Topher Grace to Produce a 'CHiPs' Reboot?

It seems the appeal of guys in stretch pants and tight shirts riding motorcycles on the freeways of Los Angeles is timeless.

Apparently there's a new version of the 1970s police drama 'CHiPs' in the works, and while it's still in the early stages of development, there are some relatively big names behind the project.

According to a Deadline report, 'That '70s Show' star Topher Grace will executive produce the reboot -- though he won't be in front of the camera -- and Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton, the creators of 'Numbers,' will write and executive produce.

A 'CHiPs' revival in TV and movie form has been discussed for some time now: WBTV launched an effort eight years ago to bring it back to the small screen, but that effort resulted in just two scripts and no pilot. Talk about a movie version began in 2005 with Wilmer Valderrama (Grace's 'That '70s Show' costar) on board to play Ponch, the role made famous by Erik Estrada on the NBC series, but that front has been quiet for the last year or two as well.

Originally, 'CHiPs,' co-starring Larry Wilcox as Jon, ran from 1977 to 1983. The series blended action with light comedy and followed the lives of two motorcycle police officers of the California Highway Patrol. An updated version could work as well today as it did in the '70s because it tapped into the timeless genre of the buddy picture: two law officers against the Wild West of the L.A. freeways. However, the buddy concept could be too stale at this point -- viewers might just be plain sick and tired of TV show remakes, tight shirts or otherwise.