1 9 8 8 (USA)
3 x 30 minute episodes
This ill-fated CBS Tuesday-night sitcom about two Latino roommates living in Los Angeles was co-created by Tommy Chong of “Cheech and Chong” fame, who also acted as Executive Producer.
Chong originally conceived the idea of an up-and-coming Latino attorney who still lived at home with his parents, and called it The Family Martinez. CBS liked the idea of the lawyer but wanted the show recast and changed to a buddy show, which then became Amigos – eventually renamed Trial and Error.
Straight-laced lawyer John Hernandez (Eddie Velez) was the only Hispanic at his prestigious law firm (Kittle, Barnes, Fletcher & Gray) having smoothed out his barrio edges, while his childhood friend and roommate Tony Rivera (Paul Rodriguez) was wily and streetwise and sold T-shirts to tourists at the Olvera Street market in in downtown LA.
The two were as mis-matched as Oscar and Felix in The Odd Couple or Balki and Larry in Perfect Strangers.
John’s boss was Edmund Kittle (Stephen Elliott) and Rhonda (Debbie Shapiro) was his secretary. John de Lancie appeared as Bob Adams (one of John’s co-workers) and Susan Saldivar as Lisa.
Although eight episodes were produced, Trial and Error was cancelled after only three episodes aired following terminally low ratings. The unaired episodes were eventually broadcast mid-summer to plug holes in the CBS schedule.
John Hernandez
Eddie Velez
Tony Rivera
Paul Rodriguez
Edmund Kittle
Stephen Elliott
Rhonda
Debbie Shapiro
Bob Adams
John de Lancie
Lisa
Susan Saldivar