Chico and the Man (1974–1978)
The Gist: A hit NBC sitcom about a cynical, aging garage owner in East Los Angeles and the optimistic young Chicano man who talks his way into a job and, eventually, his heart.
“Lookin’ good!” With those two words, Freddie Prinze became a superstar. Chico and the Man was a cultural phenomenon when it premiered. It centered on the cantankerous Ed Brown (played by the brilliant Jack Albertson), a man stuck in the past, and Chico Rodriguez (Prinze), a vibrant young man determined to bring him into the present. Their garage was the stage for a classic generation-gap comedy, but with a crucial, groundbreaking twist.
This was one of the very first American series to be set in a Mexican-American neighborhood and feature a Latino character in a leading role. The show, co-created by James Komack, didn’t shy away from cultural clashes but handled them with humor and warmth. The chemistry between Albertson, a veteran character actor, and Prinze, a charismatic 20-year-old comedian, was electric. The show was an immediate top-ten hit, and its theme song, a breezy folk tune by José Feliciano, became instantly recognizable.
The story of Chico and the Man is also one of television’s great tragedies. Freddie Prinze died by suicide during the show’s third season in 1977. The producers and cast were devastated. After a period of reflection, they chose to continue the show, explaining Chico’s absence by saying he had moved on to start his own business. They brought in a new young character, a 12-year-old named Raul, to fill the void. While the show admirably tried to carry on, the magic was gone, and it was canceled after its fourth season. Handling such a real-life tragedy on a sitcom was an unprecedented challenge, as chronicled by media historians at organizations like the Paley Center for Media.
Why It Mattered: At its peak, Chico and the Man was one of the best television shows of the 1970s. It broke significant cultural barriers and introduced millions of Americans to a smart, funny, and ambitious Chicano character, helping to combat stereotypes. It proved that a sitcom centered on minority characters could have massive mainstream appeal.
Rewatch Cues: Focus on the first two seasons to see the show at its best. The rapid-fire banter between Albertson and Prinze is a masterclass in comedic timing. Watch how Ed’s crusty exterior slowly melts away as he comes to see Chico as a son. The series is a powerful reminder of Freddie Prinze’s immense talent and a poignant look at a show that burned brightly, but far too briefly.
