Dreamwatch #100 | January 2003 ::.::.:..

Long Jump Home

Dreamwatch #100, January 2003

1989 saw SCOTT BAKULA embarking on a tour of the past, present and future in the sci-fi drama series QUANTUM LEAP

Words: Sharon Gosling
Interviewer: Jenny Cooney Carrillo



Quantum Leap ran for five years from 1989, amassing an army of fans and providing star Scott Bakula with a home away from home as the displaced Dr. Sam Beckett. The series opened with Sam becoming trapped in his own experiment--Project Quantum Leap--which was originally supposed to prove the positive possibilities associated with time travel. Unfortunately, a glitch saw Sam 'becoming' a 1950's test pilot, and unable to "Leap" until he "puts right what went wrong" in the pilot's life. From there, Sam embarked on a series of Leaps through other people's lives, while always trying to find his way home.

Sam's sidekick on his otherwise lonely journey (give or take the odd fling) was Admiral Al Calavicci, played by Dean Stockwell. Appearing as a hologram only Sam could see or hear, Al relayed helpful information from the super-computer Ziggy back at the project's headquarters, and also helped Sam discover whatever it was he was meant to do on a particular Leap.

Although he has since moved on to other things--the most notable of which being his role as Captain Jonathan Archer on the Star Trek franchise's latest offering, Enterprise--Scott Bakula nonetheless still looks back on Quantum Leap with enduring fondness. One of the advantages of the show was it's frequent change of scenery--Sam's constant Leaping allowed the actor to explore far more situations than the average television show. He also got to work with new co-stars each week, some of which cut their teeth on Quantum Leap and then went on to greater things--like, for instance, the very young Jennifer Aniston, who guest stared in the fifth season episode Nowhere to Run.

Memory Lane
For Bakula, though, the highlight of his time on the show concerns his co-star on the series. "My fondest memories are of the time I spent with Dean Stockwell," he intimates, remembering the long days they spent shooting together. He is also grateful that his friendship with the actor meant that in his latest incarnation, Bakula has been able to work with Stockwell again. "We had a great opportunity last year on Enterprise," he explains. "He came and did a guest role on the show, which was the first thing we had done together since Quantum Leap." That was the first season episode Detained, in which Stockwell's good-guy image was reversed as he played a villain opposite the virtuous Captain Archer.
Unlike his new character in the Star Trek universe, Bakula could never predict what sort of person his alter ego would Leap into. It is to the effect of this ever-changing persona that Bakula in part attributes Quantum Leaps, continued popularity. "The great thing about that show is that I am still running into people that want to talk about a particular episode," he enthuses, noting there are still certain episodes that still stir the viewer's memories more than others. "The other day somebody was talking to me about the episode with the research chimp," says Bakula as an example, referring to The Wrong Stuff, in which Sam Leaps into the body of a caged animal. "For me, [it] was a week in a diaper! It still holds up, it still has something to say, and people still get it."

Back to the Future?
Quantum Leap's popularity has not been diminished in the intervening years--as Bakula himself acknowledges: "Now, of course, I am getting kids who say they just saw this new show, and it's not so new!" The US Sci Fi Channel also seems convinced of the show's enduring appeal, announcing earlier this year [2002] that it is working on a two-hour TV movie based on the show which it hopes will serve as a back-door pilot for a possible series. The creator of the original show, Donald P. Bellisario, will return as the executive producer, but, given Bakula's own commitments to Enterprise, it's unlikely that fans will see him reprising his role as Sam Beckett. Nevertheless, this disappointment does little to dull his affection for Quantum Leap, as he says with a smile, "I have great memories!"

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From Deamwatch's 100 Greatest Moments in Science Fiction and Fantasy (taken from issue 100, January 2003)
45. Quantum Leap
Sam saves Al's First Marriage
Let's face it--it was just as well he did. There can't have been many more women to take Al on as a husband! One of the most touching and memorable moments of the show as Dr. Beckett sacrifices his one chance to go home to save his friend.
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From Dreamwatch issue 100, January 2003.
Article: T'Pol Star an interview with Jolene Blalock.
Words: Jenny Cooney Carrillo
DW: What's it like working with Scott Bakula?
JB: Where to begin? As a young actress I feel really fortunate, very lucky. The other day a guest actor who I'm working with turned to me said how lucky I was. I hear everything. I notice everything. I know where everyone is. [I have] the perception of the ins and outs of working in front of the camera, and this actor asked me where it all came from. I told him it was Scott. He'been an incredible mentor for me. I just watch him. I soak it up, like a sponge. Everyday he comes to work and he's this let's-do-it attitude and he's ready to great. He's an incredible leader in evey aspect of the word; just amazing.