Where To Watch
8 fascinating tidbits about 'CHiPs'
The TV show about motorcycle cops featured former Olympians and racing champions. Here are things you might not know about Ponch and Jon.
With their short sleeves, shades and Kawasakis, Ponch and Jon were the coolest cops on television in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The two California Highway Patrol riders delivered action, laughs and little dash of disco dancing to television sets. (Hey, there was a reason it was aired on Saturday nights for a while.) The series made Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox stars and pin-ups. All the kids on the block zipped around on bikes imaging themselves as CHiPs officers. There were dolls, trading cards and lunch boxes. CHiPs latest for six seasons, cruising through some cast shake-ups, and ending on a season filled with enough robots, UFOs and rock bands to make it at home in the 1966 lineup.
To salute the two motorcycle cops, we rounded up some intriguing trivia about the TV show.
Oh, and did you ever wonder if you're more Ponch or more Jon? Take our CHiPs personality quiz and find out.
1. Erik Estrada did not have a motorcycle license at the time …although he did become a real police officer
2. Baricza was the only character to draw his gun on the show
Though they sported holsters, Ponch and Jon were never seen drawing a weapon on the series. Patrol Officer Barry Baricza, on the other hand, wielded a weapon a few times. He was the only one to do so. It was a relatively family friendly show when it came to violence, considering the topic. Over the course of six seasons, nineteen characters die, two of them CHP officers.
3. Bruce Jenner briefly replaced Estrada after he went on strike
4. Bruce Penhall was an actual motorcycle racing champion
5. The theme song became a disco single in Japan called "I Love You CHiPs"
6. Star Trek's Michael Dorn was on the show
7. There was to be a spin-off about ninja cops called 'Force Seven'
8. A 1990s grunge band took its name from 'CHiPs'
Looney Tunes - Holiday Bugs
$19.95
Svengoolie® T-Shirt
$19.95
I Love Lucy - Lucy Lines
$19.95
Svengoolie Face Ceramic Mug
$17.99
Women's Svengoolie® T-Shirt
$19.95
4 Comments
I watch it everyday when I get a chance 😁
the show is not on the playlist .. where is it and I want to watch it!!! #ponchlover
Michael Dorn played Worf (note the "r") not Wolf on Star Trek.
Everybody knows that and most likeable for a Klingon working for Starfleet Command.