Leap Date:
September 9, 1959

TV Guide Teaser:

Sam twists and shouts into 1959 as a howling Peoria disc jockey, helping his feisty boss combat a civic leader who says her station's rock-and-roll has to go. Fred: Richard McKenzie. Brian: Todd Merrill. Chubby Checker: Himself. Leland: Steve Bean.

Promos:

Place:

Peoria, Illinois, USA

Synopsis & Review:

Sam has leapt into a Disc Jockey by the name of "Howlin" Chick Howell (played by Douglas Ibold). He is still on the air, and after a long pause, and visual cues from Howell's producer and co-presenter Brian (played by Todd Merrill), reads out a commercial for a local ice-cream store and plays a Pat Boone record. His freezing on air angers his producer, the station owner, Rachel Porter (played by Patricia Richardson).

After a brief argument (as Rachel had rubbed Sam the wrong way), it looked like Rachel was going to fire him, but just told him to sign off, but warned him to not be late the next day or he would be fired. After signing off, his co-presenter, who has a shift immediately after Sam, comments on Howell having the hots for Rachel. Sam immediately dismisses the idea.

As Sam is leaving, he notices Rachel in the middle of another argument, this time with one of her advertisers, local businessman Fred Beaman (played by Richard McKenzie), who wants her to stop playing rock and roll music on her station, claiming that it promoted bad behavior in the teenagers of the neighborhood. Sam and Rachel both find this claim laughable. Sam tells Fred that it is the responsibility of the parents to promote wholesome family values and to control what their children listen to, but Fred states it is impossible to watch their children 24 hours a day and that the moment a parent's back is turned, the children do what they want.

Rachel refuses to stop playing rock and roll, so Fred pulls his advertising from the station, saying that other businesses will do the same, and states that she might still have to stop playing rock and roll, as a new bill is being proposed in local council to ban it being played on local airwaves. Sam leaves and discusses the situation with Al. Both think that such a law could never pass, but as they walk to Howell's car, it is covered in graffiti telling him to go home, showing that there is support of the proposed action.

The next day Sam arrives on time (to Rachel's shock), and with Al's help picking the rock and roll records (as Sam doesn't remember much music) and topics to discuss, gives an extremely entertaining broadcast, talking about the Russians going into Space (and that they should blast Khrushchev off with them) and an interview with a very perverted Invisible Man (Al). Meanwhile, Al recognizes a man walking past and speaking to Sam's co-presenter, as Chubby Checker, who has come to ask for his demo (The Twist) to be played. When Al tells Sam who it is, Sam is starstruck and starts dancing “The Twist”, which Chubby Checker loves and asks to use in his act. Al makes Sam tell Rachel to play the demo as it will send the station to number 1 in Peoria (which is Rachel's dream).

Later that day, he joins Rachel at the council meeting, and both are shocked to find that the law has passed, effective immediately. Rachel is devastated, as by playing rock and roll she was actually making money. She worries that without it she could lose her station and her livelihood, and Al tells Sam that this is why he leapt here, as that is exactly what happened. A comment by Rachel, saying that she needed to “raise the drawbridge and prepare for the dark ages” sparks an idea in Sam.

Sam and Rachel return to the radio station, barricade the entryways, and on the air make a public show of protest against the new law. After reading a speech of Fred Beaman's which defamed rock and roll music as “half-articulate speech of long-haired radicals”, they say that all speech is protected by the First Amendment and so they have every right to continue playing rock and roll, and that they intend to do so, immediately playing a rock and roll song. Beaman rings the station and Rachel confirms that they are perfectly serious. Beaman wants Sam and Rachel arrested, but his friend, Councilman Frank Stewart, convinces him otherwise as it could cause bad publicity for him (there is an upcoming election).

A vandal throws a brick through the window, which hits the radio unit, temporarily causing them to go off the air, but Sam is able to repair it. Beaman then has the power to the station cut. Sam is able to start a generator in the basement to restore the power, but there is only enough power generated to be able to run the radio unit, so they have to make do without any air conditioning. Beaman calls the station again, claiming that he might not return his advertising even if they do stop and that the bad publicity from the protest could drive away other business. Rachel calls the bluff, knowing that Beaman and Stewart don't want any bad publicity either, and states that when she hangs up she would call every news outlet in the state, which she does. Soon the station is surrounded by news reporters. The protest also gathers supporters who start chanting.

Rachel and Sam start to bond, and Sam puts on a favorite song of his (The Glory of Love by the Five Keys) and dances with Rachel. With things getting hot and heavy, they start to make out, but at the same time the transmission cables to the radio station are cut, stopping their airplay. Rachel thinks this was all a trick of Sam's to be alone with her, but is convinced otherwise when Sam is able to use the station's copper drainpipes to create a circuit and get back on the air once again.

A furious Beaman decides enough is enough, grabs an ax and starts chopping away at their front door. At the same time, Al tells Sam that Ziggy has found something, a newspaper article written by Beaman himself at the end of World War 2. Sam reads it out on the air, it is a touching article which thanked the fallen soldiers and stated that it was all for freedom. When Sam says “all we want is a little freedom too”, Beaman is stunned, and realizing he now doesn't have a hope, walks off in defeat. Rachel and Sam exit the station to thunderous applause, and Al tells Sam that the station goes to number 1 and that Rachel and Howell get married. Rachel tells Sam to buy her breakfast (after he finishes his shift), and with a final howl, Sam leaps. Source

Personal Review by Carol <aka> C_DEAN n C_AL:

The show is so full of inconsistencies that it’s not funny. But the episode is very funny! The time period for music is a killer! I love rock ‘n’ roll. Though I was just a youngster when all this happened. At times I think I’m watching an episode of MacGyver. All the fixin’ that Sam does, but no duck tape … LOL … I love the cars of this era, wish I had one. The clothes too, I remember my pink felt poodle skirt, pink fuzzy sweater, the navy blue and white saddle shoes with white cotton socks, fondly… and don’t forget the pony tails! *sighs* … Ahhh… those were the days!

Music:

"Tutti Frutti" by: Little Richard
"April Love" by: Pat Boone
"All Shook Up" by: Elvis Presley
"Maybe Baby" by: Buddy Holly & the Crickets
"Sleepwalk" Performed by: Santo & Johnny
"Great Balls Of Fire" by: Jerry Lee Lewis

"Yakkety Yak (Don’t Talk Back)" by: The Coasters
"The Twist" by: Chubby Checker
"Jail House Rock" by: Elvis Presley
"Rock Around The Clock" by: Bill Haley & the Comets
"Sea Cruise" by: Frankie Ford
"The Glory Of Love" Written by: Billy Hill & sung by: Brook Benton
"Shout" by: Isley Brothers

Project Trivia:

Al is not seen going into or coming out of the Imaging Chamber in this episode. There are no sounds either.

The handlink is a thin black piece of plastic with a gold strip with red and green flashing lights. It is contoured to fit Al’s hand.

Ziggy is not called a he or she in this episode.

On top of the station roof, Sam is attaching a cable to the copper gutters to get a signal for the station so it can keep broadcasting. Al thinks he’s leaping. Sam tells him he just standing too close to the antenna. In actuality, Al sees Sam leap 83 times. One of those times they leaped together, in ‘The Leap Back’ (4.1). Also in ‘Mirror Image’ (5.22) Sam asks the same question of Al. Al says he always goes back into the imaging chamber when Sam leaps.

Al says, "Hey! LOOK Sam! … I’m gonna leap?"
Sam says, "No you’re not leaping … you’re standing too close to the antenna … move away …"
Al says, "Huh?"
Sam says, "Move away … come on move away!"
Al says, "RATS!"
Sam cocks his head looking at Al and smiles, shaking his head.

Al’s Outfits:

1) Silver metallic jacket, pale blue shirt w/a round design on collar tips, black paisley tie, black pants, black belt w/silver tip and looped so end hangs down in front & white tennis shoes.

2) Grayish baby blue silky suit w/extra cigar in breast pocket, multicolored blue, rose & gold silky print shirt, rust colored tie, black belt w/gold buckle and gold shoes. Sunglasses pin as seen in a few previous episodes.

Miscellaneous Trivia:

Velton Ray Bunch gets his first credit as a Contributing Musical Composer in this episode.

Chris Ruppenthal (Writer/Co-Producer) acquired the WOF call letters sign for his office.

Chris Ruppenthal is an American television and film writer based in Hollywood, CA. He received an A.B. Degree from Harvard University in 1976 where he was an Editor of the Harvard Lampoon as well as a member of The Delphic Club and The Hasty Pudding where he performed in three of the famous Hasty Pudding travesty musicals. Following Harvard he worked for a time in New York City in advertising before moving to California to pursue a writing career. He received an M.A. degree from the USC Film School.

Ruppenthal boasts an impressive resume, credited as Co-Executive Producer of “The Outer Limits” and “Silk Stalkings”; Supervising Producer of “Lois and Clark: the New Adventures of Superman”, “Touched by an Angel”, “Harts of the West” and “Covington Cross”; and has writing credits for “Blade: The Series”, “The Outer Limits”, “Avalon: Beyond the Abyss”, “The Pretender”; “Silk Stalkings”, “Lois and Clark”, “The X Files”, “Touched by an Angel”, “Harts of the West”, “The Adventures of Bisco County Jr”, “Covington Cross”, “Moonlighting”, “Sledge Hammer!” and “Max Headroom”.

Ruppenthal currently resides in Los Angeles where he continues to write for television and Works for LAUSD at Berendo Middle School in (the Pico-Union District) and the UCLA Extension School.

For Leapers, however, Chris Ruppenthal does not need an introduction, being Quantum Leap royalty. He was a producer of the show for most of the series run, and completely wrote nine episodes: “Good Morning Peoria”; “Animal Frat”; “Freedom”; “One Strobe Over The Line”; “The Halloween Episode”; “Glitter Rock”; “Hurricane”; “Roberto!”; and “The Curse of Ptah-Hotep”; as well as co-writing the teleplay for “The Last Gunfighter”. Ruppenthal’s only directorial credit is also from Quantum Leap, he directed “Southern Comforts”, an episode widely acclaimed for addressing the issue of domestic violence. He even made a cameo appearance as Sam’s mirror image in the afforementioned episode-that-must-not-be-named, which, along with writing the so-called “cursed episode” earnt him the nickname “Ruppenboogie”. As such, it is very fitting that Ruppenthal is here to boogie with us for this episode of the podcast. Please enjoy Albie’s conversation with Chris Ruppenthal…

Kiss With History:

Sam wants to play something by the Beatles (1964) … Rachel corrects him and says "Oh, by the Crickets?"

Al suggests that Sam do the radio show like that movie "Good Morning Vietnam" (1987)

When Al sees Chubby Checker he starts jumping up and down. He and Sam go out into the lobby and start humming "The Twist" and dancing.
Chubby is so impressed that he says, "Can I use that move?" Sam says, "Yeah, but I got it from you!"

Guest Cast:

Patricia Richardson as Rachel Porter
Richard McKenzie as Fredrick R. Beaman
Todd Merrill as Brian
Chubby Checker as Himself
Steve Bean as Leland
Hal England as Mayor
E.R. Davies as Sheriff Jake Foley
Barbara Perry as Theora Beaman
J. Frank Stewart as Businessman / Councilman
Kurt Andon as Man in Suit
Steve Whiteford as Reporter
Douglas Ibold as Chick Howell (Mirror image)

Guest Cast Notes:

Patricia Richardson as Rachel Porter: Whiskey-voiced Patricia Richardson is best known as Jill Taylor on Home Improvement (1991). For her work, she was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and four Emmy Awards. She also starred in two other comedies: Eisenhower & Lutz (1988) with Scott Bakula, and FM (1989) with Robert Hays. After pregnancy with twins and Home Improvement she took off a few years to be with her children. Offered a shorter contract that worked around her parenting, she joined Lifetime's Strong Medicine as Dr. Andy Campbell, introduced after Janine Turner's departure from the show. (2002-2004) She was nominated for her work twice by the Prism Awards. She was a recurring guest star on The West Wing during the show's last two years as Alan Alda's Chief of Staff. Patricia co-hosted The 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1994) with Ellen DeGeneres, and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her first starring role in a movie opposite Peter Fonda in Ulee's Gold. (1997). Patricia will soon have served 10 years on the National and Los Angeles Local Boards of SAGAFTRA, previously served as First VP, then 2019-2021 as President of the LA Local , or the "Los Angeles Local Union Performers" (on Facebook), which Membership First created for LA members in the pandemic along with popularly attended Town Halls. She's continuing to serve on both boards and remains a proud member of Membership First, which has been running the largest, ( 80,000 ), most employed ( members earn 57% of all earnings), and informed local in the union for some years.

Richard McKenzie as Fredrick R. Beaman: Richard McKenzie was born on June 2, 1930 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. He was an actor, known for Being There (1979), MacGyver (1985) and Corvette Summer (1978). He was married to Aza Cefkin. He played in a movie called "Nowhere To Run" (1978) and there is a QL episode with the same name. He died on December 1, 2023 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Todd Merrill as Brian: Todd Merrill is known for Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), Quantum Leap (1989) and If Dad Only Knew (2004). Todd Merrill has also been in "JAG" (1995/Pilot episodes 1.1 & 1.2 /).

Chubby Checker as Himself: Chubby Checker was born Ernest Evans on 10-3-41 in Spring Gully, South Carolina. As a teenager he had a job in a produce market. The boss, Tony, called him ‘Chubby’. Ernest said, "Who’s chubby? I’m not chubby." Tony said, "You are if you want the job." Soon after that, ‘Chubby’ found another job working in a chicken store. The man who owned the shop, Henry Colt, liked to set up a microphone so his young employee could sing songs of the fifties while people shopped. Coincidentally, Colt had a friend, Kal Mann who was a songwriter associated with the most recognized recording studio in the Philly area.When Dick Clark asked Mann to write a song and recommend a singer for a musical Christmas card based on Jingle Bells, Mann suggested Chubby. While in the studio, Clark’s wife, Barbara walked in and said to him, "Chubby… Chubby Checker. You’re going to be Chubby for Fats and Checker for Domino." Just before Chubby graduated high school he re-recorded the ‘Twist’. Hank Ballard had recorded it first in 1958.

Steve Bean as Leland: Steve Bean was born on April 27, 1960 in Lynn, Massachusetts, USA. He was an actor, known for Mousehunt (1997), Blast from the Past (1999) and Shakes the Clown (1991). He was married to Caroline Carrigan. He died on January 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Hal England as Mayor: Leading man of the American stage who played occasional character roles in film and television. England was a native of King's Mountain, North Carolina and a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He made his Broadway debut in 1958, directed by Alfred Drake in "Love Me Little." He followed this with a success in "Say, Darling", written and directed by Abe Burrows, whom England credited as his mentor. He understudied Robert Morse in the lead of "How to Succeed in Business...Without Really Trying", playing Jenkins for a year on Broadway and then taking the lead role of J. Pierpont Finch in the national touring company. He starred on Broadway in Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Conversations at Midnight" in 1964 and appeared in three plays in the inaugural season of the Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park in New York. He moved to California in the early 1960s and guest-starred in numerous television programs. A longtime member of the Actors Studio, he also spent years as a member of Theatre West, in Hollywood, performing in scores of plays there. His life partner for forty years was producer Fred W. Bennett. England died at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, of a heart attack at 71 on November 6, 2003.

E.R. Davies as Sheriff Jake Foley: E.R. Davies was born on October 6, 1937 in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child (1989), JAG (1995) and Quantum Leap (1989). He died on February 17, 2007 in Frederick, Maryland, USA.

Barbara Perry as Theora Beaman: Barbara Perry was born on June 22, 1921 in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. She was an actress, known for Trancers (1984), The Back-up Plan (2010) and Mr. Woodcock (2007). She was married to Art Babbitt and Bennett Warren James. Trained as a tap dancer and headlined early in her career at famous nightclubs, including the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, the Chez Paris in Chicago, the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles and the Café de Paris in London as an opening act for, among others, Lena Horne and Peggy Lee. Is thought to have had the longest movie career of all time, spanning as it did 84 years. She died on May 5, 2019 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.

J. Frank Stewart as Businessman / Councilman: J. Frank Stewart is known for Quantum Leap (1989), Against the Grain (1993) and The Color of Evening (1990).

Kurt Andon as Man in Suit: Kurt Andon was born on January 29, 1947 in the USA. He is an actor, known for 15 Minutes (2001), Coma (1978) and Quantum Leap (1989). He also played John Beckett's double in (episode 5.11) "Promised Land". A few of the movies he was in were: "15 Minutes" (2001), "Don King: Only In America" (1997), "Coma" (1978). Guest TV appearances were: "Melrose Place" (1992), "M*A*S*H" (1972) and "Charlie’s Angels" (1976).

Steve Whiteford as Reporter: Steve Whiteford is known for Falcon Crest (1981), Quantum Leap (1989) and Otherworld (1985).

Douglas Ibold as Chick Howell (Mirror image): Douglas Ibold was born on January 23, 1940 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He was an editor and actor, known for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), Tour of Duty (1987) and Drug Wars: The Cocaine Cartel (1992). He died on November 8, 2023 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Say What?

When Tutti Frutti is playing, the needle seems to be on the record label!

Rachel and Brian can't believe Sam is playing Pat Boone, but it's in Chicks record stack, so it must have been something the Leapee wanted to play.

Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell both reflect in various glass set pieces throughout the episode.

When Sam comes to work the next morning, he walks in the door with wet hair and by the end of the first song its dry.

Why did Chubby Checker (age 48 at the time) get cast to play his teenage self? Answer: Ratings.

When the brick comes through the window, the people on the street freeze. This is because a still frame was used at that point.

Why did a fight break out between groups of young people in the street? This was not explained.

Al’s Best Lines:

Sam comes in to work the next morning and is looking through a stack of 45’s for something to play.

Al pops in and says, "Buenos Días"

Sam says, "Boy! Am I glad to see you! I gotta play some music Al, I… and I don’t remember anything. What about this?"

Al says, "That’s a no." Sam is shuffling through the stack of 45’s and showing each one to Al. "That’s a no." Rachel looks on from the other room through the glass booth. With a puzzled look on her face, she cocks and shakes her head then puts it in her hands and holds it.

Al says, "Johnny Horton, The Battle of New Orleans! Sam get real!"

Sam says, "I don’t remember any music Al!"

Al says, "This is not about music, this is about talking, we got the team that makes the girls scream, about the man of the hour with the radio power, the Dr of Love, that knows … what’s the matter? … Say it out loud!"

Sam says, "We got the team that makes the girls sc …"

Al says, "You gotta get this in two minutes Sam! … You got a piece of paper… and a pencil? Get a paper and pencil. You’re going on the air!"

Sam says as he writes, "We got the tea …, a …"

Al says, "DIDN’T YOU SEE THE MOVIE?" … That was all Al had to say …

Sam goes on the air yelling, "G-O-O-D M-O-R-N-I-N-G P-E-O-R-I-A!"

Sam & Al’s Best Scene:

Al spies Chubby Checker and Brian walking past the window of the DJ booth.

Al says, "OMG! … SAM you gotta see this!" As he runs into the lobby with Sam following.

Sam says, "What is it?"

Al says, "It is! It’s Chubby Checker!"

Sam says, "Chubby Checker?"

Al says, "I can’t believe it!"

Sam says, "I can’t … wha-da-ya …"

Chubby Checker says, "Do I know you?"

Brian says, "Friend of yours?"

Sam says, " … Ahhh …"

Al says, "SAM!"

Sam says, "Ahhh …"

Al says, "YES! IT’S Chubby Checker!!!"

Sam says, "Huh?"

Al starts to sing and dance, "Come on baby let’s do the twist … "

Sam says, "THE TWIST!"

[Sam and Al, in unison, start singing and dancing and I think it breaks Brian’s concentration for his next line…lol]

Brian says, "It’s a pretty good demo, but I was just telling him I don’t think it’s really … it really has what it takes."

Rachel walks over to see what all the excitement is and says, "Twist?"

Chubby Checker is watching Sam dance, "Wow that’s great! … Say! Can I borrow that for my act?"

Sam says, "Ah sure, um but I mean … yeah but … I … I … I … got it from … from you, ha."

Al says, "SAM! Sam if you want this station to be number one, tell her to play that demo!"

Sam, grabbing the 45 from Brian’s hand and still twisting, turns to hand it to Rachel, "If you want this station to be number one you gotta play this dem-ooo!"

Chubby Checker says, "That’s good! I like that!"

Sam says, "Ha Ha Ha"

Rachel is watching Sam dance and trying it and Al is watching Rachel dance, "Yah I’ll give it a play … assuming I … can still … play rock ‘n’ roll … after the … council meeting."

Sam says, "Believe me! Nobody’s gonna pass a law banning rock ‘n’ roll!"

The song begins to play as Rachel walks away, doing a little twist with every step. The camera pans back to Sam, Al, Chubby, Brian and the receptionist … all dancing.

Best Scene:

When the lights go out, Sam and Rachel are in the dark. They get up and head towards the door:

Rachel says, "Oh damn!"
Sam says, "Lights went out."
Rachel says, "No kidding."
Sam says, "You got a kind of backup gen … a backup generator or somethin’?
Rachel says, "There’s a civil defense generator in the basement, but I don’t know how to work it … I don’t even know if it does work."
Sam says, "There’s one way to find out.
Rachel yells out, "CHICK!"
Sam says, "sor … sorry I just … try a … find the door."
Rachel says, "Door knobs are usually placed a little lower aren’t they?"

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: Michael Zinberg

Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario
Associate Producers: David Bellisario
Director of Photography: Michael Watkins
Production Designer: Cameron Birnie
Edited by: Gary Griffen
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.

Copyright © 1989 by Universal City Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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

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