14 Lesser-Known Facts About CHiPs

In contrast to the gritty police dramas of the 1970s, NBC’s CHiPs, which debuted on September 15, 1977, offered a more lighthearted take on law enforcement. The show followed California Highway Patrol officers Frank “Ponch” Poncherello (Erik Estrada) and Jon Baker (Larry Wilcox), who typically dealt with minor incidents like freeway accidents. Its family-friendly tone and low stakes made it a hit, leading to strong ratings and a successful merchandise line. To celebrate the show’s 40th anniversary, here are 14 intriguing tidbits about behind-the-scenes drama, on-set injuries, and the surprising hazards of CHiPs toys.

1. CAITLYN JENNER STEPPED IN FOR ERIK ESTRADA AT ONE POINT.

When Estrada exited the show at the start of its fifth season due to a pay disagreement, producers brought in Olympian Caitlyn (then Bruce) Jenner as his replacement. Jenner, who was already employed by NBC Sports as a commentator, was also a skilled motorcyclist. After Estrada resolved his issues with MGM and rejoined the cast, Jenner’s character gradually faded from the series, appearing in only seven episodes.

2. ERIK ESTRADA AND LARRY WILCOX HAD A STRAINED RELATIONSHIP.

While their characters shared a strong bond, Estrada and Wilcox’s real-life relationship was far from harmonious. During his 1980 wedding, Wilcox revealed to People magazine that he deliberately excluded Estrada, citing ongoing conflicts since the show’s inception. He criticized Estrada’s casting, stating, "I thought it was ridiculous to choose someone solely for their looks." Wilcox described their dynamic as an "ego issue," admitting Estrada was not and never would be his "close friend."

3. THE OFFICERS RARELY USED THEIR FIREARMS.

Despite being a police drama, CHiPs took a notably restrained approach to gun use. Fans estimate that officers drew their weapons in only three of the show’s 139 episodes—and neither Estrada nor Wilcox ever did so. Estrada explained to ABC News that the family-friendly 8 p.m. time slot influenced this decision. “The focus was on assisting pedestrians, aiding those in distress, and guiding wayward youth,” he said.

4. ESTRADA SUFFERED A SERIOUS INJURY DURING A STUNT.

Unlike many modern primetime actors, Estrada performed most of his own motorcycle stunts. During the filming of a 1979 episode, he sustained critical injuries after losing control of his bike. He braked suddenly, catapulting into a parked car and breaking eight ribs, his sternum, collarbone, and wrist. Upon his return, MGM rewarded him with a $100,000 Rolls Royce Corniche. (Not to be outdone, Wilcox crashed his motorcycle the following year, resulting in a concussion.)

5. WILCOX EVENTUALLY DEPARTED FROM THE SHOW.

With the ongoing friction between Wilcox and Estrada remaining unresolved, Wilcox chose to exit the series as it entered its sixth and final season. His character, Baker, was replaced by Bobby “Hot Dog” Nelson (Tom Reilly), but the change led to a drop in viewership. Reilly made headlines in December 1982 when United Press International reported his arrest by real motorcycle officers for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs. Reilly denied the charges, but his role was diminished, and the show was ultimately canceled.

6. ESTRADA INFLUENCED THE VILLAGE PEOPLE’S COP CHARACTER.

Despite not being the lead, Estrada’s striking smile and charm left a lasting mark on pop culture. As reported by TV Guide, Victor Willis of the Village People drew inspiration from Estrada’s snug patrol uniform, adopting a similar look for his “cop” persona in the band.

7. PONCH WAS INITIALLY WRITTEN AS AN ITALIAN CHARACTER.

Frank Poncherello was originally named Poncherelli, as producers intended the character to be Italian. However, they reconsidered after Estrada’s audition, possibly due to his intense demeanor: Estrada slammed a door in frustration after messing up a line during the meeting.

8. THE SHOW NEARLY FACED CANCELLATION IN ITS DEBUT SEASON.

During its initial run from 1977 to 1978, critics and media analysts were blunt in their assessment of CHiPs’s performance, labeling its ratings as “abysmal.” However, the show’s prospects turned around in its second season after NBC shifted it from Thursdays to Saturdays, where it began dominating its time slot.

9. THE SYNDICATION TITLE WAS CONFUSING.

When CHiPs entered syndication in the fall of 1982 after five seasons, MGM renamed it CHiPs Patrol to distinguish reruns from new episodes. This decision was puzzling, as “CHP” already stands for “California Highway Patrol,” resulting in the nonsensical title California Highway Patrol Patrol.

10. THE TOYS WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR DURABILITY.

Mego, the toy company, quickly capitalized on the show’s popularity by releasing 8-inch action figures and vehicles. Their CHiPs line reportedly reused molds from other franchises—such as Fonzie’s motorcycle and Klingon boots from Star Trek. However, the biggest issue arose when the Ponch and Jon figures lingered on shelves too long. Due to Mego’s inconsistent quality control, the plastic in the figures reacted with the packaging, turning their flesh-toned heads to a ghastly gray. Collectors refer to this as “zombie disease,” and it’s rumored to be possibly hazardous.

11. WILCOX FACED LEGAL TROUBLE.

In 2010, the media reveled in the irony of Wilcox being charged with securities fraud. As reported by the Sun-Sentinel, Wilcox had unknowingly sought kickbacks from an undercover FBI agent in 2009 to fund his mining venture. To mitigate his sentence, he cooperated with authorities by wearing a wire to expose two other conspirators. In 2011, he was sentenced to three years of probation.

12. A REUNION MOVIE WAS RELEASED IN 1998.

CHiPs ’99 revisited the exploits of our highway-bound heroes over 15 years after the original series ended. Wilcox reunited with Estrada to tackle a car theft ring, with a humorous side story about a dog stubbornly defecating in Jon’s yard. The film premiered on TNT in October 1998, and by all reports, the co-stars managed to get along this time. (Of course, the entire project was filmed in just 17 days.)

13. A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE REBOOT ARRIVED IN EARLY 2017.

Warner Bros. heavily banked on the show’s nostalgic appeal, hiring Dax Shepard to write, direct, and co-star in a more serious adaptation. Initially, Wilmer Valderrama (That ‘70s Show) reportedly secured an unofficial agreement to play Ponch after arriving at a studio meeting dressed as a California motorcycle cop and quipping, “Funny, right?” However, Michael Peña ultimately landed the role.

14. ESTRADA EVENTUALLY BECAME A REAL-LIFE POLICE OFFICER.

Estrada once shared that his initial career goal was to join the police force before he turned to acting. While that didn’t happen right away, he eventually fulfilled his dream. In 2006, he became a reserve officer for the Muncie, Indiana police department, initially for a reality show. He rejoined in 2008 to work a night patrol shift and now serves with the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.