Facts About "Quantum Leap"

Sam was a pretty cool guy.

Quantum LeapPhoto byCreative Commons: cdrummbks

There seems to be a revival of old TV shows from the 80s. Magnum PI is an example of that trend. I really liked the Tom Selleck version. I’ve never watched the new version. There seemed to be no connection between the old and new version.

Then there’s Quantum Leap. I liked the Scott Bakula version. I haven’t seen the new version, but at least haven’t ruled it out. Now, back to the original Quantum Leap. Here are some things you might not have known about the show.

1: At the end of the original series, Sam had the opportunity to quit leaping, but declined.

While disappointing some fans, it left an opening for the show’s revival.

2: In “The Wrong Stuff — January 24, 1961,” Sam leaped into a chimp’s body.

Well, it could have been worse. He could have leaped into a dung beetle.

3: The show’s creator, Donald Bellisario, was immediately sold on Scott Bakula as Sam Beckett.

That precluded the need to see more actors a leaping.

4: Jennifer Aniston did a guest star appearance in Quantum Leap. She played a volunteer at a rehabilitation center for Vietnam War veterans.

Then her career made a quantum leap. To the movie Leprechaun. Then on to the hit TV series, Friends.

5: Dennis Hopper advised Dean Stockwell not to take the role of Al.

Stockton took the role anyway, which proved to be a good idea. What would a Hopper know about leaping?

6: Stockwell gave Al a bad habit.

It was Stockwell’s idea to have the character smoke cigars. Dean figured it would be a good way to get free cigars. I guess the Al character couldn’t have been swilling on free booze when he talked to Sam.

7: Sam’s catch phrase was, “oh boy.”

“I’ll be back” was already taken.

8: Al is seen by people other than Sam in only nine episodes.

I kind of understand the idea of not being seen by other people. I was recently in a fast-food restaurant and completely ignored. When I was finally acknowledged. I asked if I was invisible. Just checking.

9: Sam leaped into 1957 the most time of any year.

And it wasn’t even a leap year.

10: In some episodes, Sam leaped into a woman’s body.

It really was a case where a man was trapped in a woman’s body.