Exclusive Entrevista: CHiPs Main Man Erik Estrada

Hangin’ tough at the MTV Tr3s studios this week was Erik Estrada, America’s favorite CHiPs cop, as he came by to present us with un regalo, the CHiPs season two DVD! Hear what this CHiPs main man and 70's/80's icon is up to...

Tell us a bit about the CHiPs DVD
Erik Estrada: The second season of CHiPs is coming out today [June 3rd] -- a total of 22 episodes. You’re looking at the first Latino to play a positive role model back in the day when there were only three channels [laughs]. I was supposed to be Italian, but when I got the role I convinced the producers that I should be a Hispanic American and we changed it over from Poncherini to Poncherello. That was a good thing. Once I got the role I said ‘You know what, it’s time for a change. It’s time to open the door.’

Coming from Spanish Harlem [NYC], was your accent a problem with the producers since you were playing a California cop?
Erik: Well I went to an acting British Academy here called AMDA and they helped me out. The instructors use to put three or four marbles in my mouth so I can speak properly ‘cause I had a real street New York accent. Very ghetto-ish [laughs].

So no accent problems afterwards?

Erik: No, the only time I had an accent problem was when I went to do my soap opera in Mexico. I lost the ability to read or speak proper Spanish because I lived in the streets here [in NYC]. I didn’t speak it at home anyway, I spoke Spanglish.

How is your Spanish now?
Erik: Oh yea, now I’m very fluent and can read it now. Actually, I was embraced by the Mexican community because they liked me even more when I made the effort to learn the language ‘cause everybody [in Mexico] knew I didn’t speak Spanish.

In CHiPs, did you feel the show glorified your Latin side?
Erik: I didn’t want to specify if Ponch was Ecuadorian, Puerto Rican, etc. We never played on a particular ethnic group; we weren’t trying to do that kind of show.

Do you think Latinos should be portrayed like that?
Erik: Well, I use to be on every show as the bad boy, the stereotypical Hispanic “bro.” I was an arsonist, a criminal, a junkie, a killer -- you name it. When CHiPs came along, I wanted this to be a positive Hispanic role image.

Any updates about the CHiPs movie?
Erik: Yea that movie is happening. Wilmer Valderrama is up for the role of Poncherello and he’ll do a good job. I’d like to see Mark Consuelos get a crack at it though. That’s a good choice, he’d be perfect because he has that personality. I got to know him during the TV movie we did called Husband For Hire and I worked with him for five weeks and he’s got the perfect Ponch character. The personality, everything…he looks like Ponch. Wilmer also is a fine talent; he’ll do a good job.

How is the script?
Erik: The script has to deal with the integrity of the California Highway Patrol or else the movie won’t get the endorsement and support of the CHP because the characters are going to be wearing their uniforms and representing them in the movie. They’re [CHP] not going to allow anything that’s inappropriate to be done that’s representing them in a bad way. They’ll kill whatever script comes along if they don’t like it. They already killed the first one. The movie is still going to happen though, the producers just have to present a script that’s appropriate.

Any Latin stars right now who you’re a fan of?
Erik: Nadine Velazquez! She’s on Earl [My Name Is Earl]. She’s a beauty and absolutely gorgeous. She’s very talented because I’ve seen her do other things other than Earl. Hopefully the show keeps going. We’re both doing a charity on the June 7th in Los Angles called Young Storytellers Foundation and we’re coming to act out a play for the organization. She’s the only Latina that I truly know.

Tags chips, erik estrada, my name is earl, nadine velazquez