There was A LOT Of Tension on the set of CHiPs between Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada! Here's Why!

[@TheGuillermo519]

Larry Wilcox was the more established star at the time so it's not unreasonable for him to be cast in the lead and for him to expect a certain level of perks and treatment. Ron Howard experienced the same thing on Happy Days when Henry Winkler's character of Fonzie became hugely popular and thus overshadowed Howard's and the other characters in the show. Ron Howard however handled it differently than Larry Wilcox and went with the flow realizing that whatever made the show popular and kept it on the air is what was important. "Ponch" or "John" is similar to "Ginger" or Mary Ann" and as Tina Louise has said about that question: "Everybody likes a different type..."

[@tichdaddy1]

Well said, and to the point. I think the same situation occurred with Andy Griffith and Don Knots on The Andy Griffith Show. If you watch the very first episode, Don Knots played more the straight guy to Andy Griffith playing off that as comedic relief. We get to episode 2 and we see the complete opposite, as now Andy is the straight guy to Dons hilarious hijinks. The writers and producers saw immediately this was gold, and the show went on to be a classic, even today.

[@reginabeasley872]

When Larry Wilcox left I stopped watching never liked Bruce Jenner in Larry’s spot I love the theme song

[@powertuber4.068]

You mean Caitlyn?

[@janineharrison5186]

I don't remember Jenner in that role, I thought it was some other blonde guy. I quit watching when Larry Wilcox left.

[@dotnorth4310]

In my opinion when Larry Wilcox left It Ruined the show

[@Channel51_LA]

Bruce Jenner replaced Erik Estrada for several episodes while Estrada was engaged in a contract dispute.

[@natebaker72]

@The Pilgrim hahaha.... THANK YOU!!!!!....I swear these people who think he's a woman are so damn confused!!!!....just cuz u dress like a chick and cut your junk off doesn't change the fact that you're a MAN!!!!!

[@SSGMacGeek22]

Larry’s departure just ruined the show.

[@Quiksilversurf311]

It didn’t ruin the show it just ruined the 6th and final season.

[@laurarubin1145]

It was definitely a different show after Larry's departure. Nothing against Bruce Penhall, I liked him. He had charisma, but the actor who played his older brother was horrible.

[@jimmagnus1200]

I always thought Estrada was more dynamic and had a more interesting personality.

[@essamgossiel6377]

Without Erik Estrada, the show, California Highway Patrol squad (CHiPs) would have never worked

[@martincarroll7470]

I think that actors have big ego's and that leads to their downfall more often than not.

[@eb1941]

After Wilcox left I watched the show on and off. The replacement characters never seemed to fill his shoes.

[@e815usa]

Rick, I believe this type of rivalry also happened with Linda Lavin and Polly Holliday in Alice, another TV show you should cover!

[@cinnyelle1404]

I love Alice....that would be great to get some back stories.

[@southernoregoncatmom6519]

@@cinnyelle1404 -Yes. I've been watching reruns!

[@cinnyelle1404]

@@southernoregoncatmom6519 Me too! Me TV and Antenna TV are my go to's. 😁

[@MsBackstager]

@@southernoregoncatmom6519 I read that Linda Lavin would SNEAR at Polly H on camera while filming because she hated Polly.

[@southernoregoncatmom6519]

@@cinnyelle1404 -I watch those two channels more than anything else.

[@josephliptak]

My vote goes to Wilcox plus he was a Vietnam War veteran so he earned my respect.

[@paulcolville5972]

Yes, and a comment made above clarifys that it was ESTRADA who was late on set, not Wilcox during filming. Didn't think an ex marine would deliberately be late or unprofessional! Plus I think Wilcox was offered a cameo in the woefully dreadful Chips movie which he avoided, but Estrada appeared in it.

[@AljIsHere128]

@@paulcolville5972 That Chips movie was 💩

[@Gljin40509]

CHiPs has always been one of my favorite shows...I liked both characters equally..even though it was always obvious to me that Erik Estrada got more screen time and seemed to be the star of the show ...Watching it today is more than anything nostalgia....as the 1970`s were a special time in my life and I also enjoy seeing the cars of the era....whereas today`s cars are more or less all alike and boring to look at....and don`t even get me started on today`s tv shows and movies...VERY FEW of which are watchable even one time and even fewer deserve re-watching.

[@JCourts2k23]

It lasted 6 s easons, but it was honestly ruined by spisodes/seasons missed for whatever reason by the 2 leads of the show. If they would have been all the episodes, all seasons it could have lasted longer

[@jayanxiety]

As a kid I was more of a "John" fan. I guess it was because I was blond as a kid and saw myself in him. I have to say though, the show died when Larry Wilcox left the show.

[@peterwatts7386]

Some of the information is incorrect Erik Estrada is the one who showed up late for rehearsals because he was in a contract dispute with NBC he went on to miss several episodes in season 5 that is when Bruce Jenner briefly became Jon's new partner. Erik Estrada received a massive pay raise to come to the show, of course, this didn't sit well with Larry Wilcox he was now making peanuts compared to what Estrada was making, after season five ended Larry Wilcox chose not to renew his contract.

[@Laura-ch7fl]

Thank you! Erik was the guy who was late and didn’t film for several episodes and got some actors fired, including…in a way…Larry Wilcox. Larry got wind of it and quit though before he was fired. I’m glad to see that these two have matured and can now laugh at themselves now.

[@groovygirl2408]

I guess I never gave it much thought.I thought they were equal back in my day.

[@tonyrazzano9912]

You do what keeps the ratings high

[@paulrothwell7441]

Larry Wilcox was the man but would not have had the same impact without Erik Estrada 🤷‍♂️ All went to shit when Larry left 🙈🏍🏍

[@samuelgardner8550]

I really enjoyed this video!! A similar thing accured on "Charlie's Angels" with Kate Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Like with Larry, Kate was billed as the star, and the show was created for her. But Farrah became the breakout star, and ultimately the unofficial star of the season 1. Apparently, that didn't sit well with Kate either, understandably. But as you said, Rick...fans are going to like who they like. It can't be helped.

[@samuelgardner8550]

@Tommy Salami Exactly!! I liked Farrah and Kate, but Jaclyn "Kelly" was my favorite Angel. And I was happy when she finally became the lead star of the show in the 4th and 5th season!

[@randytim512]

Quite a few shows had the original star pushed to the side by a character that captured the audience attention . Prime example was Michael J. Fox on Family Ties. Meredith Birney Baxter was the star but very quickly Michael J Fox was stealing all the scenes so the writers give him a bigger and bigger part. A star is born as they say!!

[@marilyn6979]

@@randytim512 good point

[@hermyjack]

Nyah. I love Farrah, but Kate was my girl! Jaclyn was the pretty one, to me, but Kate was a tough broad, and I love tough broads! lol

[@raymondhaley6185]

Unfortunately due to fact, I stayed quite busy back in the 70,s I didn't get a chance to see the show until 1982 mostly in syndication.

[@DavidMartin-jr6bi]

The F/b chips page has a lot of information. After the show was finally canceled, Eric didn't want anything to do with Fans or meets. The estrangement lasted for several years but apparently, it was mutually resolved to the point where Eric actually started to participate in the reunions. Trivia points; a lot of the long shots we're filmed by using the stand-in riders. Most of the freeway, shots were filmed on the 110 while the construction of it was being completed. The Chips freeway, as it was known, is easily identified by the clean pavement. The last tip is; the close-up shots of them riding side to side were made by them sitting on a dolly that was towed by a camera car. Just the framework was mounted with a sliding element that allows them to lean on corners

[@tichdaddy1]

Very interesting info for sure, thank you for sharing this. Never missed a CHiPS episode in prime time, and really enjoyed it in syndication on TBS etc 👍

[@truckgp7078]

210

[@kitten11645]

I never liked Bruce Jenner in Larry’s place on the show

[@ernestinamoran518]

I personally witnessed the professionalism and talent of Wilcox on set. He even directed the episode I watched being filmed. Estrada at the studio roller blading around salivating for attention and a couple of times standing by his white rolls outside Dale's JR again salivating for attention. He did not impress. As an added bonus, while on set, due to dim lighting for scene purposes, I took a wrong turn searching for an exit from the sound stage and ran smack into embarrased teen guest star leif Garrett snorting coke.

[@AljIsHere128]

DAYUM OLD SCHOOL TEA SPILLING!! I LOVE IT!!! 😂🙂😃

[@joegreen268]

Did you ever witness any on set arguments between the two stars? If so, what about and how would it start?

[@misha2197]

I love Erik Estrada , I met him once he was very nice and rather funny. ♡♡♡

[@landonsewell81]

As a young child age 8 when the show first aired, all I knew was CHiPs was my all time favorite show, I didn't see egos, but to me Jon was the cool under pressure one Ponch was the macho man about town guy. But its rather crazy that when Larry Wilcox didn't renew his contract, that show sucked and it tanked trying to make Estrada's character even more of the focal point.

[@howardbeck3400]

Same thing happened on Star Trek with Nimoy and Shatner

[@richardm3023]

Nimoy was one of the only ones that actually got along with Shatner. It was the entire rest of the cast the resented or completely despised Shatner.

[@inkey2]

@@richardm3023 It has been said that Shatner would reduce the lines of the other actors so he could have more lines per episode.

[@margaretjones4682]

@@inkey2, also, originally Nimoy was supposed to kiss Nichols making it the first interracial kiss on TV. When presented with this information, Shatner insisted on the switch so that he could be one making history.

[@seand2711]

Eric Estrada was the male counterpart to Farrah Fawcett in the late 1970'd.

[@The_Dudester]

Jack Webb created Adam 12 and had his hand in as well with Emergency! Jack tried to make both shows realistic. CHiPs aired while I was in private school and you weren't allowed to watch TV. So, in my lifetime I have only caught bits and pieces of the show. With that said, the show didn't seem to take itself seriously. First, the show intro had disco music-popular at the time. Second, if there was a cop consultant on set either he didn't do his job or he wasn't listened to. Third, the writers didn't seem to know anything about CHP or they considered CHP work to be so boring that they had to make up stuff. As for an actor suddenly being popular, well, that's the breaks. An actor's life is a vagabond's life. You go from gig to gig to gig hoping to pay the bills throughout your life. If you get fed up with the status quo, you create your own film production company (John Wayne did that). I never saw Estrada or Wilcox in anything of note after the show so CHiPs was their moment in the sun and they should be grateful for that.

[@AljIsHere128]

I wanna say Larry Wilcox went into directing post CHiPs

[@joeybarrelwilde]

George Lopez was 17 years old, & was refused an autograph by Erik Estrada. George built his comedy routine from that refusal, every comedy special he does he talks about that.

[@harperstacey9604]

George lopez was hurt by erik estrada s snub.

[@AljIsHere128]

I just posted about it because I remembered him talking about it on some comedy special.

[@tigerfan8244]

Love the show and have all seasons on DVD. I always got that impression from Erik. Even though he’s acting on the show, you got the impression he thought he was a big shot. Can’t wait to see other videos on this show from you. There is sooo much to feature.

[@Hevynly1]

I mean... you hire someone with a smile like Erik's and you have to know he's going to end up being the main guy. I have to think casting would have recognized the "it" factor he had. The John character was well played for how straight laced it was, but the Frank character just had more energy to it. More fun, more flirt, more charisma. It was bound to happen.

[@AljIsHere128]

FACTS ON FACTS ON FACTS!

[@johngillespie3994]

A similar thing happened on "Happy Days" where Henry Winkler's character "the Fonze" or Arthur Fonzarello slowly became more popular than Ron Howard's character of "Richie Cunningham." It got so obvious that the producers wanted to change the name of the show to "Fonze and the Happy Days." Henry Winkler refused this name change, not wanting to overshadow the other cast members. Coincidencadentally Ron Howard also left the show before it was eventually cancelled. However, I understand that he left the show to pursue other acting rolls including the big screen and not because he felt overshadowed by Henry Winkler's character. I believe they are good friends to this day and have both had excellent careers in front of and behind the camera. Arthur Fonzarello jumping the shark was a definite sign that the show had run it's course. "Happy Days" was a spinoff of another show "Love American Style." That episode was called "Love and the Happy Days" and can be seen on KZbin.

[@hermyjack]

I don't know them, so obviously I could be wrong, but Winkler and Howard always both struck me as good, nice guys, so I doubt there was a rivalry.

[@christopherkraft1327]

I had no idea that there was so much tension on the set. The fact that a secondary character becomes more popular than the lead is nothing new tho, look at the Fonz on Happy Days! I loved seeing all those old cars in the clips & the LA skyline of the seventies, WoW!! Thanks Rick for another informative video! 😷

[@seanmc7128]

I never really thought of the show that way. I guess because I was a kid. I really liked both characters and loved the show

[@johnroy9654]

Three other classic examples in which a subordinate character took over the show were "Fonzie" in "Happy Days", "Steve Urkel" in "Family Matters", and "Dr. Smith" in "Lost In Space"

[@pkorns1892]

Erik Estrada was my teen crush. He was my brush with fame. I met him and got to kiss him at a convention in Ohio! We stood in line for 4 hrs!!

[@simonsimon8572]

Nobody stood four hour's to have Larry kiss them.

[@starbright5504]

Thanks for this video. They are doing reruns. I love this show ! Eric Estrada rocks !

[@kt16621]

Erik Estrada will always be my favorite. I was a kid watching on Sunday nights at 7PM CST! ♓️💜

[@dlm222]

I would love to see more chips videos. Behind the scenes, bloopers, character bios, etc. Your coverage of the Munsters was excellent. Almost any question you could think of was covered. Keep up the AMAZINGLY GREAT work.

[@ricknineg]

Thank you Dennis! More coming. I def see it as a journey discovering and going through the shows. It’s great

[@PePe_LePew]

Was the show I watched when I was a kid before Dukes of Hazard hit the screen. Larry Wilcox replacement was terrible so I quit watching it.

[@shy3805]

I only watched it because of Erik Estrada.❤️

[@KilroggWOW]

Both should have been viewed as main characters. To me, you can't have one without the other and I would have bet that we would have had many more seasons if they stuck together. Sad :(

[@randytim512]

Good video. Believe it or not I have never seen CHIPS but I think I'll check it out. Thanks Rick

[@ricknineg]

I think you may enjoy it

[@kendallrivers1119]

Makes you appreciate how classy Ron Howard was to Henry Winkler on Happy Days. When Fondue Fonzie became essentially the star of the show and instead of bitching of quitting the show Ron went with it and the two are still good friends to this day.

[@maryannedelaney]

Hollywood is ruthless. They don’t care who is making the show stay on the air, they go with the moneymaker. Erik is a very handsome Latino. That’s what drew people’s attention. I loved Erik, but I loved Larry too. I think the producers should have tried to have two leads, but Larry, being an actor, should know how it worked and be happy he was bringing in the paycheck.

[@sheldonk5747]

I don't know. I think ultimately the fans decide who they're going to gravitate toward. Even if the idea was supposed to be the number one man the viewers tend to pick the one who is really the more personable character that they familiarize themselves more with. I can remember watching way back when I was little thinking that Erik Estrada was actually the lead character but I had no idea it was supposed to be Larry Wilcox. Another great piece of "Hey did you know?" Loved it!

[@therealdeal26]

Hey man, you're legit! Thanks!!!

[@jimtomassetti4817]

Hi Rick.....The show was great. Would watch it all the time. Fav. Larry Wilcox!

[@lauraschouweiler6409]

That is interesting!!

[@tonyvn5817]

I liked Larry.

[@hawaii5084]

Erik naturally took center stage in the shows. Because erik has the Karishma that grab audiences that is to include me when i was young and still now. Everytime i think of chips erik"s image will come to mine. i even have a personalized license plate 7 mary 4. Don't get me wrong i love larry as an actor he's both of them.

[@cmphighpower]

Best show ever! Wilcox was the best

[@randymerlo4070]

Are you talking about chips one of the worst shows ever made

[@kendallrivers1119]

@@randymerlo4070 yet here you are lol such a troll.

[@shawnbeckmann1847]

Yes and he embezzled all that money later in life

[@randymerlo4070]

@@kendallrivers1119 hey a troll doesn't have a phone or tv that show was for nerds

[@randymerlo4070]

@@NoName-gz2kk you are so right it was the worst cop show ever made car 54 was better and better stars

[@beast1624]

Did not know this. Thanks for sharing!!

[@Jared_Wignall]

Quite interesting. I never knew there was ever any sort of tension between the two, though I can see why Larry Wilcox would be a bit miffed due to how popular Erik Estrada was getting when Wilcox is supposed to be the main character, yet Estrada is the one people are more interested in. Thank you for the video Rick, keep up the great work!

[@pl5624]

Loved brianne leary and brodie greer

[@theterminator961]

This also happened with The A-Team. George Peppard was already a star when the series began and his character was supposed to be the star, but Mr. T came seemingly out of nowhere and stole all his thunder as his character became the fan favorite.

[@HoofPrintsDR]

Never thought of Estrada as lead actor.

[@anthonybomberry9935]

Real CHP. Are a proud crew

[@Lawomenshoops]

Interesting to read all the comments about other shows, where a breakout star out shined who the producers/directors thought would be the breakout stars. Happy Days, Welcome Back Kotter, Alice, Good Times etc. Never underestimate the ego of any Hollywood star! But, time and maturity usually settles these tensions.

[@JSFGuy]

I was in grade school when this came out and remember the giggling of the girls who they talked about.

[@margies2880]

Larry Wilcox was the one for me.

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

Only watched the show minimally but it’s interesting to hear this background on the show. As someone else said, the producer goes with what keeps the show successful.

[@janerussianchannel4669]

When I was a kid back in the day and CHiPs was a new show I always tuned in to see Erik Estrada. He was always so funny with all of your shenanigans.😂🤣 I loved it!

[@davef.2811]

I miss watching those big 440 Dodges racing around. I had the Plymouth (ex-FHP) version as a teenager, and we had a lot of fun with it.

[@gerforde679]

Ever notice that Ponch had black gloves whereas Jon had beige/yellow coloured gloves. Jon had a baton whereas Ponch didn’t. On their name badges Jon had the ‘J’ before Baker whereas Ponch only had Poncherello on his, no ‘F’.

[@Droodog127]

Larry was a Vietnam Vet

[@katyb6]

I met a man once from Santa Rosa who was an RF trained engineer. He was a dead ringer for Ponch. I found it hard to keep my mind on business whenever he was around. I bet Eric Estrada pulled more tail than a slow kid at a petting farm!

[@AljIsHere128]

SHO NUFF!!

[@Tim-57]

Another good one Rick. People like who they like.

[@jamiethornton6101]

It's funny because both of them are good friends now and do the comic con shows together. Larry and Erik both said they were young and egos got in the way. That if they had just been wiser, that show probably could've gone on for another five years.

[@bom-vinho5660]

Jamie, how beautiful you are 🥰🥰 ! I loved you😍😍 ( Brazil)

[@brianrebmann5398]

Very good video and very entertaining and informative it is a pity that there was tension between the two men

[@TrevorHoneyball]

America were turning these kind of programmes out for fun at one time....not so much now 🤔 That is a damn shame 😞

[@davidlilly3564]

I miss it like starsky and hutch. The were great shows.

[@vahneb7260]

I’m not an Estrada fan. Estrada had a bad attitude that shown through.

[@harperstacey9604]

Erik estrada thought he was all that and a bag of chips.

[@ZooomaCW]

At only 7 seconds in you say, "I hope you're enjoying the video so far." Umm, yes, I enjoyed the first 6 seconds immensely.

[@markjamesmeli2520]

I don't seem to recall the two actors being interviewed together when the show was still on the air. And I remember in a magazine made for 7-12th graders that the show was "battle of the heartthrobs," more or less, at the time.

[@andredupuis5461]

I know producers care about who is bringing in the money. Many shows meant for one actor to be the star do not end up being that way.

[@kevinkaatz883]

Estrada was the man. Im a huge Estrada fan

[@ddoyle11]

I rarely watched the show, but I remember Erik Estrada’s character being more interesting. Watching these clips today, I’m just horrified at the lack of protective gear they are wearing while riding motorcycles! Nothing but a helmet and gloves.

[@lauraramone6683]

I mean Erik was hot….that smile and that fit body 🔥

[@jimjonrs3932]

Love watching this show for the cars and scenery.

[@chardtomp]

That's not that unusual. It's happened with many other shows. Good Times and Lost in Space come to mind. In both cases characters conceived as supporting roles became the stars of the show. It resulted in a lot of friction on those sets too!

[@chriswells1440]

I seen them both at the 2021 Duke Fest in Tennessee taking pictures and signing autographs. They were both laughing and getting along fine...Now John Schneider and Tom Wapat I heard don't get along. One or the other avoid each other in public such as Duke Fest.

[@CarlosGuzman-bq8fr]

I met Erik and hes a really nice guy. I guess I understand the tension it can create.

[@thomasofone]

Eric and his ego got in the way on this show which ruined much of its run.

[@superdayday3462]

Erik Estrada was the women's favorite.

[@iceman4311]

Ponch was the man I know i gravitated towards him as a kid

[@Lonchanney1]

Always go with the hot hand. Besides can't make people like you. They either do or they don't.

[@kimopuppy]

It happens remember Urkel? He was hired to do one episode and he took over the show.

[@davidparsons6989]

Yes and if he hadn't become a regular I wouldn't have watched it. It was just ok until he came along.

[@inkey2]

Same thing happened with "Lost In Space". Guy Williams, was supposed to be the star. But the Dr. Smith Character took over. There was some real resentment there. It ended up being more like the Dr. Smith Show than Lost In Space.

[@davidsine4390]

Inkey2 Your absolutely right. It was Jonathan Harris's idea to have himself listed as "Special Guest Star" in the credits in order to try and keep things civil. We all know if this were a true story, Dr. Smith would have been left stranded on some ailian planet amost immediately. Just like in real life, they would have kept Gilligan locked up on the island until they were all safety back in Hawaii. Then they would have sent someone else out to get him. lol.

[@lazyhomebody1356]

@@davidsine4390 People were really goody goody back then. No matter how many times Dr Smith tried to have them killed, and put their son in danger, they still were nice to him

[@davidsine4390]

@@lazyhomebody1356 Even robot hated him. Of course in real life, Harris was a great guy from what little I've heard anyway.

[@lazyhomebody1356]

@@davidsine4390 Guess what I'm watching? Yep, Lost in Space. I think of Dr Smith and Robot as a bromance

[@beepbeep3000]

Where the real tension was on Moesha in the late 1990's. Former 227 star Countess Vaughn was always constantly fighting and cussing Brandy Norwood out when the cameras were off. Countess wanted to be the top star instead of Brandy. It got heated at the times between these two. In music, there was tension between Chilli of TLC and Pebbles. This is before TLC made it to the top of charts in 1992. Pebbles was always constantly on Chilli's back for almost everything she did wrong when TLC was making their first album. As the years went on and nothing was said until a few years ago, Pebbles accused Chilli having an affair with her then husband LA Reid. Can find it on the Wendy Williams show here on KZbin.

[@abandonedpast6410]

Unfortunately, producers are going to go with the ratings, understandably, but I'm sure there would have been different approaches... Was a great show either way!

[@davidparsons6989]

I personally think if your ego is that fragile then maybe it's time for you to leave. You're making good money, have a good career. Why do you have to be number one? There's always going to be someone more popular than you.

[@ds99]

I gravitated more towards Larry Wilcox but I remember the Tiger Beat magazine was full of photos and interviews of Erik Estrada. I liked Larry because he seemed more sincere. He was also taller and I thought better looking. It was a great show and fun to watch. Show business is a very stressful career choice. There is always someone else to come along and turn you into yesterday’s news. Not only does this affect a person’s self worth, but it can mean loss of job and livelihood so for sure there would be tension.

[@emilyischarmed13]

Personally, I never went for the blonde guys. Except in Duke's of Hazzard. I think I always associated blondes with the whole "sweet boy next door" type. 🤷

[@ds99]

Emily Miller oh yes John Schneider. He still looks great the lucky guy.

[@emilyischarmed13]

@@ds99 I my favorite show of his had to be Smallville. Lots of good eye candy on that show! Lol...that was my main reason for getting interested in Supernatural!!!

[@guygrip2120]

@@ds99 JOHN SCHEINDER WAS GREAT PINUPS. WHAT. GUY

[@kerrydedalonis4431]

I remember watching the episode where Ponch sings Celebration by Kool and the Gang. How embarrassing. They had Ponch doing all this wild stuff and poor Baker was left out in the cold. I don't blame Larry for getting pissed 😡

[@kathiec1333]

And the plot lines were awful toward the end.

[@AljIsHere128]

I remember seeing that episode in reruns and thinking it was hella funny!!

[@GarretGrayCamera]

As a kid watching it in re-runs out of order, my impression was always they were equals and not a hero/sidekick relationship. Although there were a lot episodes where something funny would happen to Ponch at the end and they'd all be laughing at him, in freeze frames. Larry Wilcox seemed like a chill dude so this is pretty surprising he'd be playing ego games on the set. But you gotta go with the flow though. If the audience wants Ponch, give them Ponch.

[@pattyjay9999]

I tuned in to see the motorcycles😜

[@howardwilson6164]

I heard some of the same things about tension between Erik Estrada and Brianne Leary when she was on the show playing Sindy Cahill.

[@oddjobtriumph1635]

loved her Character...and she was pleasing on the eye , gutted when she left

[@joegreen268]

Another casualty of Estrada being jealous of her popularity. He had her fired.

[@guygrip2120]

HE WAS ALLSO POPULAR FOR CLOSET GAYS MY NEIGHBOR WHO WAS 14 AT TIME TOLD ME HE WAS BIGGEST THING WHEN HE WAS 14. AND LATER PINUPS WERE REALLY AIMED IN GAY CULTURE IT WAS DEFINETLY HOLLYWOOD SECRET PLAN DONE IN UNDERGROUND WAY. THE SHOW FOR ME HAD BEST ACTION SOUND TRACK EVER ON SHOW. THAT GREAT DISCO MUSIC.

[@bettym5148]

Man Larry himself should’ve realized that there are thousands of other actors who would’ve loved to be in his position even if it became second place you’re still in a very popular show so why are you complaining about that

[@tichdaddy1]

Great work on this video, always enjoy your channel. I always thought both Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada played off each other great in this show, which is a credit to both actors, the writers, and producers. The phrase “The people (viewers) have spoken” applies here I think. Basically ratings ruled back then, as they do now. The shows producers and writers were obligated to give the network the best ratings possible, hence the show was written and produced as such, and it was clearly a hit! Great memories, oh to go back to those simpler times 👍

[@WarEagleTimeMachine]

All I know when I was in Kindergarten, Chips was at its peak. In my neighborhood, we all had bikes, and the blond haired boy was John, and the dark hair boy was Ponch. And if you were the unfortunate other blond haired boy, well, you were Bonnie. Sucked to be you!

[@jeromeswint8917]

May I ask a question have you ever done a-team

[@ricknineg]

Not.....yet! 😀

[@faulltw]

I believe the producer’s and directors have to deliver what the public wants; however, they should be sensitive to how that is going to make the previous number 1 feel and try to smooth things over as much as they can.