As the great Dr. Sam Beckett would say: “Oh boy.”
If you aren’t familiar with Sam Beckett, you have never watched a popular show from the 90s cal
led Quantum Leap. Why bring it up now? Because Leap star Scott Bakula is appearing tonight on that sweetest of current TV shows–Chuck.
But that’s not all.
Also joining the show’s cast tonight is comedic legend Chevy Chase, star of one of the funniest pure comedies of all time: Fletch.
This episode sounds like a radio station with the best of the 80s, 90s, and today. Chase will play some maniacal bad guy and Bakula shows up as Chuck’s long lost father.
The combo is strange since I just learned that author Gregory MacDonald, creator of Fletch, wrote 9 books in the brilliant character’s series. How did I miss this for the past thirty years? Can’t wait to read the next seven, but there’s more to this story.
Kevin Smith (Mallrats) wanted to develop another Fletch flick in the 90s. For the movie, Fletch Won, Smith supposedly wanted Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl) for the title role but that was shot down. The project lingered and was taken over by Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence. I n
ever got into Scrubs, but I don’t dislike it either.
Next question: Who in the world could play Fletch like Chevy? He’s one of the greatest characters in cinematic history, and that’s going all the way back to Groucho Marx as Rufus T. Firefly in Duck Soup.
Smith said that he took calls from Matthew Perry and John Cusack years ago. Then Lawrence decided that his Scrubs buddy Zach Braff was the perfect guy for the job. Doesn’t matter since he turned down the role in 2007.
The dust has settled on Canadian actor Joshua Jackson. Apparently Jackson was in Mighty Ducks and Dawson’s Creek. Now he’s in Fringe. In other words, I don’t know who he is. (Okay, okay, I saw Bobby and Skulls).
I do believe it’s better to go with someone not so familiar for the Fletch role. After all, it is a prequel. I also believe I’ll have no confidence in anyone to pull this role off (although Jason Lee would’ve been good).
Now that you’re caught up, keep checking here for the updates. No word on a Quantum Leap movie yet, but I’m working on the script.
Who do you think could play Fletch?
Okay, quick follow up. This episode of Chuck rocked. If you missed it you might be a terrible person. I’m kidding… You are a terrible person. Now go to NBC.com and watch this episode as well as original Quantum Leap shows. Turns out Scott Bakula stole his scenes and will be around for future episodes.
Fletch is a book!? Sweet. That leaves the character open to interpretation, but when I think ‘Fletch’ I think of the movie — the timing and delivery. Joshua Jackson is no 1985 Chevy Chase, looks or likability. But I could be wrong. Dazzle us, Jackson.
P.S. Please keep us updated on the script-writing progress, I predict a Star Wars-esque campout in front of theatres.