History Trivia / Leverage

* WrittenInInfirmity: Christian Kane's insistence on doing as many of his own stunts as possible (and his apparent lack of fear of bodily injury in general) mean that several episodes show Eliot sporting his actor's real injuries. Sometimes it's given an on-screen explanation -- the briefing scene at the beginning of "The Stork Job" throws in a line about "How was I supposed to know it was a lesbian bar?" to explain his bruised and scraped cheek, and "The Two Live Crew Job" has him get his face bashed into some metal piping to explain a cut on his forehead that occurred while filming a previous episode. Other episodes, such as "The Inside Job," leave it to the audience's imagination why the team's hitter has a band-aid on the bridge of his nose.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Hardison was intended to be utterly hopeless at running cons, necessitating his usually staying behind the scenes. Then Aldis Hodge's natural charisma made this impossible to believe, so he got to play the occasional character.

** In "The Reunion Job", Hardison guesses that Eliot was the quarterback in high school. Ironic that it is Aldis Hodge who plays star high school QB Ray "Voodoo" Tatum in ''FridayNightLights''.

* FanCommunities: The Grifters.

* NamesTheSame: [[JimQuisition Jim]] '''[[MemeticMutation Fucking]]''' [[JimQuisition Sterling, (Son)]], anyone?

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Haridson was intended to be utterly hopeless at running cons, necessitating his usually staying behind the scenes. Then Aldis Hodge's natural charisma made this impossible to believe, so he got to play the occasional character.

* WrittenInInfirmity: Christian Kane's insistence on doing as many of his own stunts as possible (and his apparent lack of fear of bodily injury in general) mean that several episodes show Eliot sporting his actor's real injuries. Sometimes it's given an on-screen explanation - the briefing scene at the beginning of "The Stork Job" throws in a line about "How was I supposed to know it was a lesbian bar?" to explain his bruised and scraped cheek, and "The Two Live Crew Job" has him get his face bashed into some metal piping to explain a cut on his forehead that occurred while filming a previous episode. Other episodes, such as "The Inside Job," leave it to the audience's imagination why the team's hitter has a band-aid on the bridge of his nose.

* CastTheExpert: Apollo Robbins is the show's consultant on theft and slight-of-hand tricks, and plays Parker's opposite number on Starke's team in "The Two Live Crew Job."

** Nate spends the majority of "The 10 Lil Grifters Job" trapped in an office while the rest of the team plays detective for him, just like [[Series/ANeroWolfeMystery Nero Wolfe]]. The episode passes up the opportunity to have Nate dress as Archie Goodwin for the costume party, but makes up for it by instead having him go as ElleryQueen, one of the best-known TV roles played by Timothy Hutton's father Jim Hutton.

** Nate spends the majority of "The 10 Lil Grifters Job" trapped in an office while the rest of the team plays detective for him; just like his old boss [[Series/ANeroWolfeMystery Nero Wolfe]]. The episode was a somewhat missed opportunity as Nate's fictional detective wasn't Archie Goodwin, but it was made up for by the fact that Nate's fictional detective ''was'' ElleryQueen, one of the best-known TV roles of Timothy Hutton's father, Jim Hutton.

* OneSceneWonder: Clayne Crawford as Mr. Quinn in "The First David Job." Shows up out of nowhere looking like nothing in particular, turns out to be the first fighter in the series up to that point to actually give Eliot a serious challenge, and then disappears from the show. It's been noted that this is exactly how Eliot himself probably appears to your average {{Mook}}. He's eventually brought back for a second appearance in season 4's "The Last Dam Job."

** Creator/WilWheaton's hacker character calls himself "Chaos", which may be a nod to [[TheGuild the Axis of Anarchy]], and is nicknamed "[[Franchise/StarTrek Kobayashi Maru]]" by the government.

* ThrowItIn: Nate's laughter upon realizing the warehouse is a trap in the pilot. This scene was actually the first time the show's stars had met, and Timothy Hutton asked the director if he could do something "a little crazy" to see how they all responded.

* HeyItsThatGuy: Tons. In particular, it seems the casting director watches a lot of sci-fi.
** [[Series/{{Angel}} Christian Kane]].
** "The Juror #6 Job" guest-stars [[Series/{{NCIS}} Lauren Holly]] and [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Brent Spiner]], with a cameo by [[Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer Armin]] [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Shimerman]]. Also, that particular episode, as well as others in the show, was directed by [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Jonathan Frakes]], who has a brief cameo in "The Twelve Step Job."
** There's also "The Snow Job," which reunites Christian Kane with fellow ''Series/{{Angel}}'' evil lawyer alum Sam Anderson, as well as Danny Strong from ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. Not to mention MarkSheppard popping up all over the place.
*** How can you look at Mark Sheppard without thinking of [[Series/{{Supernatural}} Crowley]]?
*** Or [[Series/{{Firefly}} Badger]]. Or [[Series/{{Chuck}} the Ring director]]. Or [[Series/{{DoctorWho}} Canton Everett Delaware]]. Or [[Series/{{TheXFiles}} that dude who set stuff on fire]]. Face it, if there's a playful action-drama type show, Mark Sheppard is there and playing a morally ambiguous dude.
** Timothy Hutton also played Archie Goodwin on Series/ANeroWolfeMystery. Notable in that Kari Matchett- his ex-wife here- played an assortment of roles on Nero Wolfe as well, including Archie's girlfriend Lily Rowan.
** British viewers might recognise Gina Bellman from ''{{Series/Coupling}}'' and ''{{Series/Jekyll}}'', and a handful of people might notice that Aldis Hodge played Voodoo Tatum in ''FridayNightLights''. Or recognize him as Jake, [[spoiler:the soldier who killed Sam]] from ''Series/{{Supernatural}}''.
** Series/HowIMetYourMother fans might recognize Beth Riesgraf as Works-With-Carlos Girl from Season 1.
** Creator/WilWheaton in "The Two Live Crew Job". Especially hilarious given his character's rivalry with Hardison, a known ''Franchise/StarTrek'' fan.
-->'''Hardison:''' The CIA computer guys call him the Kobayashi Maru.\\
'''Eliot:''' ...who's that?\\
'''Hardison:''' None of you guys got that, seriously?\\
'''Parker:''' ''Star Trek''.\\
'''Hardison:''' Thank you.
*** Between the Kobayashi Maru and asking Hardison to get Sophie to dress up as Counselor Troi, and the fact that JonathanFrakes routinely directs the show, Chaos is a walking CelebrityParadox.
** [[Series/StarTrekVoyager Jeri Ryan]] is the SpecialGuest of "The Lost Heir Job". [[spoiler:The SpecialGuest part is subverted; she stayed through the end of Season 2.]]
** {{Lampshaded}} in "The 12-Step Job" when Nate refers to an old gentleman in his rehab group as Nick Nolte. Uncredited, unconfirmed, but if it's not him, then it's a subversion rather than a lampshade, as none of the other cases are recognized.
** The suicidal woman, the pretending to be sick patient and a few other Scrubs alumni joined the show.
** [[TheWonderYears Kevin's dad]] is a mob boss in "The Wedding Job."
** [[TheMiddleman Matt]] [[Series/{{Dollhouse}} Keeslar]] in "The Zanzibar Marketplace Job".
** Raiders fans undoubtably recognized their All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha as [[Series/BreakingBad Giancarlo Esposito's]] henchman in "The Scheherazade Job".
** NHL star Jeremy Roenick makes a cameo as a security guard in "The Mile High Job."
** "The Nigerian Job" has [[Series/{{Warehouse 13}} Artie]] as TheMark.
*** Who also appeared on ''[[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Next Gen]]'' (as the guy who kidnapped Data for his museum), and had a recurring character on ''Series/{{Frasier}}'' (as Niles' lawyer, and later, Daphne's fiance).
** D.B. Sweeney is Nate's priest friend in "The Miracle Job."
** [[Series/{{Eureka}} Tess]] / [[Series/VeronicaMars Mindy O'Dell]] shows up in "The Two-Horse Job."
*** Apparently, [[Series/{{Suits}} Louis Litt]] was a crooked horse owner before becoming a lawyer.
** Is that [[TheVampireDiaries Anna]] stealing cars instead of people's blood in "The Boost Job"?
** Season 3, episode 3 has Richard Chamberlain. Don't know who that is? [[Series/TheThornBirds Ask your mom.]] Also, he was [[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094791/ the original]] [[Literature/TheBourneSeries Jason Bourne]].
** Season 3, "The Studio Job"-- Look, it's one of [[TheDukesOfHazzard the Duke boys]]! And he's turned out very, very bad.
*** Either that or [[Series/{{Smallville}} Pa Kent]] has some explaining to do.
*** He's menacing [[Series/VeronicaMars Meg Manning.]] Either that or [[Series/{{Supernatural}} Jo Harvelle has taken a break from demon hunting.]]
** Quintessential "That Guy" Creator/ClancyBrown is the bad guy in "The Gone Fishin' Job." His appearance does raise the possibility that the entire Leverage universe is just part of [[Series/{{Lost}} Jack Shepard's purgatory.]]
** [[Series/StarTrekEnterprise Dr. Phlox]] in "The Rashomon Job."
** Moreau, the BigBad arms dealer the team is tracking in Season 3, turns out to be none other than [[Series/{{ER}} Luka Kovac.]]
** A few from "The Ten Li'l Grifters Job" - the mark is [[Series/BoyMeetsWorld Mr. Matthews.]] His daughter is [[{{Greek}} Jordan]] (or [[WebVideo/VideoGameHighSchool Jenny Matrix]]). The cop is Steven Flynn, who Series/{{Firefly}} fans will recognize as the captain who attempts to steal Serenity in "Out of Gas."
** Hey, look! [[MadMen Paul Kinsey]] is in "The 15 Minutes Job" and hasn't aged a ''day''!
** [[Film/LethalWeapon Roger Murtaugh]] is Charlie Lawson in "The Van Gogh Job." There's a lot of gamesmanship with the painting, but his character is [[CatchPhrase too old for that shit.]]
** Creator/PeterStormare is the documentary filmmaker with the hots for Parker in "The Office Job."
** Jimmy Ford, Nate's dad, is Tom Skerritt (''Film/TopGun''[='=]s Viper, ''Film/{{Alien}}''[='=]s Dallas).
** [[Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch Aunt Zelda]] is the target in "The Three Days of the Hunter Job."
** Creator/AdamBaldwin shows up in "The (Really) Big Bird Job" and "The Rundown Job".
** [[Film/BackToTheFuture Principal Strickland]] shows up as the nasty old man stealing a heart in "The Cross My Heart Job".
** Matthew Lillard shows up as the mark, Gabe Erickson, in "The Real Fake Car Job".
** Emma Caulfield, otherwise known as [[Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer Anya]], takes the role of the mark Meredith in "The Lonely Hearts Job."
** [[Film/TheBuddyHollyStory Buddy Holly's bass player]] appears as the mark in "The Beantown Bailout Job."
* HeyItsThatVoice:
** Hardison is the voice of King in ''WesternAnimation/AlphaTeensOnMachines''.
** If Jodi from the episode "The Future Job" sounds familiar to you, it's because she's portrayed by [[Franchise/{{Halo}} Jen]] [[VideoGame/Left4Dead Taylor]].
** "The Wedding Job" has Creator/NicoleSullivan, best known for her roles as [[WesternAnimation/KimPossible Shego]] and [[WesternAnimation/BuzzLightyearOfStarCommand Mira Nova]].
** If one listens closely then he/she can figure out that the prison head from "The Jailhouse Job" is [[VideoGame/TeamFortress2 Spy]], though his voice is the same as when he played the [[VideoGame/Left4Dead helicopter pilot]]. By extension he's also [[VideoGame/TeamFortress2 the Pyro]].

** A few from "The Ten Li'l Grifters Job" - the mark is [[BoyMeetsWorld Mr. Matthews.]] His daughter is [[{{Greek}} Jordan]] (or [[WebVideo/VideoGameHighSchool Jenny Matrix]]). The cop is Steven Flynn, who Series/{{Firefly}} fans will recognize as the captain who attempts to steal Serenity in "Out of Gas."

** Nate's backstory of getting divorced after his son's death brings to mind Timothy Hutton's most famous role in ''OrdinaryPeople''.

* NamesTheSame: [[JimQuisition Jim]] [[MemeticMutation '''Fucking''']] [[JimQuisition Sterling, (Son)]], anyone?

** British viewers might recognise Gina Bellman from ''{{Coupling}}'' and ''{{Jekyll}}'', and a handful of people might notice that Aldis Hodge played Voodoo Tatum in ''FridayNightLights''. Or recognize him as Jake, [[spoiler:the soldier who killed Sam]] from ''Series/{{Supernatural}}''.

** A few from "The Ten Li'l Grifters Job" - the mark is [[BoyMeetsWorld Mr. Matthews.]] His daughter is [[{{Greek}} Jordan.]] The cop is Steven Flynn, who Series/{{Firefly}} fans will recognize as the captain who attempts to steal Serenity in "Out of Gas."

** Its not without some elements of ''Series/BurnNotice'' too.

** British viewers might recognise Gina Bellman from ''{{Coupling}}'', and a handful of people might notice that Aldis Hodge played Voodoo Tatum in ''FridayNightLights''. Or recognize him as Jake, [[spoiler:the soldier who killed Sam]] from ''Series/{{Supernatural}}''.

** The suicidal woman, the pretendung to be sick patient and a few other Scrubs alumni jioned the show.

** In "The Studio Job" Elliot (Christian Kane) becomes a minor country music star (playing "Thinking of You" a song from Kane's album ''The House Rules''), basically a CaptainErsatz of his younger self called "Kenneth Crane" (The actor's initials reversed with a rhyming last name). There's even a fan site set up called "Craniak", fans of Christian Kane's music career are often called "Kaneiacs". Most Kaneiacs are female, and Elliot as Crane garners mostly female fans. Borders on CelebrityParadox or perhaps NoCelebritiesWereHarmed.