10 Things You Absolutely Didn't Know About Quantum Leap

Who doesn't love the series Quantum Leap? It is one of the quintessential sci-fi shows of the 80s-90s and it is responsible for launching Scott Bakula into the world, as well as our hearts. Dr. Sam Beckett, a time travelling physicist takes us on a journey through history to correct mistakes alongside his hologram friend, Admiral Al Calavicci.

The show is one of those enormous cult classics that really hit it out of the park. It lasted for 5 seasons and had just under 100 episodes. It actually was nominated for many awards and won 17 in its run including quite a few Emmy Awards. The show was awesome and everyone remembers it fondly, but how much did you really know about it?

Here are 10 interesting facts about your favorite sci-fi show that you never knew before!

1. Beckett's catch phrase was ad-libbed

Scott Bakula improvised the line "Oh Boy!" at the end of the first episode and the writers liked it so much they turned it into his catchphrase.

2. Al's cigar smoking habit was the choice of the actor

Dean Stockwell, the actor who played Al, said that it was "a good way to get free cigars for five years".

3. There were a few things Bakula never got to do that he really wanted to

He had some dreams of where he could have taken Beckett, specifically he wanted a plot to do with the Kennedy family that wasn't related to the assassination or Marilyn Monroe.

4. Fans refused to let it die

When it was facing cancellation after the third season, fans stared an aggressive letter writing campaign and helped get the show two more years on air.

5. There was one year Beckett apparently preferred more than others

He leaped into the year 1958 more than any other year. He went back eight different times in the five year run, more than any other year.

But there were a few years that he never made it to...

6. He made it to almost every year between 1953-1987

The only years he didn't ever visit were 1977, 1984 and 1986. All other years in the span were visited by Sam Beckett at least once.

7. Pretty much the entirety of Project Quantum Leap was run by women

Gooshie was the only man involved. The other members of the Quantum Leap team include Dr. Donna Eleese, Sam's wife; Dr. Beeks, Teena Martinez, and even Ziggy the computer has some "female" characteristics.

8. The series started as a Battlestar Galactica spin-off

The creator Donald P. Bellisario originally intended this show to be a Battlestar Galactica show about time travel but it was dropped. He stuck with the idea and then was inspired by the movie Heaven Can Wait so he made his main character change identities when he traveled.

9. They successfully predicted the winners of the SuperBowl

Al Calavicci correctly predicted that the Pittsburg Steelers would play in the SuperBowl back in season 2, years before it happened.

10. The people who made the show are super mad about the series finale

Both Scott Bakula and creator Donald P. Bellisario were both really angry with NBC after how they handled the finale. Bellisario was asked to write an episode that could be a cliffhanger if they were renewed, or could be edited to be a good ending to the series. They filmed the episode hoping they would have another season, but at the last minute NBC cancelled the show and changed the ending by adding a title card at the end. They didn't end the show the way Bellisario had planned which was to have Al and Beth married, still trying to find Sam, and Sam would have been able to leap into the future and end up in a space station. Think of how much better the ending could have been if NBC had given them the notice!

Do you remember watching this show? It's been 24 years since it went off the air but it just gets better with age!