"Quantum Leap" was an incredible tv show that started in March 1989 and last for 5 seasons. The series starred Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett, a scientist who becomes lost in time following a time travel experiment, temporarily taking the places of other people to 'put right what once went wrong'.
Dean Stockwell co-starred as Al Calavicci, Sam's womanizing, cigar-smoking sidekick and best friend, who appeared as a hologram that only Sam could see and hear. The series featured a mix of comedy, drama, social commentary, nostalgia and science fiction which won it a broad range of fans. One of its trademarks is that at the end of each episode... Sam "leaps" into the setting for the next episode, usually uttering the hilarious "Oh, boy!"
This tv show barely made the 80's, but it such a fav because it kept the 80's tv show feel throughout its run. I've always been fascinated with time travel (BTTF) and this show offered a unique perspective that I truly enjoyed tuning in each week to watch.
Here's the first few episodes to get you started:
Season 1, Episode 1 & 2: Genesis: Part 1 and 2 - September 13, 1956
Original Air Date—26 March 1989
Although the Project Quantum Leap isn't ready yet, Sam Beckett doesn't listen to supercomputer Ziggy, hops into the Accelerator and leaps. As Tom Stratton, an Air Force test pilot about to attempt a dangerous flight. Sam finds his memory Swiss cheesed, with only enough left to know that he is not where or when he belongs. According to Sam's friend and partner Al, who appears to him as a hologram nobody else can see, Al explains that the Project has gone awry and in order to leap out of the pilot's body, Sam must successfully fly the X-2 to Mach 3, which according to historical records, ended in a fatal crash.
Jennifer Runyon ... Peggy Stratton John Allen Nelson ... Capt. Bill 'Bird Dog' Birdell W.K. Stratton ... Dr. Berger Newell Alexander ... John Beckett
Original Air Date—26 March 1989
As Tom Stratton, Sam comforts his (Tom's) wife and prevents her from having a premature birth. This is what he was sent to do, allowing him to leap home (he hopes). But instead of leaping home, he leaps into Tim Fox, a minor league baseball player in Texas at the end of the 1968 season, in the middle of a game, where he must make the winning play in order to leap further. Tim Fox makes a home-run, and Sam leaps into Dr. Gerald Bryant as a college professor in the middle of a class.
Season 1, Episode 3: Star-Crossed - June 15, 1972
Original Air Date—31 March 1989
At a small Ohio college, Sam Beckett is a literature professor who must discourage the amorous advances of a student and finds the woman who left him at the altar. Sam hopes that resolving her conflicts with her father will prevent her from deserting him.
Teri Hatcher ... Donna Eleese Leslie S. Sachs ... Jamie Lee Michael Gregory ... Colonel Wojohowitz Michael McGrady ... Oscar
Season 1, Episode 4: The Right Hand of God - October 24, 1974
Original Air Date—7 April 1989
Sam leaps into a boxer that is owned by a convent of nuns who need him to win a boxing match to finance their new chapel.
Guy Stockwell ... Jake Edwards Michelle Joyner ... Sister Angela Teri Copley ... Dixie
fans?
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
I never cared that much but one of my friends was a fan.
Now that i see who are the co-starring ladies in these first three eps, Runyon, Hatcher & Copley, i wanna buy the dvd set asap Posted by amaranth (Member # 8882) on :
loved this show , was hillarious when he used to leap into a woman. did he ever get home?
Posted by Lovers with Cassie (Member # 7794) on :
quote:Originally posted by amaranth: loved this show , was hillarious when he used to leap into a woman. did he ever get home?
man thats cool a movie would be amazing gawd al looks ancient!
Posted by Pittsburghgirl (Member # 7514) on :
I liked it. Is is on air currently anywhere? We've been watching Voyagers on Sat. evening on RTV. They have great old shows.
Posted by logan5 (Member # 1467) on :
I recall that this replaced 'Moonlighting' re-runs on Wed or Thurs on BBC2 at 21:00. I liked it for the first season or two.
I could be wrong, but I recall hearing that it didn't go down well in the US (at first) but because it was popular in the UK it was recommissioned. I also recall the same thing happening with 'X-Files'.
Posted by 80'sRocked (Member # 6979) on :
Absolutely loved this show and watched every episode. One of my faves....
Posted by Pyromantic (Member # 7658) on :
thinkin it might be about time I bought the last of the seasons of this show..Since I already have seasons 1 and 2...might as well complete it...And this was one of my top favorite shows anyway.
Posted by Pittsburghgirl (Member # 7514) on :
Watched it every week back then. Has it held up well?
Posted by Pittsburghgirl (Member # 7514) on :
I think it’s held up. I’ve seen it once in awhile on one of those channels which shows older shows.
Posted by JCU (Member # 2851) on :
NBC was THE network in the 80's. Amazing Stories, Stingray, Miami Vice, Quantum Leap, V (I think) etc...,
Posted by Pittsburghgirl (Member # 7514) on :
Yes! It seemed as though the head of NBC at the time knew what would be a hit. I think he was Brandon Tartikoff.
Posted by JCU (Member # 2851) on :
ABC was a close second but NBC had such a variety of quality programming. The Cosby Show was solid. SNL was still a must watch show on Saturday night. Like Uncle Rico, if only I go back in time.
Posted by TheHoff (Member # 37515) on :
Anyone watched the reboot?
I tried episode 1 this morning but I'm reserving judgement at the moment, I have a 4 episode rule, if it hasn't grabbed me by then it's history.
The original series was great apart from the ending, I would have preffered Sam getting home to be honest. There was talk of weaving Sam into the reboot but Scott Bakula said he wasn't interested at the time.
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