Erik Estrada Rides Into ‘My Name Is Earl’

Talk about a nostalgic throwback to the good ol’ days of TV. Original CHiPs man Erik Estrada, better known to some folks as just Ponch, guest stars on the next episode of My Name Is Earl, tomorrow’s “Darnell Outed.” Sadly, however, he won’t be playing a tight-pants-wearing motorcycle cop from Cali.

Instead, Estrada is taking on the role of — surprise! — himself as the host of a fictional new reality show with the catchy name Estrada or Nada. When the program heads to Camden in search of talent, Earl convinces Joy to give it a go, and she proceeds to act like an idiot.

No surprise there, of course, but a big one awaits her husband Darnell in the form of an unexpected telephone call.

Check out a couple of videos for the episode after the jump, the first a behind-the-scenes interview clip featuring Estrada and series star Jason Lee, and the other a five-minute (Wow!) sneak peek at the upcoming action. Look hard and you might recognize another familiar face in the clip, too, especially since American Idol season has just started up again.

FYI: Due to President George Bush’s televised address on Thursday, January 15, at 8pm EST in the United States, My Name Is Earl will air at 8:30pm and Kath & Kim is preempted. There are no scheduled time changes for The Office and 30 Rock, but news coverage could potentially run long. Plan accordingly.

My Name Is Earl airs Thursdays on NBC at 8pm EST.