CHiPs
"CHiPs," which stood for California Highway Patrol, followed the daily beats of two state motorcycle patrolmen as they patrolled the freeway system in and around Los Angeles. Officer Jon Baker was the straight, serious officer while Frank "Ponch" Poncherello was the more free- wheeling member of the duo; both reported to Sgt. Joe Getraer, who gave out assignments and advice in handling the cases. Each episode saw a compilation of incidents, ranging from the humorous (e.g., a stranded motorist) to criminal investigations (such as hijackings) and tragic incidents (such as a fiery multi-car pile-up with multiple deaths. Other aspects of Ponch and Jon's daily work were highlighted as well; the social lives of both officers (they were both single) often provided the lighter moments. On occasion, Ponch and Jon were assisted by a female "Chippie" at first, the very beautiful Sindy Cahill; and later, the more wholesome Bonnie Clark. In 1982, Ponch got a new partner, Bobby Nelson (series star Wilcox left the show that year), while Nelson's younger brother, Bruce, was a trainee on the force. By now, the female "Chippie" was the attractive Kathy Lindahan.
- 1977-1983
- 6 seasons
- Me-TV
- Suspense, Drama
- TV-G
"CHiPs," which stood for California Highway Patrol, followed the daily beats of two state motorcycle patrolmen as they patrolled the freeway system in and around Los Angeles. Officer Jon Baker was the straight, serious officer while Frank "Ponch" Poncherello was the more free- wheeling member of the duo; both reported to Sgt. Joe Getraer, who gave out assignments and advice in handling the cases. Each episode saw a compilation of incidents, ranging from the humorous (e.g., a stranded motorist) to criminal investigations (such as hijackings) and tragic incidents (such as a fiery multi-car pile-up with multiple deaths. Other aspects of Ponch and Jon's daily work were highlighted as well; the social lives of both officers (they were both single) often provided the lighter moments. On occasion, Ponch and Jon were assisted by a female "Chippie" at first, the very beautiful Sindy Cahill; and later, the more wholesome Bonnie Clark. In 1982, Ponch got a new partner, Bobby Nelson (series star Wilcox left the show that year), while Nelson's younger brother, Bruce, was a trainee on the force. By now, the female "Chippie" was the attractive Kathy Lindahan.
Season 6 Episode Guide
22 Episodes 1982 - 1983
Episode 1
Meet the New Guy
Sun, Oct 10, 1982 60 mins
Ponch has to break in a new rookie partner, while searching for a runaway girl and her newborn baby.
Episode 2
Tight Fit
Sun, Oct 17, 1982 60 mins
Poncherello works part-time as a model and discovers an underlying crime. Nelson hijacks an LAPD diamond theft case.
Episode 3
The Spaceman Made Me Do It
Sun, Oct 24, 1982 48 mins
While on night patrol, Bobby and Ponch answer a call to a jewelry store and find a preteen girl who claims an alien told her to commit the robbery.
Episode 4
Rock Devil Rock
Sun, Oct 31, 1982 60 mins
The show opens at the concert of a goth rock star named Moloch, who is performing his new song, "Devil Take Me." Ponch and Hot Dog are hired to escort him to his concerts in the area (as well as keep the press and protesters away). As Moloch leaves the concert in his hearse (decorated with demonic pictures and the number 666), a mysterious voice comes over the car's tape player, "Moloch Must Die!" Moloch is freaked out, but then sees that he's lost his brakes and that the steering mechanism has also been severed, leaving him a sitting duck in a car that quickly goes out of control. As the car quickly fills with toxic smoke, Ponch and Hot Dog see what is happening and rescue Moloch just in time. Moloch -- who off-stage is Mickey Northagen -- is spooked and wants to know what's going on. His manager, Vincent, seems concerned as well, but the officers are skeptical because when the tape is played, no one can hear the mysterious, demonic messages calling for Moloch's death. Meanwhile, Northagen tells his manager, Vincent Purial, owner of Purial Recording Studios, that he wants out. Vincent responds with promises of untold wealth and multi-million album sales and convinces him to film a music video for "Devil Take Me." Ponch and Hot Dog approach Northagen to demand further answers, and Northagen admits he thinks claims that the messages can be heard while playing the tape backwards is a bunch of baloney... until -- in front of the officers -- the message is not only heard but becomes more threatening: "Molock WILL die!" Eventually, Ponch and Hot Dog realize that Purial is trying to kill Northagen the motivation being that with Moloch having now been made a martyr, Moloch's new album will sell in unheard numbers and that young fans will spend hours trying to decipher the supposed messages, and that as a result of this publicity stunt, Purial will reap a huge profit. The officers arrive just in time to interrupt filming of the video and foil Purial's murder scheme. Purial admits his plans just before he is taken into custody. The subplot involves the officers planning for a Halloween party, where Elvira is a guest.
Episode 5
Speedway Fever
Sun, Nov 7, 1982 60 mins
While Bobby and Ponch chase after a gang of high-speed motorcycle bandits, a young cadet at the CHP academy chooses between his career and his family.
Episode 6
Something Special
Sun, Nov 21, 1982 60 mins
A man who worked in an auto plant but was laid off when imported cars were preferred takes his frustrations out on all imported cars. Ponch has been working at the Special Olympics and the boy he's working with is sad that his father doesn't seem to show any interest. So Ponch goes to see him and when he says something hurtful, his son runs away. And a friend of Bobby's who's a motorcycle daredevil is about to try and dangerous stunt.
Episode 7
This Year's Riot
Sun, Nov 28, 1982 60 mins
While on temporary duty, Ponch and Bobby search all around the city for a notorious drug dealer and try to resolve a dispute concerning a nude beach.
Episode 8
Head Over Heels
Sun, Dec 5, 1982 48 mins
Frank meets the woman of his dreams. Vanessa is a school teacher that he meets at a MADD meeting. After overcoming some hurdles to the new relationship, mostly in the form of a stalker ex-boyfriend, they announce their engagement. Ironically and predictably, Vanessa is killed while saving a stray dog when a drunk driver strikes her during their engagement party picnic.
Episode 9
Return to Death's Door
Sun, Dec 12, 1982 48 mins
Ponch tries to persuade a young drag racer, the brother of a friend killed in a race, to leave the sport.
Episode 10
Fallout
Sun, Dec 19, 1982 48 mins
Protesters are protesting at a nuclear weapon plant and the CHP prepares for crowd control. The protesters include Sgt. Getraer's daughter Ellen. A young boy is hit by a car and Poncherello suspects child abuse when he sees bruises. Harlan announces he is leaving for the LAPD.
Episode 11
Day of the Robot
Sun, Jan 2, 1983 48 mins
A robot is visiting the CHP to show that it could be helpful to their work and so far it does, but for some reason every time it goes near something electrical, it shorts out. Ponch is dealing with a couple of girls who go around on bikes and pursue anyone who is speeding. He suspects that one of them has a personal reason for what she is doing.
Episode 12
Hot Date
Sun, Jan 9, 1983 48 mins
Ponch goes home to meet his girlfriend. But when he gets there, two men grab him and hold him at gun point. One of the men is someone he and Bobby busted now he wants to get back at both of them. So he tells Ponch to call Bobby to come over but Ponch refuses until his girlfriend arrives.
Episode 13
High Times
Sun, Jan 16, 1983 48 mins
While trying to find some car thieves, the team gets a lead that takes them to a local high school. Ponch knows the shop teacher at the school, a car thief, whom he busted and who's on parole. Ponch goes to see him and asks him to keep his eyes open but the guy thinks that Ponch is singling him out. They send Bruce to the school, undercover and gets close to a girl who knows the ones they're looking for.
Episode 14
Country Action
Sun, Jan 23, 1983 48 mins
Ponch takes care of an orangutan after its owner is hurt in a car accident.
Episode 15
Journey to a Spacecraft
Sun, Feb 6, 1983 48 mins
Ponch befriends a young aerospace enthusiast who has a life threatening liver disease and who embarks on a dangerous journey to meet his astronaut hero.
Episode 16
Fox Trap
Sun, Feb 20, 1983 48 mins
Ponch and Bobby set out to bring in an unscrupulous concert promoter who is trying to take advantage of a trio of female rock musicians.
Episode 17
Brat Patrol
Sun, Feb 27, 1983 48 mins
After Ponch is injured in a car chase, he is assigned to the Brat Patrol, an individualistic group of rag-tag kids who don't know what it means to be a team. Cadet Nelson and Officer Linahan investigate dope dealers in a neighborhood.
Episode 18
Firepower
Sun, Mar 6, 1983 48 mins
In order to find the source of stolen explosives, Ponch and Bobby go undercover as members of a motorcycle gang. Meanwhile, Bruce dates a female motor biker.
Episode 19
Fun House
Sun, Mar 13, 1983 48 mins
Ponch and Bobby set out to clear a fraternity house that is being blamed for thefts on campus.
Episode 20
Fast Company
Sun, Mar 20, 1983 48 mins
A sheriff attempts to stop Bruce and Ponch from escorting two murder witnesses out of town.
Episode 21
Things That Go Creep in the Night
Sun, Apr 10, 1983 60 mins
An investigation into an amnesiac's past is enlivened by spooky dealings at the home of an eccentric comic-book creator.
Episode 22
Return of the Brat Patrol
Sun, May 1, 1983 60 mins
Ponch teaches the explorer scouts the value of teamwork during a basketball game against their rivals. Meanwhile, a junior high shakedown ring is infiltrated.
