There isn’t a guy I know who doesn’t have fond memories of this series! From those who watched it in the pristine first run, to those who first saw it after school in re-runs, it seems to be a universal favorite.
I mentioned to several guys of my acquaintance that I was reviewing this set, and with far away looks in their eyes, and a great deal of laughing, I was treated to a barrage of little known “CHiPs” facts, good-natured arguments about the “best episode,” and stories of how this series affected their lives.
From the box: “Licence and registration, please. The Kick-Start Of The Six- Season Series! Where the rubber meets the road and the bad guys meet the badge—that’s where you’ll find California Highway Patrol motocycle officers Jon (Larry Wilcox) and Ponch (Erik Estrada).” It was fun watching this inaugural season, in spite of the 70’s music track that just about drove me nuts! What was it that made us think sounds like horns underwater were cool….or for that matter, music? That aside, the stories are entertaining. These are the good guys, and while the bad guys are not the scary creeps that one sees on television currently (I mean you have to love a group of thugs that look like your school friends from 1976, and drive a dune buggy, for goodness sakes) there is a clean line between police and criminals.
Ponch (Erik Estrada) is the goofy friend who is smarter than he acts, and Jon (Larry Wilcox) is always able to save the day. Robert Pine as Sergeant Getraer, moves between a father figure and a tyrant who is often “cleverly” tricked by the boys. All is well by the end of the episode, law and order is restored and humor usually closes each story. The women (in this first season at least) are all stereotypes with very little to say. This is a six disk, attractively boxed set, presented in a “format that preserves the aspect ratio of the original television series.” Cameo guest appearances by such greats as Jim Backus as a drunk-driver judge, Roosevelt Grier as an angry motorist and Richard Deacon as Ponch’s former high school principal make watching even more entertaining. It is good to see these people again!
Specials include “Ponch’s Police Tips” where Erik Estrada presents some of those trivia bits and memories on selected episodes. There is also and Erik Estrada Profile featurette which is interesting.
Disk One : (episode info from the box) 1. Pilot episode – Ponch and Jon stop a car-theft ring. And Ponch’s antics may keep him on probation 2. Undertow – he’s here to help himself. A would-be tow truck driver robs stranded motorists. 3. Dog Gone – A string of incidents complicates of officer’s efforts to help a lost pooch. 4. Moving Violation – Our heroes rescue a man from an overturned van filled with snakes. Ponch goes to driving school.
Disk Two: 5. Career Day – Ponch patrols in Chopper 5 and speaks at his alma mater’s Career Day. 6. Baby Food – A trucker’s missing cargo of baby food is tainted with botulism. 7. Taking its Toll—A load of spilled and crushed onions has the responding CHPers in tears. 8. Green Thumb Burglar – Someone is stealing plants from L.A.’s freeways. A psychic predicts trouble for Ponch.
Disk Three: 9. Hustle – The duo pulls over Broderick Crawford, (Highway Patrol). Bikers go on a heist spree. 10. Highway Robbery – The officers use a circus elephant to tow a disabled truck. Jon’s ex-football teammate turns to crime. 11. Name Your Price – Femme thieves specialize in Rolls Royce cars. Ponch seeks his fortune on a game show.
Disk Four: 12. Aweigh We Go – Jon and Ponch pull duty at a roadside truck-weigh station. 13. One Two Many – He wants to be CHP in the worst way. But this uniformed lawbreaker is a look-alike for one of the best: Jon! 14. Rustling – The buddy cops confront dirt-bike riding cattle rustlers. Also: happy birthday to Jon! 15. Surf’s Up – Malibu. Jon and Ponch have a temporary beach assignment.
Disk Five: 16. Vintage ’54 – She’s the vintage owner of a vintage car. Eighty-five year old Mrs. Downey reports her auto is stolen 17. Hitch-Hiking Hitch – Two teenage girls seem unaware of the perils of hitch-hiking. 18. Cry Wolf – Bogus accident calls have the CHP spinning its wheels. 19. Crash Diet – A man hurls debris at traffic. Some CHPers must lose weight.
Disk Six: 20. Rainy Day – During a deluge, the motorcycle duo patrols in a car. 21. Crack-Up – Ponch must partner with Sgt. Getraer after Jon is injured in an accident. 22. Flashback! A brash rookie patrolman causes Ponch to look back on his days as a push-the-limits, know-it-all newbie.
This series is family friendly, great to show teens what the 70’s looked like, with hair, clothes, language and humor. Note to Producers….for Season 2 dvd’s you might seriously consider interviewing men all over America, asking them “where were you when you first saw ‘CHiPs’ and what does this series mean in you life!” Amazing! Note to women, this may just be the perfect Birthday, Anniversary, whatever gift for that hard to please guy!
CHiPs - The Complete First Season is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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