Episode
Adopted By: Xeen Additional
info provided By: Brian Greene
Synopsis:
Sam
finds himself in a fraternity with the nickname "Wild Thing" and is
informed by Al that he is there to prevent a student from setting
an explosion that kills someone on campus in protest of the
Vietnam War.
Regional
titles:
Germany: Make love not war
France: Le sauvage
Italy: La Confraternita degli Animali
TV Guide Synopsis: When
Sam leaps to 1968 as the wildest brother on frat row, he must prevent
an antiwar radical from making the fatal mistake of blowing up the
chemistry building. Duck: Darren Dalton. Will: Raphael Sbarge. Guna:
Brian Haley. Sam: Scott Bakula.
Broadcast
Date (in the USA on
NBC):
January 3, 1990 - Wednesday
Air
Date in Germany on RTL: April 19,1991
Air Date in France on M6: October 20, 1993
Synopsis & Review:
After
nearly drowning in Claridge Lake, Sam nearly drowns again, this time
from leaping into the middle of his host's beer chugging session. Sam
has leapt into Knut “Wild Thing” Wileton (the leapee Knut is played by
Jeff Benson), the head of the “Tau Kappa Beta” (TKB) fraternity in
1967, during one of their many parties. After immediately being vomited
on, Sam finds his room, kicks two sexy ladies out of his bed, and tries
to get some sleep.
The next morning, Sam is extremely frustrated, because his frat-mates
pass the time by propelling water balloons from the chemistry
classroom's window using a slingshot they made out of surgical tubing.
Al arrives and compliments their handiwork, saying it was better than
what he used when he was in college, and has fun reminiscing. Outside,
a stall has been set up with Vietnam War protesters handing out fliers.
Al informs Sam that he is there to help Elizabeth Spokane (Stacy
Edwards) – a classmate of Wild Thing's, one of the protesters and an
unfortunate victim of the water balloon slingshot. Al informs Sam that
in two night's time, she sets off a bomb in the chemistry building as
an act of protest against the war – the university supports the war
effort. The building was supposed to be empty, but a student had snuck
in to study and was killed in the blast. Elizabeth spends the rest of
her life underground and on the run.
Sam goes down to apologize to Elizabeth for the water balloon and
invites her to the TKB luau the next night – by Sam's logic, Elizabeth
can't set off a bomb if she's not there. Elizabeth declines, so Sam
offers to help distribute flyers and go to their rally, but is met with
a rebuff by their leader, Duck (Darren Dalton), who believes that Sam
only wants Elizabeth for her body. Sam counters that Duck wouldn't
refuse anyone's help if he were serious about ending the war. Duck
realizes that Sam is right and notes that Wild Thing isn't as dumb as
he looks and that deceptively smart people like him need to be kept in
check, which Duck promises to do.
In chemistry class, Elizabeth interrupts the lecturer and begins a
debate, asking him to justify the college's stance supporting an
illegal and inhumane war. The lecturer tries to deflect the question,
but it's Sam who manages to defuse the debate by saying that what
matters is what the South Vietnamese want and that America should take
its cue from them. After class, Sam and Elizabeth have a chat,
Elizabeth warms up to Sam and she agrees to go to the luau. That is,
until Scooter (Robert Petkoff), a pledge for the TKB frat arrives to
show Sam that he was following the TKB initiation instructions Wild
Thing set – wearing his underwear on the outside and carrying a lot of
hot dog meat to distract the Dean's dog while he steals the Dean's
prized signed basketball.
Disgusted by Wild Thing's abuse of Scooter, Elizabeth tries to leave,
but Sam tries to talk some sense into her, saying that men have evolved
so they don't need to hunt anymore, but still need a way to vent their
excess testosterone. Elizabeth leaves anyway. Al, who's been listening
to Sam, suggests that Sam take his own advice and just try to enjoy
himself. Since he can't stand the fraternity's childish antics, Sam
worries that he doesn't know how to have fun, but Al says that fun is a
relative term - he calls Sam's situation “between funs”, so Sam should
just go with it and then he'll leap out and never have to do antics
like that again.
Back at the frat house, one of Wild Thing's friends is making a prank
call to campus security about a bomb in the chemistry building. Some of
the others are trying to study for a chemistry exam, but come to the
conclusion they're going to fail. Sam, however, solves a difficult
problem in his head, which starts a chorus of “Wild Thing, I think I
love you!” and they make a plan to just cheat off Sam. Sam refuses, so
instead the boys decide to just do something stupid and pointless –
flushing cherry bombs in the girls’ toilets. Sam, who has never done
anything like this before, because at college he was a “meganerd”, has
as much fun as Al who watches, but unfortunately Elizabeth notices him
as he escapes.
At the rally, Duck makes a passionate speech about needing to make
their voices heard, even if it means taking up arms against the
government if they refuse to listen. Sam is the only one unimpressed,
and wonders what Elizabeth sees in him. Al thinks it's partly because
of his silver tongue and partly because of the Assembly's collective
guilt at being able to afford college and not having to be on the
battlefield. Sam tries to convince Elizabeth that if they use violence
then they are just as guilty, and advises using publicity instead, as
the pen is mightier than the sword. Duck again tries to get rid of Sam,
claiming that Sam doesn't care about stopping the war. This upsets Sam,
who reveals that he lost a brother in Vietnam. Elizabeth now feels
sorry for Sam and agrees to go to the luau with him.
At the luau, Elizabeth makes a comment about Sam being right about
needing to cause publicity, and that the TKB boys blowing up the
toilets gave them an idea. Al tells Sam that the bomb is still going
off, so Elizabeth must have put a timer on it. The boys also tell Sam
that since he wouldn't let them cheat off him, they sent Scooter to get
the exam. Realizing that Scooter is still in danger, Sam tries to call
campus security about the bomb, but they think it's another prank, so
Sam and Elizabeth try to save Scooter themselves. They are followed by
the frat boys, having found Scooter who chickened out of trying to get
the test.
In the chemistry classroom, Elizabeth shows Sam where she hid the bomb,
and Al tells them how to defuse it. They are successful, but Ziggy
tells Al that they are still going to die in the blast. They realize
there's a second bomb. Luckily, Duck is nearby, having arrived to view
his handiwork. Sam beats Duck up and stops him from leaving. Thinking
he is about to die, Duck reveals the location of the second bomb.
Without any time to defuse it, Sam has his frat-mates build the
slingshot, and propel the bomb out the window, giving a “Bitchin!”
explosion in the air and saving everyone in the building.
Back at the luau, Sam comforts Elizabeth, who is distraught from how
close her actions came to killing so many people, saying she just went
a little overboard and that she shouldn't try so hard to please her
parents. Al informs Sam that Elizabeth remains an active protester, and
her actions help stop the war. The last thing Sam has to do before
leaping is to officially start the TKB luau celebrations, and at the
last minute, he is lifted by a crane to do a dive into the pool. Al
tells Sam not to mess up, as in the original history, Wild Thing broke
his neck and was left paralyzed. Sam reluctantly jumps, and lands in
the pool safely. With a final “TKB is the life for me!” Sam leaps. Source
Personal
review by Xeen:
A comical episode, despite the seriousness of the background story
(Vietnam war, death of a student). Sam must put aside beer and women
and go against his fellow frat members to prevent the blowing up of the
lab.
Starting with this episode, the ending credits will feature a summary
of the show.
Music:
"Louie, Louie" by The Kingsmen
"Surf City" by Jan and Dean)
"La Bamba" by Richie Valens
"I Can't Help Myself" by The Four Tops
"Wild Thing" by The Troggs
Project
Trivia:
Al is seated next to Sam. Is there a chair in the imaging
chamber?
He
was 16 when he was in College. He had fun theorizing on Quantum Theory
at the time.
Sam is able to calculate complicated algebra in
his head rapidly.
Al
Trivia:
Al's favorite occupation in College was to get to the girls' dorm and
throw water bombs using a tyre.
Al's
Outfits Worn in the Episode:
* Black jacket, green shirt, dark slacks, lighting pin, white and black
tie, belt with shiny buckle, white shoes.
*
Black vest, orange shirt, reddish tie, white slacks, golden shoes
Al's Women: Al likes
Elizabeth!
Miscellaneous
Trivia: The episode title came from the movie "National
Lampoon's Animal House", also about a fraternity.
Written on Knut's door : "Wild Thing lives here.
Trespassers will be
eaten".
Kiss
With History :
On October 20, several hundred people marched to the Justice Department
in Washington DC to turn in a thousand draft cards. On October 21,
thousands of people demonstrate against the Vietnam war in Washington
DC. The coordinator was Jerry Rubin (co-founder with Abbie Hoffman of
the anarchist radical 'Youth International Party'). Sam Beckett refers
to Hoffman in the show.
Regular Cast:
Scott Bakula as Sam Beckett
Dean Stockwell as the Rear Admiral Albert Calavicci, aka Al, the
observer
Guest
Cast:
Stacy Edwards as Elisabeth Spokane
Raphael Sbarge as Will
Darren Dalton as Duck
Brian Haley as Guna
Stuart Fratkin as Hags
Robert Petkoff as Scooter
Edward Edwards as Professor Davenport
Jacqueline Citron as Emily
Kristen Citron as Cindy
Hope Marie Carlton as Woman #1
Shannon Terhune as Woman #2
Michael Giambrone as Frat Boy
Brian Leckner as Frat boy
David Pressman as Frat boy
Jeff Benson as Knut "Wild Thing" Wileton (Mirror image)
Stacy Edwards as Elisabeth Spokane: Edwards
was born in Glasgow, Montana, the daughter of an Air Force officer, and
grew up all over the world, from Guam to Alabama. At 18, she received a
scholarship to the Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago andbegan her performance career as a dancer and actress.
Raphael Sbarge as Will: Raphael
Sbarge has been a working actor for more than five decades. Growing up
in New York City's Lower East Side, Raphael began working on Sesame
Street (1969) at the age of four. His did his first Broadway show at
16, opposite Faye Dunaway and his first big film, Risky Business (1983)
starring Tom Cruise, as he was graduating high school at 18. His
mother, Jeanne Button, was a Broadway costume designer and his father,
Stephen Sbarge, was an artist, photographer, and documentary filmmaker.
He has performed in theaters all over the country, including at Yale
Rep, Long Wharf, Mark Taper, and Kennedy Center. He has performed on
stage with Al Pacino, Frank Langella, Gwyneth Paltrow, as well Jason
Robards and Colleen Dewhurst in the Bway revival of Ah, Wilderness.
He has been in many successful films, including Independence Day (1996)
with Will Smith, Pearl Harbor (2001) with Ben Affleck and the cult
classic Carnosaur (1993) for Roger Corman. He will be in the new
Universal/Blumhouse film, The Exorcist: Believer (2023), with Ellen
Burstyn, Jennifer Nettles, Leslie Odom Jr. and Ann Dowd which opens on
Friday, October 13th, 2023.
Raphael's resume includes more than 100 guest appearances and series
regular roles on network television shows, including the long-running
ABC hit Once Upon a Time (2011) as Dr Hopper, Stephen Bochco's Murder
in the First (2014) for TNT, and The Guardian with Simon Baker, for
CBS. He has recurred on many series including Star Trek: Voyager
(1995), Dexter (2006), Prison Break (2005), Longmire (2012), 24 (2001),
among many others. He has done extensive voice work in video games
including lead roles in Mass Effect - The New York Times Game of the
Year - and its two sequels, as well Knights of the Old Republic, a
popular Star Wars game.
As a director, Raphael received his first Emmy nomination for LA
Foodways (2019), for PBS. His recent feature film, Only in Theaters
(2022), opened in Los Angeles and NYC to critical acclaim, played 80
theaters around the country and is now available on Amazon and on DVD,
distributed by Kino Lorber. Other films and series Raphael has directed
include The Bird Who Could Fly (2017), The Tricky Part (2019), A
Concrete River: Reviving the Waters of Los Angeles (2015), 10 Days in
Watts (2023), and more.
Darren Dalton as Duck: Darren
Dalton made his screen debut as Randy Anderson, the Soc, in Francis
Ford Coppola's The Outsiders (1983), a drama based on the novel by S.E.
Hinton. He has since starred in over 30 films and has also worked as a
screenwriter and producer. He has collaborated with C. Thomas Howell on
a number of projects including War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave
(2008) and The Day the Earth Stopped (2008). Dalton is probably best
known for his starring role in the John Milius World War 3 film Red
Dawn (1984) in which he co-starred with Howell, Patrick Swayze, Charlie
Sheen, andLea Thompson.
Brian Haley as Guna: Began
his professional career as a stand up comic in the Seattle area in the
mid '80s, though was acting in Seattle theater since a child. He got
his proverbial 'big break' in 1990 as a stand up on The Tonight Show
with Johnny Carson. An HBO special followed as well as a two year deal
for his own show at Fox television, which did not produce a series.
While at Fox he wrote and starred in several short films for the TV
show The Sunday Comics (1991) which led to a starring role in the film
Baby's Day Out (1994). Several other movies followed including Little
Giants (1994) where he played overzealous father Mike Hammersmith (aka
Spike's Dad), the presidents secret service agent Mitch in Mars
Attacks! (1996) and muscular dope Christie in McHale's Navy (1997).
During the 1995 Super Bowl he was in a popular Miller Lite beer
commercial where he played hard luck quarterback Elmer Bruker, the man
who was on every winning Super Bowl team, but never played. In 1996 he
replaced Lowell the mechanic (played by Thomas Haden Church on the NBC
series Wings (1990) and in 1999 he played bartender Tom Vanderhulst on
the short lived CBS series Maggie Winters (1998) with Faith Ford. He
lives in New York and has a production company Sky Blue House
Productions.
Stuart Fratkin as Hags: Stuart
Fratkin was born on September 22, 1963 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
He is an actor and producer, known for Teen Wolf Too (1987), Friends
(1994) and Ski School (1991). He has been married to Monica Lee Melvin
since June 8, 1991. See
thechat
transcriptfeaturing this actor on the Al's Place online communitymessageboard!
Robert Petkoff as Scooter: Robert Petkoff is known for Irrational Man (2015), Loverboy (1989) and Quantum Leap (1989).
Edward Edwards as Professor Davenport: He
is an Associate Artist with Global Arts Corps, an international theatre
company, whose goal is to use the transformative power of theatre to
bring together people from opposite sides of violent conflict. Also he
works with The Children's Craniofacial Association, where he scripted a
reader's theatre version of WONDER by R.J. Palacio to be used as a
study guide in classrooms all across America to help promote the
message of kindness.
Jacqueline Citron as Emily: Jacqueline
Alexandra Citron is known for Quantum Leap (1989), Grand Canyon (1991)
and Tales from the Crypt (1989). Twin sister of Kristen Amber Citron.
Kristen Citron as Cindy: Kristen Amber Citron is known for Quantum Leap (1989), Grand Canyon (1991) and Tales from the Crypt (1989). Twin sister of Jacqueline Alexandra Citron.
Hope Marie Carlton as Woman #1: Extremely
cute, slim and shapely blonde sprite Hope Marie Carlton was born Hope
Marie Rizzitano on March 3, 1966 in Riverhead, New York. Carlton began
modeling at age thirteen (her mother was a professional model). Hope
was the Playmate of the Month in the July, 1985 issue of "Playboy"
magazine. She went on to appear in several "Playboy" videos and a bunch
of "Playboy" special edition publications. Carlton portrayed feisty
federal drug enforcement agent, "Taryn", in three enjoyably low-brow,
low-budget action pictures for director Andy Sidaris: Hard Ticket to
Hawaii (1987), Picasso Trigger (1988) and Savage Beach (1989).
Moreover, Hope acted in a handful of B-flicks and even a few horror
movies (she has a memorably sexy cameo in A Nightmare on Elm Street 4:
The Dream Master (1988)). Among the TV shows, she made guest
appearances on, are The A-Team (1983), Married... with Children (1987),
L.A. Law (1986), Charles in Charge (1984), Quantum Leap (1989) and
Baywatch (1989). Carlton owned and operated the resort, the "Sorrel
River Ranch", with her one-time husband, Rob Levin, in Moab, Utah. Hope
and Levin had a daughter, prior to divorcing in 2005. Hope MarieCarlton now lives in Colorado.
Shannon Terhune as Woman #2: Shannon
Terhune was born on September 16, 1962 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
She is an actress, known for Eleanor and Franklin (1976), Quantum Leap
(1989) and California Dreaming (1979).
Brian Leckner as Frat boy: Brian
Leckner is an American actor. He was born in Pasadena, CA, on
January 2nd, 1967. Brian was raised in Hermosa Beach, CA. He attended
Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach,CA. Brian is a graduate of
The Joanne Baron/DW Brown Studio, a Two year intensive study of the
famed "Meisner Technique" Brian found this training invaluable and has
relied on this training his entire career. In 1991 Brian met the acting
teacher Larry Moss and it would change his career. Brian found himself
in the lead for a revival of the iconic television series'' Bonanza''.
Playing the bastard son of Hoss Cartwright was a thrill for the wanna
be cowboy. Acting opposite such legends as Ben Johnson, Jack Elam,
Richard Roundtree & Leonard Nimoy ( all on the same set !) would
teach Brian invaluable lessons on how to succeed on the set and in
life. By the age of 24 Brian had starred in a series of Bonanza MOW's
for NBC however his dream job was just around the corner. Sgt Bilko was
another iconic TV show being brought to the big screen by Imagine /
Universal. Steve Martin, Dan Ackroyd & the late great Phil Hartman
would star. Brian played Sam Fender a main member of Bilkos's
platoon.Working with these comedy icons was a childhood dream come
true. Brian would forge a friendship with Phil Hartman that would
include fun times on Catalina or down to Baja for sport fishing. Both
SoCal natives bonded over their love of the sea. Has appeared in
numerous Commercials & Episodic's over the years from Seinfeld,
House, X-Files, Charmed,The Mentalist,Knight Rider,E.R. & L.A.
Firefighters. During summer hiatus Brian can be found on the steppes of
the Mongolian countryside , his wife's home country and now his
favorite place to be.
David Pressman as Frat boy: David
Pressman was born in New York City, New York, USA. David is an actor,
known for Krapopolis (2023), DC League of Super-Pets (2022) and It's
Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005).
Jeff Benson as Knut "Wild Thing" Wileton (Mirror image): Jeff Benson is known for Diggstown (1992), Quantum Leap (1989) and The Taking of Beverly Hills (1991).
Say What?
Sam bumps into Al during the cherry bombs scene.
In
the library, there is a book called "Fundamentals of Surveying" which
wasn't written until 1985. Another book, "Men Know Your Symptoms" was
not published until 1986.
The timing of Al's countdown for the bomb
doesn't add up in real time.
Deceptively smart people need to be watched.
-- Doug, "Animal Frat"
You're a triple A, superduper, overachiever type personality.
Unless you're reinventing the wheel every 33 seconds you're not
happy.
-- Al, "Animal Frat"
Maybe I could just jump off a cliff instead.
That would mean you were smart enough to find one.
-- Sam and "Duck", "Animal Frat"
No one has fun all the time. Not even me.
Well, *there's* a news flash.
-- Al and Sam, "Animal Frat"
Sam, if ya want to leap, ya gotta . . . leap!
-- Al, "Animal Frat"
I'm trapped in the body of a Troglodyte!
-- Sam, "Animal Frat"
Wait, don't tell me, I'm a PE major with a minor in .. underwater hotel
management!
No, you're a physicist with a shot at the Nobel prize ... only kidding!
-- Sam and Al, "Animal Frat"
What, are you afraid of what Abbie Hoffman will say if you go to a
party?
Who's Abbie Hoffman?
-- Sam and Elisabeth, "Animal Frat"
Did I do this sort of thing in college?
You were 16 when you went to college . . . you were a meganerd.
-- Sam and Al, "Animal Frat"
Best
Scene:
Sam's face is priceless when he breaks into the girls' dorm with his
fellow frat members and finds out that he's eventually having fun.
Being too young and an egg head when in college, he never had that kind
of opportunity.
Production Credits:
Music by: Mike Post Supervising Producers: Deborah Pratt, Paul M. Belous, Robert Wolterstorff Co-producers: Paul Brown, Jeff Gourson, Chris Ruppenthal Produced by: Harker Wade Created by: Donald P. Bellisario Written by:Chris Ruppenthal Directed by: Gilbert Shilton Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario Associate Producers:David Bellisario Director of Photography: Michael Watkins Production Designer: Cameron Birnie Edited by: Alan Shefland Unit Production Manager: Ron Grow First Assistant Director: Ryan Gordon Second Assistant Director: Rob Mendel Casting by: Ellen Lubin Sanitsky Set Director: Robert L. Zilliox Costume Designer: Jean-Pierre Dorleac Costume Supervisors: David Rawley & Donna Roberts-Orme Sound Mixer: Mark Hopkins McNabb Stunt Coordinator: Diamond Farnsworth Contributing Musical Composers: Velton Ray Bunch and Jerry Grant Sound Editor: Paul Clay Music Editor: Tom Gleason
Panaflex ® Camera and Lenses by: Panavision ®
This
motion picture is protected under laws of the United States and other
countries. Unauthorized duplication, distribution or exhibition may
result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.
The
characters and events depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any
similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Bellisarius Productions and Universal, an MCA Company
Podcasts:
Quantum Leap Podcast
In
the twentieth installment of The Quantum Leap Podcast, Albie and
Heather discuss Season two, Episode twelve “Animal Frat”. There are
first impressions, an episode recap, thoughts and opinions, listener
feedback, and a great interview with Darren Dalton who played Duck in
“Animal Frat”. Also an article from Hayden McQueenie.
Let us know what you think… Leave us a voicemail by calling (707)847-6682.
Send in your thoughts, theories and feedback, Send MP3s & Email to quantumleappodcast@gmail.com.
Also join us on Facebook.com/QuantumLeapPodcast and Twitter.com/QuantumLeapPod
