MovieChat Forums > Quantum Leap (2022) Discussion > You know, I really hate NBC for not invi...

You know, I really hate NBC for not inviting Scott Bakula back...

posted a year ago by The_Rev (329)
11 replies | jump to latest

I wonder what he, or Bellisario did, to NBC for them to be so bitter about the idea of bringing Scott back for a cameo, and give a proper end to his character's story that would ultimately resolve the mystery, and in the eyes of QL fans, the sadness we felt/feel for Sam Beckett, who we grew to love for years. Both Bakula AND Bellisario
I hope it wasn't for any bad behavior on Bakula's part (like, say... a "me too" allegation or something)... That would be really sad. :-s

[–] tvfan (13755) a year ago

They still may. If not, it will probably be over some DEI policy BS.

[–] The_Rev (329) a year ago

Eh... I doubt it. Like I said in an earlier post, unless NBC, Bakula AND Bellisario are lying about what gives with the whole situation, there's very little doubt in my mind that NBC has a grudge with either one of those two. I mean, it could even have been something to do with Dean Stockwell or Deborah Pratt...
ACTUALLY... Dean Stockwell died around the same time they started working on the QL reboot... Coincidence? The show was greenlit TWO MONTHS after Stockwell died (googled for confirmation)... And I gotta say, that seems oddly coincidental...
Who knows? Maybe Dean Stockwell was as much a "ladies man" as his onscreen character, Al.. That actually makes a decent amount of sense... Why else would they wait so long to reboot a show that clearly still had a following (even if not as numerous but very vocal)? What would sour a Hollywood relationship SO BAD that the network would wait until AFTER a main actor of the show DIES before greenlighting a reboot? Sounds to me like Either Stockwell or Bakula REALLY fudged up the working relationship between them so bad that the network purposely refused to reboot the show until one of them died... That's some kinda petty...

[–] The_Rev (329) a year ago

Yeah... Like I said in an earlier post, there's a legit way for NBC to provide the closure QL fans want even if they really didn't want to bring Scott Bakula back...
Oh Jesus... I just figured out a possible reason NBC won't bring Bakula back. NBC is bitter that he went to another network (CBS) and got pretty successful with the NCIS spinoff. That's just sad... Friggin Brandon Tartikoff is probably still rolling over in his grave at such "betrayal" :-P...

[–] [deleted] a year ago

He did do Mr and Mrs Smith on CBS in 1996 plus Star Trek: Enterprise for UPN/CBS in 2001 before NCIS: New Orleans, so I'm not sure any of that plays into it, after all as you know from another of your posts Scott did decline to be on the show when the pilot was picked up.

For context for anyone else:

https://www.tvline.com/casting-news/quantum-leap-why-scott-bakula-missing-not-involved-1234872609/

September 15, 2022

In an Instagram post on Thursday afternoon (Sept 15 2022), Bakula wrote:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ciiwi_qvuS2

To Quantum Leap fans around the world, in an effort to quiet the rumours and move on.

First of all, thanks for hanging around through the decades!

Here’s the simple version of what’s going on with the Quantum Leap reboot and me, I have no connection with the new show, either in front of the camera or behind it.

In January, the pilot was sold and a script was sent to me because the character of Sam Beckett was in it, which makes sense, right? As so many of you have been asking me the last several months, “How could you do QL without Sam?“ (or Al, for that matter). Well, I guess we’re about to find out.

That’s the story. As the show has always been near and dear to my heart, it was a very difficult decision to pass on the project, a decision that has upset and confused so many fans of the original series. However, the idea of anyone ‘leaping’ around in time and walking a mile in someone else’s shoes, remains a very appealing concept and so worthy of exploration, especially given the current state of mankind. In that spirit, I am crossing my fingers that this new cast and crew are lucky enough to tap into the magic that propelled the original Quantum Leap into the hearts and minds of generations past and present.

I wish them good luck and happy leaping!
SB.

So perhaps the bitterness stems from that, like NBC now have no interest because he said no to begin with on the Pilot idea they picked up on and plans for what they saw as the Pilot had to change writing Sam out of it.

The other thing that happened was in July 2022, Scott Bakula had a ranch drama called Unbroken he was going to be the lead actor on rejected by NBC: https://tvline.com/news/unbroken-cancelled-nbc-scott-bakula-western-1234853337 which of course happened 2 months before Scott said he wasn't interested in Quantum Leap, so could there be bitterness on both sides at play.

[–] emori (3661) a year ago

Yeah. They really should do few episodes to show how Sam stuck in some timeline and lives happy life there somewhere.

[–] xergan (1071) a year ago

Sounds like a good premise for a final episode. The only problem with that is, that it was established, that the original person was stuck in the welcome chamber at the QL base. Even if Sam might got a nice life out of it, it would mean, he basically stole someones life. They would definitely have to address this then somehow. Wouldnt be too hard to do.

[–] emori (3661) a year ago

I dont think anyone cares, really.

it would be awkward and unfortunate, of course, if he would stuck in the body of some old granny.

[–] xergan (1071) a year ago

We know, that god (or at least a more powerful being) controls the leaps, so we can assume, that he would unlikely get stuck in something unfitting.
Does the evil leaper program exist also in the Reboot?

[–] The_Rev (329) a year ago

With the introduction of people like the mysterious fiancé of Addison, having some deeper ties to the govt than merely the QL project... And this new character from S2E10, Gideon Ridge, who clearly looks like a guy capable of starting an evil leaper program... I think we've found our new arch-nemesis.

[–] TandyMan (11214) a year ago

If they brought back Sam now it would just be to establish that he realizes he's been a woman this entire time and that Al was re-enforcing his toxic masculinity and he's better off without him.

[–] horrorfan000 (2336) a year ago

There's an open invitation from the creators for bakula to appear but he's chosen not to. Can't blame Bakula for being a little bitter toward NBC. He and Stockwell tried for years to get a movie or reboot off the ground but NBC kept passing on it. And then they went and did it after Stockwell passed and without Bakula.