Moonlighting was a Romantic Comedy/Detective Drama that aired on ABC from 1985 to 1989.
It is best remembered as introducing the world to star Bruce Willis.
The show featured Cybill Shepherd as “Maddie Hayes”, a former Model saddled with a Detective Agency, that she owned as a tax write-off, that is helmed by David Addison (Bruce Willis).
Cybill Shepherd, at the time, was a successful film actress, having appeared in films such as “The Last Picture Show“, “The Heartbreak Kid“, and “Taxi Driver“.
In 1983, she appeared in the dramatic Television series “The Yellow Rose“, opposite Sam Elliott, but the show lasted just one season.
Her role on Moonlighting would earn her both Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress in a Television Comedy.
Prior to Moonlighting, Bruce Willis had recently appeared in an episode of “Miami Vice“.
He had to beat out 3,000 other actors for the role of David Addison.
He did the theatrical films “Blind Date” and “Sunset” while working on Moonlighting, but it was his role in the 1988 classic “Die Hard” that launched him as a major movie star.
Mark Harmon had a recurring role in Season 3 as Maddie’s love interest.
The highest the show reached in the year end Nielsen ratings was #9 at the conclusion of season 3.
The theme song, sung by Al Jarreau, reached #23 on the Billboard Charts when it was released as a single in 1987. It reached #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts that same year.
By the end of the fourth season, Bruce Willis wanted to turn to a career in films, while Cybill Shepherd had recently given birth to twins. Neither wanted to continue the series into a fifth season.
The show has been seen very little on TV since it went off the air since it did not produce enough episodes for a traditional syndication contract.
The show regained a great deal of popularity when it was released on DVD.
Oh I remember moonlighting.. i loved it.. sexy pair!! They did not even bother acting they were so good! c
By: ceciliag on October 22, 2011
at 10:53 am
Great blast from the past! I absolutely adored that show. The witty back and forth dialogue was so fresh back then, and I always moved heaven and earth to make sure I could watch it each week.
By: whatimeant2say on October 22, 2011
at 11:07 am
Bruce Who? And what is this … “Die Hood” .. “Die Hand” … “Die Hard” of which you speak?
Keep an eye on the “Clue” network on cable (I think they’re calling it “Cloo”, in the same way the Sci-Fi channel became Syfy). They’re owned by NBC, but they’ve been sweeping up 1980s shows all over the place. If I see it, I’ll let y’all know.
By: John Erickson on October 22, 2011
at 2:24 pm
I loved this show. It’s one of my favorite shows of all time.
By: Edward Hotspur on October 22, 2011
at 2:37 pm
When I see how young they were I realise how old I am becoming. Thanks for the memories…
By: Judith on October 22, 2011
at 2:49 pm
I loved this show, too. It was the fast talking that amazed me. I am not sure if they were staying on a script or if they were just winging it as they went, but it was fun to watch. Up until then, sitcoms were pretty predictable. These two were not. Too bad there aren’t reruns.
By: chlost on October 22, 2011
at 9:25 pm
Queen of the Courtroom – I was just at Target and they had seasons 1 & 2 on sale together for like $20………
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 23, 2011
at 7:44 am
Ah, Moonlighting. Loved their constant bickering and bantering. And I loved seeing what Cybill was wearing on any particular episode. It’s the little things that make me happy…
By: queendebor on October 23, 2011
at 3:23 pm