fun with time travel!
Yesterday Steve got sucked into an internet rabbit hole and I wanted to share what he found.
Back in 1992, when Quantum Leap was on, they wanted to air an episode that dealt with a teenager, who was gay, contemplating suicide.
NBC said “ehhhhh, no” — i.e. their standards and practices department rejected the script (for a variety of different reasons, see the articles below for further explanation if you are curious.)
Eventually they altered the storyline to be about a cadet who contemplates suicide because he is mercilessly abused by his other cadets. NBC aired this episode, set in 1964, but they lost a bunch of money because advertisers pulled out, not wanting much to do with the episode.
Interesting!
If you want to travel 20 years back in time, check out these articles about the kerfuffle:
‘Leap’s” Gay-teen Episode Makes Network Nervous
NBC Takes Hit Over Gay Issue on ‘Leap’ Show
if you have Hulu+, you can watch the whole episode.
Like someone watched the episode when Ben and Leslie went on Crazy Ira & the Douche and thought it would make a great series? It was a really awkward five minute bit!