Nov. 10, 2023
CHiPs starring Eric Estrada and Larry Wilcox
Join us on a high-speed chase down memory lane as we revisit the iconic TV series, CHiPs, that captivated audiences with its thrilling rides and unforgettable episodes.
In this podcast, your host, Joe Mitchell, steers you through the action-packed...
Join us on a high-speed chase down memory lane as we revisit the iconic TV series, CHiPs, that captivated audiences with its thrilling rides and unforgettable episodes.
In this podcast, your host, Joe Mitchell, steers you through the action-packed adventures of the dynamic duo, Ponch and John, as they patrol the freeways of Los Angeles.
Listen in as we talk about the show's signature chase scenes, the humor brought by the supporting cast, and the major cast changes, including the notable departure of Larry Wilcox who played John Baker.
Discover how the show brought authenticity by enlisting real California Highway Patrol officers as technical advisors and the unique ways it made use of Los Angeles' freeways for filming.
Explore some of the show's memorable episodes from Ponch and John's first hot pursuit of a stolen car to their undercover escapades in the groovy world of disco.
This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5967110/advertisement
WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:14.039
Caloroga Shark Media. Welcome, fellow
TV enthusiasts to another exciting episode of TV
2
00:00:14.119 --> 00:00:18.320
in the Basement. Today, we're
revving up our engines and hitting the California
3
00:00:18.399 --> 00:00:23.280
Highways as we explore the world of
Chips, the iconic TV series that took
4
00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:27.839
us on thrilling rides with the California
Highway Patrol. I'm your host, Journey
5
00:00:27.879 --> 00:00:31.559
Joe Mitchell, and I'm excited to
guide you through the high octane adventures,
6
00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:37.600
major cast changes, and unforgettable episodes
of Chips. Chips burst onto the small
7
00:00:37.640 --> 00:00:42.840
screen on September fifteenth, nineteen seventy
seven, and quickly became a beloved staple
8
00:00:42.880 --> 00:00:48.039
of the late seventies and early eighties. The show revolved around the daily lives
9
00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:53.320
and high speed pursuits of the California
Highway Patrol officers patrolling the freeways of Los
10
00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:58.799
Angeles. At the heart of Chips
were the dynamic duo of officers Frank Punch
11
00:00:58.920 --> 00:01:03.400
Poncerello, portrayed by Eric Estrada and
Jonathan John Baker played by Larry Wilcox.
12
00:01:04.280 --> 00:01:10.439
Punch was the charismatic and motorcycle loving
officer, while John was the more serious
13
00:01:10.439 --> 00:01:15.079
and by the book counterpart. The
series was known for its thrilling chase scenes
14
00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:19.799
where Punch and John pursued speeders,
helped accident victims, and tackled various highway
15
00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:25.959
related crimes. These action pack sequences
became a signature element of the show,
16
00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:32.200
captivating audiences week after week. Chips
featured a supporting cast that added depth and
17
00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:36.159
humor to the series. Sergeant Joseph
Getrer, played by Robert Pine, was
18
00:01:36.200 --> 00:01:41.680
their no nonsense boss, overseeing the
officer's operations and often finding himself exasperated by
19
00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:46.760
Paunch and John's antics. We also
had the lovable and mischievous officer Barry Buritza
20
00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:51.920
portrayed by Brody Greer, and the
ever hungry officer Arthur Grossi Grossman played by
21
00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:56.480
Paul Lnky, rounding out the team. These characters brought their own quirks and
22
00:01:56.599 --> 00:02:01.560
charm to the series. Chips experienced
may cast changes during its run. One
23
00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:06.799
of the most notable departures occurred when
Larry Wilcox, who played John Baker,
24
00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:10.039
left the show at the end of
the fifth season. His departure was due
25
00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:14.919
to a contract dispute, and it
marked a significant change for the series.
26
00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:19.960
To fill the void left by John
Baker's exit. The character of Bobby hot
27
00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:23.319
Dog Nelson, played by Tom Riley, was introduced in the sixth season as
28
00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:28.479
Pach's new partner. Bobby brought a
fresh energy to the show and added his
29
00:02:28.520 --> 00:02:32.879
own comedic touch. Another addition was
Bruce Jenner now known as Caitlin Jenner as
30
00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:38.840
Officer McLeish. Officer McLeish is portrayed
as a confident and skilled motorcycle officer who
31
00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:44.960
teams up with Paunch and John to
track down the kidnappers. To ensure authenticity,
32
00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:50.319
the show enlisted the help of real
California Highway Patrol CHP officers as technical
33
00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:54.520
advisers. The series begins with Paunch
and John joining the California Highway Patrol.
34
00:02:54.919 --> 00:02:59.960
They quickly find themselves in hot pursuit
of a stolen car, setting the tone
35
00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:05.199
for the action packed episodes to come. In undertow, Paunch and John investigate
36
00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:08.400
a wave of thefts involving lifeguards equipment. Their search leads them to a cunning
37
00:03:08.520 --> 00:03:13.400
thief who knows how to make a
quick escape in the ocean. Rustling finds
38
00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:17.319
the CHP officers encountering a gang of
cattle rustlers who use motorcycles for their nefarious
39
00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:23.240
activities, Paunch and John take on
the Rustlers in a thrilling showdown in Christmas
40
00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:28.039
Watch the holiday spirit is in the
air. As Paunch and John patrol on
41
00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:32.759
Christmas Eve, they encounter various heartwarming
and humorous situations, reminding us of the
42
00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:38.520
importance of community and goodwill. Roller
Disco finds Paunch and John investigating a series
43
00:03:38.520 --> 00:03:44.120
of thefts at a roller disco.
Their undercover work involves donning roller skates and
44
00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:47.599
groovy seventies outfits, adding a dose
of fund to their pursuit of the culprits.
45
00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:52.960
That's not to be confused with Disco
Devil, where the officers investigate a
46
00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:57.680
nightclub owner suspected of dealing drugs.
They go under cover to gather evidence,
47
00:03:58.080 --> 00:04:04.360
leading to a disco infused chase and
showdown with the elusive suspect. In a
48
00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:10.400
nineteen ninety eight TV Guide article,
it was revealed that the show's creator,
49
00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:15.439
Rick Rosner had an interesting inspiration for
Chips. During an evening patrol shift while
50
00:04:15.480 --> 00:04:19.560
he was a reserve deputy with the
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He had
51
00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:26.040
a coffee break and observed two young
chp officers on motorcycles. This chance encounter
52
00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:30.720
sparked the idea for the series.
One unique aspect of Chips was the occasional
53
00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:34.000
mention of John Baker's service in Vietnam. This made his character one of the
54
00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:40.600
earliest regular and more positive portrayals of
a Vietnam veteran on television. Interestingly,
55
00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:46.000
Larry Wilcox, the actor who portrayed
John, had first hand experience, having
56
00:04:46.040 --> 00:04:49.639
served thirteen months in Vietnam as a
Marine artilleryman. In terms of production,
57
00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:55.319
Chips made clever use of freeways in
the Los Angeles area that were newly completed
58
00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:59.720
but not yet open to the public. In season one, the show often
59
00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:04.079
used the intersection of Interstate two ten
and California State Route two in along with
60
00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:09.439
a short stretch of Highway two.
Seasons three to five saw another move,
61
00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:14.560
this time ten miles west to the
intersection of Interstate two ten and California State
62
00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:18.600
Wrote one hundred eighteen in Silmar,
California. When that section of freeway was
63
00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:23.600
finally opened, production shifted again,
this time to a short section of the
64
00:05:23.639 --> 00:05:28.439
Long Beach Freeway and a long stretch
of Pershing Drive near Los Angeles International Airport.
65
00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:31.920
The only time production ventured outside of
Los Angeles was for the episode Drive
66
00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:36.800
Lady Drive, which used the Riverside
International Raceway and Moreno Valley for the racing
67
00:05:36.839 --> 00:05:43.800
scenes. Chips left an enduring legacy
in the world of television. It not
68
00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:48.759
only provided action packed entertainment, but
also promoted road safety and showcased the camaraderie
69
00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:54.759
of the California Highway Patrol officers.
Until next time, stay tuned for more
70
00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:56.720
TV treasures right here in the basement.
1
00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:14.039
Caloroga Shark Media. Welcome, fellow
TV enthusiasts to another exciting episode of TV
2
00:00:14.119 --> 00:00:18.320
in the Basement. Today, we're
revving up our engines and hitting the California
3
00:00:18.399 --> 00:00:23.280
Highways as we explore the world of
Chips, the iconic TV series that took
4
00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:27.839
us on thrilling rides with the California
Highway Patrol. I'm your host, Journey
5
00:00:27.879 --> 00:00:31.559
Joe Mitchell, and I'm excited to
guide you through the high octane adventures,
6
00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:37.600
major cast changes, and unforgettable episodes
of Chips. Chips burst onto the small
7
00:00:37.640 --> 00:00:42.840
screen on September fifteenth, nineteen seventy
seven, and quickly became a beloved staple
8
00:00:42.880 --> 00:00:48.039
of the late seventies and early eighties. The show revolved around the daily lives
9
00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:53.320
and high speed pursuits of the California
Highway Patrol officers patrolling the freeways of Los
10
00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:58.799
Angeles. At the heart of Chips
were the dynamic duo of officers Frank Punch
11
00:00:58.920 --> 00:01:03.400
Poncerello, portrayed by Eric Estrada and
Jonathan John Baker played by Larry Wilcox.
12
00:01:04.280 --> 00:01:10.439
Punch was the charismatic and motorcycle loving
officer, while John was the more serious
13
00:01:10.439 --> 00:01:15.079
and by the book counterpart. The
series was known for its thrilling chase scenes
14
00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:19.799
where Punch and John pursued speeders,
helped accident victims, and tackled various highway
15
00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:25.959
related crimes. These action pack sequences
became a signature element of the show,
16
00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:32.200
captivating audiences week after week. Chips
featured a supporting cast that added depth and
17
00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:36.159
humor to the series. Sergeant Joseph
Getrer, played by Robert Pine, was
18
00:01:36.200 --> 00:01:41.680
their no nonsense boss, overseeing the
officer's operations and often finding himself exasperated by
19
00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:46.760
Paunch and John's antics. We also
had the lovable and mischievous officer Barry Buritza
20
00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:51.920
portrayed by Brody Greer, and the
ever hungry officer Arthur Grossi Grossman played by
21
00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:56.480
Paul Lnky, rounding out the team. These characters brought their own quirks and
22
00:01:56.599 --> 00:02:01.560
charm to the series. Chips experienced
may cast changes during its run. One
23
00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:06.799
of the most notable departures occurred when
Larry Wilcox, who played John Baker,
24
00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:10.039
left the show at the end of
the fifth season. His departure was due
25
00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:14.919
to a contract dispute, and it
marked a significant change for the series.
26
00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:19.960
To fill the void left by John
Baker's exit. The character of Bobby hot
27
00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:23.319
Dog Nelson, played by Tom Riley, was introduced in the sixth season as
28
00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:28.479
Pach's new partner. Bobby brought a
fresh energy to the show and added his
29
00:02:28.520 --> 00:02:32.879
own comedic touch. Another addition was
Bruce Jenner now known as Caitlin Jenner as
30
00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:38.840
Officer McLeish. Officer McLeish is portrayed
as a confident and skilled motorcycle officer who
31
00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:44.960
teams up with Paunch and John to
track down the kidnappers. To ensure authenticity,
32
00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:50.319
the show enlisted the help of real
California Highway Patrol CHP officers as technical
33
00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:54.520
advisers. The series begins with Paunch
and John joining the California Highway Patrol.
34
00:02:54.919 --> 00:02:59.960
They quickly find themselves in hot pursuit
of a stolen car, setting the tone
35
00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:05.199
for the action packed episodes to come. In undertow, Paunch and John investigate
36
00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:08.400
a wave of thefts involving lifeguards equipment. Their search leads them to a cunning
37
00:03:08.520 --> 00:03:13.400
thief who knows how to make a
quick escape in the ocean. Rustling finds
38
00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:17.319
the CHP officers encountering a gang of
cattle rustlers who use motorcycles for their nefarious
39
00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:23.240
activities, Paunch and John take on
the Rustlers in a thrilling showdown in Christmas
40
00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:28.039
Watch the holiday spirit is in the
air. As Paunch and John patrol on
41
00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:32.759
Christmas Eve, they encounter various heartwarming
and humorous situations, reminding us of the
42
00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:38.520
importance of community and goodwill. Roller
Disco finds Paunch and John investigating a series
43
00:03:38.520 --> 00:03:44.120
of thefts at a roller disco.
Their undercover work involves donning roller skates and
44
00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:47.599
groovy seventies outfits, adding a dose
of fund to their pursuit of the culprits.
45
00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:52.960
That's not to be confused with Disco
Devil, where the officers investigate a
46
00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:57.680
nightclub owner suspected of dealing drugs.
They go under cover to gather evidence,
47
00:03:58.080 --> 00:04:04.360
leading to a disco infused chase and
showdown with the elusive suspect. In a
48
00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:10.400
nineteen ninety eight TV Guide article,
it was revealed that the show's creator,
49
00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:15.439
Rick Rosner had an interesting inspiration for
Chips. During an evening patrol shift while
50
00:04:15.480 --> 00:04:19.560
he was a reserve deputy with the
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He had
51
00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:26.040
a coffee break and observed two young
chp officers on motorcycles. This chance encounter
52
00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:30.720
sparked the idea for the series.
One unique aspect of Chips was the occasional
53
00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:34.000
mention of John Baker's service in Vietnam. This made his character one of the
54
00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:40.600
earliest regular and more positive portrayals of
a Vietnam veteran on television. Interestingly,
55
00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:46.000
Larry Wilcox, the actor who portrayed
John, had first hand experience, having
56
00:04:46.040 --> 00:04:49.639
served thirteen months in Vietnam as a
Marine artilleryman. In terms of production,
57
00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:55.319
Chips made clever use of freeways in
the Los Angeles area that were newly completed
58
00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:59.720
but not yet open to the public. In season one, the show often
59
00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:04.079
used the intersection of Interstate two ten
and California State Route two in along with
60
00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:09.439
a short stretch of Highway two.
Seasons three to five saw another move,
61
00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:14.560
this time ten miles west to the
intersection of Interstate two ten and California State
62
00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:18.600
Wrote one hundred eighteen in Silmar,
California. When that section of freeway was
63
00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:23.600
finally opened, production shifted again,
this time to a short section of the
64
00:05:23.639 --> 00:05:28.439
Long Beach Freeway and a long stretch
of Pershing Drive near Los Angeles International Airport.
65
00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:31.920
The only time production ventured outside of
Los Angeles was for the episode Drive
66
00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:36.800
Lady Drive, which used the Riverside
International Raceway and Moreno Valley for the racing
67
00:05:36.839 --> 00:05:43.800
scenes. Chips left an enduring legacy
in the world of television. It not
68
00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:48.759
only provided action packed entertainment, but
also promoted road safety and showcased the camaraderie
69
00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:54.759
of the California Highway Patrol officers.
Until next time, stay tuned for more
70
00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:56.720
TV treasures right here in the basement.