It's star(Freddie Prinze)?

Well, I guess I'll go first. Do I think the show could have lasted to 1980? Hmmmm that is something to think about. Personally, even with Freddie, I don't really see it going on two more seasons, but I think it could have gone at least one more season with him. The direction the show was going when he unfortunately left was very promising. We were finally finding out more about Chico's past and seeing just how close Chico and Ed had become over the years. We were also seeing Chico grow up and become more of a man than just a lovestruck kid. He looked to be making a future for himself and coming to terms with his past. I think, though, that lasting to 1980 might have been pushing it just a bit.

Well, I guess I'll go first. Do I think the show could have lasted to 1980? Hmmmm that is something to think about. Personally, even with Freddie, I don't really see it going on two more seasons, but I think it could have gone at least one more season with him. The direction the show was going when he unfortunately left was very promising. We were finally finding out more about Chico's past and seeing just how close Chico and Ed had become over the years. We were also seeing Chico grow up and become more of a man than just a lovestruck kid. He looked to be making a future for himself and coming to terms with his past. I think, though, that lasting to 1980 might have been pushing it just a bit.


Well that was only 6 years-lol It's Not like I said 1985

Freddie Prinze WAS the show, and it was never the same after his untimely death. According to writers Tim Brooks & Earle Marsh, "there was serious
consideration given to the cancellation of the series" [when Prinze took his own life in the middle of the third season]. (THE COMPLETE DIRECTORY TO PRIME TIME NETWORK & CABLE TV SHOWS)

In THE GREAT TV SITCOM BOOK, author Rick Mitz quotes producer James
Komack: "What people don't understand is that the show's ratings were
slipping. When we first started out, within five weeks we were Number One
in the country. The second year we were in the Top Ten. Then we started
to slip. ..."

When they ran out of Prinze episodes, CHICO became basically a solo show
for veteran actor Jack Albertson. VARIETY summed it up: "Without Prinze,
Jack Albertson is the sound of one hand clapping."

"The real tragedy," says Mitz, "is that Chico never allowed himself to become
the Man."

Freddie Prinze WAS the show, and it was never the same after his untimely death. According to writers Tim Brooks & Earle Marsh, "there was serious
consideration given to the cancellation of the series" [when Prinze took his own life in the middle of the third season]. (THE COMPLETE DIRECTORY TO PRIME TIME NETWORK & CABLE TV SHOWS)

In THE GREAT TV SITCOM BOOK, author Rick Mitz quotes producer James
Komack: "What people don't understand is that the show's ratings were
slipping. When we first started out, within five weeks we were Number One
in the country. The second year we were in the Top Ten. Then we started
to slip. ..."

When they ran out of Prinze episodes, CHICO became basically a solo show
for veteran actor Jack Albertson. VARIETY summed it up: "Without Prinze,
Jack Albertson is the sound of one hand clapping."

"The real tragedy," says Mitz, "is that Chico never allowed himself to become
the Man."



That statement about CATM ratings in season 2 was false. The show was in the Top 25, not the Top 10

Well it's hard to predict what would have happened. I'm just greatful we have 3 good seasons of Freddie to watch anytime we chose. He makes me happy whenever I watch him perform. In my opinion he was amazing at 22 years of age and was only 19 when the show first started. Hard to say what he could have accomplished if his life had turned out different. Thank you Freddie Prinze.:wave:

No, I don't think it would have gone into the 80's. I think if Freddie was still alive, he would've become a movie star and moved on.

I don't think the show would have lasted into the 80's with or without Freddie, it is a great show, but it is definitely a show of its time. Now if Freddie had lived, it might have been strong for a few more years. I agree that Freddie might have moved on to movies after this show, he was heading in that direction.

I believe it would for at least 3 yrs.

i think it would have lasted a couple more years with Freddie but he was too talented to stay on the small screen indefinately he had other ambitions too

I don't think it would've lasted too much longer--the show was already starting to lose the tension & conflict between the two main characters that made it so endearing at first.

I think that's why they brought in Della Reese to ruffle Ed's feathers, (being that Chico had become more like a son to Ed). And pointing out the differences in Della's and Ed's political views was, IMO, trying to be like All in the Family.

I think Freddie would've become a movie star or gotten his own show.

I think he would've gone on a few more yrs into the 70's. I think by the 80's the show would've ended so he could have a big movie career. I could see him doing what George Lopez is doing. When I see G-Lo, I think Freddie would've been doing that if he were here. & Acting with Jr too of course...

I think he would've gone on a few more yrs into the 70's. I think by the 80's the show would've ended so he could have a big movie career. I could see him doing what George Lopez is doing. When I see G-Lo, I think Freddie would've been doing that if he were here. & Acting with Jr too of course...


But if it lasted until 1978 without Freddie, why wouldn't it have lasted 2 more years with Freddie?-lol Now it probably wouldn't have lasted 10 years like the Jeffersons but I defintely think it would have lated until atleast 81

It think the show would of lasted alittle longer if he had lived. Although I agree he would of wanted to do more other projects besides Chico.

It think the show would of lasted alittle longer if he had lived. Although I agree he would of wanted to do more other projects besides Chico.

Which brings up another point, as proud of Chico as Freddie was, he still was conflicted when he was only known as Chico. I know he wanted to be known for more, which probably explains all the guest appearance he did in his short career. Who knows what else he might have been known for....

yes i loved the million dollar rip off i wish it had been better recieved at the time because it was awesome, it was the first movie i've ever watched that the ending was not predictable...so many are but that one had me on the edge the whole time
and of course Freddie....need i say more?

I agree that with Freddie still alive, the show coulda gone on for a few more years, since--as was mentioned--it was becoming more about Chico's growth as a person. That would have held the teenage fans' interest, as well as attracting new viewers--older ones who favored complex characters and relationships. The new issues that the 1980's brought to light would have made great plotlines--the end of the disco era, the continuing rise of women, minorities, and older people in the workforce, the competition between foreign and domestic manufacturers, stuff like that. There would probably have had to be some adjustment for the other projects I also agree he woulda been doing--but they coulda just done as they did for a while after his death and said he was visiting his father, or otherwise travelling.