Leslie Baum was a character who appeared in the Season 9 episode of Married... with Children titled "Shoeless Al".
The part of Leslie is played by Charlie Dell.
Description[]
He appears to be a middle aged man who is balding and dressed in a suit. He is also shown to be rather cocky as he is determined to prove that Al is faking his trauma, telling him right after their first meeting that he believes Al is a liar. He goes so far as to bribe Peggy and Al and move into their house without permission.
Background[]
He is first noticed by Jefferson D'Arcy. who informs Al that Leslie has been following him back to the Bundy Residence. Leslie appears at the door and informs Al that he is a private investigator was hired by the New Market Mall. He then tells Al that he doesn't believe his $4 million dollar lawsuit has any merit. Al, who is now insulted, tells him that with a female name like "Leslie", he is probably a sissy. Leslie sees that as a challenge and declares that he is moving into their home, telling Al that he has one whole week to prove that his fear of shoes is real or that Leslie can prove that Al is the world's biggest fool.
After 4 days, he tries to convince Peggy to help him by offering a 40 inch television set if she rats Al out. She refuses to do so, but Leslie points out that he knows they're all lying and then demonstrates his observation skills, noting that Bud is actually reading Big 'Uns underneath a textbook and precisely predicts when Bud will go upstairs to his room with the magazine.
After Al assures Peggy that he is not afraid of "Squirrel Boy", Griff and Bob Rooney inform Al that the bowling tournament is being moved up to that night. As Al is getting ready, Leslie reminds him that to bowl, a person typically would need shoes. At Jim's Bowl-A-Rama, Al tries to go bowl without shoes but is stopped by the referee, as the last person who bowled barefoot there fell, got a splinter and sued for $1 million. He then has Bud substitute in for him, despite being a terrible bowler.
Leslie sees Al's growing frustration with Bud's bowling skills and tells him that because he's grown fond of Al, he will give him a pair of Air Earl Anthony 5000s, considered one of the finest pair of bowling shoes ever made. Just before he gives in, Peggy stops him and reminds him that those shoes aren't worth losing the $4 million lawsuit.
As the game goes on and Al watches from the sideline, the final round approaches with Bud about to bowl and the opposing team already confident that they will win. Al suddenly stops the game and emerges from the back of the room, to the tune of "Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30", now wearing the Air Earl Anthony 5000s and bowls in Bud's place.
Leslie is last seen smiling and laughing as he pulls out the check from his suit pocket and tears its up into small pieces in front of a disappointed Peggy. After Al secures the team's victory, Leslie throws the check pieces up into the air and claps in celebration for both Al and his team, as well as for himself, proving that he was right all along.
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- Charlie Dell, who plays Leslie, also played the part of Roy, the front desk clerk at Poppy's by the Tree motel in "Poppy's by the Tree (Part 1)" and "Poppy's by the Tree (Part 2)" back in Season 2.