Leap Date:
February 25, 1958

Episode Adopted by: Eleiece <aka> Sherdran & Christina Gist
Additional info provided by: Brian Greene

Teaser:

Sam finds himself in the life of a bigamist married to two women and two sets of kids that are both starved for his attention! Al tells Sam that Ziggy predicts he must choose one family or the other while making sure that they never find out about each other. At the same time, he must settle up with a couple of gamblers who want their money.

Audio from this episode:

Al: I could have gone through
ten wives instead of five!

TV Guide Teaser:

Sam's a bigamist with only even odds that he'll make the right choice between his two wives and families, whose futures are riding on it. Ellen: Mary Lou Childs. Rachel: Jill Tracy. Jessica: Ashley Peldon. Sam: Scott Bakula. Al: Dean Stockwell.

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Synopsis & Review:

Sam leaps in holding a suitcase. Before he can figure out who, where, and when he is, two children run up to him, excited to see their father. Following them is their mother - who he can only assume is his wife.  

Their reunion can only be short lived as the woman draws his attention to the fact that he is being paged. He quickly covers for not realizing it was his host being paged by stating he was so excited to see everyone that he didn’t hear.  

She sends him off, telling him they will get his bags and meet him at the curb, while also reminding him not to take too long as she has a pot roast in the oven and “something special for dessert.”

He makes his way to the desk, and before he can ask the attendant about the page, a different woman grabs him, kisses him, and then excitedly calls her kids over.

His other kids.

Oh Boy.

The woman asks Sam if he’s happy to see them, as he seems to be in a state of shock. He tries to play it off as he is just “a little surprised.” He is hugged tightly by the son, while the daughter hangs back, seemingly uneasy.  

As it turns out, she lives in Brookly, but has followed him here even though he is supposedly there on business. She said that the kids hadn’t seen him in a long time and that Brooklyn was lonely.  

After informing him of how she planned the little surprise, Al can be heard coming through the “door”.

Sam gets Al’s help in finding a place for the second family to stay, so they can have a moment away from the chaos.  

It’s revealed that the daughter can see Al, which means she can also see Sam for who he is. She gets annoyed that her mother can’t see the man standing right by them, smoking a cigar.  

Al quickly steps in, telling her that he’s her father’s invisible friend, but the little girl replies that Sam is not her father. Al tries to explain it is her father, he is just in disguise.

She accepts this response, and her mother just assumes it’s her imagination, and Sam doubles down saying it must have something to do with the books she’s reading.

The son rolls his eyes and says, “Right, Dad. All the characters in Mother Goose smoke cigars.” This leads to a scolding, and Sam tries to divert back to the original motive: To get them out of the airport and to the hotel.  

The wife asks why he isn’t going with them, and he states he has to make a stop. Al gives Sam information on his Host. He’s a traveling salesman for BestWay Brushes. Sam uses the information to make up a story about meeting a client for a big sale.  

The daughter tells her mother that Al wants them to go and that someone is looking for her father. Here, we learn that “Marty” has a gambling problem.

Al confirms it, and the daughter informs her mother that “Al says yes.”

When his wife begins to get angry, Sam reminds her that their daughter is talking to his invisible friend. This calms the situation, and she takes the kids to the hotel… after scaring Sam into promising he will be home for dinner.  

Sam is disgusted, and when Al asks him what’s wrong, he replies: “I’m a bigamist!”

Al doesn’t seem too phased.

Al thinks it’s a great setup…  unless they meet. Ziggy says it’s Sam’s mission to keep them apart. Though, she is not sure for how long.

In the original history, Marty did not know Rachel was coming to Florida.  

Already confused, Sam asks which one Rachel was. “The one that gets hot in the tropics.” Rachel’s children are Josh and Jessica. His other wife is Ellen, who’s children are Mary and Martin. “Peter Pan was big in the ‘50’s.” When he asks about Tinkerbell, Al reveals that his pedigree Greyhound’s name is Tinkerbell.

Marty bought Tinkerbell as an investment as he is a big fan of dog races.  

Al instructs Sam to have fun with Ellen, but don’t be late for Rachel before he heads out, telling Sam as he leaves: “This is my kind of leap!”

He turns to the car that his first family is waiting in. Ellen, Mary, and Martin eagerly call him over to get in the car.  

They get home, and Sam attempts to make small talk at dinner in an attempt to learn more about this family. He listens as Martin tells him about his science project, and Mary tells him about her excellent dentist checkup.  

Ellen reminds Sam that he promised the children a reward. He fumbles around until he’s reminded that he keeps them in his tote bag. When he doesn’t immediately jump to get it, Ellen offers to get it for him.  

While Ellen is off getting the tote bag, Martin reveals he’s done a special math project. Sam quickly realizes he handicapped the dog races, and Martin tells him that he owes him three bucks for the effort. There is disappointment in Martin’s eyes when Ellen returns and Sam tucks the paper away.

Reaching into his tote, he pulls out presents.  

Martin receives a shoehorn, which further irritates him, especially since it is what he received last time. Sam jokes that Martin has two feet, but it falls flat.

Mary announces sarcastically, that she’s received a disposable shower cap.  

Sam can see the disappointment, and looks through the bag for something more only to find more pilfered toiletries and utensils from the hotel he stayed at.  

Mary leaves, stating she has to go study for a test. Sam offers to help, and she snaps back that it isn’t about the horse races.  

Martin complains that their mother gets more presents than they do. Sam explains it’s because she’s the mother, and continues to look for more items. Fed up, Martin throws down some bags and says he’s not taking his lunch in a barf bag and storms off. Ellen scolds him, but it falls on deaf ears.

Dinner now finished, Sam tries to hurry away, knowing he promised to meet Rachel and the kids for dinner with them. He makes an excuse that he has a meeting, claiming his client is in Tokyo and citing a time difference for the reason the meeting is so late.  

Ellen reminds him that Friday is movie night and wants to take the children to a cartoonarama at the theater. She tells him that he promised, and when he stammers, she demands to know if he’s hiding something.  

She thinks he might be going to the track.  

Sam insists he isn’t, and asks about going to the movies the next day, to which Ellen tells him that night is their night. “Naughty schoolgirl night.”

Flustered, Sam tells her to go to the movies and promises he’ll meet her there. She agrees, and allows him to leave after a kiss.

One fade in later, Sam is with Rachel, and she is all over him, demanding to know what took him so long. Sam makes up a story about his meeting. She ordered pizza, and is annoyed when Sam doesn’t eat any of it. He says he’s not in the mood for pizza, she says she’s in the mood for him. “Chambermaid night.”

They’re interrupted when Josh comes in to show off his haul from the maid’s cart. Sam scolds him, and Josh insists that his father was the one who taught him how to take from the cart. Rachel tells Josh they need a bath mat. Sam tries to stop him, but Josh is already out the door.  

Rachel tries again to get Sam to eat pizza (while also putting the moves on him.) but is interrupted this time, by Jessica, who excitedly asks about a device in the hotel. He nearly slips and talks like it’s been a long time since he’s seen one, then recovers and tells her that you put a dime into it and it makes the bed shake.  

Rachel says she knows another way to make the bed shake.  

Sam isn’t sure what to say, and then Jessica states that she has a dime. Sam tells her he will turn it on, but Jessica pulls it away, showing her distrust in her father. She puts it into the machine and jumps onto the bed while being scolded by Rachel for giving lip to her father.

Al returns and says he and Ruthie had a “massage-o-matic” running for nine hours straight.

Sam says he doesn’t want to hear it, and Rachel protests that Ruthie needs to apologize for smarting off. Jessica tells Rachel that Sam is talking to his invisible friend, and Rachel rolls her eyes.

He tries to get away by using the bathroom as an excuse, but Jessica races him to it and slams the door shut. Sam instead says he’ll use the one in the lobby.

Al is thrilled to be talking to Marty, while Sam is still disgusted about his bigamy. The two talk in the hall, earning some curious looks from other patrons. Al says he could have had ten wives instead of five, much to Sam’s annoyance.

So far, Sam has kept the wives separated, and wants to know why he hasn’t leaped.  

Al gives him the bad news: keeping the wives apart was only the first part of the leap. The second, is that Ziggy is pretty sure Marty is only supposed to have one wife. The worst news? Ziggy doesn’t know which one to pick. “The odds are 50-50.”

Unsure of how to choose, Al offers: “which one do you like?”

Still unsure, he asks Al which one he likes. Al picks Ellen, and Sam picks Rachel. Both are surprised at the other’s decision. Sam tells Al that Ellen isn’t his type, and that Rachel has the vibrating bed.

Al asks if that’s why Sam picked Rachel.  

Sam feels like Rachel needs more help than Ellen does.

As it turns out, Marty can’t make up his mind either.

Ellen was first, and Rachel was married on a bet that she couldn’t stay married to him for a year, and now, their ninth anniversary is only a month away.

Sam doesn’t like the idea that someone is going to get hurt, and doesn’t know how to choose just one. Al tells him to get to know both of them. Then, he tells him he needs to rush off to the theater.

He uses the excuse of a meeting to slip away from Rachel. She gets angry because they missed out on their own events just to drive down and see him.  

After being told there’s a 50-50 chance he needs to stay with Rachel, he offers to cancel his meeting, to which Al gives him a 50-50 that he needs to be with Ellen.

Sam’s solution is to take them to the movies, despite the risk of the wives crossing paths.

Josh is annoyed that they’re going to see cartoons, and Sam attempts to have a heart to heart with him. Josh misinterprets this as he’s buttering him up for money. Sam insists he doesn’t want his money, but Josh gives him the last of his lunch money.

At the theater, Rachel attempts to put the moves on Sam who tells her he’s going to the bathroom, and winds up taking food orders. Rachel gives him money and reminds him that she counts the change.

He slips around and finds Ellen and the other children. Ellen jokes with him that “the races aren’t even over yet” when he arrives.  

They watch the cartoons for a moment, and then Sam tries to tell her he’s getting popcorn. Ellen insists they wait until intermission, and attempts to put the moves on him. Once again, Sam uses the bathroom excuse and Martin says he needs to go too. When told to wait until intermission, he insists he can’t hold it.  

Sam reluctantly lets him tag along.

He lets Martin go to the bathroom and says he’s going to get a soda. While trying to remember the order, he runs into Jessica. She tells him Rachel wants to know what’s taking so long. He blames a long line for the bathroom and tells her he’s getting the food and he’ll meet her back inside. She eyes him suspiciously, but agrees.

He makes his order, and is caught by Martin, who thinks the food is for them. Back in the theater, Ellen and the kids dig into the snacks, and Sam takes it away and tells them he needs ketchup. He sneaks around to Rachel, and gives them the pilfered snacks. The kids are annoyed that there are things missing.

Sam excuses himself again.

Ellen rushes off to look for Sam, and Rachel does the same.

He ducks out of sight so as not to have the women meet. However, they do unknowinglypass by one another.

He’s complaining to Al about being out of snacks and out of money when two men (Vic and Gus as we later discover) approach him, seemingly annoyed that he’s complaining about being broke. Sam asks if he knows them. The men are even more annoyed, and Al tells him they are probably people he’s placed a bet with.

They take him off to have a little chat, and Sam asks about the movie. The man says he hates movies that make him cry, and Sam makes a quip about Bambi, which earns him a punch to the gut.

The guys remind him of the debt he owes, and threaten him to come up with it in 24 hours.

Sam laments how even though he had two wives, he wound up sleeping on a park bench. Knowing that the men, Vic and Gus were serious about the money, he risked going home.  

He first runs into Martin, and apologizes for the night before. Martin tells him that Ellen isn’t home and that he isn’t allowed in.  

He tries to explain that he’s in big trouble, to which Martin is not surprised. He lists off all the times his dad let him down, and Sam swears he’s not there for money, and just wants a shower.

Annoyed, Martin takes some pencils out of a jar and reveals money hidden inside. He gives it to Sam, who insists he doesn’t want money. Martin insists he take it and that he’ll put it on his tab.

Sam apologizes for the sold presents and missed games. He swears he’ll make it up to him some day. At this point, Martin decides to let him in, but says he’ll check his pockets when he leaves.

After cleaning up, Sam goes to the hotel. Josh answers the door, and tells him it’s a bad idea to be there. Sam says he wants to apologize to Rachel, but Josh says she’s not there, and that she’s getting her hair done at the beauty parlor in the lobby.  

He too asks if Sam needs money. Even when Sam says he doesn’t need it, he hands him cash. Rachel gave Josh the money to buy presents, but he says he can get them bath mats. Sam tries to protest, but Josh insists and asks him to leave Rachel alone for a while.

Downstairs, Rachel is getting her hair done and talking about her children. As it turns out, Ellen is her hairdresser.  

Sam is in a panic. He needs money, or he’ll have two broken thumbs. (Vic’s trademark.) Al graphically describes how Sam’s thumbs will be twisted unless he gets the money from Ellen or Rachel.  

Back in the beauty parlor, Rachel is lamenting about her wayward husband. Ellen joins in and laments about hers. Neither realizing they’re talking about the same man. They both lie about his gambling problem, each stating they’re glad they’re not married to a gambler.

In the hall, Al says Sam is going to have a hard time getting money from either of them, and Sam reminds him he still needs to know which wife to choose.

During the leap, he’s been going from family to family trying to see who needs him most. He says that if he asks the wrong wife for the money it could ruin everything, and then he’ll be stuck there.

Ziggy interrupts, telling Sam (very brokenly) to get away from the window. He realizes just in time that he is standing in front of the beauty parlor window, where both of his wives are talking away. He manages to duck out without being seen.

Al correctly assumes the two are talking about Sam.

Sam is annoyed that Al didn’t tell him Ellen worked there. His excuse was that Sam never asked him to check. Sam sends him in there to listen to what they’re saying while he comes up with a plan to separate them again.

Al listens to the women’s conversation. Neither wants a man who fools around, and while Ellen says the wife is last to know, Rachel says she’d definitely know.

Rachel tells her about how her friend found out her husband was seeing another man by overhearing a conversation in the restroom.

Just as they’re about to discuss the type of sales their husbands do, the phone rings and Rachel is paged. Ellen is surprised to find they have the same last name. Rachel jokes that maybe they’re related.  

Al says it’s “closer than you think, honey.”

Rachel takes the call, annoyed that it’s her husband.  

Sam, with the help of Al, comes up with an apology (sans the “lower than pond scum” comment) and says that he wants to turn over a new leaf. She tells him he’s not getting any money. He says it’s not about money, and that he left a note on her car and that if she wanted to know what it said, she’d have to go read it.

Rachel says she’ll think about it, but Al knows she’s taken the bait.

Al tries to figure out what Sam wrote, to which he just says she’ll love it. He instead wants to talk about how he’s figured out why he’s there.  

He won’t tell Al the answer, only that he’ll find out “tonight at 6.”

Sam then rushes into the parlor to meet with Ellen. She doesn't want to see him. He apologizes and asks her out on a date. She’s suspicious, but he tells her there’s no angle and he’s been terrible and wants to make it up to her.  

She wants to know who’s paying. He tells her not to worry about it.  

She promises him that she’ll be there. Satisfied, Sam leaves.

Vic and Gus find him in the lobby, and tease him about picking up litter. They aren’t so keen on letting him go this time.

Sam asks if he has a few more hours, and learns he’s three days overdue at this point.  

Vic talks him up, telling him he gave him a grace period. Then he tells him about a paint set he bought, and asks Sam if he thinks he could be an artist. Al says no, but Sam brings up Van Gogh and his late entry into the painting world.  

He then asks where the money is.  

Sam says he’s gotta make a phone call about the money.  

He makes up a phone number, and Al realizes he’s trying to talk to him. Sam uses the opportunity to try and get some help. He brings up the horse race that’s playing. Al says they can never use information in the future for personal gain.  

Sam asks what idiot made up that rule, and Al says it was in fact, Sam, and that he tried to talk him out of it.

Ziggy interrupts to tell Al that one of Marty’s kids is running away. Sam tries to use this as an excuse to leave, but Vic isn’t having it, so he sends Al.  

Al tries to argue for a chance to break the rules, but Sam doesn’t want to risk losing Jessica. He hangs up, and tries to buy some time with a new plan.

Vic and Gus are annoyed he doesn’t have the money, but he promises that he’ll have it after the race. He pulls out all the money the kids gave him, and asks if Vic will loan him another 350 to make a bet on a long shot.  

Sam explains that the payoff will be just enough to pay back Vic, who isn’t happy with the idea. Sam plays to Vic’s “sensitive, artistic soul” and wins him over. Vic goes to the phone to make the bet.

Al finds Jessica, and tells her Rachel will be sad if she runs away. He has a heart-to-heart with her. Jessica wants Al to come home with them and be her daddy. She tells him that she doesn’t really have a daddy. Al tells her he didn’t have a mommy or a daddy, and that it made him very sad.  

He talks to Jessica about he always wanted a mommy, and reminds her of all the things her mommy does for her. Jessica says her mommy does those things because she loves her. Before going back to the room, she asks if she’ll ever see Al again. He tells her that she doesn’t need him, but she does need her mommy, and her mommy needs her.

Jessica promises she’ll go back and take care of Rachel and not run away.

Back with Vic, Gus, and Sam, it is clear that Vic is beginning to lose faith in that long shot bet. He starts to leave, to allow his cohort to break Sam’s thumbs, when Sam brings him back. Suddenly, the long shot (Lead Balloon) has taken the lead, and wins the race.

A happy celebration has Sam hugging Vic, only momentarily before realizing that it’s probably not the best idea. Vic gets drinks to celebrate as Al pops in and tells Sam that Lead Balloon will win by a nose.  

But Sam has already won.

Now that the bookie is paid and Jessica is safe, Al wants to know what Sam is doing about the wife situation.  

Sam smiles, and goes to meet Ellen in the lobby, and then… Rachel.

Rachel runs up and kisses Sam and Ellen angrily interrupts. She tells him that Rachel has mistaken her husband for someone else, and Rachel insists he’s her husband.  

Al is confused.  

Ellen asks if this is a “jokey wokey”, and Sam says it isn’t. He explains to the women what he’s done and that he’s a bigamist while Al continues to try and get him to stop.

Rachel, still under the impression he’s kidding, says she’s starving. He tells her he’s the father of her children, then tells Ellen he’s also the father of her children. Ellen tries to get him to go home, and he explains he has a home with each wife.  

He tells them he brought them together on purpose, and waits for them to “let him have it.”

The women are both angry. They first turn on each other, and argue about who’s husband he is by shouting off details of their names and weddings. Sam stops them and tells them both it’s neither’s fault. He was the one who married both of them.  

Ellen asks if Rachel knew he was already married, to which Sam tells her she didn't’.

Rachel is angry, saying he sold her items to spend money on Ellen, but Sam says he didn’t spend it on Ellen, that he probably lost it at the track.

Rachel believes him, and tells Ellen how he steals money from the children and sends them to school with lunch in a barf bag. They talk about their worries about money and losing their homes. They begin to bond over their distaste in Marty.  

The two decide that Marty has been taking advantage of both of them.  

Rachel tells Sam she’s leaving him, and that Ellen can have him. Ellen says she’s changing the locks.  

Neither woman wants him. They both leave him.

Rachel goes on to marry a doctor and her children go to college. Ellen becomes a marriage counselor, remarries and Al says her kids are fine too.  

He goes on to tell Sam that Marty cleans up his act and sells his story.  

Each woman gives him a kiss on the cheek and leaves him for good. Ellen invites Rachel over for coffee so they can talk about everything.  

Al is shocked that Sam figured it all out, scolds him for not telling him.  

As the two are bickering, someone calls for Marty. Sam and Al turn to see a woman walking up with two children.  

Sam leaps out, and then, into a crowd. He takes a look around, confused at where he is. A woman is keying up the crowd with a loudspeaker, and a girl next to him excitedly tells him to “do it! Just do it!”

Sam looks in his hand and sees he’s holding a bra. He throws it onto the fire while the crowd chants: “Liberation now!”

Oh Boy.

Synopsis by Christina Gist

Personal Review by Eleiece <aka> Sherdran:

I loved the way that Donald Bellisario took not one but two serious subjects, bigamy and gambling, and still managed to make a funny and entertaining episode around them. He didn't shove morality or personal opinions about either subject down our throats. Yet with just the right amount of both comedy and honesty, "A Tale Of Two Sweeties" still got across some of the all too real ramifications common to each, such as the effect it has on a marriage, finances, and even more how it can affect the children of such marriages. Marty's marriages to Ellen and Rachel ended, but at least this time they and their kids all apparently came out with a better future.

But you know, I wonder... did Gina get wise to Marty and change the locks on her door, too?

Sam Trivia:

In this episode Sam uses the quote, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," for which most people give credit to The Immortal Bard a/k/a William Shakespeare. Actually, "Hell hath..." is only part of a quote, and Shakespeare didn't write it, in fact he couldn't have written it since he died in 1616. The correct (full) quote is: "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned," is from "The Mourning Bride" penned in 1697 by English poet and playwright, William Congreve.

Al Trivia:

Al carried a cigar throughout most of this episode.

He used the multi-colored 'Gummy Bear' handlink in this episode.

Al's Women:

Al was impressed with Marty's marital set-up to the point that he told Sam, "I think I found a new idol. Just think, if I'd done it like Marty, I could've gone
through ten wives instead of five!"

He recalls a trip to Cleveland with Ruthie. They used a massage bed for nine hours straight!

Al likes Ellen better than Rachel, which is very surprising to Sam.

Miscellaneous Trivia:

The title of this episode refers to the book, "A Tale of Two Cities."

The episode of Woody Woodpecker seen in the episode is titled "Destination Meatball." Woody Woodpecker was created in 1941 by Walter Lantz, one of the early pioneers of animation. Mel Blanc (best known as the voice of Bugs Bunny) did the voice of Woody in the early years, but in the 1950s, Gracie Lantz (Walter's wife) secretly auditioned for and got the nod to take over doing Woody's voice. Production of new Woody cartoons ceased in 1975.

Watch the cartoon below!

Scott Bakula and Ashley Peldon (who plays Elroys's daughter Jessica) worked together again when voicing Danny and Darla Dimple in 1997 animated film "Cats Don't Dance".

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This episode began filming on Tuesday November 17th . The first day saw the completion of scenes in the movie theatre, on location in downtown LA. The following day, the crew moved to the Ambassador Hotel (where Miss Deep South had been filmed) to record scenes in the beauty parlour and lobby. On Thursday, the hotel then doubled for the airport terminal (interior and exterior) and on Friday the hotel lobby again, for the final confrontation between Sam and Marty’s wives. Recording recommenced on Monday 23rd at the hotel where scenes in the corridors were filmed. On Tuesday, the cast and crew came home to Stage 5 to shoot the Pompano Palace Hotel scenes, remaining on Wednesday to film Ellen’s dining rooms and finally special effects shots of Dean Stockwell in front of a blue screen, for his appearance in the lobby.

The mirror Marty is uncredited. The only other times in the series the leapee is uncredited, except where the mirror shot is performed as a cameo by a regular production team member, are in A Hunting We Will Go, Liberation and Memphis Melody. And, technically, The Wrong Stuff. Source

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Trivia about Marty Elroy:

1. Had 3 wives: Ellen, Rachel and Gina (wife #3 who shows
up just before Sam leaps out);

2. Had 3 homes in 3 different states (all 3 of which support
horse racing and/or dog racing): Florida, New York, and
(this is a guess based on Gina's accent) Kentucky;

3. Married into 3 different faiths: Catholic (Ellen - married
by Father Robert Murphy), Jewish (Rachel -married by Rabbi
Barry Goldstein), and, mostly likely, Baptist (Gina - married
by Reverend 'whoever'); and last, but by no means least,

4. 2 children with each wife: Marty, Jr. and Mary with Ellen;
Josh and Jessica with Rachel, and a boy and girl with Gina.

Bloopers:

Guest Stars:

Mary Lou Childs as Ellen Louise Ellroy
Jill Tracy as Rachel Thelma Ellroy
Ashley Peldon as Jessica Ellroy
J.D. Daniels as Josh Ellroy
Shay Astar as Mary Ellroy
Michael Bellisario as Martin Ellroy, Jr.
Larry Manetti as Vic
J.C. Wendel as Receptionist
Jack Yates as Gus
Kristie Transeau as Gina (Wife #3)
David Bellisario as Commentator
Uncredited as Martin Joseph "Marty" Ellroy, Sr.

Guest Cast Notes:

Mary Lou Childs as Ellen Louise Ellroy: Mary Lou Childs is known for Quantum Leap (1989), Head of the Class (1986) and Babes (1990).

Jill Tracy as Rachel Thelma Ellroy: Jill Tracy is known for Scrubs (2001), Gilmore Girls (2000) and Quantum Leap (1989).

Ashley Peldon as Jessica Ellroy: Ashley Peldon was born on April 2, 1984 in New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Drop Dead Fred (1991), Ghost World (2001) and Child of Rage (1992). She has been married to Steve Hurdle since May 2010. They have one child. At the age of six, she became the youngest person ever to be nominated for a Daytime Emmy award. In 1988, she joined the cast of Guiding Light (1952) and audiences responded to her so well that she became the youngest performer to be put under contract in daytime television. She was four years old. Graduated with a bachelor's degree in Child Psychology and Film from Skidmore College in 2007.

J.D. Daniels as Josh Ellroy: As a child, J.D. lived on Long Island New York before moving to Greenwich Village. At an early age his acting, singing and dancing talents surfaced and was quickly recognized by talent and casting agents. He was cast in his first role at age 7. Besides his film and television credits, JD appeared on Broadway as Gavroche in Les Miserables and won the LA Drama Crtic's Circle award for his role as Young Charley in Conversations With My Father. He attends Columbia University where he is majoring in film studies. In addition to his acting career, he aspires to be behind the camera, writing and directing. He was awarded the 1993 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Featured Actor in a Play for "Conversations with My Father" in presented by the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson at the James A. Doolittle (University of California) Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Shay Astar as Mary Ellroy: Shay Astar was born on September 29, 1981. She is an actress and writer, known for Ernest Scared Stupid (1991), 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996) and La La Land (2012). Her name, Shay, means "present" or "gift" in Hebrew. She guest starred in two unrelated television series featuring a regular character named Sam Beckett: China Beach (1988) and Quantum Leap (1989).

Michael Bellisario as Martin Ellroy, Jr.: Michael Bellisario was born on April 7, 1980 in Los Angeles County, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Grandma's Boy (2006), NCIS (2003) and JAG (1995).

Larry Manetti as Vic: Larry Manetti was born on July 23, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Magnum, P.I. (1980), Black Sheep Squadron (1976) and Battlestar Galactica (1978). He has been married to Nancy DeCarl since February 19, 1980. They have one child. Is the author of the book, Aloha Magnum, chronicling the behind the scenes action on set at Magnum, P.I. (1980). He was not cast as Lt. Robert Boyle in the pilot episode of Black Sheep Squadron (1976), but rather, he was cast as Boyle in the series from the second episode through the end of the series's run in 1978. His acting mentor was Robert Conrad. Best known by the public as Rick Wright on Magnum, P.I. (1980). Had guest-starred on one of the last episodes of Emergency! (1972), with friends Julie London, Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe.Father, with Nancy DeCarl, of son, Lorenzo Manetti, born on November 29, 1980.

J.C. Wendel as Receptionist: J.C. Wendel was born on April 3, 1964 in New York, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Day Shift (2022), The X-Files (1993) and Dave's World (1993).

Jack Yates as Gus: Jack Yates is known for The Rock (1996), My Man Adam (1985) and Knots Landing (1979).

Kristie Transeau as Gina: Kristie Transeau is known for Paulie (1998), Quantum Leap (1989) and Unsolved Mysteries (1987).

David Bellisario as Commentator: David Bellisario was born on July 18, 1957 in Mojave, California, USA. He was a producer, known for Quantum Leap (1989), JAG (1995) and NCIS (2003). He died on July 24, 2020 in Northridge, Los Angeles, California, USA. Older half-brother of Michael Bellisario, Troian Bellisario; Nicholas Bellisario, and his step-brothers are Sean Murray and Chad W. Murray.
Son of Donald P. Bellisario and Margaret Schaffran. Brother of Julie B. Watson. Stepson of Vivienne Bellisario. Ex-stepson of Lynn Halpern and Deborah Pratt.

Guests who appeared in other Quantum Leap episodes:

J. D. Daniels also appeared in "Mirror Image" as one of the 2 boys working on their bikes outside of Al's Place.

Michael Bellisario made three other appearances in Quantum Leap: "Camakazi Kid", "Play Ball", and "Mirror Image".

David Bellisario (Race Commentator) was a producer in every season of Quantum Leap.

Say What?

Sam drops his handkerchief slower than Marty does in a mirror shot.

February 25th in reality is a Tuesday, but Ellen says it's Friday night.

When Vic says it's a coincidence about Marty owing him $2,000, it is in reference to a cut line from the script about Vic becoming an oboe player.

Sam reflects Scott Bakula in a glass door when he talks to Martin, Jr.

Quotable Quotes:

Whoever said 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', never scorned two women.
-- Sam

Al, I'm a bigamist!
-- Sam

Have fun with Ellen, but don't be late for Rachel. This is my kind of leap!
-- Al

This is my kind of leap.
-- Al

I was talking to the guy in the waiting room, I think I found a new idol.
-- Al

Sam: "I decided honesty was the best policy."
Al: "For Boy Scouts, not for bigamists!"

Rachel: "I know another way to make the bed shake."

Al: "A Massage-O-Matic! I remember one time Ruthie and I were in Cleveland and we had one of those things running for nine hours straight. There was nothing else to do."

Al: "Well, I was talking to the real Marty. I think I've found a new idol."

Sam: "Whoever said 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', never scorned two women."

Al: "I think I better go get Ziggy to see if she can tilt these odds."


Al: "Ohhh....they're bonding! That's bad! Sam, the train
is going in the wrong direction!"

Production Credits:

Theme by: Mike Post
Musical Score By: Velton Ray Bunch
Co-Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt
Co-Executive Producer: Chas. Floyd Johnson
Supervising Producers: Richard C. Okie, Harker Wade
Supervising Producer: Tommy Thompson
Producer: Robin Jill Bernheim
Created by: Donald P. Bellisario
Written by: Robin Jill Bernheim
Directed by: Christopher Hibler

Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario
Associate Producers: Julie Bellisario, Scott Ejercito
Coordinating Producer: David Bellisario
Director of Photography: Robert Primes, A.S.C.
Production Designer: Cameron Birnie
Edited by: Michael S. Stern
Unit Production Manager: Ron Grow
First Assistant Director: Ryan Gordon
Second Assistant Director: Brian Faul
Casting by: Ellen Lubin Sanitsky, C.S.A.
Set Director: Robert L. Zilliox
Costume Designer: Jacqueline Saint Anne
Costume Supervisors: Jill Sheridan, Alice Daniels
Art Director: Ellen Dambros-Williams
Sound Mixer: Barry D. Thomas
Stunt Coordinator: Diamond Farnsworth
Make-up: Jeremy Swan
Hairstylist: Andrea Mizushima
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.

Some of the characters portrayed in this motion picture are based upon actual persons. Although some of those events have been fictionalized for dramatic purposes, otherwise 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 Television, an MCA Company