Memories

[BJ Mallory]

Chico & The Man premiered the month I turned 10 years old. I watched the first episode and every episode thereafter. I loved Freddie Prinze from the beginning, as a little girl will love someone she idolizes. I would keep my eyes open for Freddie to appear on the various talk/variety shows of that time; Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, Dinah Shore, Tony Orlando & Dawn. I would never miss one of those episodes, either.

When Freddie shot himself I was 12 years old. I remember feeling confused and scared, not really understanding what had happened. I remember that he didn't die right away and while he clung to life I took the newspaper with the story printed in it and retreated to my closet. I prayed harder than I ever had for anything in my life that he would live. I thought that if I prayed very hard, God might hear me and let him live. Didn't he have a little baby? He couldn't die! On my knees in the dark I pleaded for his life because I loved him, as a young girl loves someone who has brought her hours of laughter when her own life was unhappy, as it often was. I felt connected to Freddie as a young mexican-american girl trying to find her way. Yes, I knew Freddie was Puerto Rican and not Mexican as the character of Chico was portrayed. I knew there was controversy over this, with many Mexicans upset that Hollywood had imported an East Coast Puerto Rican to play one of us when Los Angeles was full of Mexicans. But as Paul Rodriguez says, you can't just find a Freddie Prinze anywhere. He opened a lot of doors for us and we never thanked him for it. Truer words were never spoken.

When the news was reported that Freddie had died, it was the first time in my life that I felt my heart break. God did not hear me. Freddie was gone. Something changed in me that day and I would never be the same. A few years later I would sit in a darkened theater with tears running down my face watching the movie "Fame". I knew what the character Ralph Garci was feeling when he was talking about Freddie dying. I understood.

I have been watching the Chico & The Man marathon on TV Land this weekend. Watching the show as an adult I see it in a new perspective. I appreciate the way the character was played, never allowing Chico to become a stereotype. Chico was intelligent and sensitive as well as very funny.

Now I am a fan of Freddie Prinze, Jr. I enjoy his movies very much, as do my teenage children. I'm proud of him, as someone who loved his father would be.

BJ;
I was also touched by Freddie and his wonderful approach to comedy and life. It was certainly a tragedy when he died. As I sit watching the "Chico and the Man" weekend on TV Land, the memories begin to flow of my earlier days as a teenager. Now, my children keep me company watching these great episodes. They are touched by his warmth and brilliance. Another generation has discoved Freddie's talent. Once again, through my children, we can share laughter like it was intended, nearly 25 years ago.

[Moon]

I never thought watching this would've cued up the anger I felt when I was 11 and Freddie killed himself. Part of the time I just had to shut the TV off because I was ready to throw the remote through the screen. Even then, I thought he had cut off his life before it began, even though he packed a lot of living in such a short time.

Despite that, I also remembered that I was starting to notice boys and men in a way different from my earlier crushes. With adolescence on the horizon, I added Freddie to Club Hubba Hubba. Oh man, I haven't thought of Club Hubba Hubba in years!!

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It was late one night by the pale moonlight all the vegetables gave a spree.

It is nice to know that i'm not the only person in this world that came to work bleary eyed this monday morning after spending the entire weekend watching back-to-back episodes of one of my most favorite programs in the world.

sadly though, watching this marathon on tv land this particular weekend, took me back to that moment when i found out freddie prinze had left us. it was a snowy weekend in wv, much like the one i remember from 1977 during a blizzard (i was in the 2nd grade) when we heard the sad news. i am angered when i ask fellow co-workers & friends if they remember "chico & the man" and they reply "not really."

anyway, i stayed up all night long, waiting for the episode explaining what had happened to our beloved "chico." i sobbed myself to sleep, when ed told raul that he died. i think when freddie prinze was gone i must have quit watching because i dont remember many episodes with out him.

its wonderful tv land has brought "chico & the man" back. a week prior to the marathon there was very little advertising about it, other than a mere mention of it after other sitcoms. there were no actual commercials before hand. anyway, i truely enjoyed the shows and they stirred up many memories, good & sad.

emmy g.

[lindaloo]

I also remember when Freddie died, I was 16.
It tore me up and I could never understand it. I just wish he had gotten help, because Freddie had so much more to give.I think he tried to get help, but back then no one knew what to do.

The "Chico" marathon was been great but painful too. I also saw the episode for the first time when Ed said Chico had died. I almost missed it but I caught it just in time. I had never seen it before because after Freddie passed away I quit watching the show. But, I have seen now that the shows were ok, it just wasn't the same though.

My 15 year old daughter thinks Freddie Jr. is a hottie and while I think he has a lot of his dad's talent, I think he looks more like his mother.I highly recommend the book about Freddie Sr. written by his mother. I could not put it down.

thanks for this forum, it's good to know there are others who feel the same way I do. I am so glad TV Land has "Chico". It brings back lots of memories.

[ambereno@fdn.com]

i was 15 when Freddie died, he was my hero back then, i had no clue that he was on drugs, back then. i still have his only album and would listen to it all the time. when Chico and the Man was on TV land, it brought back alot of memories, few tears. i am glad we have vcrs now.
thanks everyone for sharing there memories.
take care
Ellen

I truly enjoyed everyones response, i also was 14 when his death happened, i remember just being so sad, i thought he was the most handsome man around ! never truly understood why he took his life, but do we ever ? watching the marathon this weekend took me way back, i felt like i was 14 again, i nearly drove my husband insane everytime the song would play in the beggining, up went the t.v and i would blast the theme song through the house, lol, once again, what a wonderful, but long weekend watching all the old episodes, thank goodness for t.v land

I fell in love with his son, Freddie Prinze Jr. I think his son is very talented just as he was. I then learned of his father was in show business and that he had an unfortunate death. I then got to be fortunate and watch Mr. Prinze in CHICO and the Man, on TV Land. I think he was very talented and I wish that he was still around. My mom grew up with the show and was deeply sadened but I am glad I get to see his son's beautiful face on the big screen!!!! =)

I was twelve when he passed away. I remember it so clearly my parents and I were driving into our local town. (I lived in the country)I can still remember the tears flowing down my face at the thought of losing the "first man" that I loved with his big brown eyes and friendly laughter. I also remember praying for him. It comforts me knowing that other people experienced the same thing.

I haven't seen anything with his son in. I have heard hes a good actor.

[Pitooey]

Hi everyone! I just found this board. I had to say something. I am 46 years old. Freddie Printz Sr. would be 46 years old if he was alive today. I lived in his era and saw him when he first started out. Freddie was so funny and so talented. I remembered when I saw him on the Johnny Carson show. He was hilarious. I miss him! When he died, I was in shock. I've never really forgotten him. I'm glad I found this board. I'm also glad they have the Chico and the man re-runs on T.V. land. I'm watching them. It brings back so many memories. The clothes he wore. He was looking HIP because that's what we wore back then. The tight jeans the flowery shirts. Man! I miss him. I also have to say that when I look at his son Freddie Jr. I see Freddie Sr. in his smile. I'm proud to see Freddie Jr. in the movies. I remember when he was born, and how happy his father was.

[BJ Mallory]

Originally posted by Sfldreamer:
I haven't seen anything with his son in. I have heard hes a good actor.

Then I recommend you rent "She's all that" & "Down to you". Those are my favorites.

[This message has been edited by BJ Mallory (edited 03-02-2001).]

[This message has been edited by BJ Mallory (edited 03-02-2001).]

[MariposaLKB]

BLESS YOU BJ Mallory for starting this series of messages! My family thinks I'm nuts still being as crazy about a man I could never meet as I was when I was a teenager. Thanx to everybody for proving that I'm not alone in my love and grief!

P. S. Please note I finally came up with a real screen name!