MALE:

Dean, looks like you're having a lot of fun with this role.

FEMALE:

We just showed a scene from it, and Albert seems like quite a character.

Dean:

He's uh, he's a bit zany.  (Smile)

MALE:

Well, you've taken some quantum leaps yourself over the years.  We enjoyed seeing you last night in the tribute to Gregory Peck.

Dean:

All right.

MALE:

And, uh, what are we going to be seeing in Quantum Leap, the movie?

Dean:

Well, uh, it's a two hour, in effect, a preview of the series, because the episode's premiering on the following Friday at nine o'clock. And it's a story about two scientists who are involved in this experiment to conquer time.  And one of them, Scott Bakula, who is the younger of the two, attempts to make this quantum leap before the experiment is quite ready.  So he leaps back into time, but wakes up having forgotten the whole experiment and even forgotten his name.  So he's got a bit of a problem.  I'm able to join him.  You couldn't see in the clip really, but I'm a hologram.  That is to say, I'm an image made of light that only he can see and hear.  So I can walk through the walls.  Or you can put your hand through me.  I look solid, but I'm not.

FEMALE:

Oh, another fantasy of mine, being able to walk through walls.

Dean:

Yeah.  (Slight smile)

FEMALE:

I was telling before the show, Dean, if I could do one impossible thing it would be to time travel, so I think the series would be a lot of fun for that reason.

Dean:

Yeah, I think people will be fascinated by it, I really do.

MALE:

This is your first TV series, isn't it, Dean?

Dean:

As a running character, yes it is.  I've done a lot of guest shots and stuff.  (Takes a drag off his cigar.)

FEMALE:

Dean, your career has taken off in movies.  You're up for an Academy Award for best supporting actor.  Other fantastic roles in everything from Tucker, Married To the Mob, um, Blue Velvet.  Do you feel at all that you might be tied down in any way by going into a series right now?

Dean:

(Pause)  (Quietly) Tied down?  No.

FEMALE:

No?

Dean:

No.  Uh, what I feel is I'll be based in Los Angeles, and working regularly, and I can be with my children.  That's what I wanted, and I'm a lucky guy, that's what I've got.  I'll be doing features during the hiatus time when the series isn't shooting.  If the series is, hopefully, knock on wood, picked up and continues on, I'll be very happy to keep with it.  I love it.

FEMALE:

People have been following your career for (laughs) several . . .

MALE:

40 years.

FEMALE:

(Laughs) For 40 years, I guess I should say.

Dean:

For more than 40 years, guys.  (bemused smile)

MALE:

Quantum leaps, yes.

Dean:

Yeah.

FEMALE:

Did you, and I shouldn't say anticipate this, but does it surprise you at all that your name has come back again to the forefront so much in the public's mind?

Dean:

Yeah, what has surprised me is that my fortunes turned around.  There was a long period there when I wanted to work in acting, and couldn't get arrested.  For a long time.  And then it changed.

MALE:

Well, good to have you back, especially on NBC, and it's nice to know that Pete Hickas, a former WIS-TV employee, is working this particular feed from Burbank.  Hello, Pete, your friends in Columbia say hello.

Dean:

Hi, Pete.  (smiles.  Almost laughs.)

FEMALE:

Thank you, Dean.

Dean:

Thank you.

MALE:

We'll see you on Sunday night at nine with Quantum Leap, and look forward to the series starting on Friday.  Thank you, Dean, and much luck to you.

Dean:

Thank you.