"Chico's Cousin Pepe" features the sole appearance of blind singing star Jose Feliciano, whose dual themes for CHICO AND THE MAN were as much responsible for its success as Jack Albertson and Freddie Prinze. As Chico's sensational singing cousin Pepe Fernando, he plays a character much like himself, a wealthy performer around the world, who never turns a blind eye to the pretty ladies. Chico's girl Liz Garcia (Jeannie Linero, third of four) is a huge fan, requesting he sing her a song right there in Ed's garage, and he performs his signature version of "Light My Fire," a #3 smash in 1968. Having lost his chauffeur to another employer, Pepe arrives to ask Chico to take over for $300 a week until he leaves for Europe in six months. Liz is determined to progress from her full year as a registered nurse, until she learns about the salary: "where are the keys?" Chico is angry with Ed for suggesting Liz go to Las Vegas as Pepe's driver, but when he makes a pass at her and she rebuffs him, he's not angry but pleased to be treated not as a celebrity but as a man like other guys. As Chico and The Man continue their verbal sparring, Pepe picks up his guitar and soothes the ruffled feathers by performing the show's theme song as the two stars look on, a touching moment to be sure.
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