Today’s
Eight Eighties Questions interview is with Deborah M. Pratt. If you had to sum up her career in one word,
it would be epic. To most 1980s kids, she will probably be best
remembered for her crucial contributions to the much-loved sci-fi show Quantum Leap, where she was the
co-executive producer, head writer, the voice of the super computer Ziggy, and she co-starred as Troian Claridge on the
episode “A Portrait for Troian”. One of
Ms. Pratt’s earliest experiences in show business was as a “Golddigger” on The Dean Martin Show, where she got to
work with legendary singer and actor Dean Martin, along with an array of celebrity
guest stars that included some of the most famous names in show business
history. In addition to the many credits
listed above, she is also a director, a producer, and a novelist. She also acted on many other popular 1980s
shows such as: Airwolf, Magnum P.I., Gimmie a Break!, Benson, and Happy Days.
Special
thanks to Deborah for taking time out of her schedule to answer today’s Eight
Eighties Questions.
1. In the early days of your career you were a
Golddigger on The Dean Martin Show,
which featured guest appearances by some of the most legendary stars in the
history of show business. What were some
of your favorite encounters you’ve had with the different celebrities who
appeared on the show?
The most exciting had to be that
I got to work with Gene Kelly. I had loved him in everything I’d ever seen him
do. Coming to Hollywood, being under contract right out of school and getting
to work with an icon from one my favorite musicals, Singin’ in the Rain (I also worked with Donald O’Conner and Debbie
Reynolds) was a dream come true. In the Golddiggers, I was one of the featured
singers in the group with multiple solos on our road show and on Dean’s show as
well as a featured dancer. I could dance, but I wasn’t a “hoofer”. That means I
couldn’t tap my a-- off. I remembered when Gene walked into the room and
everyone nervously crossed over to meet him, something possessed me to wait and
when everyone had introduced themselves, I ran across the room, dropped to my
knees and did a four-foot knee slide with arms open and a huge smile just like
he did in, I believe, Singin’ in the Rain.
He laughed and my silliness seemed to break the tension for all of us.
Gene wanted to do a big tap
number with us. I was a fast learner but, like I said, not a hoofer. Robin
Hoctor was a consummate tap dancer. She went on to work with Fred Astair on one
of his last films. I digress. So we learned the routine and Gene said, “Alright
ladies, tomorrow morning, show me what you got.” I panicked. We all worked hard
on the routine but I wasn’t getting the ease and grace that comes with being a
great tapper. Robin and Susan Buckner (Patti Simcox in Grease) came to my rescue and made me do it over and over and over.
When we finally quit is was some ungodly hour of the morning and I took my tap
shoes off only to see my toes bleeding. That was the moment I knew I was a real
dancer. I had bled for my art. That day we showed up and danced with the
amazing Gene Kelly. It was a moment to remember.
2. You made a very memorable
appearance on Happy Days as the
mysterious character Kat Mandu who enchanted both Fonzie and Richie. What was it like to work on that show?
It was a blast. I had been
spotted at Harvey Lembek’s comedy workshop by Garry Marshall’s casting
director. We were invited to create a character and come in to show Garry. I
created a young high school, English girl whose father had been an American
soldier over in London in WWII and I was brought to the States to live with my
father. I was bringing the BEATLES to the Midwest, British accent and all.
Garry liked me more than my character and said he had a character named Kat
Mandu and would I do a guest spot on the show. I did and, because I was the
only character in the history of the series to save the Fonze, they, and I, got
the show’s highest ratings. Garry wanted to spin off Kat Mandu into her own
show. I was on my way to comedic stardom. It was what he’d done with Robin
Williams in Mork and Mindy, Lavern and Shirley, and Joanie Loves Chachi. However, Henry
Winkler said, “No more spin offs.” The rest is history and I didn’t get my big
comedy break. I did get Garry Marshall as a lifelong friend.
3. As the head writer of Quantum Leap, what was it like to take
an idea for one of Sam’s leaps and turn it into a finished script?
It was an amazing, freeing
experience. Unlike most shows, if the writer has a medical show, they always
write a medical show for that series, or a cop, or lawyer, or whatever. Quantum
was a writer’s and an actor’s dream in
TV. I would write anything I wanted; drama, comedy, action adventure, mystery,
historical or sci-fi. It was awesome.
4. You were a co-executive
producer of Quantum Leap, which TV Guide named as one of “TV’s Top Cult
Shows Ever.” What was it like to make a
typical episode of the show?
Any episode starts with the
characters and premise and we had very specific QL related rules that has to be followed. Beyond that it was where
your imagination could take you. A writer would pitch me an arena and some
characters. “We liked it,” I would say, “bring me a story.” From story it was
broken down into acts and then beats, then you write the dialogue and bring me
a polished script. You get notes from me, sometimes Don, the network and the
Studio, It may take five to seven rewrites to make everyone happy. It would
then go to production and we would attach a director, start casting, location
scout, - every member did their specialty and it was like watching magic happen.
The show would shoot in six or seven days. The editor would send a cut – more
notes. Post meant spotting for music, sound effects and then mixing. After that
– It was airtime! The whole process takes about three weeks once the script is
approved.
5. One of the many episodes
that you wrote was “A Portrait for Troian”, which you also guest-starred in. You were also the voice of Ziggy. What was it like when you got to experience
the show as a performer in addition to your usual responsibilities behind the
camera?
Let’s just say, I had new
respect for Barbra Streisand and anyone who has to wear multiple hats. I had to
learn lines and blocking to shoot a scene and then step off camera and do my
job as a producer. I was very proud of myself. My only regret was I never
directed an episode. I guess I’ll have to direct the feature film.
6. What was it like working
with Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell?
They were, besides being
great, funny, charming, supportive, talented actors, superb human beings. I
couldn’t have asked for two kinder gentlemen with mega talent to write and
produce for.
7. You’ve done so many things
in the course of your amazing career, which also includes authoring the Vision Quest novels. What can you tell us about your current
projects?
I have rewritten the first
book of the Vision Quest and will be
releasing it May 15th. I’m working on the second book and will follow with the
full four, maybe five book series. The
Atlantian VQ comes out May 15, 2015. Please come to the new site www.thevisionquest.com
that day and watch what is happening.
I’m working to direct a
wonderful film based on a short I directed for AFI (The American Film Institute).
I have two erotic novels out, The Age of Eve and The Tempting.
And maybe, because it is an
exciting world, I may come back and create something very special for TV.
8. What is one piece of life
advice that you would like to share?
Dream big and never let anyone
tell you can’t manifest those dreams into reality. Remember to only surround
yourself with people who believe in you and support you. The universe wants to
give you whatever you imagine. Every day, look in the mirror and tell yourself,
I love you.