Traditionally, when an employer asks you to do a personal appearance they guarantee you a minimal fee. They pay all your travel, hotel, and per diem expenses. If they do not give you a minimum, then you sell your photos for anywhere from $25 to up to $100 or more per picture . I usually sell mine for $30 to $40 each. You can literally autograph a lot of photos per hour if the “demand” is there and they have promoted the show correctly. The show in New Jersey is by far the best……and it is called CHILLER. You can make a lot of money in 2 days at CHILLER but once you have done one you have to wait about 5 years or so to come back.
Prior to doing the Portland Oregon show I was asked to do some interviews to help promote the show. As it turned out, I was told they all cancelled and so I think I only did one interview. When I arrived in Portland Erik said he did tons of interviews from his home to promote the show. This is what happens when you have a duo team-they pick one or the other.
As I was about to depart for the Portland Oregon show I was told that Erik was doing an 830 am TV interview and I would meet him to do that one. However, they wanted me to do a 730 am interview also. Later they switched my 730 am show and said they really needed me to do the 530 am interview. I said no and they said they already set it up and they would deeply appreciate me getting up and doing the interview to help them promote the show. I found this interesting as this is the same show where they would not give me a guarantee. So, like a good little Boy Scout, I said I would and I completed that interview. I have come to realize that Jon Baker is boring for these TV Stations to interview as they prefer to talk to Ponch. They like the Latin lover and his Fonz-like attraction and quick wit. (Erik is quite entertaining and I often find myself being entertained by him also). Jon Baker is kind of like Ron Howard I suppose. My stories are about producing my own TV Series and movies in the past and talking about my technologies today and my family and children. For a Morning Show guy this is like watching grass grow.
Anyway I finish my early morning interview and I then trek over to the next interview to find a bright eyed and comedic Ponch. He has slept in and is full of energy. Now I see why they wanted me to do the 530 am interview. Ponch is hilarious in this interview. As I stand there and answer questions honestly it crosses my mind should I “entertain” and top his comments or should I remain the straight man and not crowd the corridor. I remain the straight man. And respectfully, it is best because he is over the top and absolutely hilarious. Knowing your role and fulfilling it is a mature choice.
Erik then tells me that he and or his agent have met with the owners of the Wizard World ComicCon shows and the owners want him to do 14 of their shows. He then tells me that perhaps I should get my agent, Calvin on them to see which ones I can do. I thank him and he hands me his list of shows and tells me to get Calvin on the promoters. I do the infamous time honored nod of my head in polite acknowledgement understanding the meaning of this statement from multiple points of views.
The Friday night show begins and we begin greeting fans, as our booths are right next to each other. You cannot miss Erik as he has tons of energy and loves the engagement as he needs to divert that energy somewhere. His fans get it in full force and they love the Ponch they always adored and they love the Latin Lover in him as he sprinkles them with custom desserts by Ponch. Oh,the ladies are so thrilled as their husbands stare dumbfounded. By the time they get to my booth, they are glassy eyed, moist, and wondering how they can send their husbands on an errand so they can return one more time to their Ponch. Of course Ponch tells them that each one of them are his favorite with that devlish sexy smirk……..saying…..come to Daddy baby! Finally, the evening is over and Erik is exhausted and is going to go enjoy one of his other favorite pastimes……smoking a Cuban cigar. I go out to dinner with my friend and former Senator of Oregon, Jason Atkinson and we have a great conversation about a whole slew of things that we might do as joint ventures.
The next day I get up and take a walk alone and enjoy the crisp air of Portland and the light mist. I walk to a restaurant that a broadcaster recommended and order their famous classic Eggs Benedict. I eat them out of respect but found them to be very mediocre. As I walk back to the hotel I see lots of homeless people and lots of tents on the sidewalks which are legal in Portland. I also see a huge culture of youth, all homeless and all looking disheveled, wet, and just hangin on any corner panhandling for a buck or two. They say Portland is the city where homeless or runaway kids comes to retire.
I finally get back to the hotel and meet the former Senator and hopefully the next Governor of Oregon, Jason Atkinson and we go to Sandy, Oregon and scout locations with his friend from the TV Series Gold Rush and the announcer for the Organ Trailblazers and local actor/ voiceover expert. We have lunch in a local facility which is a log cabin bar restaurant where I imagine the evenings jam with country honky tonk, and the bar is full of Big Ben type loggers drinking lots of local beer, throwing darts and arm wrestling which is usually the preface of a full on fist fight. Oh, did my Wyoming memories begin to play tricks on me as I glanced over my shoulder to see if someone was mad dogging you with that eye which is hoping to step outside after a large lager beer. Oregon is proud of it’s beer, its wine and its nature.
Jason Atkinson returns me to the hotel and I rush in and get dressed for the show. While standing by the elevators I can hear my partner’s booming voice, Ponch, and so I look in and he is entertaining the crowd in the coffee shop which includes the new CEO of Wizard World who is a friend of Erik’s along with Montel Williams and others. I wave and excuse myself knowing there is no place on that stage, and rush to my room to change clothes. I type some quick notes on the senator meeting and send them off to the senator and then rush over to the convention center to meet and greet fans and sign autographs.
When we get to the convention center we are asked to do a radio interview and so Erik and I walk over to the guy’s booth and begin the FAN interview. Ponch blossoms and entertains all and steals the show from the disc jockeys and then we walk or swagger back to the autograph booths.
During these shows you have to also do one question and answer period in a separate room for your specific Fans. Erik tells me he does not feel like doing this one and probably will not have much to say. I do my infamous nod. We are announced and we enter, and go up the stairs and smile and greet the waiting fans (probably 30-50 locals in their Oregon Rain Clothes). Someone asks a question and Ponch comes alive and I watch Ponch and his witty comedy entertain the damp Oregon crowd of beards and scraggly wet hair and galoshes. There is a hired lady who asks questions while we sit there and entertain the audience/fans. She subtly announces that she is also part Latin (Mexican) (hint, hint, flirt) and she begins peppering her Latin buddy, Ponch, with questions. At that time I am wondering if “Ron Howard” should excuse himself and go and sit in the audience. Finally, she realizes with a tiny bit of female cavalier guilt that she lost control with her moist prejudice and throws me a question and then winks at Ponch. I politely answer and tell them about my digital distribution platform, or my inline hydro turbine or my land speed records or my rodeo….and you can hear a penny drop. BORING. Then she asks Ponch about his love life and room grows moist and anxious…….and slowly I push my chair back so I do not block her view of Ponch as she hangs on his every word.
The last day we again sign autographs and Erik is going crazy with nervous anxiety as the crowd has thinned out and he cannot sit still. Erik clams he is A.D.D. and has a hard time relaxing. However, even though it is a slow day, we meet lots of different personalities and souls. I meet grown bearded men (do all men in Oregon have beards?) who become frolicking, giggling, baby boys as they cannot believe they are talking to Jon Baker. Their wives are looking at their husbands wallowing in all their male glee and excitement.
The wives look confused and seem to be wondering what in the heck is this boyhood excitement all about in their 6’4” bearded macho man. Then the staccato tempo picks up ….. with all the “Gosh, golly, geez….I mean…..Jon Baker…..Seven Mary Three…..I mean do you realize my brother and I had the CHIPS three wheelers….oh my God……it was so cool…..as he pulls back his John Deere Cap and pushes back his thinning hair…..and then pulls on his beard…..and…. he slips into his boyhood revelry, his eyes bright with a new reality and he puts his hand up to his mouth like he is talking on his walkie-talkie….and continues with……”we would call each other on the microphones and say This is Seven Mary Three…..and of course my brother was Seven Mary Four”….. and then the bearded husband would catch a puzzled look on his wife’s face……and then wave her off so she could not stop this wonderful throwback crescendo of reliving his boyhood….. and say….”never mind you do not understand” ……”Oh my, were those fun times…….I mean we even had the little sirens. It was so coooooooL! “
I quietly say thank you and yes we also had a great time back then when there were only three major TV stations. He then goes on to say when the music would come on he and his brother would begin riding the tricycles from room to room circling in front of the TV screen just like Jon and Ponch and the music would be real loud as he literally sings a few bars……and we would sing the tunes and every note right with the TV. He would stop to get his breath……..and quickly look around …….and say…”It was awesome”….and then…..another glittering moment of shocked realization……… he would realize that I had CHIPS photos for sale from the show. As he would catch a glimpse of a photo with Jon Baker on a motor , the giddiness would begin a new higher pitched whimper as if he just peed his pants. He would say…”.oh man….I gotta have one of these”…..and he would tell his wife to get her purse out and give him some money to buy a Jon Baker Photo and it had to be one of the photos with the Motorcycles in it. His wife is now frowning as she pulls out a 20 and he takes 2 twenty dollar bills from her hand in shock. He finally realized that his son of 7 years old was also standing with his excited Dad…..and so he now kind of sheepishly asked the son which picture he wants…..as if he is really going to give him a choice. Little Tommy now confused and shaken by all of this hysteria, shakes his head……..and moves his shoulders up and his eyebrows up and says…..Hmmmm, I don’t know. (Little Tommy has no idea why his Dad is having this seizure right now nor why he wants this old guy’s photo). The Dad says….”Tommy will want this one with you two on the Motors……oh yes…great choice Tommy…we will take that one”
Just then a squealing sound lights up the booth next to us and we turn to see Ponch giving out his custom desserts to some female Fan. She is red, moist and in ecstasy or thinks she is on ecstasy. I sign the photo for the older bearded man, and after signing my real name, I sign the character name and then I always sign Seven mary Three. The older guy goes bonkers…..”Ahhhhh, so cool, you even signed Seven Mary Three.” He knows I know and I know he knows……yes that is Jon Baker’s call sign and only we loyal fans know that……kind of the same stare I get from my fellow Marines who were in Vietnam. Now with deep heartfelt camaraderie, the bearded fan, dad, husband says…. “Thanks so much Jon” I smile and say sure and shake his son’s hand who kind of backs up like maybe this old guy is a pervert….…..and then I politely shake his wife’s hand who shrugs her shoulders and smiles. Then the Dad, husband, Fan….. He puts out his fist and in male ritual of like camaraderie……..and I match his fist with mine and as they touch I almost hear sirens in his brain and that damn CHIPS music blaring in my ears.
I then recommend they now go and visit Ponch and point to Erik. He then says….is that Ponch…..Oh my God…..and he yanks on his son’s arm dragging him over to the Ponch booth and his wife follows and the shrieks over there are getting intense. I begin to quietly chuckle as I anticipate the love ride his wife is about to get from Ponch and perhaps a few amorous surprises now to balance out the show of platonic Jon. LOL
The next old guy walks up and says……with a squashed up quizzical face…..are you that guy…..Jon Baker? I smile politely and say yes….a long time ago we had fun on that old CHIPS show. He says wow……what happened to your hair?……man….
The show ends and I have to catch a flight because the promoters will not pay for an additional night for good ole Jon Baker. I am counting my money and Erik comes over and asks me how much I made and I tell him. He tells me he made a little more than me, but it turned out ok. I ask him if he is flying out tonight and he says no…he is flying out tomorrow because he is staying over. I shake my head knowing, and give him the infamous nod…….and hug him good bye and thank him for everything. He says….see ya at the next one partner…..and I nod my head…..you got it Ponch.
As I fly home pondering the west coast, the Pacific Ocean, I think of the veritable core soul of each individual I see in the movies and in person and in this universe and the vagaries of logic projected onto the headboard with subsequent head injuries. Actor or spectator?
And yes, I could go on and on about fan experiences, crying, laughing, biz deals, flirts, demons, hangers ons, stalkers, children, adults, celebs etc but this would then be an indulgent 20-page article so I will leave you with this shorter version. Thank you all…just know, at times I am also the fan and spectator and it is a blast for me. I mean who gets this lucky to star in an old TV Series that 40 years later is still playing on Me TV. ……..yep…….just squeezing a lil more blood from the turnip and nodding here and there when appropriate.
Larry
Copyrighted 2017
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Hi Larry a beautifully written column I want more to read though. I have always admired you and of course CHiPs has forever been in my heart but I always remember you in Lassie re runs though a tad before my time. I wish you well and hope all good things come your way. Take care kind sir. Sue
I could have written so much and so indulgently….but I wanted to make my point. Thank you dear Sue.
Hi Larry see you and Eric were memorable shows he has a website as well. Back in the day said television was getting real
Beautifully written as usual, Mr. Steinbeck. 🙂 It saddens me to see how you were treated compared to Erik, but love that you have such a great sense of humor about it-and thank you for being one of MY biggest fans! Hugs!
My dear surrogate daughter, …..I was treated appropriately and it should not be construed otherwise. It is a depiction of reality and if you dance with it nstead of fighting it……it all works out. Teams have role players……and I have really enjoyed most of it. I do not think that intellectual prowess has a seat at this table but that is OK. Who should bring a hot dog and beef to a Muslim dinner?
Larry
You make a good point, dad. 🙂 A really good point. I hadn’t thought of it that way. but you are far from boring. You have a wicked sense of humor and tell great stories!
Erik’s role is center stage and he entertains so very well. I honestly laugh and enjoy him. Perhaps the promoters favor him, but he is always kind and giving. Erik and I sheepishly shuck and jive but deep down I love him and know he hurts. I love people as they nuance through life; I forgive the man who killed my sister; and I forgive the man who killed Dorothy Stratten. Through this forgiveness and the sincerity of it…..not the wordsmithing of it……I find peace and joy and the deep meaning of love. Erik is the quarterback of the CHIPS team…….and I could make a wonderful TV Series with him again in so many ways. I think his Fonz like character is endearing…..and once you understand him……you love the character.
And this is why the fans love you so. You’re honest, humble and REAL. God bless. xoxo
You are so generous and kind in your thoughts about Erik. You two are good together, always were, and still are. It’s we who get to spend time with you who win! Hope to see you again soon.
Love this comment! 🙂
I am grateful for Erik. I laughed more this past weekend in Portland than I had for months. As I am writing this now I am chuckling at some of his antics…..he is a great entertainer for sure. Life is about choosing a “perspective” isn’t it? Thank you so very much Karen for your astute and subtle insights I notice daily. Gratefully, Larry.
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Hi Larry,
Don’t let that get on top of you we fans stand behind you, are looking forward to meeting you in September at the ” CHIPS” 40 th reunion anniversary “hugs”
When I was younger, I did not understand my role. Today, I understand it and I sincerely enjoy it. Look forward to seeing you also. Thank you for reading this column.
Thank you Larry for your kind words….I’ve never been well known for being subtle, but sometimes, you have to take a back seat and just “let it be”!!! Portland was fun. Not the most well attended show, but we seemed to enjoy it! And that’s what makes it all worthwhile. xoxoKaren
Another great column! I suppose you and Erik still have your roles to play, and you will continue playing those roles as long as there is an audience…but rest assured, some of us are more interested in the honesty and realness of the “straight man”, and not the over-the-top antics of the “entertainer.” Meeting you this past weekend was an absolute treat, something I have waited a long time for. To be honest, until we were walking away, I had forgotten that Erik was even there! I almost felt a little bad that we had not even noticed him standing there!
I am glad that the two of you are working together to benefit you both…and that you have managed to keep a friendship throughout it all. Good luck to both of you with your future shows…there are still so many fans out there waiting to meet you!
Thanks again for being so kind and friendly to all of your fans!
I am so happy you actually stole TIME from your life and gave me the gift of YOU. Thank you Shawnette for coming by the Portland Show and I hope you know it was special for me and we hugged hearts. God Bless you. Next time, make sure you stop and see Erik.
Awww, thanks Larry! Meeting you was like reconnecting with an old friend…and I’m truly delighted to be able to say that you are indeed my friend! (I’ll do my best to remember Erik next time…but it might not be easy–he’s no Larry Wilcox, ya know!)
Hi Larry
I really enjoyed reading this. If it was me i would do the same as you did. Not everybody needs to be in the lime light 24/7. Yes they will remember Erik for what he does but it would be you i would remember because you sat back and let him have the line light. I didn’t like Erik (ponch) as much as you. I think you made the show. Lynette
Thank you Lynette Remember, I get to be both an actor and a spectator so I really enjoy the whole process.
Great article larry :-),
your humor is funny 🙂
greetings sarah
Thank you Sarah……I supppose I have a snarky edge to my humor……the hick in me. LOL
Its cool to be able to just say hello and tell you that i loved watching Chips as a kid, I’m glad to see that you are hitting the conventions and mixing it up with Eric and your fans still. I’ve seen your friend Sue take care of your fb page and i feel so horrible about the awful trolls that are in there sometimes. 7 mary 3!
I grew up on reruns of CHiPs, Adam 12 and Emergency. I only turned 30 recently and as my short years have gone by, I’ve been forever grateful to my parents for showing me great TV. That being said, I remember sitting with my dad on the couch watching television and wanting to be a police officer when I grew up because of this.
My best friend is a Ponch. She’s Latin, a flirt and often times I am in the background smiling politely. It can wear on you, being the good one. It wears me down at times. But after reading this and seeing your humor in being the straight guy, it helps. We all have our roles to play and once we accept that, it makes life better.
Thanks for the help
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Yes the “trolls” make it very difficult for Sue. She gives so much and then gets beat up by a few here and there. Social media is not always fair is it. But I am grateful for Sue and all she has done for me and my family. Thank you for reading the article. Larry
Hello Larry, My name is Will Rodgers (no relation to the famous cowboy). I had the honor and pleasure of meeting you at the Cajun Country Jam in Louisiana back in 2015. And hello Sue!!! I was at the VIP dinner and was supposed to be a reserve emcee, but I never got to go onstage. I am the guy who is a voice impressionist and meeting you was a dream come true for me. I enjoyed reading your blog and I look forward to seeing you and Erik again at Fanboys in Knoxville TN. You remind me of my best friend, Tracy Kear, whose brother in law is Adam Phelps, who runs Fanboys. I am also looking forward to meeting Robert Pine, I always liked the Sergeant. Anyway, I may be a media guest since I am planning on selling copies of a book I wrote on my favorite Saturday morning show at that event. As Jon Baker, you are still my role model and your CHiPs will always be my CHiPs. I was horrified by what the new movie is going to do, and I am angry at how Jon is going to be portrayed. You be good to yourself my friend. Look forward to seeing you again this summer. Cheers to Seven Mary Three from Will Rodgers The Voice Man
Thanks Will. The new movie looks like Dumb and Dumber on Motorcycles. That is probably the reason the CHP would not lend their name.
Great article Larry and insight! You’re a giving and loving man to so many. What you do for those around you is priceless! Larry as I told you that night in the Springs you did so much for me growing as a child, my childhood was rocky at best. But it was a joy to watch you in TV every thurs you made me forget what was going on around me even for a brief moment. I enjoyed your Disney movies as well. You made CHIPs as well and you were and are a integral part of its success. You’re a role model Larry you’ve done your country proud and those around you. You’re made of a lot you know, be proud of how you are and what you’ve accomplished. So I thank you for all. And as for Sue I’m truly greatful to her for everything she has for all around her, and I especially as always am thankful to her for basically introducing me to my wife. You rock Sue as do you Larry thank you
Mr. and Mrs Rod Castro ROCK also. God Bless and thank you!
It is so nice to read your columns, it’s awesome to get your perspectives. I guess as a fan, its different for me, I see you as the starring role and Erik as the more supportive role. I don’t think your life is boring, especially compared to mine as a stay at home mom and all the mundane chores that go with that. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But like you said, it’s all about perspective. Thank you for taking the time out to write this column and to keep your fans updated about the “World according to Larry”!
Thank you Christie for taking the time to read the article and thank you for being the most special person in the world….a stay at home Mom. God Bless you. Larry
Wow. Looks like you had a bizarre time but I hope it was a good one. Sure Erik’s hot and all but I love you too just the same. I recently posted my fan art of me with Jon and Ponch on Twitter and Erik said I have real talent and called me a lady. I tweeted it to you too and I hope you like it as well. When I make more CHiPs fan art, I’ll tweet them to you and Erik and I can post them on Facebook too if you like. I’m saving my money right now so I can meet you and Erik at a comic com so I put off shopping so I could make this big dream come true. The closest I know that you both will appear is Tennesse but I hope you can come to Boston soon. If I don’t make it this year, at least I’ll have the money to meet you and Erik next year. Take care, my friend.
Steph
j’ai apprécié ta colonne Larry en expliquant une journée de spectacle avec Erik estrada est émouvant, mais quand même ça doit être pas facile de portée un personnage de série toute une vie surtout si tu sers que tu a portée autres personnages que Jon baker. Mais c’est chouette car j’ai 44 ans et on parle encore de la série de chips .J’espère qu’un jour je pourrai voir un spectacle avec toi et Erik .Larry continue de signée des autographe car fête nous rêver .
Larry,
Another great read. I have experienced meeting Erik once, and once was enough.You and Erik are just two different types of people. You are not BORING at all. I could talk to you all day. You are quite interesting and a wise man in my eyes. You are my rock. Someday I will explain why to you. Thanks for all that you do. I can’t wait to see you again in September at the reunion.
Love your attitude and laughed out loud while reading your post. Sounds like it was a really interesting and memorable experience.
Frankly, you were the only reason I watched (and still watch) CHiPs, so I was never in the Erik/Ponch fan base. I can’t even watch Season 6, mostly because you’re not in it, but also because that season’s shows didn’t match the quality of the earlier seasons. I’m sure Erik is a lovely man (it sounds like he’s a hoot) but you get top billing in my book.
Netflix and YouTube has made it possible to enjoy old TV programs and movies, so it’s been fun to see some of your pre and post-CHiPs work. Thanks for entertaining us for all these years!
Larry,
You’re honest and genuine, and I can’t imagine how you maintain living in and navigating the entertainment world. What I know is that from Harlan to Getraer, we, the real fans loved every one of you. I’m 47 and have four years left until I retire from law enforcement. I was a Motor Officer for 20 years, and now, I’m an instructor at the academy. My journey began with you, Erik and the gang. I can’t imagine how many young boys and girls became officers because of your show. You were the perfect role models for us, and your show was the reason I joined the police. Funny story, my aunt has a cassette of me at seven years old answering her question “what do you want to be when you grow up”, my answer, “I want to be CHIPS”. Fourteen years later I was. My partner and I would sing the theme to chips as we would enter the on-ramp to the expressway. I cannot express how much love I have for the show and the cast. I have never been to an expo but thought this should be the year I do. Ill see you in Knoxville (Ill be the geek fan in uniform.. I know right), and Ill be flying into LA for two days to take in the reunion. That is how much your show means to me. As a life fan and someone who tries to live up to the values displayed during the show, I thank your fellow cast members, and I thank YOU for everything you did and for keeping engaged with us your fans 40 years later. Thank you 7M3.
Mr. Wilcox,
Thank you for always being such a class act. In today’s world (particularly the entertainment world) it is a breath of fresh air when someone of your stature shows true humility and genuine kindness. As an original CHiPs fan, I recently came across the reruns on MeTV. I just happened to come across your website. CHiPs, along with some others shows from that time, showed action without the need for violence and profanity. It is good to know that even today, some parents have introduced a new generation to programs like these with a moral message. You are personally a great role model for so many. Remember, your Jon Baker role was just that. A TV role. It’s the Larry Wilcox role that endures. Thanks again for being the man you are. Don’t ever change. And thank you for your service to our country. That is something that can never be overemphasized. If you are ever in the Central NY area, I would love to meet you!! Keep the Faith & God bless.
Very well said , Jim !! I agree with everything you said !! I wish I had one of these shows near me so I could have a chance to meet and talk with the cast !! They just don’t make “quality” tv shows like “CHiPS” anymore !! I sooo wish they still did !!
The interviews on the morning of the first day of Comicon, I only saw you and Estrada on the channel 8 segment and I think 1 other news station perhaps. But that was all. Perhaps some morning shows too, but I didn’t catch them
http://www.kgw.com/entertainment/events/drew-carney/wizard-world-comic-con-comes-to-portland-/409243282
Ha, Estrada slept in!? The interview was 6:45 in the morning. I get to bed a lot later than actors I suppose.
14 Comicon opportunities for Estrada?
And on the second day, Saturday, you sure got a lot done before, what, 10AM!? Breakfast, then going to Sandy OR, lunch and then went to the show. Funny, I saw Montel Williams at the show just walking around. It’s pretty awesome to see celebrities just acting like normal people, but of course, they are.
Haha I’ve got to tell you, I got played into his charm too, he gave me a free hug and I’m a hetero guy! Hmm, I think I saw a touch of that A.D.D.,;
On Friday soon before the show started, I was walking around the backside of the convention center on the sidewalk and I happened upon the secret door that all the guests come in and out of. A black SUV is coming up behind me. I keep on walking to see a woman looking out this door. I realize the opportunity. I stop beyond the door about 40 feet from the SUV and wait. Estrada comes out! As he is approaching the door, and I’m about 30 feet away, I yell, ‘Hey Erik!’, I think he doesn’t respond and starts banging on the door that is closed again and twisting the knob up and down and banging like TMZ is about to bombard him. I yell “Oh, you’ve just got to be patient, she’ll be back soon”. In about 5 seconds the door opens, he goes in and says “Have a good day”. Interesting behavior.
Ron Howard, Andy Griffith’s show’s son? The guy from Happy Days? I didn’t know he had such flare to compare Estrada to him. Andy Griffith, would have been great to meet him. You can tell he’s such a warm person. Great fan of Matlock with his personality. Fun to see Star Trek TNG/VOY/DS9 actors guest star in other ‘90s shows too. Nothing like Law & Order.
Both of you make a great team and I was glad to see you were busy with fans most of the time I looked over that way, almost as much as Estrada was.
I was the one asking questions about the fuel efficiency technology and ELECTRIC car, air powered car tech. Very interesting. I don’t think what you said was boring. I didn’t really catch how the audience reacted when I perfectly tied in asking Ponch and you what you thought of electric cars, and for you to elaborate on the company you are invested in, but I thought I did well.
But I tell you, if there is a product that makes any regular or hybrid vehicle more efficient, wouldn’t the big car manufactures implement this technology, especially in vehicles like the Prius?? They put in a ton of R&D for the new Prius and Hyundai Ioniq and I imagine Kia Niro. This pseduo-HHO technology that Optec USA is touting, is most likely bunk. Otherwise Toyota would have implemented it. Unless they cannot recreate the system thanks to patents. Just please be aware there is a chance that their product doesn’t actually do much unless the engine’s ECU is programmed or tricked to run the engine lean to increase MPG at the possible expense of engine health and increased, I think NOX emissions that comes from higher combustion temperatures.
Hopefully lean burn HCCI engines will come out before long which may give a 10% boost beyond Atkinson cycle in hybrids. And more EVs like the Bolt, 2nd gen Leaf, Tesla Model 3.
It was a great time and thank you for answering all my questions and talking with me (same to Estrada).
Best wishes,
Daniel watkins
Danwat1234@aol.com
PS: RIP, Erik Estrada’s mother.
Mr. Wilcox,
You were my childhood hero! Loved your character on chips Johnny Baker and those cool yellow gloves! (7 Mary 3)
Thanks for the great childhood memories you and Ponch gave to us young kids in Pittsburgh, Pa. The kids in my neighborhood always respected the police and I think CHIPS made that happen. As well as great parents.
All the best, D. M. ZABO
I wish we could get the celebrity games here. Would they be available on line at all? You’re truly a wonderful man Larry. Thanks for being in my life.x
I came across your page quite by accident, but I’m glad I did. I enjoyed your retelling of your trip to Oregon and explaining the dynamic that exist between you and Erik and your ability to play your role unselfishly. I have many fond memories of the show as many of us do, TV seemed different then. I don’t want to drag on, I just want to thank you. Thank you for the work you did/do as an actor and thank you especially for your service to this country. As a child I was drawn to Erik’s flash, but as an adult I appreciate more what you bring to the table not just as an actor, but as a man. I don’t know if you’ve done a biography or not, but I think I’ll look and see if there is one. There should be, there needs to be. You are a fine man, thank you again for being so giving of your self to others.
This was good stuff. My wife & I recently watched the high-way – wow! Seems Erik got some bad advice to agree to that one. He was really the only thing that made it bearable at all though. CHiPs was one of the few non-PBS shows I was allowed growing up, and it was great.
Looking forward to exploring more of your site soon,
A fellow Larry