Down Time
| Down Time | |
| Episode # | 213 |
| Air Date | December 16, 1978 |
| Briefing | Put out an APB for blonde, beautiful burglars. Ponch's prized car is boosted by a cadre of female thieves. |
Brief Plot
Ponch is proud of his newly rebuilt Firebird, but sadly his car gets stolen. Ponch's vacation plans are ruined when a gang of female car thieves steals his newly rebuilt Firebird. Little does Ponch know that his new neighbor is part of the gang that stole his and other vehicles from the Marina area. Jon's wallet is stolen as a relentless streak of bad luck afflicts the duo. Ponch breaks his pinky finger during a police chase. Getarer loses the duty roster. Sindy wants to go on a diet and get married.
Plot
In the morning another motor officer rides out, while Ponch and Jon pull into Central on their bikes, and another squad car just pulls out. While inside the building, Ponch has everybody in the department follow him to the door for a very special surprise outside, and stops his partner Jon who is walking the other way just in time to him turn around in the other direction. Ponch takes everybody outside to show them his surprise which is actually a beautifully rebuilt Trans Am, and has just been freshly repainted Valencia Gold with a brand new bird decal on the hood. Everyone is starting to admire Ponch’s car. Grossie now thinking that it’s a brand new car, and Ponch now reassures him that it’s the same old car. Sindy knows that it’s the burnt out ugly old hulk of junk that Ponch had bought up for $83 a couple of months ago. Ponch knows that Sindy means his car. Grossie knows Ponch had rebuilt it back up himself with a little help from his friends which are Jon and Baricza, and is very impressed with the beautiful work. Sindy knows that Ponch has a extension of an male ego. Ponch has just almost had enough of her female chavisim. Everyone is still admiring Ponch’s car. Grossie now decides to give Ponch a compliment on his car. Sindy now decide to chat with Ponch about his car, and are still unaware that Getraer is coming outside to admire the car himself for a minute. After admiring the car for a minute Getraer now mentions to them about the rules of fair shake, and then changes his mind by wanting everyone to hit the bricks right now in order to do their jobs. Everybody now decides to get going with there day in order to protect the streets free from crime, and Jon puts on his aviator sunglasses. Ponch is still admiring his beautifully rebuilt car, and then eventually decides to take off.
At the end of the day around 5:00 p.m., after Ponch has just finished running some errands, now decides to enjoy his beautiful rebuilt Trans Am by driving back to his apartment alone near the marina. While Ponch is driving into the underground parking garage, and is unaware that his very strange beautiful blonde hair new neighbor has just pull into her parking spot. She is now starting to get out her beautiful brand new Datsun 280Z, and Ponch has just pull into his parking spot. At the same time Ponch now gets out his car, while she now finally gets out her car, and is carrying her bag of groceries for the week. While Ponch is going to get his dry cleaning one minute, all of sudden his beautiful new neighbor has just shown up out in the middle of nowhere, and is now starting to admire his beautiful rebuilt car. Ponch now decides to stop getting his dry cleaning for a minute to look up, and is now starting to admire her very special compliment on his beautiful rebuilt car. After Ponch has taken notice by admiring his beautiful neighbor for a minute, all of sudden it’s very strange because he knows that they haven't met yet, and she now introduces herself as his new neighbor Kim Balford. Kim now let’s Ponch that she had just moved into her new apartment few days ago. Ponch now decides to welcome his new neighbor Kim to the garden spot at the marina, and finally introducing himself by his real name which is actually Frank Poncherello with a recently broken left pinky finger. Ponch now let’s Kim know that he lives in apartment number 127 in case you ever need a cup of sugar or something else. Kim knows that she’ll remember just in case she ever needs something, and is unaware that Ponch is still looking at her walking away.
In the early evening around 6:00 p.m., within an hour after two very strange beautiful blonde haired female car thieves received anonymous phone call from a friend of theirs that lives in the apartment building on a beautifully rebuilt Trans Am that they just need boost right now. Both women finally decide to show up while riding around on a recently stolen Kawasaki KZ200, and are just now inside the apartment's underground parking garage near the marina looking for that certain car to boost. The sandy blonde riding on the back now spots the certain car that’s temporarily inside the usual reserved parking spot, and it turns out to be Ponch‘s beautifully rebuilt Trans Am. The bleach blonde now agrees with sandy blond, then decides to turn around on the motorcycle, and finally comes to a complete stop. The sandy blonde now gets off the back of the motorcycle, and is now starting to break into the car by popping the lock with a slim jim. After finally managing to break into the car by popping the lock with a slim jim, she now gets into the car and uses a slide hammer to yank the ignition lock off while the other one files her beautiful long fingernails, and is keeping a look out for the cops. After starting up the car with a screwdriver, she now decides to back out of the reserved parking spot first, and is now pulling out of the parking garage. After pulling out of the reserved spot inside parking garage, She decides to make a last minute decision to follow the other one out on the motorcycle. The next morning after boosting the Ponch’s beautifully rebuilt car in the underground parking garage, by laying down low in order to get a good night sleep, also followed by a quick shower to freshen up, and a change in clothes. She now drives the recently stolen car down to Al Dubowe Auto Sales, which is actually a local used-car lot that is owned by a friend of theirs, who part is of a big fencing operation, and is also helping them fill the contract on the recently stolen cars. After arriving on the lot, she now gets out of the car, and walks away while the salesman outside puts a sold sign on the car. She now walks over to a Datsun 280Z which is driven by a friend to who turns out be Ponch’s new neighbor Kim. After finally getting in the car with Kim, making sure that there all set, then they start laughing about who they had just ripped off their next victim which turns out be Ponch, and they finally drive off.
Earlier today while sitting on their police motorcycles taking a lunch break at the construction site near the entrance ramp of the Harbor Freeway, where Jon is now starting to get annoyed by Ponch bragging about his beautifully rebuilt Trans Am. Jon now wants to fall asleep unless Ponch changes the subject to anything else besides his beautifully rebuilt Trans Am, and which also includes the Middle East Oil Crisis for an example. Ponch just seem to can’t get off the subject about his beautifully rebuilt Trans Am, now starting to become more annoying by still bragging about his car hitting 60 mph in 8.6 seconds, and wants to make a bet with Jon that he can make it from Tel Aviv to Sussex Canal in less then a hour and a half. While still on their lunch break, Jon still has to listen to Ponch brag about his beautifully rebuilt Trans Am, now suspects that two beautiful blonde haired women are speeding through traffic by cutting off other cars, and entering the ramp while driving around in a all black late 77 Corvette carrying old expire license plates. Ponch just happens to know that they stopped making yellow/black plates about eight years prior, their lunch break is now cut very short when they have to start up there motorcycles, and take off in order to start giving a police pursuit of a recently stolen Corvette by going up the Harbor Freeway entrance ramp. Thinking that the Corvette could be recently stolen, also is carrying a change of temporary expire old license plates, Ponch now agrees to call in the expire license plate numbers of the car, and Jon calls in a 10-4 on his CB radio. Both Ponch and Jon are still giving a police pursuit of a recently stolen Corvette down the Harbor Freeway for couple of miles. The two beautiful blond haired car thieves are now enjoying the police pursuit of Ponch and Jon, and now make a last minute decision to take the Harbor Freeway exit ramp.
While Ponch and Jon are still pursuit to the two beautiful blonde haired car thieves in a recently stolen Corvette that is temporarily carrying old expire license plates driving down the Harbor Freeway exit ramp. After finally getting off the Harbor Freeway by taking the exit ramp, both beautiful blonde haired women are now speeding into the city streets, and at the last minute decide very quickly to turn the corner. Ponch and Jon now have to very quickly turn the corner, both beautiful blonde hair women now at the last minute decide turn into a city parking lot by running over an orange cone, and knocking down a stop guard. The two beautiful blonde hair car thieves now decide to have some fun with Ponch and Jon by driving around in circles inside the city parking lot, and finally manage to drive through the city parking garage. While still driving inside the city parking lot, and are unaware that a group of handicapped Vietnam Veterans that are now in wheel chairing themselves down the city sidewalk. The two beautiful blonde haired car thieves now dangerously approach the group a handicapped Vietnam Veterans trying to well a cross city parking lot exit while still in their wheelchairs. Only one handicapped Vietnam Veteran make it across the exit very quickly in his wheelchair, and the two really crazy beautiful blonde haired car thieves drving a recently stolen Corvette now decide to cut off the rest of the group of handicapped Vietnam Veterans, and their registered male nurse. Ponch now tries to stop very quickly to avoid hitting the group of handicapped Vietnam Veterans, and their register male nurse causing him to accidently be thrown while wiping out on his bike. An injured Ponch is now lying on the ground inside the city parking lot after being thrown from his bike, and is still very unaware that he accidentally broke his left pinky finger in the process.
Jon now manages to come to a full complete stop, finally getting off his motorcycle very safely only to make sure that Ponch who is still lying on the ground inside the city parking lot, and the group of handicapped Vietnam Veterans with their register male nurse are not injured during the recent incident. Jon now helps Ponch get off the ground while still inside the city parking lot, and has to listen to one very angry complaint about the recently stolen Corvette that was being driven by the two really crazy beautiful haired women that could have easily killed someone today from the register male nurse. Jon after taking the report, now give immediate command to the group of handicapped Vietnam Veterans, and their register male nurse to split. Ponch now takes off his left hand glove, and is trying to massage the swelling out of his injured left pinky finger. While Ponch tries to shake off his injury, and Jon now uses the CB radio in order to call in code 4 into central about losing the pursuit. Jon eventually notices that Ponch is trying straighten out the knuckle of his injured left pinky finger, and knows that he was told a lie about not being injured during the incident. Ponch now once again is trying to tell Jon a lie about being perfectly fine, and eventually the truth comes out about him recently injuring his left pinky finger after being thrown from his bike during the incident. Jon knows that he has to take the very stubborn Ponch to the nearest emergency room which is at the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center for his medical injury, and doesn't want to given a hard time today. Ponch is now very upset about his recent injury, and has worried look on his face. After finally escaping police pursuit that given today by Ponch and Jon. The beautiful haired car thieves now decide to slow, and continue to deliver the recently stolen Corvette carrying a temporarily carrying a change of old expire license plates to a car dealer. The two beautiful haired car thieves now decide to get out of the car, and walk into the office building.
While at Central where the contractors are here week, and are starting the remodeling project today by making complete modern updated changes. Baricza now comes in carrying a box, and decides to be a complete idiot for a minute by making a very stupid joke about reporting a missing officers lounge. Getraer is now really crabby mood about starting the remodeling project today, also doesn’t want hear Baricza’s stupid joke today, and wants to be call in on next Tuesday for a good laugh. Baricza continues to ignore Getraer’s really crabby mood today, and finally finishes carrying the box to put on the table where Sindy and Grossie are doing some filing work today. Grossie now sees Jon arriving back from the emergency room with the seriously injured Ponch following right behind him, and decides to be another complete idiot for a minute by announcing their arrival. Sindy now makes a stupid joke about Ponch being the fallen hero that is supposed to being carried out on a shield. Ponch is now embarrassed about his recently broken left pinky finger, and doesn’t want to hear Sindy’s stupid joke today. Baricza now makes another stupid joke about Ponch never playing the piano again. Ponch is very upset, and doesn’t to hear it today. Getraer now wants Ponch come into his office in order to file a medical injury report, and walks out. Ponch and Jon now decide ignore Getraer’s request come into the office, and want to know about the remodeling that going on today. Baricza now gives Ponch and Jon the information about putting in women's locker room. Grossie now gives additional information about the remodeling orders from state office of Sacramento. Sindy thinks it’s another way for women's lib to forward in the workplace. An angry Getraer after being ignored by Ponch's refusal to come into his office in order to file a medical injury report, and now has to yell at him for refusing to listen. An embarrassed Ponch now has to walk out with Getraer and Jon to go file a medical injury report.
Ponch and Jon are now going into Getraer's office in order to file a medical injury report. Getraer now moves the box in order to sit at his desk to file a recent medical injury report about Ponch accidentally breaking his left pinky finger while wiping out on his bike during today‘s police pursuit on the stolen Corvette driven by two beautiful blonde haired car thieves that was temporarily carrying a change of old expire license plates. Getraer now sits at his desk to file a recent medical injury report, and wants see the broken left pinky finger on Ponch’s left hand. Ponch who is now embarrassed about wearing a splint on his broken left pinky finger, and finally to show Getraer his left hand in order file a recent medical report. Getraer who is smiling to keep from laughing by chatting away about Ponch’s recent medical injury about accidentally breaking left pinky finger. Jon now wants Ponch doing a light workload while on desk duty for at least the minimum of one week. Getraer doesn’t want Ponch doing a light workload while on desk duty knowing that half of the regular staff is going to be out in the hallway. Ponch now insists on going back onto the streets while being temporarily assigned another bike, and is willing to make best of it. Getraer now has an even better idea, knowing that Ponch will just be in the way during the remodeling project at Central, and has to move the typewriter in order to pull the file out of the filing cabinet now offering him five days of vacation time that are coming up. Ponch is now surprised about finding out that he has five days vacation time. Getraer now wants Ponch to take his five days of vacation or lose them eventually by next month. Jon now offers to take the five days of vacation time if Ponch does not want it. Ponch now knowing that he going to receive royal treatment for his broken left pinky finger, eventually changes mind about going on vacation by wanting to go into the men’s locker room to change his clothes, and plan out his trip. Ponch knows about usually not receiving royal treatment for his past medical injuries, and walks out of Getraer's office. A few seconds later after Ponch walks out, Getraer now hears his office telephone ringing, he now has to dig threw the boxes in order to find the telephone, and finally answers the very important telephone call from state office in Sacramento.
Ponch is forced to take a checker taxicab to Central. Baricza goes what happened. Grossie asks Ponch if he is into rebuilding cabs. Ponch ignoes both Grossie and Baricza by snubing both of them a fake smile, and now decides to go inside the building. Getraer is supervising the movers so they don't damage the doors. Ponch goes to Getraer who tells Ponch that it has to wait. Ponch tells Getraer that his car has been stolen. Getraer tells the movers to move the desk.
Ponch goes inside to the men's locker room to tell Jon. Jon is talking is about his stolen wallet, which also includes his drivens, credit cards, oil company card, social security card, medical plan card. Ponch tells Jon that his car was stolen. Jon asks Ponch if he had filed a report. Ponch tells Jon of course, and that he had a black/white out there within five minutes. Jon complains that he had also lost his medical plan card. Ponch goes I don't believe this, and walks out of the locker room.
Ponch is on the office phone calling the insurance company asking to speak to his insurance agent Max Kinneman. Jon walks into the office while Ponch is still on the phone giving a message to Kinneman's assistant telling him to call Officer Poncherello at CHP. Ponch hangs up the phone. Jon apologizes to Ponch for being wrap up in his own selfish world, and mentions about how Ponch's car that just didn't sink in to his head. Ponch mentions about some time. Getraer walks to go hey you guys, and mentions that I'm running a social club here now walks off. Ponch mentions that the man is all heart. Getraer walks in again and tells Ponch that he had just expedited his stolen car report in the teletype and will make it a special item at the next briefing. Ponch thanks Getraer who asks Ponch to go home and relax for those who are working.
Ponch now stops Sindy. Sindy thought Ponch was on his way to San Francisco. Ponch goes me too until my car had got ripped off. Sindy goes oh no. Ponch tells Sindy that I'm indeed of some wheels fast can I borrow yours. Sindy goes I don't know can you ride a bike. Jon is looking at Sindy. Sindy goes real rotten timing sure keep it as long as you like, and I can always bum a ride. Ponch says Thank You. Sindy mentions bye, and walks off. Jon asks Ponch about where he is going. Ponch mentions where else Auto Theft, and Jon so help I'm going to that car back as the last I do, and walks off.
A patrol car drives by Central's Auto Theft Division. A detective goes to Bill Ross's desk to get a detail hot sheet to bust Fast Hand Freddie with hot parts at the Orange County Swap Meet. Ponch walks in and tells everyone that he's in the wrong place because he had heard that there were some real hard people there. Bill greets Ponch by referring to him as son of a gun, and asks how his tire jockey is doing. Ponch mentions that he is on vacation by real popular demand and shows Bill his broken pinky finger. Bill asks how that happened. Ponch explains to Bill that he was practicing slides on his bike and forgot to get off. Bill apologizes to Ponch and offers to buy him a cup of coffee and Ponch accepts the offer. Bill asks Ponch what he is doing down there if he is on vacation. Ponch mentions that he came to help. Bills asks who he is there to help. Ponch says that he is there to help Bill find a car. Bill asks how that happened. Ponch mentions that sometime last night or this morning down at the marina. Bill finds it interesting that it occurred at the marina. Bill says that the marina is the worst, and that they are losing 6 to 8 high performance jobs a day down there. Ponch asks Bill if he figures that it's organized. Bill mentions that, except for a few joyriders, there is major ring working the marina, and the only trouble is that they keep coming up empty. Ponch mentions that it's all going to change now that he is at their service. Bill asks who? Ponch says Bill please I got my life blood into that car. Bill asks Ponch to back off and give him a little room to see what he can come up with. Ponch implores Bill and offers his services free of charge if Bill will just point him in the right direction. Bill points straight ahead at the door. Ponch tells Bill he can't do this to an old buddy. Bill tells Ponch that if he wants to help he should check out his neighbors because they might have seen something. Ponch walks off.
Ponch goes to Kim's apartment where there's music playing and knocks on the door. Kim asks who is at the door and Ponch responds that it is her neighbor, Frank Poncherello. Kim tells Ponch that the door is open. Ponch walks in and closes the door while mentioning that Kim shouldn't leave her door unlocked. Kim tells Ponch that they don't worry about thing like that in Minnesota. Ponch sees Kim doing yoga.
Great Quote
"That Baloney" - Ponch
Guest Stars
- Burr DeBenning as Bill Ross
- Randi Oakes as Kim Balford
Also Starring
- Brianne Leary as Sindy
- Brodie Greer as Baricza
- Paul Linke as Grossman
- Susan Kiger as Brandy
- Deborah Zon as Melodie Fisher
- Cynthia Brian as Teller
Featuring
- Barry Cahill as Max Kinneman
- John Hart as Boat Owner
- Alfred Dennis as Companion #1
- Art Lewis as Companion #2
- Norman Mont-Eton as Oscar
Crew
- Produced by: Cy Chermak
- Written by: Richard B. Mittleman
- Directed by: John Florea
- Executive Consultant: Rick Rosner
- Story Editors: William D. Gordon & James Doherty
- Associate Producers: Wm. L. Young and Paul Rabwin
- Developed for television by: Paul Playdon
- Music by: Alan Silvestri
- Theme by: John Parker
- Music Supervisor: Harry V. Lojewski
- Director of Photography: Robert F. Sparks
- Art Director: Joseph M. Altadonna
- Editor: William Neel
- Unit Production Manager: Thom Anable
- Assistant Director: Richard Schor
- 2nd Assistant Director: Mary Lou Maclaury
- Script Supervisor: Jack Gannon
- Set Decorator: W. Joseph Kroesser
- Production Consultant: Bob Hayden
- Technical Advisor: Dick Barton
- Sound: Robert Sheridan & Hal Watkins, C.A.S.
- Stunt Co-ordinator: Paul Nuckles
- Wardrobe Supervisor: Shelly Levine
- Makeup: John M. Norin
- Casting: Michael O. Hanks
- Locations by: Cinemobile Systems
- With Appreciation to Glen B. Craig, Commissioner California Highway Patrol
- Motorcycles Furnished by: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
- Automobiles furnished by: Ford Motor Company
- Filmed in METROCOLOR / Titles and Opticals MGM
- Rosner Television in association with MGM Television
Fun Facts
- The first time that Ponch had finished his newly rebuilt Firebird it had a Trans Am bird on the hood.
- Kim Balford is played by Randi Oakes who would later play Bonnie Clark in seasons 3 through 5 of the show.
- Susan Kiger, who plays Brandy was Playboy's Playmate of the Month for January 1977.
- Ponch's original interior inside the car was black leather.
- Ponch's original factory mags were charcoal Z28 Rally Wheels.
- Ponch's car was the left over movie car from the film Corvette Summer.
- Ponch's car is a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.
- Ponch's car has a second lower side vent exclusive to 1971 Formulas.
- Ponch's interior includes high back bucket seats.
- Ponch's car exterior also includes Trans Am Fender extenders, Trans Am air extractors, and a rear top spoiler.
- Ponch's license plate is 033 PCE.
- Ponch's car was also driven Joey Aresco's character Niles in the first season episode Crack-Up, although Joey doesn't appear in this episode.
- When Jon drives Ponch home, we see Jon's truck at the intersection of Adams Blvd. and Arlington Ave. View in Google Maps
- Kim lives in Apartment 217.
- Al Dubowe's Auto Sales was at the intersection of La Cienega Ave. and Washington Blvd. in Culver City.
- The truck loaded with cars passes Davis Bros. Tires located at 5931 Washington Blvd. in Culver City.
- The ambulance is actually the 1968 Ford Econoline left over from the episode High Explosive.
Mistakes
- Jon actually mentions that the 1978 Chevrolet Corvette C3 is a 1977 model.
- When Ponch introduces himself to Kim his pinky finger is broken, but this does not happen until later when he wrecks while they are chasing the Corvette.
- When the Corvette approaches the group in wheelchairs, the first guy in a wheelchair is nearly across the parking lot exit when we see the Corvette approach. When the shot cuts to the interior of the Corvette, he has just begun to cross the exit.
- When Kim runs into Ponch and Jon having lunch, she refers to him as 'Ponch' although he has only introduced himself as Frank Poncherello. Why wouldn't she call him Frank or Officer Poncherello?
- The scene where Ponch shows the department his newly rebuilt 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, and middle scene where Melodie and Brandy steal his car are at the beginning.
- While sitting in the Lincoln, Kim refers to "the talkative one to the left, happens to be a cop looking for a stolen car, his stolen car" ; however, Jon was to their left, not Ponch.
- Before Grossman pursues Kim and Melodie in the Lincoln, we see traffic moving behind him in close-up shots; however, when he begins pursuit, there is no traffic--everyone is stopped at the light.
- When Kim and Melodie ditch the Lincoln, it seems as though they went into the water in with the car; however, the car is empty as it leaves the pier.
- A network censor apparently missed Melodie's bikini top.
- The car that Kim and Melodie are being chased by Grossman in changes license plates. They start out dark in colour with yellow lettering. As it plunges into the water, the plates change to yellow with dark lettering.
- Melodie's clothes change from a brown tight sweater and slack to blouse and jeans in between stealing Ponch's car and delivering it.
- Whomever painted Ponch's Firebird did a fantastic job on it. They painted the grills, headlight buckets, and all of the chrome window trim as well.
- When Jon is giving Ponch a ride home in his pick-up, he makes a right on red without making a full and complete stop. The cross traffic light has just gone to yellow.
- When the Firebird rolls over during the final pursuit, the fuel tank has been removed. Also, the left rear tire appears to be completely bald (or a racing slick).
Buy this episode
- Down Time on DVD at Amazon.com
| Preceded by: "High Explosive" |
Down Time 213 |
Followed by: "Repo Man" |