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"Family Style" Leap Date: September 26, 2009
Synopsis: When Ben leaps into an Indian family to try to prevent their beloved family restaurant from burning down, he finds an emotional connection with their matriarch through memories of his own. Magic and Jenn share a surprising revelation with Ian.
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TV
Guide Synopsis: Broadcast Date: Monday, February 27, 2023 @ 10pm on NBC Leap Date: September 26, 2009 Leap Location: Portland, Oregon Name of Leapee: Kamini Prasad Project Trivia: The hologram effect as Addison fades out is very quick with a couple of firey streams this time compared to a full fade in previoyus episodes. This was the only hologram effect used in the episode. Ian and Rachel used to date before Ian left her to join Project Quantum Leap. Ben Trivia: It was his Mom's dream to run her own restaurant. She put that off to pay for Ben's schooling. Addison Trivia: Ben and Addison went on a date at a pop-up restaurant outside a 99-cent store. Ian's Outfits Worn in the Episode: Ash gray split-style suit tunic over a white turtleneck. Heart ring and black beaded bracelet. Black deep-cut dressy jumper with black and white-striped tunic over top. Dress is split down the back. Kiss With History: Ben suggests using a new company called Groupon to advertise their restaurant. Miscellaneous Trivia: Deborah Pratt, Co-Creator of the original Quantum Leap series, directed this episode! This is the first episode where Ben leaps out and directly into the next episode without a break in between for the present storyline. However, a missed opportunity, as they still used the eye roll as the leap-in instead of the leap effect. From the Quantum Leap Writers Room: Did you know our episode writer (Aadrita Mukerji) and the actresses who play Sonali, Manisha, and Kamini are all exactly 5 feet tall? QUANTUM
LEAP – SERIES REGULARS
Addison Augustine (Portrayed
by
Caitlin Bassett) –
Addison is a smart, witty, fearless ex-military operative who now
serves as Project Observer at Quantum Leap HQ. She’s in charge of the
technology they use to communicate with the past, and tries to rescue
her fiancee, Ben, from his time-flung existence.
Ian Wright (Portrayed
by Mason Alexander
Park) –
Quantum Leap’s nonbinary chief architect of the AI program.
Herbert “Magic” Williams (Portrayed by Ernie Hudson) – A Vietnam vet and current head of the time travel project at Quantum Leap. Herbert “Magic” Williams tries to keep the Pentagon at bay while the team tries to rescue Ben. Doctor Sam Beckett leaped into Magic during his Vietnam tour.
Jenn Chou (Portrayed by Nanrisa Lee) – Head of security at Quantum Leap HQ. Quirky but formidable, she makes it her mission to figure out why Ben erased all evidence of why he Leaped. Guest Cast: Laura Niemi as Kathy Anisha Jagannathan as Manisha Nandini Minocha as Sonali Meera Simhan as Paddy K.T. Thangavelu as Gauri Alice Kremelberg as Rachel Kevin Logie as Kevin Roman Arabia as Diego Ruben Vernier as Kris Lara Shah as Kamini Ken Patterson as Fireman Leena Kurishingal as Cousin #1 Shurud Shanto as Cousin #2 Yuvi Grewal as Cousin #3 Guest Cast Notes: Laura Niemi (Kathy) is currently best known for her performance as "Marilyn Pearson" on the NBC series "This Is Us (2016)." As the mother in Jack's (Milo Ventimiglia) struggling and dysfunctional working class family, her character has gained critical recognition which has landed Niemi an FYC Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in both 2019 and 2022. A native Angelino, she started studying at The Academy of Performing Arts in Los Angeles at a young age. The daughter of a movie producer and an insurance salesman, the family then moved to the east coast where she studied piano at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. She spent her teens and early 20s back in California, where she swapped her piano for a bass guitar playing in many L.A. based bands. As a trained theater actress she has performed at The Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Rep and The Taper and is the Artistic Director and founder of the multi-award winning Lost Angels Theatre Company (which landed her awards both as a producer and an actor). She landed her first TV credit in Joss Whedon's "Firefly (2002)" and has been continuously working in television and film ever since. Anisha Jagannathan (Manisha) is known for Girls Gone Mild (2017), and Admit It (2021). Nandini Minocha (Sonali) is known for Ms. Marvel (2022) and Chicago Med (2015). Meera Simhan (Paddy) was born in London, England and raised in India and Southern California. Her family immigrated to the United States in the early 1970's and settled in San Diego, California where her parents ran a business importing jewelry and handicrafts from India. Growing up she studied Indian Classical Dancing with the Shakti School of Bharatanatyam and at age eight Meera went to Kodai Kanal International Boarding School in India. She returned to California to attend High School and College in Orange County. She then moved to London where she attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). After graduating from LAMDA Meera began her professional career in England playing Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and she then went on to play numerous roles in British theater and television. After moving back to Los Angeles, Meera continued her work as an actress playing various roles guest starring and recurring roles in television and film. As a writer she wrote and performed her solo theater piece Miss India America in various theaters across the United States. Along with her actor/writer/director husband Ravi Kapoor, she co-wrote the feature film, Miss India America (2015). Meera lives in Los Angeles with husband, two children and her dog, Elvis. Meera also has a Masters degree in Psychology. K.T. Thangavelu (Gauri) is known for Otis (2008), ER (1994) and The Young and the Restless (1973). Alice Kremelberg (Rachel) is a film, television and theater actor born and raised in New York. Alice has most recently starred in the final season of The Sinner as Percy Muldoon, and played Bernadine in Aaron Sorkin's Oscar nominated The Trial of the Chicago 7 for Netflix/Dreamworks. She recurred as Nicole Eckelcamp on the last two seasons of Jenji Kohan's Orange is the New Black for Netflix. Alice was nominated for an Emmy for their performance as Kat in The Feels, which they both co-wrote and acted in. Upcoming, Alice will be playing Abby in Monsterland for Hulu/Annapurna, and Duff in the independent film Bleecker. They can also be seen as Sorrell in Doomsday (ITV Fest, Brooklyn Web Fest + HollyWeb Fest winner). Her other film and television credits include New Amsterdam, The Taking of Pelham 123, NCIS, Nurse Jackie, Blue Bloods, The Big C, Smash, Law and Order: SVU, and 30 Rock. On stage she originated the role of Reba in Ruby Rae Spiegel's breakout play Dry Land (NYSAF+HERE, Adrienne Campbell-Holt of Colt Coeur). Alice had the pleasure of playing 'Cassandra' opposite Austin Pendleton in Dress of Fire (The Abingdon). Other theater credits include 'Catherine' in Suddenly Last Summer (ATNYC), 'Missy' in Road Veins, 'Maggie' in Lend Me a Tenor and 'Beth' in A Lie of the Mind. Alice has trained at The Atlantic Acting Conservatory, Fordham University, UCB, The Professional Performing Arts School and studied with Tanya Berezin, Ted Sluberski, Larry Moss and Bob Krakower among others. Kevin Logie (Kevin) is known for The Dissection of Thanksgiving (2008), Prism and Eleven Hundred to Lubbock (2018). Roman Arabia (Diego) was born on December 3, 1980 in Torrance, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Shrink Next Door (2021), Lady Bird (2017) and Narcos: Mexico (2018). Ruben Vernier (Kris) is an Italian American Actor born and raised in San Francisco, California. He comes from generations of performers and started acting and playing music at a young age. He first appeared in Disney's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, recurred on This Is Us, and most recently appeared on CSI: Vegas. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles and is represented by Entertainment Lab and The Master Talent Agency. Lara Shah (Kamini) is an actor and producer in Los Angeles. She started her acting career in Austin, TX and has since been in over 100 films, television shows, music videos, and commercials since her venture into the creative side of the entertainment industry. Lara has won Best Actress awards for her lead roles in "Trippin' to the Altar" and "Kendall County Hunters." Lara has a passion for storytelling and entertainment: she was a television anchor in high school, a radio host at Boston University, and an intern at MTV Networks in NYC. She also worked for five years in Domestic TV Distribution Sales at Warner Bros. in NYC. In 2011, she traveled to Wilmington, NC to play a Detective on "One Tree Hill." The experience convinced her to finally pursue her passion. Lara studies with Lesly Kahn & Company in Los Angeles. Leena Kurishingal (Cousin #1) holds a B.A. in Film/Video Production from Columbia College and studied acting technique in the vibrant Chicago theater scene. Her comedy training includes Second City Chicago and the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles, where she wrote and performed with the character-sketch group Soul Sista Comedy, both on their mainstage, as well as The Pack Theater, Comedy Central Stage, and more. Currently she creates online sketch comedy with Deadline Junkies' SkeDJes, writes half hour comedy pilots, and really tries to get her succulents to propagate. Shurud Shanto (Cousin #2) is known for Grace and Frankie (2015), Baskets (2016) and The Brink (2015). Yuvi Grewal (Cousin #3) is known for Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021), Fishbowl California (2018) and The New 30 (2017). Guests Who Appeared in Other Quantum Leap Episodes: None. Characters who appeared in Classic Series episodes: None. Songs & Music: "Dil To Pagal Hai" by Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan plays as Ben leaps in. "Spicy Dhal" by Florian Seraul plays as the family rushes in the kitchen to prepare for over 300 reservations. "Shiva" by Karishma Mc plays after Ben talks with the restaurant investor. "Bholi Si Surat" by Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan plays as the family comes together and prepares the food at the wedding venue. "Loot Liya" by D. Sruthilaya Subiksha and Haroon Hanif plays after Ian locates the restaurant investor. Say What? Addison doesn't seem to know why the restaurant burns down in the original history, but a few seconds later she suddenly knows after Tanner shows up to evict Ben's family. Ben and his sister and mother make up and have a leisurely snack outside. Meanwhile they are supposed to be getting ready to serve 300 people. This makes no sense at all. Quotable Quotes: "Do you really think people are ready for that kind of food? I mean... it's so unusual for them. Americans don't like things they can't pronounce." -Sonali "It was me the whole time." -Ian "I find when I need centering, the answer isn't usually a place... it's a person." -Magic Sonali: "You and I have it covered." Ben: "Didn't you just call me useless?" Sonali: "Don't focus on the past." "Food is the only art form that uses all five senses." -Ben "Do you really want pride to get in the way of family?" -Ben "We're family. We're always enough." -Ben "Holy ship!" -Ben, after he leaps into the next episode Personal Review & Detailed Synopsis by Manfred:
Quantum
Leap’s Family Style episode gives Ben closure on the death of his
mother and Ian figures out that he is a future quantum leaper. This week’s Quantum Leap episode is called Family Style. It revolves around an Indian restaurant whose owner has passed away recently and his wife Sonali Prasad and 2 daughters Kamini and Manisha are picking up shortly after that. The episode is set in the year 2009.
Scenes at an Indian restaurantThe episode starts with Ben leaping into the body of a young female cook at an Indian restaurant where Sonali is trying to hold on to the menu of her late husband Ram. Manisha however is of a different opinion. She thinks the restaurant can be more creative and exciting by offering local Indian dishes rather than catering to the masses. Sonali disagrees and wants to continue the old way. Because, why change a winning team and because it is so hard to let go of her husband, who only recently passed away. Sonali and Manisha have been fighting over the new menu for ages now.
When
Ben suggests entering the Groupon discount program, the two of them
agree. The reservations pile up, and they will soon be at 200
reservations for the same day. It’s going to be a hectic day.
Groupon offers discounts for anything you can think of. It was hugely
popular back when it launched in the early 2000s.
Production Photos:         Yuvi
Grewal is known for Call
of Duty: Vanguard (2021), Fishbowl
California (2018)
and The
New 30 (2017).         Production Videos: Coming Soon Production Credits: Consulting Producer: Moira Kirland Producer: Tim Scanlan Producer: Meg Fister Co-Executive Producers: Benjamin Raab & Deric A. Hughes Co-Executive Producer: Drew Lindo Co-Executive Producer: Aadrita Mukerji Produced by: Marc Bienstock Executive Producers: Steven Lilien & Bryan Wyndrandt Executive Producer: Alex Berger Executive Producer: Chris Grismer Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario Executive Producer: Dean Georgaris Executive Producer: Martin Gero Developed by: Steven Lilien & Bryan Wyndrandt Created by: Donald P. Bellisario Written by: Aadrita Mukerji Directed by: Deborah M. Pratt Associate Producer: Ethan Henderson Story Editor: Margarita Matthews Casting by: Jennifer Cooper, CSA Casting Director: Kamala A. Thomas Director of Photography: Tim Bellen Edited by: Benjamin Bumgarner Music by: Daniel James Chan Unit Production Manager: Melanie J. Elin Unit Production Manager: Marc Bienstock First Assistant Director: M. Ryan Traylor Second Assistant Director: Athena Alexander Costume Designer: Genevieve Tyrrell A Camera Operator: Dave Hirschman B Camera/Steadycam Operator: Josh Harrison Production Sound Mixer: Beau Hodges Chief Lighting Technician: Donna Vega Key Grip: Peter Chrimes Art Directors: Raf Lydon & Adam Rowe Set Director: Tim Stepeck Costume Supervisor: Mark A. Summer Property Master: Erik Grasteit Construction Coordinator: Matt Sazzman Department Head Hair: Amy Marie Wilson Department Head Makeup: Julia Lallas Leadman: David Napoli Stunt Coordinator: Jeff Barnett Location Manager: Kevin Funston Transportation Coordinator: Sandra Ninham-Gallardo Production Office Coordinator: Sofie Johanna "Bubbles" Dejus Assistant Production Office Coordinator: Brenden Hickey Production Accountant: Natalie Chiengkul Script Supervisor: Heather Pollock Script Coordinator: Sue Palmer Casting Accociates: Lindsay Jameyson & Mia Cascio Post Production Coordinator: Gabriella Scudieri Music Supervisor: Season Kent Music Co-Supervisor: Leah Harrison Music Editor: Zed Starkovich Assistant Editor: Jaclyn Rogers Online Editor: Richard Wells Colorist: Chris Boyer Visual Effects Supervisor: Trent Smith Visual Effects Editor: Aaron Merrill Supervising Sound Editor: Kelly Cabral Co-Supervising Sound Editor: Kevin Zimmerman Re-Recording Mixer: Yuri Reese & Sean Madsen Assistant Property Masters: Mike Luce, Jose Chendo Jiminez, & Chris Prange Property Buyer: Mike Worister Food Stylist: Joanne Takahashi The State of California and the California Film Commision, California Soundstage Filming Tax Credit Program Copyright 2023 Universal Television LLC All Right Reserved Dean Georgaris Entertainment Quinn's House Universal Content Productions Universal Television Quantum Leap Podcast Aftershow: Quantum Leap Podcast with Deborah Pratt:  Caitlin Bassett, Deborah Pratt, and Raymond Lee  |
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