What ruined Chico and the Man was Freddie Prinzes death. Freddie was an irreplaceable part of the show and the chemistry between him and Jack Albertson was what made the show the hit it was. James Komacks decision to continue the show with a new “Chico” shocked many. Even with such talented co stars as Della Reese and Scatman Crothers the show was a shadow of itself. Gabriel Melgar stepped into a no win situation and after the ratings continued to slip they then brought on the runaway girl. By that point the show because Ed Browns orphanage and got ridiculous. The magic was gone without Freddie. I’ve watched the entire series and the two part episode where Jack finds Gabriel playing with Freddie’s things and he blows up and smashes his guitar and ends up having to go to Mexico to find him was beautifully written and I felt finally gave closure and let the cast deal with Freddie’s passing. It was a very emotional episode and you can see Jack and Scatman clearly had a difficult time getting though it. I remember watching this show when it was brand new and how stunned everyone one was Freddie killed himself. It was a case of too much too soon. Such a tragic loss. Chico and the man was a very special show though and what a beautiful theme song. “Because there’s good in everyone,and a new day has begun,you can see the morning sun if you try”.
I agree. Jack Albertson was heartbroken when Freddie took his life. He was one of his pallbearers and gave the eulogy at his funeral. You can see film of it online. I wish someone close to Feddie could have helped him get control of himself. He had a bright future ahead of him.
The show should have been canceled after the sudden death of Freddie Prinze after the third season. The exchanges between Prinze and Jack Albertson were the forefront of the show and it was like watching an episode of The Honeymooners without Jackie Gleason. Bringing in Gabriel Melgar added nothing to a show that suffered a major tragedy.
Howard Luloff,I agree. Jack,Della and Scatman were all wonderful and I still enjoyed seeing them as much as Freddie,but it couldn’t ever be the same without the most integral part of the show. The whole show was about the relationship between Ed and Chico and the world changing around them. I feel sorry for Gabriel,He was just a child and I think he did the best he could but he had impossible shoes to fill. The ratings kept slipping and they brought Charo on for sex appeal,then Julie Hill as Monica the runaway girl,they were trying anything they could to keep the show going. Freddie Prinzes life should serve as a cautionary tale to everyone about the dangers of drugs. He had such a bright future ahead of him and it all ended just after it began. It’s heartbreaking. Freddie obviously cared a lot about Jack. There’s a mug Freddie gave to Jack Albertson in 1975 on eBay right now. Freddie’s inscription to Jack was “Where would I be without you”. I wish someone close to him could have helped him.
@@jdsundstrom Flintstones, meet the Flintstones They're the modern Stone Age Family From the town of Bedrock They're a page right out of history Let's ride with the family down the street Through the courtesy of Fred's two feet When you're with the Flintstones Have a yabba-dabba-doo time A dabba-doo time We'll have a gay old time🕺
I agree, Mr.Prinze was irreplaceable! On the recent series The Dark Side of Comedy it was revealed that Freddie was likely Bi Polar, of which little was known about in the 70s! However, I wouldn`t be too hard on the producers because from what I remember from the first run and in syndication, the 2 parter was done with great sensitivity, so much so Jack Albertson's voice seemed to legitimately choke up when he told "Raul" Chico had died. It's not easy to continue a series whenever a main character dies (John Ritter, Redd Foxx, Pete Duel, Dan Blocker etc.) because the nature of the show dramatically changes, especially if the character was a Co Star! I'm just grateful Komack and company did better by Chico and The Man than other producers have done with shows that faced similar circumstances.
@@jdsundstrom I never saw the show but had heared he died young. several years ago I saw Freddie on the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast.of Muhammad Ali on youtube.......Freddie was funny when Roasting Muhammad Ali. a Shame he died so young.............. if he had lived I think how nice it would have been seeing him with his son Freddie Jr in a movie or TV series.
Gabriel Melgar was put under a lot of pressure. It's difficult enough for an adult actor to fill the void left by a popular well known actor, let alone for an unknown child actor.
Same thing happened on The Waltons, where they foolishly cast another actor to play John Boy after Richard Thomas left. That probably killed Robert Wightman's career.
Freddie Prinze apparently had close friends on the set in Jack Albertson, Della Reese, Scatman Carouthers and others. Albertson was evidently deeply affected by Prinze's death.
Ironically Della Reese faced another tragedy on a sitcom 14 years later, this time with her co-star Redd Foxx; he collapsed and died from heart failure during filming the Royal Family sitcom, and they tried to continue with Jackee Harry as a relative, but the show wasn't the same without Foxx.
Jack was absolutely devastated by Freddie's death. I remember seeing news clips at the time of Jack crying his eyes out while attempting to talk. I felt so sorry for him.
There were so many great TV show theme songs in the 1970's and the theme to "Chico and the Man" was one of them. It's a very memorable song written and performed by Jose Feliciano. RIP Freddie, Jack, Scatman, and Della.
The tv theme songs of the 1970s help to make the show. Back when half hour tv sitcoms ran for 25-26 real tv minutes unlike today's 19-20 true minute sitcoms...almost half (10 minute average) of a 30 minute tv sitcom is commercials in 2022.
I remember the two parter that explained Chico’s death and it was a MAJOR tearjerker. Gabriel did a fine job with what he was given and those two episodes actually demonstrated his ability. Pity he did not continue acting - he was pretty decent. I loved Chico and the Man and really liked the Jose Feliciano intro. Feliz Navidad❤
I agree. Gabriel stepped into shoes that were impossible to fill,but he did his best. His age also changed the relationship dynamic in the wrtiting. Freddie was also a mechanic and wanted to be partners with Jack. It made sense for him to be there. Once Gabriel and Julie hill appeared in the scene it was a farce. It turned into “Ed Browns Orphanage” there were hardly any customers or work done in the garage.
@pnighswander,Eds character also softened after he met Chico. There were many tender moments of friendship between Freddie and Jack during their time together but they were more complex. The episode where “the disappearance” where Ed goes to a bar to be along on his anniversary was quite moving. In the episodes “the strike” and “Della moves in” Chico would defend Ed and tell others that he was really a kind man under his gruffness. The entire relationship dynamic was different with Gabriel Melgar and Julie Hill,and the writing got sloppier and more ridiculous. That being said it was still worth watching for “Raul runs away”.
The show was a beautiful representation of how young and old, no matter the background, can live in harmony together. The opening and closing song by Jose Feliciano always stirred my emotions to tears.
Freddie Prinze's death was the first real 'body blow' I got from a celebrity death. Chico and the Man was one of my favorite TV shows and when Freddie killed himself I was a 12 year old 7th grader who was blown away that someone I admired so much would do that.
I hear ya man. I was 13 going on 14 when the legendary Bernie Mac died. Talk about a blow. Then when Michael Jackson died? Lord talk about a world in mourning. His death was so monumental that it completely overshadowed Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett'a deaths that same week.
I've been enjoying "Chico & The Man" recently on Tubi. Before now I vaguely remembered watching the show when I was 6, 7 years old. I do remember hearing about Freddie Prinze committing suicide back then though. It's still hard to believe because he was such a positive energy in this underrated tv show. I understand it was never in syndication because of Freddie's suicide & because it only had 88 episodes. Usually a show has to get to 100 shows for syndication. I thank Tubi that now I can really see what a funny, moving show "Chico & The Man" really was.
I was 14 years old and had just come home from delivering newspapers when I found out about Freddie's death. There was no logical way they could or should have continued the show. Freddie was one of a kind.
They were clearly throwing things in randomly and desperately in the fourth season to try and save the show. Charo's brief stint as Raoul's aunt from Spain is to me the prime example of this.
Yes,the producers added Charo for sex appeal believing it would increase ratings and more men would watch. It didn’t so they brought on Julie Hill and then they finally gave up.
Nobody could of saved this show. The lost of Freddie Prinze Sr was just too much, he was irreplaceable. The fact that Gabriel Melgar was used as a scapegoat was totally unfair. Sidenote Freddy Prinze was a trailblazer, he was one of the first latino Americans to headline a tv show.
Freddie had so much potential and I think he would have accomplished so much more. It is a shame he had some terrible inner demons, but I am glad his son was able to establish himself in his career and make better choices in life.
Recently, I found an episode of Cher's show on UA-cam. Freddie sang and danced in a segment about the 1940s. He was incredibly talented. I remember having a crush on him when I was in the fourth or fifth grade. I still remember the day the news came out about his death. For a very short time, NBC reran a few episodes of "Chico and the Man" before the newer episodes began. It was very strange and sad to see Freddie on TV so soon after his death.
@@msmerc86... I took had a crush on him, I was 12 when he died and remember a few young girls took their own lives after hearing Abt his passing, It was All Sooo Sad.. 😢💔
I remember this all too well. We used to watch this show every week, thought it was really funny, very well done. My one lasting memory of Freddie Prinze was when he made a personal appearance at an area department store in the Chicago area to promote his comedy album. Talk about a great turnout of people who showed up to get an autographed copy! He seemed like he enjoyed meeting everyone that day. Such a great talent, gone way too soon.
Freddie was John Leguizano before John. He could have done anything much as John does now. Jack Albertson was given a horrible position to carry the show while it pivoted.
No more Chico, but they went on anyway. I remember it in real time. It was a ridiculous idea. The kid wasn't at fault; they entire dynamic of the show was gone.
It is well known that a lot of comics and comedic actors actually suffer from depression. That is why they try so hard to get people to laugh, because they finally feel that they are doing something right by making people laugh. And then, in some cases, even that isn't enough to keep them plugging on with life.
This is so true. I suffer from chronic depression. However, I’m older now and have some tools to deal with it. I know that I will suffer with it for the rest of my life. But I also know what to do when I see myself heading in that direction. Freddie wasn’t old enough to have acquired those skills. It’s sad.
Actually, although you’re mostly right, Robin had Lewie Body Dementia. He suffered always from depression, but the illness, as well as a very expensive divorce and a television show cancellation and the depression proved to be too much
Sometimes the suits don't know when to let a good thing go. This has been the case for many a sitcom and game show, and indeed, reality series. "Unsolved Mysteries" comes to mind.
That’s because to the networks it’s all about money not art. They will try and keep a show going as long as they can. The more episodes they easier it is to sell in syndication.
@@Suddenlyits1960 Back then 100 episodes was considered the magic minimum for syndication. Freddie had appeared in 62. Now with so many cable channels the threshold is much lower than it used to be,
I remember watching the episode that acknowledged Chico's death through the eye's of an eight year old child. I remember feeling very sad watching Ed become angry and smash Gabriel's guitar.
Dave, I certainly remember this show and how shocking it was to hear of Freddie's passing - he actually died on my 14th birthday (bummer). As for not mentioning his death on the show, think about how they handled everything back then - their "Turn the Cheek" attitude was based on trying to keep everything as wholesome and blissful as possible. Great video as always!
@D- Mack-GA,They DID mention it on the show. There was a two part episode called “Raul Runs away” where Ed catches Raul playing with Chicos guitar and he blows up at him and smashes the guitar to pieces. Raul gets scared and runs away and Ed has to go to Mexico to find him. He eventually finds him inside a church,and there Jack tells him that the “other Chico” won’t be coming back,that he passed away. Tv was far more sophisticated in the 50’s,60’s and 70’s than people are giving it credit for. Programs dealt with very delicate issues,but in a more reverent and sophisticated manner than now.
@@Suddenlyits1960 Thanks for the info, I didn't know about the "Raul Runs Away" episodes, I probably stopped watching shortly after Freddie passed away.
It is truly sad that a lot of the biggest stars/artists have emotional/sociological problems that they feed off of for their performances and that way too often these same actors/performers are not able to handle their inner demons and too often huge success in their craft makes it even harder for their lives.
I think you're right. But...I also think the 4th season could have been handled in a much better way. More of a tribute to Freddie and the character that he played on the show.
@@jdsundstrom No doubt about that! Maybe they should have done a Colonel Blake type death and had a sad funeral where a cousin Paulo or something meets and gets a job at the garage to seemlessly keep things flowing..I don't know lol
Don't forget to go into UA-cam and search on: "Chico And The Man (Main Theme) José Feliciano" to remember the show. Just hearing the song brings me back like it was yesterday. "Da-Doe, things will get betta ..."
I just recently watched the complete series on tubi and I suddenly realized that Freddie Prinze was probably the first actor that I watched every week n then heard what suicide I was 12 or 13 when that happened
I never saw that 2-part episode of CATM. I watched the first few episodes of season 4 to see how they would continue without Prinze and stopped. I saw no point of continuing to watch "Chico and the Man" without Chico.
I know Freddies friend Tony Orlando took his death hard so much so he had a nervous breakdown and broke up with his group Dawn. Happy to say Tony is well today, still tours and has a radio show Saturday nights on WABC77 radio in New York Tony Orlando would be good future subject Dave. I met him one after an outdoor concert
Komack. Ugh. No wonder. That guy was a show-killer. In Welcome Back Kotter, he tried to keep the show going without Vinnie Barbarino--the breakout role for John Travolta--AND Gabe Kaplan's Kotter. Once again, trying to keep a show going with the supporting cast after the main actor left. (He even tried to spin-off Horshack into a new series.) He also killed The Courtship of Eddie's Father. Based on a film by the same name, this show was a delight...at first. A widower raising his son with the help of a housekeeper, the show had heart, warmth, and Harry Nilsson doing the theme song and the intros/outros. But Komack, who was producing it and a playing a supporting character, started making the show more about his character than it ever should have been. They dyad between father and son was broken by the Uncle Norman character (Komack) always being around. Bill Bixby, playing the father (Tom), left the show because of this. He also directed the third Porky's movie. Nothing else needs to be said about that. On the plus side, he did direct one of the best Star Trek episodes ever, "A Piece of the Action." So there's that.
I was only 10 when Freddie died, and I had such a crush on him. I watched that show religiously. His death, especially the way it happened, shook me to my core. I had never experienced news like that about someone I admired. I think it contributed to my lifelong curiosity about life after death, and what causes someone to do themself in. Back then, shootings weren’t as commonplace as they are now (man, that’s sad in itself). I return to episodes online to sort of “see” him again, and I’m so very proud of his son for growing up clean, despite having no father, and having that legacy hanging over him. He’s amazing.
I just turned 5 when my Father told me Chico And The Man wasn't going to be on anymore because Freddie Prince did a very silly thing and shit himself died. I was very sad and confused. A few days later I was watching t.v. and saw that the show was on. I was so happy. "Dad!! Chico isn't dead! The show is on still!!!" My Father explained that the show was filmed before he died. I was devastated again.
2-22-23 A year before Freddie Prines ‘s passing, on the Rich Little Show Glenda made Freddy disappear,rich told Glenda to bring Freddy back or the show would be &the man.
Some characters are too big to lose. Chico was one of them. It was WAY too far into the show to expect anybody to be able to generate the kind of connection that Chico had enjoyed with the audience. I honestly think they made a mistake in even attempting to carry on. That poor kid was up against a tidal wave of love and sympathy for Prinze. He never had a chance, and neither did the show after Prinze died.
That was also the case with other shows such as Royal Family (Redd Foxx), News Radio (Phil Hartman) and Eight Simple Rules (John Ritter) when the main cast members died in real life; there was so much love for them, and even their replacements (Jackee Harry - Royal Family, Jon Lovitz - News Radio, James Garner and David Spade - Eight Simple Rules) couldn't save the show, or the dynamics changed to the point where it wasn't the same.
I was 16 in 1976 and loved this show, when he died it really effected me, I didn't understand why he'd do that, I was very confused, it was one of those moments in life that marked me in a way I can't explain, I know it was just tv but I really liked him, on talk shows he was so gracious, classy, kind, funny, Why?
I was born in 1969. I watched this and Sanford & Son as a kid. My memory doesn't tell me why or anything now but I know I liked it then for some reason. 5 year old me had style and taste :)
Dave Wonderful presentation sir - As a rule, what usually happens when a television show's production team attempts to (out of need or want) "freshen up" a TV show - any given TV show is that it almost never works. Perhaps, the exception was: "The Facts Of Life" However, with regard to this particular situation - given the meteoric fame and intense popularity of Freddy Prince... I believe those last three episodes of the third season should have been transformed into a "Chico and the Man" television "Movie Of The Week" series finale. (Those "Movies Of The Week") were all the rage back in that era. The "would have been/should have been" movie should of focused on recognizing, processing the grief, and at the end a combination series/real life montage featuring Freddy Prince. And then at the end of the montage an out of character in wardrobe genuine message from Mr Atkinson about Freddy and suicide prevention. A missed opportunity to perhaps assist and help the very populous entertainment is always professing to want to attract. Perhaps, this would be a good project for Norman Lear and Jimmy Kimmel's production collaboration "in front of a live audience" to retroactively pick up the mantle of. Since that's series has been all about positively reviving nostalgia. Thanks again Dave -
Back then Freddie was one of the few comics that could have me laughing. So when I heard the news about Freddie I took it hard. I still do watching this and remembering Freddie and his catch phrases "Looking good!" & "That's not my job." A couple weeks ago Decades TV aired several of the Dean Martin Roasts including one for Muhammad Ali that featured Freddie. It's here on youtube. I still get a good laugh from his jokes. RIP Freddie. Also, on Twitter I sent Freddie Jr a tweet about my remembering his dad. Don't know if he saw it, he never replied. Sad memories.
@@jdsundstrom You're welcome. Recently a video suggestion came up here on youtube. It was of Jimmy JJ Walker talking about Freddie. How, one night Freddie Called Jimmy waking him up and asking him to come over. Jimmy got up went over to Freddies to find there were about 12 others there who Freddie also called and asked to come over.
My memory is that our family loved the Friday night combination on NBC of Sanford & Son followed by Chico and the Man! I remember my mom telling us that FP killed himself. It was reported in the news that his wife divorced him, and he was so traumatized that he took his life. Nothing was said back then (that I know of) about depression. I think that was just a topic that people in those years "just don't talk about"!
The industry has no respect for individuals. "The show must go on" is about money. I had additional respect for Freddie Prinz for speaking out on TV about crueIty to animaIs. Back in the 70's, dog fighting was not considered universally as bad as we know it to be today. On the oId Mike Douglas show (NOT the same Mike Douglas as Kirk's son), the host wouId invite dog fighters and buII fighters on and treat them Iike royalty. On one such show, Freddie was there when Mike Douglas was fawning over dog fighter Pete Sparks. Freddie spoke up and said, "Dog fighting is crueI." I had even much greater respect for him after that.
At least they didn't pull a Darrin like on Bewitched. Imagine going from one episode to the next and suddenly having a totally different actor in the role of Chico without any explanation? LOL 😉
The early ones were genius. Freddy was incredible. I remember him on an early Tonight Show and how taken Johnny and Don Rickles were with him. Don was so kind to him and offered him much encouragement. He totally won them over with his routine and personality.
In 1977, NBC was being trounced in the ratings by ABC. "Little House on the Prairie," "Sanford and Son," and "Chico and the Man" were about the only prime-time hits NBC had. The latter two shows aired back-to-back on Friday nights. Unfortunately, Prinze's suicide and subsequent absence on "Chico" coincided with Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson leaving "Sanford." NBC was so desperate that it offered a revamped, short-lived effort called "Sanford Arms" and continued "Chico" by bringing on Gabriel Melgar. Obviously questionable decisions in retrospect, but at least "Chico" did get around to producing the touching episode acknowledging Prinze's death. Jack Albertson, Scatman Crothers, and Melgar were superb in that episode.
It's interesting to think about, how many people remember this show so fondly. Today, viewership is so diversified it doesn't unify our country like it used to. We all watched the same shows. We all talked about them the next day. Broadcast TV was a big part of American life in unifying us to each other.
So many sit-coms bring in little kids to try and save the show, and it always fails, Ricky Seagal on the Partridge Family, Cousin Oliver on the Brady Bunch and I'm sure there's others. They should have got Ira Angustain, who played Freddie in the made for TV film "Can you hear the laughter" He could have played a relative of Freddie and I think the show would have gone on a few more years. They needed to find the same chemistry that Jack Albertson had with Freddie. You couldn't generate the same tension with an adult and a child as you could with a young man.
I don't recall watching Chico and the Man when it first aired. But I remember when it began airing in afternoon syndication. I think my mom told me what happened to Freddie Prinze as I was watching the first episode. I enjoyed the show, but don't remember much about it because it's been more than 40 years since I watched it. Unlike many other syndicated sitcoms, it didn't seem to air for very long in the NYC market. I am glad that Freddie Prinze Jr. seems to have avoided his father's demons.
I was born in 1979 and growing up through the 80’s this show was on everyday (reruns).I didn’t know about Freddie Prinze committing suicide in 1977 during the peak of the show until I was an adult.Crazy he was only 22 years old at the time I believe this show would’ve lasted 10 or more seasons if Freddie was alive.The Chico character always sticks out when I think about this show.
l renember watching this show when l was a kid in 1975. l love Freddie he was a great actor and funny. lt was sad he went through hard time with depression and his fame. lt was sad he died so young and had alot going for him. l think they made a mistake putting Gabriel to replace Chico it was a bad idea. l never watch season 4 after Freddie died cuz it never felt the same anymore and the show was hard for me to watch. l miss him and his LOOKING GOOOD phrase when he said that. l say that sometimes and l think of Freddie. Ur the best comedian. 🌷
I love the theme song and watching the show’s opening scenes of East L.A. I grew up not far from there and watching the opening brings back memories of watching this show as a child.
Freddie Prinze was a great and versatile talent. He was not only funny, but also, a very good actor. Freddie starred in a made for TV film called "The Million Dollar Rip-Off" in which Freddie portrayed an ex-convict named Muff Kovak, who devised a plan to rob the Chicago Transit Authority of its money and uses female accomplices to help him pull it off. The film premeired on the NBC network on September 22nd, 1976 just as the third season of Chico and the Man was beginning. Freddie publicly stated that he didn't care for the film, but IMHO, he was terrific and very convincing in his portrayal of Muff Kovak. IMHO, it was also an above average made for TV film. The Million Dollar Rip-Off was orignally going to be a feature film whose screenplay was written by actors William Devane and John Pleshette, and, they both hoped to star in the film, but they couldn't get any Hollywood studios to produce it. However, NBC bought the script and reformatted it as a made for TV film in which Andrew Peter Marin was hired to write a teleplay based on the original script. They, NBC, also helped in the production and decided to cast an established TV star in the main role and that is how Freddie Prinze got the main role. The film's other actors were not well known at the time. It does feature a pre Growing Pains Joanna Kerns (under the name Joanna Devarona) as Jessie. I first saw the TV film on my local NBC affiliates late show and I enjoyed it. I later bought the DVD when it first became available for sale and I enjoyed revisiting it. I also review The Million Dollar Rip-Off on Amazon. Thanks for uploading Dave. Please keep them coming.
I agree with you 100%. I felt bad for Gabriel Melgar because of the situation he was walking into. They needed to address Freddie Prinze's death. Having Jack Albertson's character say "You're all 'Chicos' to me" was racist and demeaning. The whole point of the relationship was that the original "Chico" got Albertson's character to get past his anti-Latino sentiment and accept him as a human being. I will also admit to having had a little bit of a crush on Freddie Prinze. He was only a few years older than me and he was H-O-T. He wasn't just good looking; he had a personality and a sense of humor. He could even sing (there's footage of him singing as part of a "Cher" variety show musical number). When I heard of his suicide, I cried for a couple of days. It's really hard to watch someone with so much to look forward to snuff themself out.
Jack Albertson was a great character actor. Saw him on many shows in the 60s and 70s including The Lucy Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show. He was also on a color episode of The Andy Griffith Show as a con man trying to market Aunt Bees ice cream. He was also in movies which include The Poseiden Adventure. His sister was Mabel Albertson who also guest starred on many shows including Bewitched (Darrins mother) That Girl (Donalds mother) and many others going back to the 50s like Burns and Allen. Her daughter in law was academy award and emmy winner actress Cloris Leachman (Mary Tyler Moore Show Phyllis) I do remember she and Jack Alberson guest starred on Cher
I vaguely remember the show. I was a wee laddie when it aired. I remembered Ed from Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. There is an episode of Chico and The Man on UA-cam that I will check out later. Thanks for another great video, Dave. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
My family wasn't really watching the show much by then, but I do remember the commercial they were showing where Charo's character is asking ".... you mean there was another Chico before Raul..?" that's about it! I don't think we even watched the episode.
GREAT Opening Song by Jose Feliciano. Thanks for ANOTHER Great Video 😀 Rest in Peace Freddie Prinze, Jack Albertson, Scatman Crothers, and Della Reese.
I was very privileged to be a me to see this being filmed live many years ago,we had front row seats as my BFF was in a wheelchair,so we were really ,really close to all the cast members . I was a nurse at the time ,I told my friend that Freddie Prinze looked high ,he would commit suicidal shortly after this . Whst a tragic loss ,especially for his wife and son ,anyone who chooses to end their life by suicide is tragic .
Chico had outstanding support players like Scatman and Della with her food cart (Della Cart Essen). Love that. Of course Ronny Graham (priest) and who can forget Charo. Btw on Charo. There was an article about her in the NYT. She is actually one of the best Spanish guitarist in the World
Very nice and sweet what you said about Gabriel. I'm glad you know he was an innocent victim and good kid. It was a stupid decision on Komak and the writers part that made the last season trash
Komack is the same guy who ruined Welcome Back Kotter by driving a wedge between Gabe Kaplan & Marcia Strassman!! Him & Kaplan butting heads led to thd latter leaving the show altogether. But IMO the show really ended the moment Travolta became an overnight superstar because of Saturday Night Fever.
I saw Part 1 of that one episode where the boy asks about Chico's whereabouts in a rerun. I wasn't aware the show continued after Prinze's untimely passing. If I had, I would've made sure I watched part 2.! The "new Choco did a good job acting but they should've done the show explaining what happened at the beginning of the season. That said, continuing the show without Prinze except for the one episode would've been like Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr touring with Julian and Sean Lennon and Dhani Harrison and calling themselves the Beatles. As much as I respect all of them, it wouldn't be the same without the originals.
Exactly! It Was A Pretty Gutsy-Move On The Children Television Workshop/PBS On Thier Part But When David (Northern Calloway) Died In 1990 CTW Said That David Retired And Moved To Florida. I Think I Heard That That Is How They Wanted to Address Mr.Hoopers Absence Originally. CTW Have Shown How What A Bunch Of Lowlifes They Are They Fired All Of The Cast-Members Of The Show In 2017. The 1 That Played Maria Beat Them To The Punch By Announcing Her Retirement. It Probably Didn't Help As 1 Might Think But I Guess Her Retiring Made It Less Embarrassing And Painful Instead.
Thank you so much for making this video. I loved Chico and the Man. Who could forget that famous theme song. Written and Performed by José Feliciano for the show. José Feliciano actually wrote two songs and NBC bought both. One opened the show and another was played over the credits. Back when TV shows had awesome theme songs and ending credits. Yes I was only about seven when it started on the air, but I still remember it. If anyone is interested, all the seasons are on the streaming channel Tubi for free. Yes, there’s ads but, they’re are luckily not to long. You can of course always buy the Series from Prime Video or Apple TV. Rest In Peace Freddy Prinze. “Looking Good” always
When I was a kid, I loved this show and another Komack show, "Welcome Back Kotter". Unfortunately, when I got older, I rewatched both and did not find them as funny as I remembered.
Freddie Prince's death is what killed Chico And The Man as a sitcom. Without Freddie along with his charm and wit, the comedy series wasn't the same. It felt like the show was a downer with his absence. I was 13 years old in 1977 when I heard about his death. I was devastated.
Haven't watched the show since its original airing, but still remember that two parter where they confront his death. Would love to see it it again but don't think I've ever seen it in reruns.
IF CHICO AND THE MAN WERE TO BE REBOOTED TODAY!!--IT WOULDN,T EVEN LAST A SEASON!! RIP!! FREDDIE PRINZE SR.JACK ALBERTSON DELLA REESE & SCATMAN CROTHERS!!
What ruined Chico and the Man was Freddie Prinzes death. Freddie was an irreplaceable part of the show and the chemistry between him and Jack Albertson was what made the show the hit it was. James Komacks decision to continue the show with a new “Chico” shocked many. Even with such talented co stars as Della Reese and Scatman Crothers the show was a shadow of itself. Gabriel Melgar stepped into a no win situation and after the ratings continued to slip they then brought on the runaway girl. By that point the show because Ed Browns orphanage and got ridiculous. The magic was gone without Freddie.
I’ve watched the entire series and the two part episode where Jack finds Gabriel playing with Freddie’s things and he blows up and smashes his guitar and ends up having to go to Mexico to find him was beautifully written and I felt finally gave closure and let the cast deal with Freddie’s passing. It was a very emotional episode and you can see Jack and Scatman clearly had a difficult time getting though it.
I remember watching this show when it was brand new and how stunned everyone one was Freddie killed himself. It was a case of too much too soon.
Such a tragic loss. Chico and the man was a very special show though and what a beautiful theme song. “Because there’s good in everyone,and a new day has begun,you can see the morning sun if you try”.
Freddie was gone and Jack really didn't want to be there so it should have stopped but knowing Komacks history you can see why it kept on
I agree. Jack Albertson was heartbroken when Freddie took his life. He was one of his pallbearers and gave the eulogy at his funeral.
You can see film of it online. I wish someone close to Feddie could have helped him get control of himself. He had a bright future ahead of him.
The show should have been canceled after the sudden death of Freddie Prinze after the third season. The exchanges between Prinze and Jack Albertson were the forefront of the show and it was like watching an episode of The Honeymooners without Jackie Gleason. Bringing in Gabriel Melgar added nothing to a show that suffered a major tragedy.
Howard Luloff,I agree. Jack,Della and Scatman were all wonderful and I still enjoyed seeing them as much as Freddie,but it couldn’t ever be the same without the most integral part of the show. The whole show was about the relationship between Ed and Chico and the world changing around them. I feel sorry for Gabriel,He was just a child and I think he did the best he could but he had impossible shoes to fill.
The ratings kept slipping and they brought Charo on for sex appeal,then Julie Hill as Monica the runaway girl,they were trying anything they could to keep the show going.
Freddie Prinzes life should serve as a cautionary tale to everyone about the dangers of drugs. He had such a bright future ahead of him and it all ended just after it began. It’s heartbreaking. Freddie obviously cared a lot about Jack. There’s a mug Freddie gave to Jack Albertson in 1975 on eBay right now. Freddie’s inscription to Jack was “Where would I be without you”.
I wish someone close to him could have helped him.
Yeah I don't know why the uploader would even sate the continuation of the show is what ruined it.
Freddie was too iconic. There was no way anyone would have been able to step into his shoes.
You're right, Ellen. It was an impossible task for young Gabriel.
@@jdsundstrom Flintstones, meet the Flintstones
They're the modern Stone Age Family
From the town of Bedrock
They're a page right out of history
Let's ride with the family down the street
Through the courtesy of Fred's two feet
When you're with the Flintstones
Have a yabba-dabba-doo time
A dabba-doo time
We'll have a gay old time🕺
It was a great show but no one can fill his shoes.....his demons got the best of him
I agree, Mr.Prinze was irreplaceable! On the recent series The Dark Side of Comedy it was revealed that Freddie was likely Bi Polar, of which little was known about in the 70s! However, I wouldn`t be too hard on the producers because from what I remember from the first run and in syndication, the 2 parter was done with great sensitivity, so much so Jack Albertson's voice seemed to legitimately choke up when he told "Raul" Chico had died.
It's not easy to continue a series whenever a main character dies (John Ritter, Redd Foxx, Pete Duel, Dan Blocker etc.) because the nature of the show dramatically changes, especially if the character was a Co Star! I'm just grateful Komack and company did better by Chico and The Man than other producers have done with shows that faced similar circumstances.
@@jdsundstrom I never saw the show but had heared he died young. several years ago I saw Freddie on the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast.of Muhammad Ali on youtube.......Freddie was funny when Roasting Muhammad Ali. a Shame he died so young.............. if he had lived I think how nice it would have been seeing him with his son Freddie Jr in a movie or TV series.
I can't believe Prinze was only 22, he had accomplished SO much in a very short time, which makes the loss all the more painful....
Gabriel Melgar was put under a lot of pressure. It's difficult enough for an adult actor to fill the void left by a popular well known actor, let alone for an unknown child actor.
Ya. Trying to replace an icon and your co star not really wanting to go on. Must have been hard
Same thing happened on The Waltons, where they foolishly cast another actor to play John Boy after Richard Thomas left. That probably killed Robert Wightman's career.
@@teastrainer3604 I think so as who is Robert Who
Freddie Prinze apparently had close friends on the set in Jack Albertson, Della Reese, Scatman Carouthers and others. Albertson was evidently deeply affected by Prinze's death.
Yea. He really REALLY didn't want to continue
Ironically Della Reese faced another tragedy on a sitcom 14 years later, this time with her co-star Redd Foxx; he collapsed and died from heart failure during filming the Royal Family sitcom, and they tried to continue with Jackee Harry as a relative, but the show wasn't the same without Foxx.
Jack was absolutely devastated by Freddie's death. I remember seeing news clips at the time of Jack crying his eyes out while attempting to talk. I felt so sorry for him.
Yes, I remember Jack Albertson sobbing during an interview the day after Freddie died. He took it very hard.
Freddy Prince was my first crush. I was just a kid, but I'll never forget him.
There were so many great TV show theme songs in the 1970's and the theme to "Chico and the Man" was one of them. It's a very memorable song written and performed by Jose Feliciano. RIP Freddie, Jack, Scatman, and Della.
The tv theme songs of the 1970s help to make the show. Back when half hour tv sitcoms ran for 25-26 real tv minutes unlike today's 19-20 true minute sitcoms...almost half (10 minute average) of a 30 minute tv sitcom is commercials in 2022.
I remember the two parter that explained Chico’s death and it was a MAJOR tearjerker. Gabriel did a fine job with what he was given and those two episodes actually demonstrated his ability. Pity he did not continue acting - he was pretty decent. I loved Chico and the Man and really liked the Jose Feliciano intro. Feliz Navidad❤
Well said!
I agree. Gabriel stepped into shoes that were impossible to fill,but he did his best. His age also changed the relationship dynamic in the wrtiting. Freddie was also a mechanic and wanted to be partners with Jack. It made sense for him to be there. Once Gabriel and Julie hill appeared in the scene it was a farce. It turned into “Ed Browns Orphanage” there were hardly any customers or work done in the garage.
@@Suddenlyits1960 It also softened Ed. The comedy derived from CATM was the conflict between the main characters and Ed’s irascible demeanor.
@pnighswander,Eds character also softened after he met Chico. There were many tender moments of friendship between Freddie and Jack during their time together but they were more complex. The episode where “the disappearance” where Ed goes to a bar to be along on his anniversary was quite moving. In the episodes “the strike” and “Della moves in” Chico would defend Ed and tell others that he was really a kind man under his gruffness.
The entire relationship dynamic was different with Gabriel Melgar and Julie Hill,and the writing got sloppier and more ridiculous.
That being said it was still worth watching for “Raul runs away”.
ua-cam.com/video/GLaTXg9t9h8/v-deo.htmlsi=lWKQa247KAk-2Tx7
The show was a beautiful representation of how young and old, no matter the background, can live in harmony together. The opening and closing song by Jose Feliciano always stirred my emotions to tears.
I agree,it was a very beautiful theme. Jose has stated the same thing and that was the point of the show. We are all human beings.
I read about harmony, it appears so lost today. Life is rough yes, but dam let's not escalate it further. Let's move forward not backwards.
Freddie Prinze's death was the first real 'body blow' I got from a celebrity death. Chico and the Man was one of my favorite TV shows and when Freddie killed himself I was a 12 year old 7th grader who was blown away that someone I admired so much would do that.
It was an incredibly sad day for everyone I think.
@@jdsundstrom I'm sure I cried at school the next day. I'm still terribly sad about it.
I hear ya man. I was 13 going on 14 when the legendary Bernie Mac died. Talk about a blow. Then when Michael Jackson died? Lord talk about a world in mourning. His death was so monumental that it completely overshadowed Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett'a deaths that same week.
I've been enjoying "Chico & The Man" recently on Tubi. Before now I vaguely remembered watching the show when I was 6, 7 years old. I do remember hearing about Freddie Prinze committing suicide back then though. It's still hard to believe because he was such a positive energy in this underrated tv show. I understand it was never in syndication because of Freddie's suicide & because it only had 88 episodes. Usually a show has to get to 100 shows for syndication. I thank Tubi that now I can really see what a funny, moving show "Chico & The Man" really was.
I was 14 years old and had just come home from delivering newspapers when I found out about Freddie's death. There was no logical way they could or should have continued the show. Freddie was one of a kind.
Thanks for sharing your memories!
@@jdsundstrom You're welcome. Love the channel. I've shared it with friends and family.
I agree.
Yeah, it’s just like when JFK was assassinated.
What ruined the show? Freddie Prinze died. That's what killed the show.
* I can no longer watch C&TM reruns nor can I tolerate 2 And A Half Men after Walden replaced Charlie. 🥲
You can't lose the star of the show and expect it to still be great.
I was in the 5th grade and found out he killed himself by our teacher and he lectured us on the evils of drugs... Wow 😮🥲😊🙌🙏❤
They were clearly throwing things in randomly and desperately in the fourth season to try and save the show. Charo's brief stint as Raoul's aunt from Spain is to me the prime example of this.
Ah yes...Charo.
Yea. Jack didn't want to be there anymore after Freddie so that didn't make it easier
Yes,the producers added Charo for sex appeal believing it would increase ratings and more men would watch. It didn’t so they brought on Julie Hill and then they finally gave up.
Freddie Prinze and Anissa Jones' untimely deaths were my first memories of Hollywood tragedies. They were both seared into my mind at a young age.
I was 9-10 years old, watching the show. I had the biggest rush on “Chico”. He was so funny and handsome 🕊️ 😢
Freddie Prinze rest in peace 💙🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Nobody could of saved this show. The lost of Freddie Prinze Sr was just too much, he was irreplaceable. The fact that Gabriel Melgar was used as a scapegoat was totally unfair. Sidenote Freddy Prinze was a trailblazer, he was one of the first latino Americans to headline a tv show.
José Feliciano's theme song for the show was pretty awesome though.
I loved both songs by Jose!
Gabriel Melgar was not at fault for the show's demise. It should've ended when Freddie died. You can't have Chico and the Man without Chico.
Freddie had so much potential and I think he would have accomplished so much more. It is a shame he had some terrible inner demons, but I am glad his son was able to establish himself in his career and make better choices in life.
Recently, I found an episode of Cher's show on UA-cam. Freddie sang and danced in a segment about the 1940s. He was incredibly talented. I remember having a crush on him when I was in the fourth or fifth grade. I still remember the day the news came out about his death. For a very short time, NBC reran a few episodes of "Chico and the Man" before the newer episodes began. It was very strange and sad to see Freddie on TV so soon after his death.
@@msmerc86... I took had a crush on him, I was 12 when he died and remember a few young girls took their own lives after hearing Abt his passing, It was All Sooo Sad.. 😢💔
What inner demons it was drugs.
@@ricogomez4020 yes, he was on drugs. Unfortunately, he was also depressed. Watched a documentary of his on Tubi. So sad.
Depressed because he is a tv star with money? Because the drugs had nothing to do with it?@@MKG312
I remember this all too well. We used to watch this show every week, thought it was really funny, very well done. My one lasting memory of Freddie Prinze was when he made a personal appearance at an area department store in the Chicago area to promote his comedy album. Talk about a great turnout of people who showed up to get an autographed copy! He seemed like he enjoyed meeting everyone that day. Such a great talent, gone way too soon.
Freddie was John Leguizano before John. He could have done anything much as John does now. Jack Albertson was given a horrible position to carry the show while it pivoted.
It wasn’t Gabriel’s fault they never should have gone on after Freddie’s passing
And it turned out to be the last season. If Freddie would have lived who knows how many seasons this show would have lasted.
They should have done what Barney Miller did after Jack Soo passed away which was have an episode paying homage to him.
No more Chico, but they went on anyway. I remember it in real time. It was a ridiculous idea. The kid wasn't at fault; they entire dynamic of the show was gone.
It's so very sad that Freddie went through it without enough support and love
You're right. It's a very sad story. 😥
I loved that show!
Does anyone know if he was being treated for depression?
There are plenty of stories from other comedians that loved and supported Freddie. Love and support isn't what keeps people from killing themselves.
@@jameshouston5017 There's a movie called a can't hear the laughter that explained that. He kind of did but kind of didnt.
It is well known that a lot of comics and comedic actors actually suffer from depression. That is why they try so hard to get people to laugh, because they finally feel that they are doing something right by making people laugh. And then, in some cases, even that isn't enough to keep them plugging on with life.
Solid insights, Anthony!
Robin Williams is another great example of this
@@Suddenlyits1960 I agree.
This is so true. I suffer from chronic depression. However, I’m older now and have some tools to deal with it. I know that I will suffer with it for the rest of my life. But I also know what to do when I see myself heading in that direction. Freddie wasn’t old enough to have acquired those skills. It’s sad.
Actually, although you’re mostly right, Robin had Lewie Body Dementia. He suffered always from depression, but the illness, as well as a very expensive divorce and a television show cancellation and the depression proved to be too much
They probably looked at explaining Freddie's death as
"It's Not My Job, Man"
I see what you did there! 🙂
Sometimes the suits don't know when to let a good thing go. This has been the case for many a sitcom and game show, and indeed, reality series. "Unsolved Mysteries" comes to mind.
Exactly!
That’s because to the networks it’s all about money not art. They will try and keep a show going as long as they can. The more episodes they easier it is to sell in syndication.
@@Suddenlyits1960 Back then 100 episodes was considered the magic minimum for syndication. Freddie had appeared in 62. Now with so many cable channels the threshold is much lower than it used to be,
I remember watching the episode that acknowledged Chico's death through the eye's of an eight year old child. I remember feeling very sad watching Ed become angry and smash Gabriel's guitar.
It was Freddie's guitar and Gabe was playing it and Jack got upset and smashed it
Chico, don't be discouraged...
Best TV theme ever.
Dave, I certainly remember this show and how shocking it was to hear of Freddie's passing - he actually died on my 14th birthday (bummer). As for not mentioning his death on the show, think about how they handled everything back then - their "Turn the Cheek" attitude was based on trying to keep everything as wholesome and blissful as possible. Great video as always!
@D- Mack-GA,They DID mention it on the show. There was a two part episode called “Raul Runs away” where Ed catches Raul playing with Chicos guitar and he blows up at him and smashes the guitar to pieces. Raul gets scared and runs away and Ed has to go to Mexico to find him. He eventually finds him inside a church,and there Jack tells him that the “other Chico” won’t be coming back,that he passed away.
Tv was far more sophisticated in the 50’s,60’s and 70’s than people are giving it credit for. Programs dealt with very delicate issues,but in a more reverent and sophisticated manner than now.
@@Suddenlyits1960 Thanks for the info, I didn't know about the "Raul Runs Away" episodes, I probably stopped watching shortly after Freddie passed away.
It is truly sad that a lot of the biggest stars/artists have emotional/sociological problems that they feed off of for their performances and that way too often these same actors/performers are not able to handle their inner demons and too often huge success in their craft makes it even harder for their lives.
To be fair to the producers, the show was likely doomed in any case. hard to lose your title character like that and rebound at all in my opinion.
I think you're right. But...I also think the 4th season could have been handled in a much better way. More of a tribute to Freddie and the character that he played on the show.
@@jdsundstrom No doubt about that! Maybe they should have done a Colonel Blake type death and had a sad funeral where a cousin Paulo or something meets and gets a job at the garage to seemlessly keep things flowing..I don't know lol
Don't forget to go into UA-cam and search on: "Chico And The Man (Main Theme) José Feliciano" to remember the show. Just hearing the song brings me back like it was yesterday. "Da-Doe, things will get betta ..."
I just recently watched the complete series on tubi and I suddenly realized that Freddie Prinze was probably the first actor that I watched every week n then heard what suicide I was 12 or 13 when that happened
Kind of sad this show has not appeared on any streaming platforms and has very limited DVD distribution- only a few episodes and out of order.
I never saw that 2-part episode of CATM. I watched the first few episodes of season 4 to see how they would continue without Prinze and stopped. I saw no point of continuing to watch "Chico and the Man" without Chico.
I know Freddies friend Tony Orlando took his death hard so much so he had a nervous breakdown and broke up with his group Dawn. Happy to say Tony is well today, still tours and has a radio show Saturday nights on WABC77 radio in New York Tony Orlando would be good future subject Dave. I met him one after an outdoor concert
Loved this show. Too bad we lost Freddie too soon.
They should have canceled the show because it's kind of weird without Freddie Prinze it doesn't make any sense😢
Freddie's death was my earliest "memory of what news story do you recall" followed up by Elvis and Groucho Marx dying in the same year
Komack. Ugh. No wonder. That guy was a show-killer. In Welcome Back Kotter, he tried to keep the show going without Vinnie Barbarino--the breakout role for John Travolta--AND Gabe Kaplan's Kotter. Once again, trying to keep a show going with the supporting cast after the main actor left. (He even tried to spin-off Horshack into a new series.)
He also killed The Courtship of Eddie's Father. Based on a film by the same name, this show was a delight...at first. A widower raising his son with the help of a housekeeper, the show had heart, warmth, and Harry Nilsson doing the theme song and the intros/outros. But Komack, who was producing it and a playing a supporting character, started making the show more about his character than it ever should have been. They dyad between father and son was broken by the Uncle Norman character (Komack) always being around. Bill Bixby, playing the father (Tom), left the show because of this.
He also directed the third Porky's movie. Nothing else needs to be said about that.
On the plus side, he did direct one of the best Star Trek episodes ever, "A Piece of the Action." So there's that.
I should have known about the "Star Trek" connection...but didn't for some reason. That is a fun episode.
I was only 10 when Freddie died, and I had such a crush on him. I watched that show religiously.
His death, especially the way it happened, shook me to my core. I had never experienced news like that about someone I admired. I think it contributed to my lifelong curiosity about life after death, and what causes someone to do themself in. Back then, shootings weren’t as commonplace as they are now (man, that’s sad in itself).
I return to episodes online to sort of “see” him again, and I’m so very proud of his son for growing up clean, despite having no father, and having that legacy hanging over him. He’s amazing.
I just turned 5 when my Father told me Chico And The Man wasn't going to be on anymore because Freddie Prince did a very silly thing and shit himself died. I was very sad and confused. A few days later I was watching t.v. and saw that the show was on. I was so happy. "Dad!! Chico isn't dead! The show is on still!!!" My Father explained that the show was filmed before he died. I was devastated again.
0:40 - Read "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson (1897)...
2-22-23 A year before Freddie Prines ‘s passing, on the Rich Little Show Glenda made Freddy disappear,rich told Glenda to bring Freddy back or the show would be &the man.
Some characters are too big to lose. Chico was one of them. It was WAY too far into the show to expect anybody to be able to generate the kind of connection that Chico had enjoyed with the audience. I honestly think they made a mistake in even attempting to carry on. That poor kid was up against a tidal wave of love and sympathy for Prinze. He never had a chance, and neither did the show after Prinze died.
That was also the case with other shows such as Royal Family (Redd Foxx), News Radio (Phil Hartman) and Eight Simple Rules (John Ritter) when the main cast members died in real life; there was so much love for them, and even their replacements (Jackee Harry - Royal Family, Jon Lovitz - News Radio, James Garner and David Spade - Eight Simple Rules) couldn't save the show, or the dynamics changed to the point where it wasn't the same.
I was 16 in 1976 and loved this show, when he died it really effected me, I didn't understand why he'd do that, I was very confused, it was one of those moments in life that marked me in a way I can't explain, I know it was just tv but I really liked him, on talk shows he was so gracious, classy, kind, funny, Why?
Thanks for sharing your memories, John. I wish I knew the answer to your question.
I was born in 1969. I watched this and Sanford & Son as a kid. My memory doesn't tell me why or anything now but I know I liked it then for some reason. 5 year old me had style and taste :)
Dave
Wonderful presentation sir -
As a rule, what usually happens when a television show's production team attempts to (out of need or want) "freshen up" a TV show - any given TV show is that it almost never works.
Perhaps, the exception was: "The Facts Of Life"
However, with regard to this particular situation - given the meteoric fame and intense popularity of Freddy Prince...
I believe those last three episodes of the third season should have been transformed into a "Chico and the Man" television "Movie Of The Week" series finale.
(Those "Movies Of The Week") were all the rage back in that era.
The "would have been/should have been" movie should of focused on recognizing, processing the grief, and at the end a combination series/real life montage featuring Freddy Prince. And then at the end of the montage an out of character in wardrobe genuine message from Mr Atkinson about Freddy and suicide prevention.
A missed opportunity to perhaps assist and help the very populous entertainment is always professing to want to attract.
Perhaps, this would be a good project for Norman Lear and Jimmy Kimmel's production collaboration "in front of a live audience" to retroactively pick up the mantle of.
Since that's series has been all about positively reviving nostalgia.
Thanks again Dave -
I'm glad you enjoyed the video John. And...thank you for your feedback earlier. Truly appreciated!
Back then Freddie was one of the few comics that could have me laughing. So when I heard the news about Freddie I took it hard. I still do watching this and remembering Freddie and his catch phrases "Looking good!" & "That's not my job." A couple weeks ago Decades TV aired several of the Dean Martin Roasts including one for Muhammad Ali that featured Freddie. It's here on youtube. I still get a good laugh from his jokes. RIP Freddie. Also, on Twitter I sent Freddie Jr a tweet about my remembering his dad. Don't know if he saw it, he never replied. Sad memories.
Thanks for sharing!
@@jdsundstrom You're welcome. Recently a video suggestion came up here on youtube. It was of Jimmy JJ Walker talking about Freddie. How, one night Freddie Called Jimmy waking him up and asking him to come over. Jimmy got up went over to Freddies to find there were about 12 others there who Freddie also called and asked to come over.
My memory is that our family loved the Friday night combination on NBC of Sanford & Son followed by Chico and the Man! I remember my mom telling us that FP killed himself. It was reported in the news that his wife divorced him, and he was so traumatized that he took his life. Nothing was said back then (that I know of) about depression. I think that was just a topic that people in those years "just don't talk about"!
The industry has no respect for individuals. "The show must go on" is about money.
I had additional respect for Freddie Prinz for speaking out on TV about crueIty to animaIs.
Back in the 70's, dog fighting was not considered universally as bad as we know it to be today. On the oId Mike Douglas show (NOT the same Mike Douglas as Kirk's son), the host wouId invite dog fighters and buII fighters on and treat them Iike royalty.
On one such show, Freddie was there when Mike Douglas was fawning over dog fighter Pete Sparks. Freddie spoke up and said, "Dog fighting is crueI." I had even much greater respect for him after that.
At least they didn't pull a Darrin like on Bewitched. Imagine going from one episode to the next and suddenly having a totally different actor in the role of Chico without any explanation? LOL 😉
Chico's best friend Salvador was a temporary substitute in a desperate attempt to finish the third season after Freddie passed.
Who would think that behind that smile was such deep despair 💔. I think they just were not prepared to handle depression and suicide in the 1970s.
The song of that series was done by Jose Feliciano and on one episode he made an appearance.
Freddie's suicide is what ruined "Chico and the Man". He couldn't be replaced.
The early ones were genius. Freddy was incredible. I remember him on an early Tonight Show and how taken Johnny and Don Rickles were with him. Don was so kind to him and offered him much encouragement. He totally won them over with his routine and personality.
I was 6 years old when he died, still remember as if it were yesterday. My older siblings used to watch the show.
In 1977, NBC was being trounced in the ratings by ABC. "Little House on the Prairie," "Sanford and Son," and "Chico and the Man" were about the only prime-time hits NBC had.
The latter two shows aired back-to-back on Friday nights. Unfortunately, Prinze's suicide and subsequent absence on "Chico" coincided with Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson leaving "Sanford."
NBC was so desperate that it offered a revamped, short-lived effort called "Sanford Arms" and continued "Chico" by bringing on Gabriel Melgar.
Obviously questionable decisions in retrospect, but at least "Chico" did get around to producing the touching episode acknowledging Prinze's death.
Jack Albertson, Scatman Crothers, and Melgar were superb in that episode.
It's interesting to think about, how many people remember this show so fondly. Today, viewership is so diversified it doesn't unify our country like it used to. We all watched the same shows. We all talked about them the next day. Broadcast TV was a big part of American life in unifying us to each other.
So many sit-coms bring in little kids to try and save the show, and it always fails, Ricky Seagal on the Partridge Family, Cousin Oliver on the Brady Bunch and I'm sure there's others. They should have got Ira Angustain, who played Freddie in the made for TV film "Can you hear the laughter" He could have played a relative of Freddie and I think the show would have gone on a few more years. They needed to find the same chemistry that Jack Albertson had with Freddie. You couldn't generate the same tension with an adult and a child as you could with a young man.
I don't recall watching Chico and the Man when it first aired. But I remember when it began airing in afternoon syndication. I think my mom told me what happened to Freddie Prinze as I was watching the first episode. I enjoyed the show, but don't remember much about it because it's been more than 40 years since I watched it. Unlike many other syndicated sitcoms, it didn't seem to air for very long in the NYC market. I am glad that Freddie Prinze Jr. seems to have avoided his father's demons.
I was born in 1979 and growing up through the 80’s this show was on everyday (reruns).I didn’t know about Freddie Prinze committing suicide in 1977 during the peak of the show until I was an adult.Crazy he was only 22 years old at the time I believe this show would’ve lasted 10 or more seasons if Freddie was alive.The Chico character always sticks out when I think about this show.
l renember watching this show when l was a kid in 1975. l love Freddie he was a great actor and funny. lt was sad he went through hard time with depression and his fame. lt was sad he died so young and had alot going for him. l think they made a mistake putting Gabriel to replace Chico it was a bad idea. l never watch season 4 after Freddie died cuz it never felt the same anymore and the show was hard for me to watch. l miss him and his LOOKING GOOOD phrase when he said that. l say that sometimes and l think of Freddie. Ur the best comedian. 🌷
I love the theme song and watching the show’s opening scenes of East L.A. I grew up not far from there and watching the opening brings back memories of watching this show as a child.
Personally to me Freddie made the show. He's not forgotten, R.I.P..💐
I could NEVER watch Chico and the Man after Mr. Prinze's death, especially since it was suucide. 😭😭😭 RIP, dear Freddie.
Loved watching this show back in the day. So funny!! Thank you, Dave. Much appreciated.
So sad he took his life. He was on his way to the top.
🕊️🙏❤️
Freddie Prinze was a great and versatile talent. He was not only funny, but also, a very good actor. Freddie starred in a made for TV film called "The Million Dollar Rip-Off" in which Freddie portrayed an ex-convict named Muff Kovak, who devised a plan to rob the Chicago Transit Authority of its money and uses female accomplices to help him pull it off. The film premeired on the NBC network on September 22nd, 1976 just as the third season of Chico and the Man was beginning. Freddie publicly stated that he didn't care for the film, but IMHO, he was terrific and very convincing in his portrayal of Muff Kovak. IMHO, it was also an above average made for TV film. The Million Dollar Rip-Off was orignally going to be a feature film whose screenplay was written by actors William Devane and John Pleshette, and, they both hoped to star in the film, but they couldn't get any Hollywood studios to produce it. However, NBC bought the script and reformatted it as a made for TV film in which Andrew Peter Marin was hired to write a teleplay based on the original script. They, NBC, also helped in the production and decided to cast an established TV star in the main role and that is how Freddie Prinze got the main role. The film's other actors were not well known at the time. It does feature a pre Growing Pains Joanna Kerns (under the name Joanna Devarona) as Jessie. I first saw the TV film on my local NBC affiliates late show and I enjoyed it. I later bought the DVD when it first became available for sale and I enjoyed revisiting it. I also review The Million Dollar Rip-Off on Amazon.
Thanks for uploading Dave. Please keep them coming.
Thanks for the great comment!
I agree with you 100%. I felt bad for Gabriel Melgar because of the situation he was walking into. They needed to address Freddie Prinze's death. Having Jack Albertson's character say "You're all 'Chicos' to me" was racist and demeaning. The whole point of the relationship was that the original "Chico" got Albertson's character to get past his anti-Latino sentiment and accept him as a human being.
I will also admit to having had a little bit of a crush on Freddie Prinze. He was only a few years older than me and he was H-O-T. He wasn't just good looking; he had a personality and a sense of humor. He could even sing (there's footage of him singing as part of a "Cher" variety show musical number). When I heard of his suicide, I cried for a couple of days. It's really hard to watch someone with so much to look forward to snuff themself out.
I loved watching this show with the folks when I was a kid. You make great vids, man.
I appreciate that!
Loved the show when Freddie Prinze was on it. I lost interest pretty quickly when season 4 rolled along.
Jack Albertson was a great character actor. Saw him on many shows in the 60s and 70s including The Lucy Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show. He was also on a color episode of The Andy Griffith Show as a con man trying to market Aunt Bees ice cream. He was also in movies which include The Poseiden Adventure. His sister was Mabel Albertson who also guest starred on many shows including Bewitched (Darrins mother) That Girl (Donalds mother) and many others going back to the 50s like Burns and Allen. Her daughter in law was academy award and emmy winner actress Cloris Leachman (Mary Tyler Moore Show Phyllis) I do remember she and Jack Alberson guest starred on Cher
Thanks for sharing, Jerry!
Albertson was also the voice actor for Amos Slade in Disney's The Fox and The Hound, which was his last work in a theatrical movie.
I'm just wondering if Jack and Mabel Albertson ever worked together.
Thank you for remembering
the late great JACK ALBERTSON.
He won an Emmy for Chico And The Man
and an Oscar for The Subject Was Roses.
Least we forget, Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
I vaguely remember the show. I was a wee laddie when it aired. I remembered Ed from Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. There is an episode of Chico and The Man on UA-cam that I will check out later. Thanks for another great video, Dave. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thanks for sharing...and Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. 🙂
1st hollywood death bruce lee and the more tragic murder of Sal Mineo I was just in high school when Mineo was killed.
My family wasn't really watching the show much by then, but I do remember the commercial they were showing where Charo's character is asking ".... you mean there was another Chico before Raul..?" that's about it! I don't think we even watched the episode.
GREAT Opening Song by Jose Feliciano. Thanks for ANOTHER Great Video 😀
Rest in Peace Freddie Prinze, Jack Albertson, Scatman Crothers, and Della Reese.
I was very privileged to be a me to see this being filmed live many years ago,we had front row seats as my BFF was in a wheelchair,so we were really ,really close to all the cast members .
I was a nurse at the time ,I told my friend that Freddie Prinze looked high ,he would commit suicidal shortly after this .
Whst a tragic loss ,especially for his wife and son ,anyone who chooses to end their life by suicide is tragic .
Thanks for sharing!
Chico had outstanding support players like Scatman and Della with her food cart (Della Cart Essen). Love that. Of course Ronny Graham (priest) and who can forget Charo. Btw on Charo. There was an article about her in the NYT. She is actually one of the best Spanish guitarist in the World
Chair is incredibly talented. Lots of videos here on UA-cam with her playing the guitar. She’s amazing.
I've seen her play. She's a master
Terrible decision by the producers. You can't continue without the main character. Esp after such a tragedy. Quite shameful.
Very nice and sweet what you said about Gabriel. I'm glad you know he was an innocent victim and good kid. It was a stupid decision on Komak and the writers part that made the last season trash
"Chico & The Man" should've been cancelled after Freddie's death-It wasn't the same after Gabriel Melgar joined the cast.
I didn't realize why your channel is so attractive. Never any negativity such as profanity. I guess the world is so negative you are a bright light
Thank you for your kind words!
@@jdsundstrom You're very welcome. God bless you Dave
Good video but it was disrespectful for what the station did to Freddie no one could fill his shoes I was a senior in highschool then
Komack is the same guy who ruined Welcome Back Kotter by driving a wedge between Gabe Kaplan & Marcia Strassman!! Him & Kaplan butting heads led to thd latter leaving the show altogether. But IMO the show really ended the moment Travolta became an overnight superstar because of Saturday Night Fever.
I saw Part 1 of that one episode where the boy asks about Chico's whereabouts in a rerun. I wasn't aware the show continued after Prinze's untimely passing. If I had, I would've made sure I watched part 2.!
The "new Choco did a good job acting but they should've done the show explaining what happened at the beginning of the season. That said, continuing the show without Prinze except for the one episode would've been like Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr touring with Julian and Sean Lennon and Dhani Harrison and calling themselves the Beatles. As much as I respect all of them, it wouldn't be the same without the originals.
Thanks for sharing!
They could not continue. It never worked.Chico was the real reason for watching.
Spin off on Netflix? I'd love it to be PG like the TV show was.
Dave you do excellent videos! They are very enjoyable and uplifting!! Thanks for my smiles!!!
So nice of you to say, Judy!
If they even think about making a remake of Chico and the man Freddie Prinze will always be Chico(No Matter What!!)
They should've tried to address the tragedy the way they did on Sesame Street with Mr. Hooper's passing.
Exactly!
Exactly! It Was A Pretty Gutsy-Move On The Children Television Workshop/PBS On Thier Part But When David (Northern Calloway) Died In 1990 CTW Said That David Retired And Moved To Florida. I Think I Heard That That Is How They Wanted to Address Mr.Hoopers Absence Originally. CTW Have Shown How What A Bunch Of Lowlifes They Are They Fired All Of The Cast-Members Of The Show In 2017. The 1 That Played Maria Beat Them To The Punch By Announcing Her Retirement. It Probably Didn't Help As 1 Might Think But I Guess Her Retiring Made It Less Embarrassing And Painful Instead.
@@keithforsay4204 I thought the original cast was forced to retire in 2015, but thumbs up for your post.
@@keithforsay4204 True.
I remember when this happened- we loved this show. I don't remember any of the episodes without him though.
Thank you so much for making this video.
I loved Chico and the Man. Who could forget that famous theme song. Written and Performed by José Feliciano for the show. José Feliciano actually wrote two songs and NBC bought both. One opened the show and another was played over the credits. Back when TV shows had awesome theme songs and ending credits. Yes I was only about seven when it started on the air, but I still remember it.
If anyone is interested, all the seasons are on the streaming channel Tubi for free. Yes, there’s ads but, they’re are luckily not to long. You can of course always buy the Series from Prime Video or Apple TV. Rest In Peace Freddy Prinze. “Looking Good” always
When I was a kid, I loved this show and another Komack show, "Welcome Back Kotter".
Unfortunately, when I got older, I rewatched both and did not find them as funny as I remembered.
The final seasons of both shows suffered because the stars of both were gone , Prinze ,Kaplan ,and Travolta, except for a few episodes on Kotter.
Freddie Prince's death is what killed Chico And The Man as a sitcom. Without Freddie along with his charm and wit, the comedy series wasn't the same. It felt like the show was a downer with his absence. I was 13 years old in 1977 when I heard about his death. I was devastated.
Haven't watched the show since its original airing, but still remember that two parter where they confront his death. Would love to see it it again but don't think I've ever seen it in reruns.
It was José Feliciano theme song that I really loved, I liked the Sammy Davis Jr version too.
Great song! And the other Jose Feliciano song that they played at the end of each episode was pretty great too!
Freddie left a void in the world that can't be ever filled my senior year at the time he passed
IF CHICO AND THE MAN WERE TO BE REBOOTED TODAY!!--IT WOULDN,T EVEN LAST A SEASON!! RIP!! FREDDIE PRINZE SR.JACK ALBERTSON DELLA REESE & SCATMAN CROTHERS!!