPs" was a heap of good fun. The SoCal scenery, the exterior location filming, and some of those slomo car crashes and pile ups was bomb! Wasn't as much fun after Larry departed though. But Eric help keep the show together till it's end.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing!

[@brendastepp5896]

The storylines went south when Larry left. They were grasping at straws. The story about the ET and another about an orangutan were just the final nails in the coffin. Still watch it daily on Plex and am enjoying reliving my childhood.

[@Orrymain1]

Back in the day, I always heard their then-wives stirred the pot between them quite a bit, and I tend to think that was part of their issues, but as you said, they were co-workers. When Erik had that horrible accident while filming, the talk of everyone was how Larry was right there at his side, trying to help. I recall years later, they were both at a charity gun event and that was one of the first times they'd been back together. They'd matured and were putting the past behind them. I recall their fellow cast members were so happy when they made the reunion movie because they all said there was no tension at all between Erik and Larry then, the opposite of the feelings when the show was filmed. I'm glad they've made peace as I love happy endings.

[@burningmarl5664]

I saw them both at a convention in 2022 and Estrada was speaking highly of Wilcox. Estrada said when he had his serious motorcycle accident on the show Larry helped administer emergency medical care that saved Erik's life. Wilcox had been a military vet and had some E.M.T. training

[@cherokeekid9491]

Yes, I read that the hug at the end of chips 99 wasn't a act or planned, the handshake was, but not the hug. it was heartfelt and sincere.

[@sergioleone3583]

Bruce Jenner, not "Caitlin". Even if one goes with what is current, back in the 70s, he was still Bruce.

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm trying to be kind. I know that Caitlin, who exists now, would prefer to be called by her current name even when speaking about things in the past. It's not a big deal to me to do that.

[@iaboiler]

@@jdsundstrom that's the problem though. This is not accurate regardless of your well intentions. You have a responsibility to your viewers to be accurate above all else. Otherwise, there is no trust that anything you say is true because perhaps you're trying to spare someone else's feelings. See the slippery slope?

[@jdsundstrom]

Who is to say what is accurate? I don't have the scientific knowledge to make any sort of judgment like that. I think I'll stick with my plan to be kind to others regardless of what gender they identify by.

[@berniecasey7592]

I lost all respect when Bruce turned into Catlin- don't care for him now.

[@MPM_Matz]

@@jdsundstrom : In my opinion, in the video you had to be said "Bruce Jenner", because in that time HE was, and NOT SHE was in THAT role. But - to be accurate - you had to reveal in brackets after HIS earlier gender name for example: "(known from 2015 as Caitlyn Jenner)". I think THIS is more correct for your audience, and also Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner. In this version, how'd you made it in your video, this is weird and sounds like crazy and false. I can understand both sides, even I am not really simpathizing with Bruce's genderchange, but if he felt it so, that he is more a trans-female, I have nothing to do with it, but everybody should normally give an evident respect to each other. CHiPs was his earlier life, so HE should be corrected to Bruce Jenner. (But in brackets, you can put the information, that "later known as Caitlyn Jenner", so will it be correct, and not disturbful for the viewers of your video(s).)

[@johnmcdougald1238]

I always liked Wilcox over Estrada, even more so later in years after learning about his time in Vietnam while in the Marine Corps. He was the real thing. I even remember a few interviews with him and how he'd always respond, professionally, about the stories of what Eric had done to him or threatened him. Kaitlyn....HA!

[@georolmar]

Caitlin Jenner? Laughs. you drank the Koolaid.

[@jdsundstrom]

I was just trying to be kind.

[@jdsundstrom]

I've been told that individuals like Caitlin who have transitioned from one gender to another like to be referred to by their current name/identity even when talking about things in the past. I'm good with it.

[@pamelamays4186]

Sometimes it just takes a few years for relationships to smooth out. Just because two people are onscreen besties doesn't mean they're obligated to be besties in real life. Case in point, Bea Arthur and Betty White.

[@davidhinkson8856]

Always loved this show, and I remember reading about the conflict between Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada from Erik Estrada's side. I didn't see the final season, so I hadn't realised that Larry Wilcox had actually left it. I saw the reunion TV movie and I loved it. Hope they don't get the idea to bring a new version of it because some things are products of their time and are best left there.

[@KasumiKenshirou]

There was a reboot movie a few years ago. Upon it's release, Larry Wilcox tweeted something like, "Congratulations, you've ruined the CHiPs franchise."

[@RobSandage]

I liked the TV movie, but where the writers had screwed up on was Ponch actually stuck around while Jon Baker left. I would have written the script where Ponch made Captain raising his son that he had with his wife who was killed in a episode and Jon Baker returns once again. It was a shame that some of the original cast members did not all come back to be in the TV movie. I felt that NBC should have aired the movie instead of TNT, but I think Ted Turner bought the rights I bet from NBC to create the TV movie. I noticed this happened as well with another TV show that oringally aired on NBC and then TNT picked up the show to air in reruns and that was The Pretender. NBC was going to air a few TV movies, but instead TNT got to air those movies. This show was a show that I loved tuning in to watch as a kid! I even watched it in reruns in high school during Summer and holiday breaks on TNT and TBS.

[@SoulforSale]

I didn't know Kaitlyn Jenner played a man in the fifth season.

[@RobSandage]

@@SoulforSale yes this was way before she came out of the closet. He had just won gold in the Olympics. Plus, Bruce Jenner was all over the Wheaties boxes as well. In the past he was a guy. Now he is a woman.

[@360whiplash]

You forgot to mention that they were both in a cameo in Loaded Weapon in 1993, in a shootout scene. Which was a bit funny since they both never did draw their guns let alone fire them in the original series, the criminals they managed to chase down, would just automatically surrender without so much of a fight.

[@jdsundstrom]

I've never seen "Loaded Weapon". I guess I probably should one of these days.

[@360whiplash]

@@jdsundstrom There's a video clip of it on youtube, but it's in a foreign language.

[@RobSandage]

@@jdsundstrom Loaded Weapon is from the creator of a TV show that I loved watching and it only had two seasons. It was called Sledge Hammer. Some of the things that they did on the show would not be considered in todays society "Politically Correct". The screenwriter and director of the TV show was doing a parody of Dirty Harry. He came up with the idea when he was in school and wrote a script on it. I have the complete DVD of season 1 and 2 of Sledge Hammer. I would crack up laughing watching that show.

[@jaspr1999]

It's so easy to forget that actors are just like everyone else and go in every day, do a job, have to work with great and not so great coworkers, and come home to rinse and repeat. We get so tied up in the stories of the characters they play remembering the reality is sometimes just hard to do. Thanks, Dave! I hope you have a wonderful one!

[@jdsundstrom]

You're most welcome. Have a great one as well!

[@RedSiegfried]

The one thing I remember most about CHIPs (I watch it all the time so my memory is pretty fresh) is the 25 mile per hour freeway "chases" that always seemed to happen on the same stetch of brand new highway - and when there was a huge pileup, it seemed like the cops just kept chasing the bad guy and didn't often stop to help! It did become "the Ponch show" after a while, kind of like how Happy Days turned into the "Fonzie show." So I wouldn't blame Larry Wilcox for being a little resentful for being pushed to the side a bit in favor or the character that was more popular with the people who made the show and the audience too. Ponch and Jon, but especially Ponch, seemed they could do anything - hang glide, race cars, martial arts, disco dance, whatever was cool at the time. And Ponch of course got turned into an obligatory role model for kids, and a number of the plots featured Ponch helping kids in trouble and lecturing them on living a better life. I would imagine some of that was simply the show producers recognizing that kids watched the show a lot, so they naturally tried to feature more stories about kids where Ponch was there to help them out.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing your memories Red!

[@peppermintcatsass3141]

O.J. tested that concept decades later

[@brendastepp5896]

I think it was actually pretty equal. It was Jon who had the pilot’s license (and taught Ponch to fly-“Bomb Run”-season 5), did the off-road racing and rodeos. He did pretty much everything Ponch did with the exception of karate.

[@citygirl5705]

My dad was a CHP officer in the 70s. CHIPs was obviously a big deal among highway patrolmen when it came out. I heard that Ponch and Jon almost never (if ever) pulled out their guns on the show. I don't know how realistic that was, but I'm sure being a law enforcement officer back then was 1000 times easier than it is today.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing Amanda. And...if your dad is still with us, please let him know that I appreciate his service.

[@Kirkvanhouten55]

The only CHP to ever pull his gun on the show was Baricza…as a last resort..on a nunchuck wielding Danny Bonaduce

[@ROHM53]

@@Kirkvanhouten55 I do indeed, remember that episode. Danny B. and some of his little thug buddies.

[@deansmith6593]

Not sure how it was in LA but crime was much worse in the 1970's in the NYC area.

[@henryscafe8364]

@@Kirkvanhouten55 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jn2ahnaKd72dfdk

[@justen.d.sblackburn6701]

I appreciate they were able to work through their differences and difficulties in their life and now they're good friends

[@harperstacey9604]

I'm glad that they were able to mend their friendship. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@martok2112]

Probably one thing I remember about CHiPs was the epic, multicar pileups that seemed to happen just about every other week.

[@kenlompart9905]

I've been re-watching it recently and definitely noticed that, also the cars don't just smash into each other they fly into the air as if the cars they hit have ramps on them.

[@bluejulie6814]

Yes! I remember my brothers and me laughing when a victim of a wreck that would be fatal in real life would crawl out of a car without being bloodied, or even their hair messed up!😄

[@martok2112]

@@kenlompart9905 Hahaha. Yes indeed! (That had to be murder on the show's budget. )😁

[@jasongoldtrap1114]

Two episodes stand out in my memory. One about criminals using lasers to blind cops. Another about a roller Disco beauty contest.

[@jdsundstrom]

I remember the roller disco one. 🙂

[@wudaddy]

"Bright Flashes" and "Roller Disco." Two good episodes.

[@jasongoldtrap1114]

No. He was not played by Caitlin Jenner.

[@jdsundstrom]

As I am aware that TPFKABJ would prefer that be referred to as Caitlin even when talking about things in the past, I tried to honor that request.

[@crystald8465]

@@jdsundstrom Dave I work in a similar field so I understand 👍🏽

[@RedSiegfried]

@@jdsundstrom If I could meet Caitlin Jenner, I would love to ask her how she would feel about being referred to as TPFKABJ. I bet that would make her laugh!

[@jdsundstrom]

I would hope she would, at the very least, smile.

[@Dbusdriver71]

I got the sense there was some tension when the reunion movie 'Chips' that still remained but was still a great show. KTLA Channel 5 showed the reruns. It really was an Iconic show. These two are good guys. Good trip down memory lane Dave!

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm glad you enjoyed the trip down memory lane. 🙂

[@joegreen268]

What gave you the idea there was still some tension in the reunion?

[@Dbusdriver71]

@@joegreen268 If you watched the series from the beginning, the 1st time around you can pick up on these things. I always believed there was some tension between the performers but only completely confirmed to me later on after the shows run was over.

[@joegreen268]

@@Dbusdriver71 I agree by season 5 you could tell they didn't want to be anywhere near each other.

[@NoirHammer]

Great show. Always tuned in as a kid. I was surprised to see Erik in an episode of Kolchak: The Night Stalker. I'm glad they found peace. Whether they like it or not they are connected.

[@jdsundstrom]

So very true!

[@starmnsixty1209]

Glad you mentioned Erik's "KOLCHAK: the Night Stalker" episode; one of the better ones, actually, "Legacy of Terror." I try to never miss an opportunity to bring new fans into the world of Carl Kolchak.

[@NoirHammer]

@@starmnsixty1209 and it's even better to see the series in 2K now. Kino Lorber released it on Blu-ray

[@fredrika27]

Eric was not easy to get on with. The actor Michael Dorn of Star Trek: The Next Generation told of being fired from the show and how he found out. Michael was an extra, better said, he was the only POC in the cast. Michael got his start as an extra on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and then moved up the ranks when CHiPs came along from being a silent actor in the back ground to actually having a few lines every couple of episodes. Mike's job was driving the squad car, sitting in the background during morning review and helping to catch the bad guy at the end of the episode. Michael made decent money as an extra and was able to buy his first car which allegedly Eric bought too! Eric allegedly didn't like this, felt threatened by this and told the casting director not to hire Michael anymore. This was when Eric was throwing tantrums! In the season he was fired, Michael went to the studio to get his uniform fitting and the script for the next day's filming like he always did. He found out from wardrobe he was fired!😡 Robert Pine who was also the acting coach on CHiPs and Chris Pine's dad consoled Michael on that day. There was bad blood between Michael and Eric every since because Eric would pull these stunts if he thought people around him were getting too big for their britches! Now, why is this story important to me? Our pastor who had a fairly large congregation in 1970s told everyone in the church not to watch the show! If Estrada or the casting directors were going to be so petty, they wouldn't get out support! You see there were so few people of color on TV back then! Herbert Jackson, Jr. Of Battlestar Galactica was my heart throb while Todd Bridges made one of his first acting appearances on Little House on the Prairie! So our church stopped watching! Now, back then most black families read Ebony, Jet and Essence magazines. Every August or September, Ebony would put out a TV guide issue with a complete guide of Black actors who appeared in various series! In this way the Black community supported black actors in the hopes of getting more series and better representation. Imagine how excited I was when I read that Billy Dee Williams was going to be in the next Star Wars movies or that Diana Ross and Michael Jackson were contracted for The Whiz. Well, our pastor gave us the command and his flock was to follow! Unfortunately, things didn't always turn out like the pastor wanted! You see Nilson's Ratings chose my auntie's and grandmother's houses to put their rating boxes in. My cousins and I would always go over to their houses over the weekends and in the summer time because they would babysit us. That year when Michael was fired, my cousins and I agreed to watch the final episodes over the summer to support Michael! We had to because we felt it a real duty to support Black actors and the series they appeared in! Plus, wasn't that political stuff for adults! 🤔Being a fan of Michael Dorn, I was really happy when he landed a small role on Falcon Crest with Marilyn McKoo (I think I spellt that right). I actually got to meet Michael at a Star Trek convention back in the 90s! He remembered getting fan mail from me because my cousins and I sent a huge picture of Michael riding a motorcycle along with Larry, Eric and Robert! He actually remembered and told the story that supporting actors were not given money to answer their fan mail! Plus, he was literally poor living paycheck to paycheck! Universal was cheap in those days! What's really sad was when Michael got TNG and bumped into Eric, Eric didn't remember him! Things didn't turn around for Eric until he hit rock bottom and everyone was pi$$ed at him. This is when Eric went to work for Telemondo. Michael didn't get an apology from Eric until decades later when both actors were given awards. Eric had been humbled by then after three wives and several kids. Michael Dorn learned from this: he's never gotten an actor fired intentionally and has always treated his Star Trek fans with respect! He's still good friends with Robert Pine. Despite Erik apologizing, Michael was upset because without the acting job he couldn't pay his bills and faced some tough times between shows! So there you have it! Oh and those Nelson boxes, you know we turned them on when the Jackson family hour came on, but we also watched Donny and Marie and the Carol Burnet shows because they actually hired people of color! I read Ebony and Essence until they closed down about 15 years ago! So that's my childhood!🤣🤣🤣

[@charlespeakjr2168]

Thank you for sharing your story about Michael Dorn, Frederika. There were probably a lot of CHiPS fans that never knew the reason why he was fired. That was very underhanded to say the least. For the six (6) seasons that the show was on NBC, there were only 3 POC besides Michael Dorn. Lew Saunders (CHP Officer Gene Fritz 1977-79) and Clarence Gilyard, Jr. (CHP Officer Benjamin Webster 1982-83). Actress Rana Ford was in the Season 2 episode "The Volunteers." She played CHP Officer Jane Turner. BTW. If you remember, Clarence Gilyard, Jr. later played Conrad McMasters on Matlock and was Chuck Norris' partner, Texas Ranger Jimmy Trivette, on Walker, Texas Ranger.

[@fredrika27]

@@charlespeakjr2168 Thanks for the great information on the actors. I remember that episode with Rana! Back then all my cousins had those little kiddie motorcycles which were featured in a CHiPs episode! I was the only girl who could ride a motorcycle back in the day. All my female cousins were too scared! 🏍 Don't know why ,they didn't go that fast!🤣🤣

[@charlespeakjr2168]

@@fredrika27 Hey, you got several up on me. I was banned from my parents, my Grandmother and my aunts from ever getting a motorcycle (not only did they have an intervention, they got a petition-lol). Some things have changed in Hollywood regarding POC, but a lot of things have not. Some writers still focus on negative stereotypes regarding our people. Movies like Sleepless In Seattle, Mission Impossible, as well as other romantic, action or comedic movies can be done from our perspective. Same thing with almost any TV series. In the 60's, 70's and 80's, there were very talented POC in Hollywood. Unfortunately, like you stated, a lot of the acting roles offered were as extras, some were recurring in some TV shows, a few had regular roles. There were a lot of comedic roles in sitcoms, but regular dramatic and starring roles were very few and far between.

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@fredrika27 Thanks for the info Frederika27 Godspeed.👼🕊❤📺

[@fredrika27]

@@SuperMarioBrosIII You're welcome!

[@josephwoolf2332]

I flew from Lax to Reno once, on Southwest Airlines, and Erik Estrada was on my flight. I got to have a pitcher taken with him at baggage claim.

[@harperstacey9604]

Picture.

[@patrickfennell6372]

Remember when Bruce Jenner played a CHiPs cop. Oh, how times have changed. Remember Erik in Midway, and the New Centurions. Larry appeared in a few Disney movies in the early to late 1970s. ChiPs had a slew of great bad guys like William Smith.......

[@jdsundstrom]

The times have DEFINITELY changed. 🙂

[@sledzeppelin]

The 6th season is bonkers. Completely different feel, stunt casting and celebrity cameos, and storylines involving aliens.

[@sergioleone3583]

I didn't know that Erik Estrada had become a police officer in real life. That's VERY cool!

[@jdsundstrom]

The coolest!

[@VinnieGRandomVlogs]

I watched CHiPs every week religiously back in the day. One of my favorite shows. Still watch the reruns. It wasn't the same when Larry Wilcox left. I liked the chemistry between Ponch and Baker. It's funny how Michael Dorn who played Worf on Star Trek the Next Generation was on this show and his character was officer Turner. I never knew about that until later on when I was watching a rerun. I'm like I recognize that voice and it was him . Another awesome video.

[@lancemartin6782]

Didn't know that about Worf.....did they ride the bikes in real scenes...

[@VinnieGRandomVlogs]

@@lancemartin6782 I believe his character actually drove a patrol car like the character Officer "Bear".

[@lancemartin6782]

@@VinnieGRandomVlogs thx

[@kevincampbell9526]

Fun fact: the guy who played their sergeant is the father of Chris Pine (StarTrek and Wonder Woman fame).

[@bySterling]

What a reminder of how we’re living in ‘the upside down’ where cops are painted as the bad guys and Bruce Jenner an unattractive scary ‘woman’! Take us back to the good ol days world pls!

[@jdsundstrom]

Let's fire up the time machine! 🙂

[@KasumiKenshirou]

I saw an episode recently where Ponch had an NRA poster in his motor home. That would never fly in Hollywood today!

[@bonghunezhou5051]

@@KasumiKenshirou The NRA (Rifle not 'Restaurant',' presumably) was more mainstream, back in the day 😒

[@KasumiKenshirou]

@@bonghunezhou5051 Yeah, it was the "Rifle" one in the CHiPs episode.

[@darrenwashington9842]

I have always enjoyed watching Chips back in the day. I am glad Erik and Larry settle their difference. May God bless both men with great health and prosperity in their careers in Jesus name. Amen.

[@albertmanuel5028]

One of my favorites growing up. I loved how different episode themed around current fads - nude beaches, punk rockers, roller skates, etc. Why did Ponch only ever bust out his king fu in one episode?

[@IceManLikeGervin]

People that work together do not have to be friends...just get the job done in a professional manner. That being said I believe originally the producers wanted John to be the series front man but Ponch's wide spread appeal made him the most popular out of the two and egos got in the way behind the scenes. CHiPs will always have fond memories for me as a kid growing up watching Jon, Ponch and the rest of the CHP crew on tv going on their weekly adventures trying to keep the highways safe while fighting crime. One of my favorite episodes was when Jon & Ponch chased down the nude women's volleyball team riding in a van that was speeding on the highway in order to make it to a tournament on time.

[@jdsundstrom]

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

[@user-ym8rl3hb2z]

I watched Chips all of the time. It was on when I was in school and quite often I pretended I was sick so I could see it! Now, that I am retired, I see it every day! I have seen all of the episodes 2-3 times! I am glad they are still friends! I loved the show!!😊

[@thevintageaudiolife]

I was a 12 years old when this show first came came out and 90% of these episodes were filmed here, in my own back yard neighborhood! the city of San Fernando, good memories!

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing your memories.

[@badgerden7080]

God bless them both. They were part of my youth.

[@TheNASCARJeff]

About the time Larry Wilcox left the show, I heard an interview with Erik Estrada where he stated that: "I guess that Ponch kinda took over the show like Fonze did with Happy Day's and Larry didn't like that." This only thing I liked about the show was the motorcycles, Kawasaki 1000 Police Specials.

[@brainysmurf74]

The Super cycle!

[@jasongoldtrap1114]

I read that in the final season they would not rehearse with each other. Great video. Thank you for employing your talent.

[@jdsundstrom]

I know that tensions were high. That's for darn sure!

[@harperstacey9604]

Erik Estrada was on a huge ego trip. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@kenlompart9905]

It's funny you posted this video now as I'm currently re-watching the whole series for the first time since it originally aired, I watch a couple of episodes a night and I'm on season 3 right now. Here's a bit of trivia I found out, not once in the series run did either Ponch or Jon pull their guns because they wanted the viewers to see them as cops who resolve things with kindness and words not guns, Larry Wilcox was the only cast member who was an experienced motorcycle rider, the others had to be taught to ride a bike for the show and in an episode while talking about criminals they couldn't find Larry Wilcox said"Just like Vietnam, they always knew where we were but we never knew where they were," Larry did fight in Vietnam for real.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing Ken!

[@RobSandage]

I knew that Larry Wilcox was a Vietnam veteran. He did a short film from what I can remember back in the 60's and then did Lassie I believe it was.

[@johnh.wintersjr.2092]

Loved this show growing up. Fond memories of it👍👍👍😎🚔!!!!

[@oscarrodriquez2763]

Although it did seem as if Erik Estrada and his teeth got recognized more, however, it did seem as if Larry Willcox character John Baker was more Senior to Ponch

[@raymondkizer1216]

From what I have come to understand, Estrada was rude and very difficult to deal with. I know people who have met him at autograph sessions and they have corroborated this.

[@cdjxman]

All I remember about this show was the multitude of car crashes it had! Really cool as a kid! Oh! And Ponch's fantastic smile with those shades! Just awesome!

[@mws755]

According to Larry they aren't just friendly, they are best friends now

[@jdsundstrom]

That's awesome!

[@kennethreiver985]

They acted like professionals ,that's the most important thing . I always believed that is a good position to take on the job , you don't have to have a beer with them after work . I always loved this show Thanks 👍

[@jdsundstrom]

Well said

[@nightowlchad]

I agree. I believe in not hanging out with coworkers outside of work. I just go in and do a job. At the end of the day, I hangout with friends whom I don't work with

[@sarahjames6257]

It's just sad that Hollywood can't make shows like this anymore.

[@dzl8596]

Definitely a good show! Loved watching it. I think you used a bit of sugar on this one, Dave. Larry left the show because Erik had him written out so he wouldn't have to share top billing. Larry was so bitter and eventually obtained the rights to do a movie but could never get it funded. He eventually sold the rights and Dax Shepard came along and made the movie CHiPs in 2017 (which didn't do well at the box office but I love it). He offered Larry a part but he declined because he didn't like the script. Larry was very passionate about the show and had ideas about how the movie should be. Erik however, took a small cameo.

[@fredrika27]

@DZL I agree! Read my story abive about Michael Dorn. Eric was legendary for screwing people over if he could do it. He later changed after hitting rock bottom and three wives left him. Plus, I was a kid and remembered the horrible stories about Eric's bad temper and mistreatment of colleagues in the newspapers and as was reported by Rona Barrett. It's sad that Eric had this great platform and let it go to his head. The good thing is he repented and has since apologized to a lot of the people he wronged!

[@jananderson672]

Was there any truth that Erik was into Santeria,or Voodoo practices? Supposedly one of his exes said he was

[@joegreen268]

@@fredrika27 I agree as well. I'm a big fan of the show and always will be but Erik did let all the attention go to his head but at the same time if Larry could have just went along for the ride and no telling how long the show could have ran.

[@fredrika27]

@@joegreen268 I think Larry was right to leave. Eric created a hostile work environment. Larry valued himself too much to be sucked into Eric's eratic behavior. Too bad Chris Pine couldn't get through to Eric. I think the show would have been better had Larry stayed. For that to have happened, there needed to be grave changes at the core of the show which didn't happen!

[@joegreen268]

@@fredrika27 awesome answer

[@mikevivian3648]

man, did I love this show! I was such a devoted fan! Didn't like the reunion movie as Jon was the one who left, not Ponch! Still the show was wonderful and many memories! Thanks Dave! Oh and a bit of Trivia, Michael Dorn of star trek:the next generation played officer turner on the show!

[@fredrika27]

Read my story about Michael above!

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

I grew up watching this show Dave, great memories all the way!👮👮‍♀👮‍♂🏍

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for the comment SMB III!

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@jdsundstrom You are very welcome Dave!🤗🤠👊👍

[@SugandaNataAtmaja]

I like this film series on tv Chips with starring Erick Estrada and Larry Wilcox even his (Larry) parents worked in Indonesia Mr.Sadler & Mrs.Sadler. They are very good persons

[@horacesimon1393]

Love that show when I was young

[@Deborahtunes]

I loved the first couple of seasons. Erik Estrada was my first celebrity crush. That is until I saw Tommy Shaw from Styx. But E.E. will always have a special place in my heart. MeTv has the reruns from 3:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon. I enjoy the nostalgia. From what I understand, Erik still contributes to police charities today...

[@mewregaurdhissyfit7733]

Probably my number ONE favorite show when I was a teenager. OMG I loved this show! Never missed an episode. I liked Ponch, my sister like Jon. Awesome show. And yes, I have the DVD set, LOL. There were always rumors that Erik and Larry were civil to each other, but really had nothing in common and didn't hang out together between takes or before/after shoots. It wasn't a secret by any means. But like you, I understood they were ACTORS and this was their JOB. They weren't best friends, they weren't good friends, they weren't even friends......but they were friendly to each other as co-workers, as you stated. I've been trying to find a copy of CHiPs 99, because I haven't seen it yet. Heck, I just learned about it last year!!! I've been dying to see it, but cannot find it anywhere. Can't even find it online to watch. ☹

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing MH!

[@mrdeeds72]

I loved this show as a kid. I also remember getting my foot caught in the spokes of my friend's bike as I tried to the CHiPs pit maneuver.

[@e815usa]

WOW that old CHiPs commercial also mentioned James at 15 on there! You should do one on James at 15 as well, and what Lance Kerwin is up to!

[@jdsundstrom]

I've got Lance on my potential topics list.

[@taronjeroneharris1313]

I would've enjoyed playing with those action figures when I was little.

[@suzi7715]

I was very young when CHIPS was on and my biggest memory was waiting to hear the theme song. My poor Dad didn't like the episodes without Larry but he sat through them for me. But I was under 5 so I doubt I actually watched the entire episodes. Now my husband and I watch the re-runs and teases me when (my song) the theme song comes on. 😃

[@jdsundstrom]

Truth be told, I didn't love the episodes without Larry either.

[@angelathompson2511]

I love watch chips that was my best show I still watch them today one day in this world I hope I get the chance to meet both of them

[@GoldenRAGEofTV]

A great duo! Even dynamic!

[@jdsundstrom]

Totally agree!

[@kc0lif]

i watched that show i had a t shirt of chips. love that theme song. you mean bruce jenner.

[@jdsundstrom]

Nope. I mean Caitlin Jenner. I'm trying to be kind. I know that Caitlin, who exists now, would prefer to be called by her current name even when speaking about things in the past. It's not a big deal to me to do that.

[@pattisimmons67]

I never missed that show. It was always because I had my little school-girl crush on Larry. I like Erik too, but Larry was it for my little kid heart.

[@candacecherry2846]

I remember this show my brothers wached I'd be playing in living room

[@jediknightjairinaiki560]

Something I've noticed in the majority of movies and TV shows, including "CHiPs", is the "cool guy", "the ladies man" is usually the dark haired guy and the "buttoned down", more serious guy is blonde.

[@yolandadelazerda207]

Ahhh sweet memories of watching Chips from ages 13-17 or 18!! Sweet obsession 😀😂

[@MLJ7956]

Great video dude... Both Larry & Erik also weren't above poking fun/spoofing their CHiPs personas either, like the funny cameo they both did in the film National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 (1993). 😎

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing Michael!

[@MLJ7956]

Here is the clip (in case anyone else wants to see it), lol 😆... kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2PNgZubh72MsJY

[@johnking6501]

I remember Eric Estrada was Nikki Cross And The Switchblade he was a very good actor.

[@prodigal1970]

His name was Bruce back then...not Caitlyn.

[@kevinconnor3187]

My cousin loved this show for 2 reasons.

[@newking70]

There were a couple failed spin-offs, Force Seven (ninja cops) starring Fred Dryer, and Mitchell & Woods.

[@cindeed4422]

I liked Mitchell and Woods with Jayne Kennedy. The leads were good. The writing was bad. It never had a chance.

[@KasumiKenshirou]

I only watched CHiPs for the first time last year. Did those shows actually make it past the backdoor pilot stage? Those episodes were terrible!

[@newking70]

@@KasumiKenshirou They only made the pilot episodes.

[@tommytomtomt]

I went to an event once and met. Eric really wonderful guy and I asked him where John was. And he said, sometimes we don't see Eye to Eye. And I was very shocked to hear that

[@jdsundstrom]

Yep. Over the years, the two fellers have had their differences. That said, these days they do seem to be attending a lot of events together.

[@pamelamays4186]

No one wore a pair of uniform khaki pants like Erik Estrada. The CHiPs freeze frame endings were parodied in the Police Squad series.

[@metalguru67]

I used to own the Ponch action figure, wish I still I had it

[@davideldred.campingwilder6481]

I think that when it was in the UK, we got it in the afternoon on a Saturday.

[@prycerobertson4695]

I'm old enough to remember TNT's repeats of CHiPs (as pair of their Lunchbox TV lineup of action shows).

[@cindythecatwoman1601]

We need to have a show like Chips again to teach people what police 🚔 are really like. We used to respect the police 🚔when we really don't now. I think it's because of shows like Chips. It's alright if the 2 actors weren't buddies with each other. They were friendly, did their job and were professional. Just because you work with someone doesn't mean you have to get along with them.

[@alancarnell2747]

It wasn't on Thursdays for long. It was a Sunday show, if I'm thinking correctly but that's always a toss-up so who knows?

[@DKoolbj7dl]

They looked the part, and had good promos, merch, magazines, they were in the height of Superhero TV. Wonder Woman, Bionic Man, Hulk, Spider man, Captain America, etc

[@SirKnight1096]

No, Bruce Jenner took over for a while. Caitlyn Jenner wasn't his name back then.

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm trying to be kind. I know that Caitlin, who exists now, would prefer to be called by her current name even when speaking about things in the past. It's not a big deal to me to do that.

[@SoulforSale]

Dude, James at 15 was an awesome show.

[@brianlipensky1722]

Anything about Brianne Leary, who played Officer Cahill on the show? I always wondered why she was replaced.

[@jdsundstrom]

It's funny you should mention that one. It's coming.

[@patrickmusson4571]

Well, consider me proud of Erik too. I had no idea he became a real-life policeman. Way to Go my friend, you took your first step into a larger world. I just hope he doesn't become a victim of the heinous and despicable de-fund the police crap.

[@watchman1178]

Good point, Dave, because nobody becomes best friends with every co-worker. I think they were two very different people back then, so any pretense of a close friendship would've been both forced and phony. PS - I had NO IDEA that Erik Estrada had become a real-life policeman. That's really cool, just like when Tony Danza became a schoolteacher in Philadelphia.

[@jdsundstrom]

I had no idea that Tony was teaching in PA!

[@odalisgonzalez6875]

Yes he taught high school for one year. It was documented as a reality show. The students volunteered to be taught by him

[@evancortez2]

it's interesting that action figure Ponch drew his gun the commercial, but the TV Ponch never drew his gun on the show ever - but he did in "CHiPs 99"

[@parkingclube]

What an awesome video! Thanks for putting this together!

[@boruff68]

It is funny to me to this day how people assume that if you co star with someone on screen,it automatically somehow makes you best friends in the real world?? it is just a job they go to like we all do.

[@jdsundstrom]

I think it's just human nature. Somehow we extrapolate what we see on the screen to be what we think they would be like in real life...which is seldom the case.

[@mikesilva3868]

@@jdsundstrom favorite chips episode was the stuntman episode hated the remake film🙃

[@RobSandage]

@@mikesilva3868 I agree with you about the remake movie! I did not pay to go see it and when I learned from the previews that Ponch was going to be a FBI agent I was like, "What!" I would not mind taking a crack at doing a CHIPS film the proper way if possible. I just do not care for Hollywood trying to remake everything or if a film came out 10 or 15 years ago why try to remake it again? A co-worker and I at work both agree about remakes and my theory on how Hollywood should do it is wait until the cast completely passes away. By then you will still have some fans of the original show, but then you can remake it for the younger generations to watch.

[@VariationsOnFilm]

Something I do remember about the show besides the car crashes was they never pulled out their guns. I remember one episode they encounter some bad guys so they had their hands on the handles of their guns but never pulled them out. I guess that added to the surreal favor of these two.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing your memories!

[@brendakrieger7000]

I was in love with Larry Wilcox😍 I loved them both very much💜

[@McMahonHater]

You get older, you get wiser, you realise it could be worse, it could be William Shatner you're working with.

[@jdsundstrom]

That's funny! 😂

[@qthelost]

Loved it when I was a kid. Since my name is Jon, you can guess who my favorite character was.

[@starmnsixty1209]

CHiPs was a fun series, and I often watched it. I hadn't realized that Erik had become a real-life police officer -- very cool, I must say. Fine job, Dave.

[@harperstacey9604]

When did Erik Estrada become a real-life police officer? From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@starmnsixty1209]

I understand Erik became a real police officer around 2009 in Virginia, I believe, oddly enough perhaps.

[@chrisestey7277]

Hi Larry, if you are reading the comments.Im glad you are doing ok! An Old friend!

[@timepoet77]

Again, it's a case of the media overexaggerating some misconstrued or misquoted words. I'm sure Erik and Larry had their differences but they managed to get along overall, and Larry owned up to his lapses in judgemnt, as did Erik.

[@jdsundstrom]

Agreed. If you didn't track down that clip that I was talking about at the end of the video, here it is. It's awesome! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHmlgZKPnqyUfJI

[@Supremmo]

I had the CHIPS big wheel as a kid. I basically remembered the reruns that aired weekdays. I had no idea it came on Thursdays. I just remember it being on Sundays.

[@Karla_Marie]

Another great post! Thanks for the memories, the perspective, and the info.

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it Karla Marie!

[@seanbeasinger7232]

I love the rollerskating extravaganza episode where all the. Old Hollywood movie stars came out that was one of best epic episodes ever where ponch had to rescue a pregnant woman in the episode!😁😁

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing Sean!

[@seanbeasinger7232]

Any time Dave love your channel bud keep filling us in on the classics I love em just as much as you thumbs up bud!!