Revisiting Old TV Programs: Chico and the Man

Premise:
A gentleman of Spanish descent befriends/is hired by a crusty old car mechanic; this relationship blossoms when 'The Man' allows Chico to sleep in a parked station wagon (or was it a hearse? an old ambulance? Whatever it's make...he slept in it) in his garage; Not in the apartment OVER the garage, not on a cot somewhere or even an urban lean-to...but in a PARKED VEHICLE!!! Hilarity and Ethnic Humor ensues. Throw in Scatman Crothers as the neighborhood Garbageman and a television classic is born.

Can you imagine getting this show optioned in this day and age?

'Here's the plan...we've got this Streetwise Chicano teamed up with an aging Caucasian and--get this--the codger let's the younger punk sleep in his garage in the back of an automobile. It's got HIT written all over it and is sure to play well to the 18-80 year olds...and especially to folk that HAVE slept in cars and may know a few Spaniards.'

'Get this pilot made, STAT!!!'

However, back in the late 70s, it WAS a huge hit until the unexpected suicide of Freddie Prinze, Sr.

Weird, huh?

I do seriously ponder how it might have fared in today's television climate.

T