Trivia / Chico and the Man

• The Cast Showoff: Jack Albertson and Scatman Crothers show off their tap dancing skills in "Sammy Steps In". Freddie Prinze also played guitar in several episodes as well.
• The Character Died with Him: Chico, although not stated until one of the final episodes of the series (when Raul runs away after learning there was a previous "Chico," and Ed yelled at him for getting into his things). The circumstances of Chico's death are never explained.
• Character Outlives Actor: Initially, with Chico, in the final episodes of Season 3; Chico was "away" visiting his father or "on business."
• The Danza: Della Reese as Della Rogers. Also, in the final season, Spanish actress Charo plays Raul's aunt, also named Charo.
• Fake Nationality: Chico was originally Mexican, but was retconned as being half Mexican and half Puerto Rican. Freddie Prinze was actually half Puerto Rican and half German, though he'd claimed to be half Hungarian throughout his lifetime.
• Friday Night Death Slot: Averted in its first three seasons when it had the luxury of airing after Sanford and Son, which was NBC's top show at the time. Played straight in the fourth and final season, after Prinze had died and Sanford had ended its run.
• What Could Have Been:
  • The initial concept of the show was basically a Cheech & Chong sitcom. Creator James Komack was inspired by their "Pedro and Man" sketches and offered starring roles to the duo, which they turned down as they wanted to stick to movies.
  • The show's working title was Spic and Span. In this context "Spic" referred to the Chico character, and "Span" referenced the characters' age span. Executive Meddling forced them to nix the title, as "spic" is a derogatory term for young Latino boys.
• You Look Familiar: Della Reese guest starred as a judge in season 2 before joining the cast the following season.