Face it, "CHiP's" was never a show designed for the Mensa set. It was a light Sunday night show on NBC, period. No deeper inner meanings, no political agenda, no amazing last minute plot twists, and cheesy and low budget special effects.....
Just a great example of 70's no-brainer TV. However, the 80's were not as kind, and the show saw the loss of one of the main stars, and ratings plummet to the bottom of the pile. Cancellation came, and the show went into syndication.
+++MINOR SPOILERS++++
"CHiP's" could always be counted upon for several things. First, there would be some crime that would require the bad guys to go onto the California freeway system. Second, some how, the bad guys would cause some sort of horrendous accident. Third, Ponch and John would be near by. Fourth, their boss Sgt. Getraer, would be unhappy, usually with Ponch, for some reason. And fifth, there would be a happy ending, and the guys would end up with two lovely Playboy Playmate wanna-be's. Formatic TV? You bet! But a pleasant enough distraction.
And both Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox had great on screen chemistry. However, Wilcox left the show, and "CHiP's" left the air, the following season.
But why did I watch it in the first place? Well, the "eye candy", for one reason. Yes, there were plenty of very pretty young ladies crammed into painfully too small swim suits, and disco tight dresses, but it was the 70's and that sort of thing was expected. I was a teenager, at the time, and any chance to see good looking ladies was taken advantage of!
But the "eye candy" that gets me watching TODAY, are the cars that turn up in the show. Back when this show was new, many of these cars were just used vehicles, and prime for crashing and wrecking. There are plenty of rare and unusual cars seen in the background, as well. Forgotten cars like Rover sedans, Fiat Strada's, Datsun 310's and the like are seen in shots. A real car spotters delight.
Plus, am I the only one who notices that in almost every shot where Ponch and John are riding their motorcycles, there is a light silver first generation Honda Accord behind them. And, Ford Mustang II?
A great escape to the 70's.
Just a great example of 70's no-brainer TV. However, the 80's were not as kind, and the show saw the loss of one of the main stars, and ratings plummet to the bottom of the pile. Cancellation came, and the show went into syndication.
+++MINOR SPOILERS++++
"CHiP's" could always be counted upon for several things. First, there would be some crime that would require the bad guys to go onto the California freeway system. Second, some how, the bad guys would cause some sort of horrendous accident. Third, Ponch and John would be near by. Fourth, their boss Sgt. Getraer, would be unhappy, usually with Ponch, for some reason. And fifth, there would be a happy ending, and the guys would end up with two lovely Playboy Playmate wanna-be's. Formatic TV? You bet! But a pleasant enough distraction.
And both Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox had great on screen chemistry. However, Wilcox left the show, and "CHiP's" left the air, the following season.
But why did I watch it in the first place? Well, the "eye candy", for one reason. Yes, there were plenty of very pretty young ladies crammed into painfully too small swim suits, and disco tight dresses, but it was the 70's and that sort of thing was expected. I was a teenager, at the time, and any chance to see good looking ladies was taken advantage of!
But the "eye candy" that gets me watching TODAY, are the cars that turn up in the show. Back when this show was new, many of these cars were just used vehicles, and prime for crashing and wrecking. There are plenty of rare and unusual cars seen in the background, as well. Forgotten cars like Rover sedans, Fiat Strada's, Datsun 310's and the like are seen in shots. A real car spotters delight.
Plus, am I the only one who notices that in almost every shot where Ponch and John are riding their motorcycles, there is a light silver first generation Honda Accord behind them. And, Ford Mustang II?
A great escape to the 70's.