Name of the Person Leaped Into: Ray Hutton

First time Sam’s appreciation for tea, specifically Orange Spice, is mentioned

Miscellaneous Trivia (how many times Al popped in and scared Sam, how many cigars Al smoked, etc):
Another play considered for this episode was "My Fair Lady", but was rejected in favor of the Sam and Al/ Don Quixote and Sancho metaphor and the message of the Impossible Dream

Al's Outfits Worn in the Episode:
White Suit, black shirt, and multi-color tie

Wild print shirt with silver highlights, orange pants, black suspenders, black fedora, black bolo tie

Lavender shirt, black vest with purple swirls/paisley print, pink tie with purple markings, pale pink pants

Producers:

Supervising Producers:
Deborah Pratt
Paul M. Belous
Robert Wolterstorff

Co-producers:
Paul Brown
Jeff Gourson
Chris Ruppenthal

Producer:
Marker Wade

Guest Stars
John O'Malley - John Cullum
Nicole - Michele Pawk
Michelle - Janine Turner
Manny - Ernie Sabella
Charlie - Paul Sand
Dolores - Myra Turley
Anita - Maria Lauren

Guest Cast Notes (interesting things you've discovered about those who appeared in the episode):
Ernie Sabella, most well known for playing Pumbaa the warthog in the Lion King, reprised his role as Sancho in the 2002 revival of Man of La Mancha on Broadway.

Synopsis:
Sam leaps into Ray Hutton, touring actor and understudy to the Syracuse rendition of "Man of La Mancha". His job, it seems, is to keep the leading man, John O’Malley from ruining his career by falling offstage in a drunken stupor. Sam, however, has a different idea when he learns that the new girl hired to understudy the role of Dulcinea is his former piano teacher and childhood crush, Nicole. For Sam, it is a chance to have the romance he never could have. Noticing that Sam/Ray has turned his romantic attentions to the new girl, the jealous leading lady Michelle concocts a scheme that makes it seem as though Nicole has been having a fling with John. Heartbroken, Sam is caught in a dilemma: can he bring himself to save the man who ruined his relationship? And can he forgive Nicole? Come show time on the crucial night, John, as predicted, falls off stage… but is caught by a begrudging Sam. John turns over the role to Sam/Ray for the first time and Sam goes out to perform with Nicole, making his peace. The play ends and the spirit of Don Quixote fills Sam as he leaps out.

Best Lines:

"What matter wounds to the body of a knight errant? For each time he falls he shall rise again and woe to the wicked…Al!"

"Here your grace"

"My armor, my sword!"

"More misadventures?"

"Adventures, old friend"

~ Sam and Al

What do you want of me?

What do you want of her?

Nothing.

Liar.

I’m with her.

~Nicole/Dulcinea, Al and Sam

You’re out of control, Sam

In case you haven’t noticed, Al, it’s been a long time since I’ve been in control

You know what I mean! You can’t tell anyone who you really are; you can’t change your personal history, you can’t-

I can’t have a life! All I do is live someone else’s life, right their wrongs, fight their fights… Jeez, I feel like I’m Don Quixote!

~Al and Sam

He loved pure and chaste from afar… well, that part was never big with me either

~Al

I am not saving that arrogant @ss

~Sam

This is Syracuse. This is way, way, way, way, way off Broadway. For Syracuse, you can sing!

~Al

Best Scenes:
Sam’s rehearsal with Nicole, stumbling through the script and professing his love for Nicole through Don Quixote’s words

Say what? (AKA things in the episode that make no sense):
If John wasn’t in on Michelle’s plan to ruin Sam/Ray and Nicole’s relationship, why didn’t he tell Sam that the woman in the shower wasn’t Nicole?