4x21 "Stand-Up"

Leap Date:

April 30, 1959

Episode Adopted by: Rose E.
Additional info provided by: Brian Greene

Synopsis:

Sam has leaped into a very un-funny night club comedian act. Sam's partner is filled with anger from his childhood, and he and their new female partner are in love but can't yet find the words to get together. As Sam and Al try to bring them together, a mob boss who has his eyes set on the girl may tear them apart permanently.

Audio for this episode
Scott sings

TV Guide Synopsis
Places
Leap Date
Name of the Person Leaped Into
Broadcast Date
Synopsis & Review
Music
Sam Trivia
Al Trivia
Al's Women
Al's Outfits Worn in the Episode
Miscellaneous Trivia
Guest Stars
Guest Cast Notes
Say What?
Quotable Quotes
Best Scene
Production Credits
Podcasts

Production # : 67315

TV Guide Synopsis:
Sam's part of a comedy trio featuring a bright comedienne and a yuckster who's in love with her and in mortal danger, but doesn't know either thing. Sam: Scott Bakula. Mack: Bob Saget. Frankie: Amy Yasbeck. Carlo: Robert Miranda. Joe: Tom LaGrua. Charlie: Wil Albert.

Promo:

Places:
Glendale, Arizona

Cocono in the Pocano, Gold & Sand Casino in Las Vegas

Leap Date:
April 30, 1959

Name of the Person Leaped Into:
Davey Parker

Broadcast Date:
May 13, 1992 - Wednesday

Synopsis & Review:

Sam leaps into a man named David "Davey" Parker (leapee played by Rafe Battiste) who's part of a comedy act with his male partner Mack MacKay (Bob Saget); they are regular headliners at a resort and nightclub in the Poconos in the late 1950s. Newly hired female partner Frankie Washarskie (Amy Yasbeck), who works at the resort as a waitress, and who also often accompanies them on stage to perform, wants desperately to be a regular part of the act, making it a trio, to Mack's stubbornly adamant and bitter demand.

As Davey, Sam, who leaped into him as the three were performing, realizes Frankie's comedic timing, also realizing that her talents are needed in what was a dying act without her, (one of Mack's stale jokes was a one-line insult where he asks Davey "What are you, comedically stunted, or hopelessly stupid!?) as she helped the act to get a grand applause at the show's end that night, as well as good reviews in the local newspapers.

Sam, with the report of Ziggy, through Al, and with Al's agreement, also realizes that his mission is not only to convice the stubbron Mack to relent on his refusal to allow Frankie, who he's been dating, to not only join the act, but to get the two, who are constantly arguing due to Mack's control issues, to see that they love each other, and prevent one of the comedians from getting killed by the Mafia.

One big problem in Sam accomplishing his mission, is that, the quick-tempered Mack who's also a control freak, has had a history of changing up the act in the past several years, as Davey, Sam's leapee, seems to have been the "voice of reason" that could possibly get his stubborn, controlling Mack, who's had a series of fallouts with his previous comedic partners in the past four years, to listen to suggestions and to improve the act.

Not only does Sam get him to grudgingly relent and allow Frankie a chance as the act's 3rd wheel, but also manages the club's manager Lou Collins (Mark Lonow). to relent and change his mind, after the hot-headed Mack managed to get the act fired from their gig at the club after getting into it with him after he calls Lou's club a "two-bit flea bag hotel".

All of their lives get a little more complicated when notorious local area mobster Carlo Degorio (Robert Miranda) offers them a contract to perform at his club in Las Vegas. They're thrilled at the opportunity, but it's also obvious that the gangster's real interest is in Frankie. When Al tells Sam that Mack will "disappear" that night he has to be quick on his feet to get the mobster to lay off. Source

Personal Review by Rose E.:

This is a very funny episode. Iit would have been a lot of fun to act in. We learn something in this episode that Al says he never did - he wasn't a stand up comic!

Music:
"Orange Colored Sky" by Nat King Cole (covered in the club)

"Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" from Broadway's "Roberta" (covered by Scott Bakula)

The diner music was previously heard in "8 1/2 Months."

Sam Trivia:
Sam doesn't have comedic timing!

Sam wears the same jacket he wore in "8 1/2 Months" when they go to Las Vegas.

Al Trivia:
Al’s says that his fourth wife and him fought all the time because they were in love, and were crazy about each other, but didn’t know how to handle it.

Al says that he was never a stand up comic.

Al's Women:
Al means to help a girl "powder her nose."

He had a hard time with displaying affection towards his fourth wife.

Al’s Outfits Worn in the Episode:
Al has a gray suit with a black collar, a white shirt that has red squares and shapes on it, and a red skinny tie.

Al’s second outfit is a teal shirt with matching green jacket, black pants, striped gray and green tie, and a large metal fish like pin.

Al’s third outfit is a purpleish suit, with a light purple shirt, silver tie, and a gold rectangle pin.

Miscellaneous Trivia:
There is a slot machine in the men’s bathroom, in this episode.

In the Leap-in sequence from the previous episode, an extra line is inserted about hiding in the bushes.

At the end of "The Leap Back" Al says that Sam leaped into a stand-up comic (playing the Catskills) in 1956, where he's meant to save a little girl that's being torn apart by a divorce, and make sure that she has a good stable home to be raised in. Though we never see that leap ourselves, in this episode Sam is a stand-up comic in 1959. He has a completely different goal in this leap, but the vague resemblance between these two leaps is interesting.

Regular Cast:
Scott Bakula
Dean Stockwell

Guest Stars:
Amy Yasbeck as Frankie Washarskie
Bob Saget as Macklyn "Mack" MacKay
Mark Lonow as Lou Collins, owner of the Cocono Club
Robert Miranda as Carlo DeGorio
Tom LaGrua as Joey
Mark Lolow as Loui Collins
Wil Albert as Charlie
Pete Schrum as Trucker
Jon Melichar as Emcee
Martha Jane as Waitress
Rosemary Tarrquino as Maria Rose
Rafe Battiste as Davey Parker (Mirror Image)

Guest Cast Notes:

Amy Yasbeck as Frankie Washarskie: Married to John Ritter, who she co-starred with in Problem Child 2, as Annie Young. Yasbeck played Olivia Reed on Days of Our Lives from 1986-1987. She is also well known for her part as Casey Chapel Davenport on "Wings" (1994-1997).

Bob Saget as Macklyn "Mack" MacKay: Bob Saget was an American actor, stand-up comedian, and television host from Philadelphia. His best known role was playing pater familias Danny Tanner on the hit sitcom "Full House" (1987-1995). He played the character again in the sequel series "Fuller House" (2016-2020). Saget served as the original host of the long-running clip show "America's Funniest Home Videos" from 1989 to 1997. Saget voiced the narrator in the hit sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" (2005-2014), depicted as an older version of main character Ted Mosby. In 1956, Saget was born to a Jewish family in Philadelphia. His parents were supermarket executive Benjamin Saget and hospital administrator Rosalyn "Dolly" Saget. The Saget family eventually moved to Norfolk, Virginia. Bob received his early religious education at Temple Israel, a synagogue of Norfolk which adhered to Conservative Judaism. He was reportedly a rebellious student. Saget's big break came when he was chosen to portray widowed father Danny Tanner in the sitcom "Full House" (1987-1995). The series depicted Danny's efforts to raise three young daughters, with the assistance of his best friends. The show suffered from poor viewership in its first season, but attracted a family audience due to its portrayal of the struggles associated with parenting. By its third season, it was ranked among Nielsen's Top 30 shows. Saget became a household name, and the series lasted for 8 seasons and 192 episodes. The series was eventually canceled due to its increasing production costs. Its rating had remained high until its final episode. In 1989, Saget was chosen as the host of the clip show "America's Funniest Home Videos". The show featured humorous homemade videos which were submitted by its viewers, often highlighting physical comedy, pranks, or unusual behavior by children and pets. While the show was popular with viewers, Saget himself was increasingly frustrated with its repetitive format. When his contract for the show expired in 1997, Saget was not interested in negotiating for a renewal. In 1996, Saget directed the dramatic television film "For Hope". The film depicted the struggles of a woman who is slowly dying due to being afflicted with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease with no known cure. Saget was reportedly inspired by the life and death of his sister Gay Saget, who had died due to scleroderma. The film received high ratings in its debut. From 2001 to 2002, Saget had the starring role of Matt Stewart in the sitcom "Raising Dad". The premise of the series was that widowed father Matt Stewart was trying to raise two daughter, while pursuing a teaching career at his eldest's daughter's high school. Despite the series having a similar concept to "Full House", it failed to find an audience. It lasted for a single season. In 2005, Saget was cast as the narrator in the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" (2005-2014). The premise of the series was that middle-aged Ted Mosby narrates his life story (and the life stories of his best friends) to his son and daughter. The series repeatedly implied that Ted was an unreliable narrator, who either embellished or censored aspects of his various stories. The series was quite popular, lasting for 9 seasons and 208 episodes. In January 2022, Saget was in Florida for a stand-up tour. On January 9, Saget was discovered dead in his hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, located south of Orlando, Florida. He was 65-years-old. His autopsy revealed that the cause of death was blunt head trauma from an accidental blow to the back of his head, likely from a fall. He had died in his sleep. He was buried at the Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery, next to the graves of his parents and his sister. Mourners honored Saget by offering donations to the charity "Scleroderma Research Foundation" (SRF), since Saget had long served in its board of directors. Saget is gone, but his popularity endures due to his acting and directing roles in several popular films and television shows.

Mark Lonow as Lou Collins: Born on May 11, 1944 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Wedding Singer (1998), National Security (2003) and Thank God It's Friday (1978). He has been married to JoAnne Astrow since 1966.

Robert Miranda as Carlo DeGorio: born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He is known for Midnight Run (1988), Blue Streak (1999) and Eraser (1996).

Tom LaGrua as Joey: Born on September 28, 1949 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Caroline in the City (1995), NYPD Blue (1993) and The Boys (1988).

Mark Lolow as Loui Collins: Born on May 11, 1944 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Wedding Singer (1998), National Security (2003) and Thank God It's Friday (1978). He has been married to JoAnne Astrow since 1966.

Wil Albert as Charlie: Born on August 22, 1930 in New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Frost/Nixon (2008), Private Benjamin (1980) and I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978).

Pete Schrum as Trucker: Attending a catholic school, Peter "Pete" Schrum realized that he wanted to be an actor. Born in 1934, Peter started doing play acting and drama all over the place. He was enthused to work and loved doing stage. He and lifelong friends vowed to become actors one day. Peter was the only one to uphold the promise. Every so often, Peter would be out of work and laugh about some of his characters. Schrum took up the job of the Coca-Cola Santa Claus, then stopped working for years. Pete's last film, Hulk (2003) was released in mid 2003. You can spot him as Sgt. Crowe. Most memorable for playing the shotgun-firing bartender, Lloyd, in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). See him in action below:

Jon Melichar as Emcee: Jon Melichar is known for Halo halo (2008), Quantum Leap (1989) and Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1997).

Martha Jane as Waitress: Martha Jane Urann is known for Quantum Leap (1989), D.C. Cab (1983) and Odd Jobs (1986).

Rosemary Tarrquino as Maria Rose: Rosemary Tanguinia is known for Quantum Leap (1989), The Agency (2001) and Avenger (2006).

Rafe Battiste as Davey Parker (Mirror Image): Rafe Battiste is known for Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995), She Spies (2002) and Quantum Leap (1989).

Say What?
The episode starts out with a joke about a sheep and cop, but they never tell you how it ends.

At the beginning of the episode, Mack continues his joke with “and what did the cop say?”, but when Sam doesn't know what to say, Mack changes his wording to “so, what did you say?” Is Sam the cop?

Mack points at the drummer for a comedic drum sound, but both times the drummer has already done it. Timing!

Al once leaves using the relocation sound rather than the Imaging Chamber door effect.

Quotable Quotes:
Mack: "Oh boy, oh boy. How do you like that ladies and gentlemen. Davey’s got a new routine and he forgot to tell me about it."
Guy in audience: "Thank goodness one of you got a new routine."
Mack: "Hey buddy you want to come up here and do the show by yourself. I bet you do a lot of things by yourself. Huh?"

"That’s it. I’m killing you."

"You’re on a real roller coaster here."

"The three of us. The Three Stooges. That’s not funny."

Mack: "You think you can blackmail me."
Sam & Frankie: "Yes."

"That’s the way my mind works."

Mack: "Hit me."
Sam: "I would if I thought it would do any good."

"He’s lizard food."

"Two big ugly guys with noses for faces."

Best Line:
"You’re not suppose to be funny, you’re a scientist."

Best Scene:
At the end before Sam leaps he takes a pie and tries to put it in Al’s face. Since Al is a hologram, the pie goes straight through him, all over the wall. Then Sam leaps.

Production Credits:

Theme by: Mike Post
Music by: Velton Ray Bunch
Co-Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt
Co-Executive Producer: Michael Zinberg
Supervising Producer: Harker Wade
Produced by: Jeff Gourson, Tommy Thompson
Produced by: Chris Ruppenthal, Paul Brown
Created by: Donald P. Bellisario
Written by: Deborah Pratt
Directed By: Michael Zinberg

Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario
Associate Producers: James S. Giritlian, Julie Bellisario
Coordinating Producer: David Bellisario
Director of Photography: Robert McBride
Production Designer: Cameron Birnie
Edited By: Jon Koslowsky, A.C.E.
Unit Production Manager: Ron Grow
First Assistant Director: Ryan Gordon
Second Assistant Director: Kate Yurka
Casting by: Ellen Lubin Sanitsky
Set Director: Robert L. Zilliox
Costume Designer: Jean-Pierre Dorleac
Costume Supervisor: David Rawley
Art Director: Ellen Dambros-Williams
Sound Mixer: Barry D. Thomas
Stunt Coordinator: Diamond Farnsworth
Sound Editor: Greg Schorer
Music Editor: Bruce Frazier
Special Visual Effects: Roger Dorney, Denny Kelly

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 © 1992 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 in association with Universal Television, an MCA Company

Podcasts:




Quantum Leap Podcast: Stand-Up