Chico and the Man (TV Series) Too Many Crooks (1976) User Reviews

Joey Bishop and Harvey Lembeck

[kevinolzak · 7/10 · 19 July 2016]

"Too Many Crooks" guest stars Joey Bishop, fellow Rat Pack buddy of Sammy Davis Jr., playing inept holdup man Charlie, a failure at everything he's tried in life, and a former insult comic. Ed is quite willing to give him a $20 and send him on his way, but the arrival of Officer Francis X. Harroway (Harvey Lembeck) puts Charlie back in the hot seat, he and his toy gun coupled with the money all that Harroway needs to make the arrest. When Ed refuses to press charges, a reporter at the local police station publishes a story in the paper proclaiming Ed Brown a philanthropist, which invites every derelict in the neighborhood to play stick up, all treated to coffee, sandwiches, and conversation from a trusting Chico. Officer Harroway sees the many derelicts on the premises and threatens a citation if Ed doesn't get them out within a half hour. That's when Charlie drops by to thank the charitable Mr. Brown with news of incredible good fortune, winnings at the track, and new employment in his chosen field of comedy, but only Chico in a nylon stocking can save Ed Brown from himself. Jacquelyn Hyde, later seen in "Chico Packs His Bags," earns several good barbs as a 'lady' who wants to write her phone number on Ed's bathroom wall, while tiny Billy Barty cameos at the very end: "stick 'em up! I hate to do this but I'm a little short!"

Joey Bishop and Jaquelyn Hyde

[elbertmarti · 8/10 · 2 June 2021]

This episode was made so much better, by the addition of Joey and Jaquelyn Joey's "one liners" and insults in the garage, to members of the gang that had entered there, were classic, and very reminiscent of his routines on the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts! Jaquelyn's presence helped add a little something extra. Her response to Chico's command to put all her valuables on the table, when he was masquerading as the Stocking Bandit was priceless! This is one of the episodes I remember watching this episode as a kid in th 70s and it was one of my favorites! Three others were from this same season; "The Hypnotist," "Reverend Bemis' Altar Ego" and "Chico's Cousin Pepe." The only thing that could have made it better would have been to have more Joey in it!