NBC makes it 1985 again with 91 cent gas to promote new ‘Quantum Leap.

• NBC offered gasoline at 1985 prices to promote the revival of “Quantum Leap”, but only for one day.
• Los Angeles residents fueled up at 91 cents per gallon. 
• Although the wait for 10 a.m. was long, many Angelenos turned up.

The 1980s are having a moment. “Top Gun,” Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”, and “Top Gun” are the top box office hits. Madonna watched from the audience as Tom Ford closed New York Fashion Week with a runway filled with sequins, shoulder pads, and a full runway of Tom Ford. 

It is only natural that NBC would focus on the upcoming “Quantum Leap 2” TV series, which will feature a 1985-themed “gas adventure” in Los Angeles. The original, which ran from 1989 to 1993 for five seasons, is being rebooted with a new cast led by Raymond Lee, who plays a physicist looking to revive the Quantum Leap accelerator and travel back in time — starting with a jaunt to 1985.

One day only, the broadcast network seized an Exxon station located on Santa Monica Blvd. and Vine in the Hollywood area to offer gas for just 91 cents a gallon — if you could stomach the line going down the block.

Hollywood’s 40-minute gas line

At 9:59 a.m. Wednesday, the clock was reset to 1985 and a line of 18 cars was forming around the block at Vine and Yucca St. The line eventually curved into a parking area, where two dozen more cars sat idle while ’80s music was played and promotional staffers handed out Pop-Tarts, water, and “Quantum Leap” baseball caps.

While they waited to be granted a pass that would grant them cheap fuel, gas-seekers were placed in front a giant screen showing throwback trivia. The trailer for the new series was also shown. (What was the most played video game of the 1980s?) Of course, Mario Bros.

85 cts per gallon, 5 cts per gallon in 2022

After that, drivers were taken south on Vine to a station where they were told it was time to “pay like 1985” and accompanied by attendants at each pump. 

I waited approximately 40 minutes from start to finish to get to the pump. Other drivers behind me waited even longer during a mid-morning lull.

This isn’t the only time a Hollywood studio, network has pulled this publicity stunt to promote a series. The 2019 “Maisel Day”, which featured 30 cent-per gallon gas, was so successful that it caused traffic to stop. Police had to stop the stunt.

Fandango and NBC have teamed up to offer movie ticket packages for $3.55 each as part of the “Quantum Leap Day” initiative.

The mood was chipper, despite the wait — and understandably so, given that the LA Gasoline Prices AverageThe current price is $5.40 per gallon. California prices reached $6.44 per gallon in June. 

Tony Dominguez was a 19-year old sales associate at Foot Locker. After waiting for 20 minutes, he finally reached the pump. He paid $9.10 for 10 gals, which is the maximum amount allowed per person.  

He said, “I came on E”, referring to his nearly empty gas tank. 

Kobi Weiss, a fellow LA resident, was about to borrow his friend’s Costco card to fill his truck with gas, which typically costs $100 per tank. But he also spotted an advertisement for the event on Instagram.

While Weiss hasn’t seen the original “Quantum Leap” — “I was born in 1994,” he told me, by way of explanation — he plans to check out the new edition, which debuts Monday night.

Weiss said, “Ofcourse I will.” “After I fill up the gas tank for 91 cents per gallon.