This is something i just thought of the other day and would like to see what the rest of you guys think. Lets say Freddie never passed away and that awful night never happened. How many more seasons do you think Chico and The Man would have been on the air?

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GET OUT OF MY GARAGE!!!

It depends--if Freddie kept on going like he was going (reportedly coming in exhausted, stoned, unfit to work, ect.), probably about 1 more season. On the other hand, if Freddie had stayed clean and healthy, he would have kept that spark to keep it going another 3 or 4 years. I think Freddie would have grown tired of the whole Chico thing, though and would have wanted to move on. And Jack was not to live much longer....

I think if he had lived & been in good health he the show would've had a long run on tv. I would've liked to have seen Chico marry & have a baby Chico. Course if Jack had died when Freddie was living I think it would've really hurt him & he would've cried his heart out...

I think there could have been many more seasons to the show. If Freddie could have found is way...the possibilities are endless. But I also think that depends on how far the writers and producers wanted to take the show and in what direction.
The show had the same receipe as All In The Family...as far as social issues. So, really the show could have went in so many different directions. After all, look at Seinfeld...I love that show, but basically it was a show about nothing and it had a long and very successful run.
Thanks Ed for a great topic. http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Thank you chicosladyfair, I think it would have lasted a few more seasons but the possibilites would have been endless. Maybe a spinoff show who knows but you all are making great points.

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GET OUT OF MY GARAGE!!!

EdBrownJr, excellent question. I agree with all of you that with the formula they used and the great material (that still holds up today)I think the show could have went for many more years. Truly, though, Freddie would have had to get some treatment for his substance abuse problems, for his own sake.
However, in reading his Mom's book, Freddie felt that television used up people and threw them aside (! how perceptive) and he desired to become a "total performer" that is excelling on the big screen. I know he loved music and had a great voice so he might have even ventured into that arena again. I could see him in Broadway plays, more comedy albums, music albums and of course great dramatic films. I think he wanted to move away from t.v. He, like many actors, felt that the big screen was taken more seriously and that is where he wanted to be. He said he was willing to do perhaps 2 or 3 years of work to prepare for this. I only wish he had lived to try his hand at all of these and more.

I agree i think he would have made that transition from TV Star to Movie Star. Since Freddie was so good at doing voice impression i could also see him have doing some voices for cartoon character in those Disney movies or other animated films.

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GET OUT OF MY GARAGE!!!

I think if Freddie would have lived, he would have grown very tired of CATM. Most sitcom actors want to go off and broaden their horizons. I really don't think Freddie would have been any different. We would have probably seen him in movies, directing, and producing. Who knows, he may have been a writer for the Sopranos--LOL!

Yeah you never know he might have wrote for The Sopranos.

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GET OUT OF MY GARAGE!!!

That's interesting...I have thought about that every time I heard him do voice impressions...especially on his comedy cd. He was very talented and brilliant.
Just as a side note: The voice of Hanna Barbera cartoon character Honk Kong Fooey was played by Scatman Crothers.

Didn't he co-write a CATM script or two? If not, I'm sure someone on here will corret me. http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/wink.gif

Yes, my friend Cheryl, he did write or co-write at least 1 episode of CATM. And, in my opinion, it was one of the better episodes. It was the one where he decided to move out of the van and get his own place. He comes back, but Ed sold the van. That's when they fixed up the store room. I really liked that episode too.

Thanks! I thought he might've co-written en episode. That was a good one! http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif

Freddie had a meeting with James Komack about resigning his contract for 5 more years. So it would have been for 5 years.