Dr. Laura appeared on the Quantum Leap episode "Roberto!". It ran on the Sci-Fi Channel Jan. 7th. It appeared that she was not acting and basically just playing herself. The episode concerned Sam leaping into a Geraldo-type show. Dr. Laura Schlessinger was berating Sam for exploiting women (he had women in bikinis). She dared Sam to do the show in his boxer shorts which, of course, he then did. Since the show was filmed in 1991, this was a feminist, pre-religion, pre-celebrity Dr. Laura. She converted to Judaism in 1992 and her show was syndicated nationally in 1994. I still haven't found out the Star Trek-The Next Generation episode where she had a cameo.

ATTENTION, Dr. Laura fans!!! The Sci-Fi Channel will be re-running this episode this Friday. Don't miss a chance to see a pre-religion, pre-radio celebrity Dr. Laura.

Dr. Laura nit. Sam introduces her as Dr. Laura Schlessinger (so she was playing herself), psychologist. Well, she is NOT a psychiatrist or psychologist. Her degree is in physiology. The episode takes place in 1982 so Dr. Laura was on the radio (not on a national basis) so I guess she could have appeared on a local TV talk show. Even when Sam is talking to her, Al doesn't give him any future info on Dr. Laura (i.e. she later would become famous, the nude pics controversy, etc). Yes, I know the producers couldn't know what would happen to her but nitpickers don't deal in reality.

Just to be fair to Dr. Laura, here is the exact dialogue from the show:

At the opening, while announcing that week's shows, Sam says: "And, finally, Dr. Laura Schlessinger on centerfolds - liberated females or chauvinist slaves?"

Later about 20 minutes into the show:

Sam: "Joining us today, we have noted psychologist Dr. Laura Schlessinger." He also introduces Dawn (Bartlett?) and Charlene (Louse?) who were paid $500 to pose for a University of New Mexico calendar. Sam then asked if it was "exploitation". Dawn replied that it was "fun".

Al: "Go to the Doc, ask the Doc."

Sam: "Dr. Schlessinger, what do you have to say about this?"

Dr. Laura: "Posing for these types of pictures, in my opinion, diminishes all women everywhere by perpetrating the stereotype that we are all long-legged bimbos." Audience boos. "But, they have the right to make that idiotic choice if they want to."

Sam: "Is it art or are you just a long-legged bimbo like Dr. Schlessinger says?"

Dawn: "It is definitely art."

Al: "Sam, you may be falling into a trap here. You don't want everyone being nice to each other as these shows thrive on controversy."

Sam: "Dr. Schlessinger, it seems to me that Dawn and Charlene here are merely perpetrating the image that women have the freedom to make their own choices and are capable of making their own choices regarding their bodies."

Dr. Laura: "Then why don't men do the same thing?"

Sam: "Well, policemen and fireman, they have all done calendars." as Al prompts him.

Dr. Laura: "Oh, but in general, men don't because that is not the image they want to project."

Sam: "Well, sure it is."

Dr. Laura: "Oh, it is?"

Sam: "Uh, uh."

Dr. Laura: "Well, why don't you try putting your muscles where your mouth is? Why don't you try doing the rest of your show in your boxer shorts? Unless, of course, that is not the image you want to project."

Sam then hands her the microphone as Dr. Laura looks slightly embarrassed as he starts to strip.

Now, since Al is in 1999 (or thereabouts), imagine if he fed this question to Sam:

Sam: "Dr. Schlessinger, how can you be opposed to centerfolds when you posed for nude pictures for your former boyfriend/mentor Bill Balance?"

Imagine her thoughts- "How could he know that?"

Now, once again, I realize that the QL producers couldn't know that she would become famous (or infamous depending of your view of her radio show) or about the future nude pics controversy.

Here are her credentials from her website http://www.drlaura.com:

Dr. Laura's Credentials
Dr. Laura's Educational Background:
BS, Biological Sciences, SUNY Stonybrook, Long Island, NY
MS, M Phil, Ph.D. (Physiology), Columbia University (College of Physicians and Surgeons), NY
Post-Doctoral Certification in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, Human Relations Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor (MFCC), California, formerly in private practice for 12 years
Past member of the Biological Sciences faculty of the University of Southern California (5 years) and the graduate Psychology faculty of Pepperdine University (8 years). Taught at UCLA, and UC Irvine Extension.


Dr Laura's Background


Born in Brooklyn, NY

BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

Author, NY Times best-sellers: Ten •••••• Things Women Do To Mess Up Their Lives
How Could You Do That?
The Abdication Of Character, Courage and Conscience
Ten •••••• Things Men Do To Mess Up Their Lives

INTERVIEWS/APPEARANCES

Dr. Laura has had two PBS Specials, and has been featured on Larry King Live, The View, the Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, Today, CBS This Morning, Eye to Eye with Connie Chung, US News and World Report, People, Newsweek, The New York Times Magazine, and The Los Angeles Times, among others.

Humorist, public speaker, fund raiser, TV guest and host.

AWARDS

Recipient, 1998 Love of a Child award from Childhelp USA
Recipient, 1997 Marconi Award for Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year

Recipient, Golden Eagle award from the National Religious Broadcasters

Recipient, 1996 Children's Friend award from Childhelp USA.

PERSONAL

Black belt, martial arts

Actress (active member SAG, AFTRA)

Avid student of religious history and philosophy

Married to Dr. Lewis G. Bishop, her manager and business partner

And, best of all, 13-year-old Deryk's mom