Quantum Leap (1989–1993)

Scientist Sam Beckett finds himself trapped in time--"leaping" into the body of a different person in a different time period each week.

Creator:

Donald P. Bellisario

Stars:

Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, Dennis Wolfberg

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 15 wins & 38 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Scott Bakula	...	Dr. Sam Beckett (97 episodes, 1989-1993)
Dean Stockwell	...	Admiral Al Calavicci (97 episodes, 1989-1993)

Storyline

Doctor Sam Beckett led a group of top scientists into the desert to research his theory that a man could time travel within his own lifetime. Unfortunately, in order to save his funding, he was forced to enter the accelerator prematurely and vanished. He then found himself in someone else's body with partial amnesia. His only contact from home is Al, a holographic image only he can see and hear. Setting right things which once went wrong, Sam leaps from life to life, hoping each time that this is the final leap home.

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Plot Keywords:

time travel | amnesia | hologram | astronaut | hyperspace | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Family | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 March 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

A través del tiempo

Filming Locations:

Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Belisarius Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (97 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the episode "Catch a Falling Star - May 21, 1979" Ernie Sabella plays Manny who in "Man of La Mancha" plays Sancho Panza. Many years later Sabella played the role of Sancho in the Broadway revival of the show.

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Goofs

For the famous "mirror reflections" in which Sam sees who he leaps into, the series used the old trick of a dual set with a clear glass in the "mirror". Scott Bakula would stand on one side and the actor playing the person he leaped into on the other. If you look really close at the glass, you can see sometimes Scott Bakula's reflection. (Especially if the mirror is near a source of light like sunshine).

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Quotes

Al: If we knew the unknown, the unknown wouldn't be unknown.

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Connections

Referenced in The Late Shift (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Quantum Leap Main Title"
Written by Mike Post
Courtesy of Music Corp. of America (BMI)

User Reviews

Basic Sci-Fi or dramatised sociology?

I have to admit I may be a little biased as I've always had a soft spot for this programme. I recall watching the pilot when it was originally aired in the UK (1990 I think?) and remember, even then, being transfixed by the subsequent weekly 'leaps' of its main character, Dr. Sam Beckett.

I always thought it was more than just a Sci-fi/ comedic drama as, at times, it was incredibly insightful. The concept was completely innovative and didn't rely to heavily on expensive effects to convey the belief of time travel.

Sam's holographic sidekick Al Calavici (played by Dean Stockwell) provided an above average level of humour, making the viewer laugh out loud at issues which some would consider untouchable (his remark of 'bigot in a moo-moo' regarding one very ample character's racist comments being an example!)

There appeared to be no subject to dangerous to touch and that was what made the programme so engrossing. By examining key issues that could have affected anyone (sexual harassment, racism and teenage pregnancy to name a few), the viewer could not help but be drawn into a theoretical discussion as to the rights and wrongs of each subject.

I could go on but all I can add is that I highly recommend this T.V classic to newcomers as, once you've seen it, you will become as hooked as the millions of other devotees out there!