TV Guide Synopsis: Sam
(Scott Bakula) cranks it up as a '70s rock star, but it will require
some heavy mettle on his part to avoid the rocker's hard fate---being
murdered. Flash: Jonathan Gries. Dwayne: Peter Noone. Nick: Robert
Bauer. Philip: Christian Hoff. Sandy: Liza Whitcraft.
Sam
leaps into Jeffrey "Tonic" Mole, the lead in a KISS-inspired band in
the middle of a show. Sam is lost and so fails to perform the songs one
of the other band members such as Flash McGrath (played by Jon Gries)
wrote, upsetting the man. Sam promises that at the next show he'll do
as he said. Sam sees a strange boy in the crowd staring at him and is a
little disturbed.
Al shows up in the middle of Sam having to stop three enthusiastic fans
from jumping him and is disgusted by Sam's inhibitions. Al tells Sam
that Tonic is murdered after the band's next show, after he is stabbed
by someone in the crowd also stating the killer was never caught. Sam's
mind immediately jumps to the boy. He asks Al to stay close this leap
and Al heads to the kid's apartment to find out who he is. The
apartment is unhelpfully registered to “John Doe” but the kid just
happens to throw his wallet so that it lands with his ID face up and Al
discovers that he is Philip Silbart.
Al has three theories. one is that Phillip Silbart (Christian Hoff),
who's a teenaged fan of the band and of Tonic. whom, he alleges, is his
father from a one-time backstage tyrst with his mother in the late
1950s, might actually be crazed fan who kills Sam, Flash might kill him
to become the leader of the band or because his girlfriend Sandy won't
stop trying to jump Sam, and his manager Dwayne is probably embezzling
money from them so calling him on it might inspire a murder attempt.
The band throws a party in Sam's hotel room and he does his best to get
through it. Early in the morning, he sees Phillip and confronts him.
Phillip claims to be Tonic's son from a one-night stand a long time ago
and claims to want nothing but acknowledgement. Sam is unable to give
it to him (despite their similar musical abilities and webbed finger)
but Phillip sticks around anyway.
Right before the show, one of the band members cannot find his wig and
has to use a different one. Then when Sam is alone in the dressing
room, Sandy comes on to Sam again and Flash comes in while they're in a
compromised position (despite Sam trying ardently to push her off) and
so he threatens to kill Sam. Since he is supposed to die that night,
Sam is taking no chances so he requests to his manager that Flash get a
different limo and that they leave out a different door and don't tell
anybody in case the killer is just in the crowd. Sam also confronts
Dwayne about the embezzlement but promises to say nothing if Dwayne
gives him all of his money and allows Dwayne time to try and fix the
finances since he lost a lot on the stock market.
After the concert, Sam is horrified to find out that they are leaving
out the original door. He sees Phillip reaching into his pocket and
thinks it is a knife but Phillip shouts out “Dad!” to warn him and Sam
narrowly misses being stabbed. The would-be killer is revealed to be
Dwayne to silence Tonic about the embezzlement. He stole the wig
earlier and dressed up as a member of the band so no one would
recognize him as the killer.
Once the band and Phillip get back to the hotel and everyone mentions
how much they wish they could kill Dwayne for the embezzlement, Sam
thanks Phillip for his warning and asks what he was reaching for before
the near-stabbing. It turns out that Phillips was going for an old
picture of his mom the night that she was supposed to have slept with
Tonic and conceived him.
Phillip is crushed to find out that Tonic got his nickname because on
the night in question he was in a hospital from too much vodka and
tonic. Sam starts to apologize for letting Phillip down but Flash gets
a good look at the picture and recognizes the woman from before the
concert. The probability is good that Tonic is the dad and he and
Phillip bond.
Phillip announces that all he wanted to do was meet his dad and insists
that he really didn't want anything from him but Sam and Flash convince
him to stick around and be a roady. Thanks to Tonic giving him his big
break, Phillip goes on to later fame.Source
Personal Review by RoseAnn Erks:
I think this episode is great. I love all the songs in it. The song Fate’s
Wide Wheel seems to perfectly describe project Quantum
Leap and everything that Sam is doing. It deals with all the
leaping into other’s bodies and no one knowing that the person is now
Sam.
"Mrs.
Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter" by Herman's Hermits is playing in
the background at Dwayne's. Peter Noone (Dwayne) is the lead singer
of Herman's Hermits in
real life.
"Fate’s Wide Wheel" by
Chris Ruppenthal; performed by
Scott Bakula
"Hot Spot" performed by Scott Bakula
"Rock the Red Head" by Chris Ruppenthal;
performed by Scott Bakula
Sam
Trivia:
Sam says that he won’t take advantage of girls throwing themselves at
him.
He says that being a rock star is worse
than the time that he was
a Chip ‘N Dales dancer, meaning he remembers that leap.
Sam doesn’t remember Mark David Chapman,
Milli Vanilli, or Pete Townsend. He does remember
who Hendrix is.
Sam was a nerd and never heard of King
Thunder, but he
listened to Simon & Garfunkle.
He starts telling Al about
process schizophrenia.
Sam remembers who shot Reagan but not who
shot
John Lenon.
Al’s
Outfits Worn in the Episode:
Al’s first outfit is a shiny silver jacket, black pants, white tie with
red polka dots, and a coral shirt.
The second outfit Al wears is red
pants, a shiny green tie, green jacket with stop signs on the sleeves
and on the back there are white lines going down the sides like a
street,
and a white shirt.
Al's
Women:
Al gets a kick out of all the female groupies.
Miscellaneous
Trivia:
The group
Sam has leaped into is called King Thunder and they are from England;
their original name was the Dingles.
Al appeared in the episode 10
times.
The imaging chamber door opens 2 times.
The King Thunder album cover was modeled
after the band KISS's first album cover, almost excatly the same.
The scene in the mall was filmed
at the Hitchcock Theater lobby on the Universal Studios lot.
Music
Artists (in episode):
King Thunder is the bands name
Tonic Lead Singer/Guitarist
Flash co-singer/Guitarist
Nick Guitarist
Wilder Guitarist
The
credits flash across a full concert version of "Rock The Redhead"
performed by Scott Bakula and the cast with Dean Stockwell!
Regular
Cast:
Scott Bakula
Dean Stockwell
Guest
Stars:
Jonathan Gries as Flash McGrath
Peter Noone as Dwayne Brengle
Christian Hoff as Phillip Silbart
Michael Cerveris as Nick
Robert Bauer as Wilder
Elizabeth Whitcraft (as Liza Whitcraft) as Sandy
Jan Eddy as Whittler
Sharon Martin as Blonde
Dorrie Krum as Heather
Bob Cady as Chase
Bruce Michael Paine as Geoffrey “Tonic” Mole (Mirror image)
Ledge Musselman as Roady
Scott Shaw as Axe
Jonathan Gries as Flash McGrath: Jon
Gries was born on June 17, 1957 in Glendale, California, USA. He is an
actor and producer, known for Napoleon Dynamite (2004), Men in Black
(1997) and Get Shorty (1995). In one of his appearances on Seinfeld
(1989), he plays a homeless man that refuses to give Kramer's (Michael
Richards) Tupperware back. In Napoleon Dynamite (2004), his character
is a door-to-door salesman of Tupperware-like products. On Lost (2004)
he played the father of Michael Emerson, who is actually 3 years older
than him.
Son of noted writer/director/producer Tom Gries and actress Mary
Munday. His paternal step-grandfather was jazz musician Muggsy Spanier
(who was married to Jon's grandmother, Ruth). Played the role of a wolf
man in 2 films, in The Monster Squad (1987) as Desperate Man (wolf man
in human form) and in Fright Night Part 2 (1988) as Louie. He is the
son of director Tom Gries.
Peter Noone as Dwayne Brengle: Peter
Blair Denis Bernard Noone is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist,
pianist and actor. He was the lead singer "Herman" in the 1960s pop
group Herman's Hermits. Noone was born in Davyhulme, Lancashire,
England, the second of five children, the son of an accountant, and
attended English Martyrs (Urmston), Wellacre Primary School (Flixton),
Stretford Grammar School, and St Bede's College, Manchester. Was the
lead singer of Herman's Hermits from 1962-73. He also had a solo hit in
the UK with a cover of David Bowie's "Oh! You Pretty Things", which
reached #12 in 1971. It was never a hit for Bowie himself. Has a
daughter, Natalie, with his wife, Mireille Strasser.
His favorite songs are "What Do You Want" by Adam Faith, "A Change Is
Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke, "At The Hop" by Danny and the Juniors, "I
Walk The Line" by Johnny Cash, "Well I Ask You" by Richard Sarstedt,
"Pasadena" by Clifford Bevan, "Time Is On My Side" by Irma Thomas, "I
Believe In You" by Don Williams, "Hungry For Love" by Johnny Kidd And
The Pirates and "Heartbeat" by Buddy Holly. (Source: BBC Radio 2
"Tracks of My Years"). Has four siblings: Damon, Suzanne, Denise, and
Louise. Parents are Joan Blair and Denis Patrick Noone.
Check out Peter on The Ed Sullivan Show from June 6, 1965:
Christian Hoff as Phillip Silbart: Christian
Hoff was born on April 21, 1968 in San Diego, California, USA. He is an
actor and producer, known for Encino Man (1992), The Magical World of
Disney (1954) and Space: Above and Beyond (1995). Christian broke the
record for most character voices in an audiobook (241) for "Tell Me How
You Love the Picture." It was featured in Entertainment Weekly.
Playing Tommy DeVito in the Tony Award-winning Broadway show "Jersey
Boys." Playing an apostle in the national touring company of "Jesus
Christ Superstar." He was awarded the 2006 Tony Award for Best Actor in
a Featured Role for a Musical for his role in the original Broadway
production of "Jersey Boys."
Michael Cerveris as Nick: Born
on November 6, 1960 in Bethesda, Maryland, US, he is an American actor
and singer, best known for his role in Fringe (2008) and his many
appearances on Broadway theatre stages. His father, also called Michael
Cerveris, was a professor of music and his mother, Marsha (née
Laycock), was a dancer. He grew up in Huntington, West Virginia with
his brother Todd Cerveris, who is also an actor. In 1979 he graduated
from Phillips Exeter Academy and in 1983 he graduated from Yale
University, majoring in theater studies. The same year he debuted
Off-Broadway as Malcolm in "Macbeth". His 1993 Broadway debut as
Tommy/The Narrator in "The Who's Tommy" brought him his first Tony
Award nomination. He continued his Broadway career as well as went to
play in the West End, where he debuted in 2000 as the eponymous
transsexual rock singer in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch". 2004 marked his
first Tony Award, which he won for the role of John Wilkes Booth in
"Assassins", the same year he also released his first solo album "Dog
Eared". In 2008 he begun to appear as the Observer in Fringe (2008),
which is probably his best known television role. In 2015 he won his
second Tony Award for the role of the family man and closeted gay Bruce
Bechdel in "Fun Home". He continues to appear in theatre productions
and concerts, as well as in smaller roles in movies and television
shows.
Robert Bauer as Wilder: Robert
Bauer is known for Baby, Baby, Baby (2015), Dinner with Don (2017) and
Waitress (2007). Is an accomplished drummer in real life. Used to play
in a band called "The Watch" with actor Michael Dorn (a bass player),
who had several scenes with him in an episode of Star Trek: The Next
Generation (1987).
Elizabeth Whitcraft (as Liza
Whitcraft) as Sandy: Elizabeth Whitcraft is known for Angel Heart (1987), Working Girl (1988) and Goodfellas (1990).
Jan Eddy as Whittler: Jan
Eddy was born on September 23, 1951 in Marshalltown, Iowa, USA. He was
an actor, known for The One (2001), JAG (1995) and Mr. Payback: An
Interactive Movie (1995). He was married to Patricia Buchan. He died on
December 17, 2015 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Sharon Martin as Blonde: Sharon Martin is known for Quantum Leap (1989), Law & Order (1990) and Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills (1996).
Dorrie Krum as Heather: Dorrie Krum is known for Gimme an 'F' (1984), Quantum Leap (1989) and Hollywood Vice Squad (1986).
Bob Cady as Chase: Bob Cady is known for Quantum Leap (1989), Infidel (2012) and Monster High (1989).
Bruce Michael Paine as Geoffrey “Tonic” Mole (Mirror image): Bruce
Michael Paine was born on January 24, 1947 in Saratoga Springs, New
York, USA. He was an actor, known for Quantum Leap (1989), R.S.V.P.
(2002) and Married... with Children (1987). He was married to Janin
Caan. He died on January 16, 2009 in Venice, California, USA.
Craggy-faced singer and actor with trademark long blond hair, he was an
avid Harley owner and longtime session vocalist. With the late actor
Ray Sharkey he co-owned a rock n' roll club called Radio. Began his
career as a folksinger in New York's Greenwich Village in the early
1960s and joined the Apple Pie Motherhood Band in the late 1960s. Has
two sons, Anatole and Marlon. After high school, he spent a time in New
York City studying music, voice and acting prior to moving to the West
Coast. He appeared in many TV shows and national commercials. A
performer in the San Francisco production of the musical "Hair," he was
also lead singer with the rock band Steamhammer. Eventually moving to
Los Angeles, he performed with the The Bruce Michael Paine Band.
Ledge Musselman as Roady: Ledge Musselman is known for Fight Club (1999), BASEketball (1998) and The Hot Chick (2002).
Scott Shaw as Axe: Born
in the filmmaking capital of the world, Hollywood, California, Scott
Shaw spent the early part of his youth growing up in South Los Angeles.
He then returned to Hollywood for his teen years. Though living at the
center of the film industry, Shaw was not drawn to acting or directing
in his early years. He instead placed his focus on his two lifelong
passions: the martial arts and eastern mysticism. From this zeal he has
emerged as a respected teacher and prolific author on both of these
subjects. After spending his twenties continually retuning to Asia, he
finally entered the film industry in his early thirties. Quickly moving
from actor onto producer and director, Shaw has created numerous
feature films, music videos, and documentaries based upon what he calls
Zen Filmmaking. This is a free-form style of filmmaking that does not
use a formalized script and is designed to cause the filmmaker to
employ spontaneous inspiration. To label Shaw as artistically diverse
would be an understatement. Aside from the film industry he is a
novelist, poet, artist, photographer, and musician. His musical
compositions often find their way into the soundtracks of his films.
Say
What? At
the beginning of the episode, sounds of screaming fans are heard, but
only photographers are seen. Once outside, the screams are heard again
with actual fans shown on screen. The crowd of people seen as the limo
drives away is stock footage, and the people in it don't seem as
excited as what we should expect from the screaming heard before.
In the episode there are cars
pulling up outside the concert. One car
is actually an 1980’s Mustang making it unusual as Sam has leapt into
the 70’s.
During
the interview at the mall, Al in his green jacket can be seen standing
out of focus for awhile before the Imaging Chamber door is ever heard.
You can see the nipple cover on
the girl that flashes Sam.
The date on screen when Sam leaps
in is April 12th. Al tells Sam that the body he has leapt into,
“Tonic," will be murdered in 3 days time at the next concert on the
24th. This must be wrong as 3 days time would be in fact April 15th so
the next concert would be then. At one point Al also states that it is
April 23rd, which is also incorrect.
The
zipcode on Phillip's ID is for Lincoln, Nebraska... not Hastings. Also
on the ID is Phillip's birthdate of 6/27/57, but Al reads it as "July."
The
setting of the bands' second performance is supposed to be Detroit, but
you can see Robert F. Kennedy Memorial stadium in Washington, D.C. in
the scene.
Fate's Wide Wheel
(Mystic Traveler)
As I travel in space and time
I want to stay, I want to go
You see my face, but it's not mine
What you can't see, you'll never know.
How can we meet if I'm not there?
Our hearts may touch, our bodies close
But time divides what we might share,
And sends us all where no one knows.
I'm just a traveler, upon the sea
Of time, of life, of fate's wide wheel.
Just a traveler, in this mystery
The me I am is all that's real to me.
-- song by King Thunder, "Glitter Rock"
Rock the Redhead
She stood 6 foot 4, barely fit through the door,
Her hair was the color of fire.
She said, "Baby what you need is some horizontal speed
And I'm the one to slake your desire.
Baby, let me take you higher
Rock the redhead all night
Rock the redhead so right
Rock the redhead tonight
Baby take me higher,
Baby take me through the night
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
-- song by King Thunder, "Glitter Rock"
Hot Spot
She's got a Hot spot
She knows how to use it.
Hot spot, oh yeah, hot spot
I can't refuse it
Baby won't you turn up the heat?
Yeah, yeah, yeah
-- song by King Thunder, "Glitter Rock"
"I am the fun."
"Al, it’s 5 o’clock in the morning. Don’t
these
people ever go home?"
I bet you've never
fallen asleep on a girl, have you?
Well, a gentleman would never tell.
-- Sandy and a very embarrassed Sam, "Glitter Rock"
Maybe you'd better take it a little easy with that stuff, huh?
Just because you can't hold your own liquor is no reason to go sounding
like a bloody bumper sticker.
-- Sam and 'Flash', "Glitter Rock"
We make the Beatles look like ants.
-- Flash, "Glitter Rock"
Well I must say this is a neat way to get undressed.
-- Al, about Sam and the 3 groupies, "Glitter Rock"
Sam - what are you doing? You're throwing away a perfectly good
fan sandwich.
-- Al, "Glitter Rock"
Oh Sam, sometimes you are just pitiful.
Why? Because I won't take advantage of some deluded girls who are
throwing themselves at me like some bad writer's dream?
Yes.
-- Al and Sam, "Glitter Rock"
This is worse than when I was a Chippendales dancer.
But, they're dying to be demeaned with you, repeatedly. I swear,
it boggles the mind.
Yeah ... look ... I'm gonna boggle you, now tell me what is going on.
Not much.
(Glare)
-- Sam and Al, "Glitter Rock"
How did you write that song?
With a pen.
-- Interviewer and Sam, "Glitter Rock"
All you do is go out there and make a complete idiot of yourself.
-- Al, "Glitter Rock"
I really don't think it's wise to go swimming in another man's pool.
-- Al, "Glitter Rock"
Next time check your raincoat.
-- Flash to Tonic, "Glitter Rock"
(slipped that bit of British slang past the NBC censors, didn't they?)
Listen, on this
leap I want you to stay really close, OK? Cause if we see him I
don't wanna take a chance on losing him.
I'll stick to you like glue.
-- Sam and Al, "Glitter Rock"
Lucky this is radio!
-- The Announcer, when a fan bares her chest for Tonic to sign,
"Glitter Rock"
Do Hendrix ... or do Townsend.
Who?
That's right.
What is?
Who.
I don't know.
Townsend.
Who?
Yeah, that's right, Pete Townsend of the Who.
Of the what?
Never mind ... If worst comes to worst, do Milli Vanilli.
Who?
That's what I suggested in the first place! Now get out there.
-- Sam and Al do Abbott and Costello, "Glitter Rock"
Why would a complete stranger want to kill me? That doesn't make
any sense!
You're the one with all the PhDs, you tell me.
-- Sam and Al, "Glitter Rock"
We should have killed him, brought him back to life, and killed him
again.
-- Flash about Duane, "Glitter Rock"
Look Al,
this is demeaning to them.
But they're dying to be demeaned with you... repeatedly.
-- Sam and Al, "Glitter Rock"
Al, it's 4 o'clock in the morning, don't these people ever go home?
- Sam, "Glitter Rock"
I told you - it's Flash.
Al, you've been certain about 3 different people.
But this time I'm really certain
-- Al and Sam, "Glitter Rock"
Best
Line:
"Maybe you can teach your old man some new licks. Maybe? I think you
better."
Best
Scene:
The best scene is during the radio interview for WFGF in the mall,
where the broadcaster asks Sam about the lyrics to "Fate’s Wide Wheel."
Sam explains the lyrics with "as we all live our lives behind masks
break through them from the inside and outside."
Awards:
Jean-Pierre Dorleac (Costume Designer) received an
Emmy nomination for
Outstanding Costume Design for a series in 1991.
Production Credits:
The
credits flash across a full concert version of "Rock The Redhead"
performed by Scott Bakula and the cast with Dean Stockwell!
Theme by: Mike Post Music by: Velton Ray Bunch Co-Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt Co-Executive Producer: Michael Zinberg Supervising Producers: Harker Wade Co-producers: Paul Brown, Jeff Gourson Produced by: Chris Ruppenthal Created by: Donald P. Bellisario Written by: Chris Ruppenthal Directed by:Andy Cadiff Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario Associate Producer:James S. Giritlian Executive Story Editor: Tommy Thompson Director of Photography: Michael Watkins, A.S.C. Production Designer: Cameron Birnie Edited by: Jon Koslowsky, A.C.E. Unit Production Manager: Ron Grow First Assistant Director: Paul Sirmons Second Assistant Director: L. Lewis Stout Casting by: Ellen Lubin Sanitsky Set Director: Robert L. Zilliox Costume Designer: Jean-Pierre Dorleac Costume Supervisors: David Rawley & Donna Roberts-Orme Sound Mixer: Barry D. Thomas Stunt Coordinator: Diamond Farnsworth Sound Editor: Paul Clay Music Editor: Donald Woods
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 - Glitter Rock
Listen to The Quantum Leap Podcast on this episode here:
Cue the guitar solo, and get ready for some Glitter Rock!
On this episode of the Quantum Leap Podcast, hosts Allison Pregler,
Matt Dale and Christopher DeFilippis don their purple fedoras and rock
out to this season three whodunit in which Sam Leaps into the lead
singer of a glam rock band — and must avoid being murdered by a crazed
fan.
Join us for lots of fun, music and laughs, as we go beyond the gonzo
makeup and crazy costumes to determine if Quantum Leap’s rock and roll
fantasy is a one-hit-wonder, or a power ballad for the ages.
Let us know what you think!
Leave us a voicemail by calling (707) 847-6682.
Send in your thoughts, theories, and feedback, voice memos, MP3s & email to quantumleappodcast@gmail.com.
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