CHiPs Rock Devil Rock (1977–1983) Online
- Original Title :
- Rock Devil Rock
- Genre :
- TV Episode / Crime / Drama / Mystery
- Year :
- 1977–1983
- Directror :
- John Astin
- Cast :
- Erik Estrada,Tom Reilly,Robert Pine
- Writer :
- Larry Mollin,Rick Rosner
- Type :
- TV Episode
- Time :
- 1h
- Rating :
- 7.5/10
The show opens at the concert of a goth rock star named Moloch, who is performing his new song, "Devil Take Me." Ponch and Hot Dog are hired to escort him to his concerts in the area (as well as keep the press and protesters away). As Moloch leaves the concert in his hearse (decorated with demonic pictures and the number 666), a mysterious voice comes over the car's tape player, "Moloch Must Die!" Moloch is freaked out, but then sees that he's lost his brakes and that the steering mechanism has also been severed, leaving him a sitting duck in a car that quickly goes out of control. As the car quickly fills with toxic smoke, Ponch and Hot Dog see what is happening and rescue Moloch just in time. Moloch -- who off-stage is Mickey Northagen -- is spooked and wants to know what's going on. His manager, Vincent, seems concerned as well, but the officers are skeptical because when the tape is played, no one can hear the mysterious, demonic messages calling for Moloch's death. Meanwhile, ...
| Episode cast overview, first billed only: | |||
 | Erik Estrada | - | Officer Frank Poncherello |
 | Tom Reilly | - | Officer Bobby 'Hot Dog' Nelson |
 | Robert Pine | - | Sgt. Joseph Getraer |
 | Paul Linke | - | Officer Arthur Grossman |
 | Lou Wagner | - | Harlan Arliss |
 | Peter Marshall | - | Vincent |
 | Don Most | - | Moloch (as Donald Most) |
 | Cassandra Peterson | - | Elvira |
| Tina Gayle | - | Officer Kathy Linahan |
| Bob Frank | - | Rock Critic |
 | Clarence Gilyard Jr. | - | Officer Benjamin Webster |
 | Daniel Zacapa | - | Technician (as Garret Pearson) |
 | Lisa Pescia | - | Photographer |
| Belle Richter | - | Grandmother |
 | Robert Trujillo | - | Flippy (as Roberto Trujillo) |
Under the name Roberto Trujillo, the character 'Flippy' was played by now current Metallica bass player Robert Trujillo.
Elvira, played by Cassandra Peterson, wore a more conservative costume than normal due to CHiPs airing during prime time.
Moloch was clearly modeled after Gene Simmons of the rock band KISS. Members of his backing band can be seen wearing KISS inspired make up and costuming as well.
This Halloween themed episode was originally broadcast on Halloween night.
The choice of "Moloch" as the singer's name was an allusion to ancient Israel, where one of the pagan gods people worshiped was called Moloch. It was the custom there for people to sacrifice their young children to it.
At the end of the episode is a costume party with all the cast present in costumes. Unknowingly, the costume department in 1982 was able to foreshadow the future by dressing Officer Ben Webster, portrayed by Clarence Gilyard, Jr., in costume as what appears to be The Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger character was a former Texas Ranger. Gilyard would go on in 1993, over 10 years later, to take on the role of another Texas Ranger, James Trivette, Chuck Norris' Ranger partner, on Walker, Texas Ranger.
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