"Moonlighting" (1985) TV series 1985-1989

Creator:

Glenn Gordon Caron
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

5 March 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery | Romance

Plot:

The quirky cases of an ex model and a wiseguy detective who co-run a private detective agency.

Plot Keywords:

Private Detective | Ex Model | Office | Singing | Beautiful Woman

Awards:

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 12 wins & 53 nominations

Cast

Cybill Shepherd	...	Madelyn 'Maddie' Hayes / ... (66 episodes, 1985-1989)
Bruce Willis	...	David Addison Jr. / ... (66 episodes, 1985-1989)
Allyce Beasley	...	Agnes DiPesto / ... (66 episodes, 1985-1989)
Curtis Armstrong	...	Herbert Quentin Viola / ... (37 episodes, 1986-1989)

Series Directed by
Allan Arkush		(12 episodes, 1986-1989)
Peter Werner		(9 episodes, 1985-1986)
Christian I. Nyby II		(7 episodes, 1985-1986)
Paul Krasny		(5 episodes, 1986-1989)
Dennis Dugan		(5 episodes, 1988-1989)
Will Mackenzie		(4 episodes, 1985-1986)
Christopher Hibler		(4 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jay Daniel		(4 episodes, 1987-1989)
Artie Mandelberg		(4 episodes, 1988-1989)
Sam Weisman		(3 episodes, 1987)
Gerald Perry Finnerman		(2 episodes, 1988-1989)

Series Writing credits
Glenn Gordon Caron		(66 episodes, 1985-1989)
Charles H. Eglee		(15 episodes, 1986-1989)
Roger Director		(14 episodes, 1985-1989)
Ron Osborn		(14 episodes, 1985-1989)
Jeff Reno		(14 episodes, 1985-1989)
Kerry Ehrin		(13 episodes, 1985-1988)
Debra Frank		(7 episodes, 1985-1988)
Karen Hall		(6 episodes, 1986-1987)
Carl Sautter		(5 episodes, 1985-1986)
Ali Marie Matheson		(3 episodes, 1985)
James Kramer		(3 episodes, 1989)
Chris Ruppenthal		(3 episodes, 1989)
Marc Abraham		(2 episodes, 1985-1989)
Bruce Franklin Singer		(2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Michael Scheff		(2 episodes, 1985)
Barbara Hall		(2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Jerry Stahl		(2 episodes, 1989)
Jeremy Lew		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Jay Daniel	....	producer / executive producer / ... (40 episodes, 1985-1989)
Artie Mandelberg	....	supervising producer / associate producer (38 episodes, 1985-1989)
Glenn Gordon Caron	....	executive producer / producer (27 episodes, 1985-1988)
Charles H. Eglee	....	producer (16 episodes, 1987-1989)
Pauline Miller	....	associate producer (10 episodes, 1985)
Ron Osborn	....	producer / senior producer (9 episodes, 1986-1988)
Jeff Reno	....	producer / senior producer (9 episodes, 1986-1988)
Christopher T. Welch	....	associate producer / co-producer (6 episodes, 1986-1989)
Roger Director	....	supervising producer / producer (5 episodes, 1986-1988)
Philip Carr Neel	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 1987-1989)
Barbara Hall	....	co-producer (1 episode, 1988-1989)

Series Original Music by
Alf Clausen		(54 episodes, 1985-1989)
Lee Holdridge		(2 episodes, 1985)
Richard Lewis Warren		(2 episodes, 1985)

Series Cinematography by
Gerald Perry Finnerman		(56 episodes, 1985-1989)

Series Film Editing by
Roger Bondelli		(7 episodes, 1986)
Neil Mandelberg		(4 episodes, 1985-1988)
Christopher T. Welch		(4 episodes, 1985)
Curtis Freilich		(3 episodes, 1985-1987)
Virginia Olah		(2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Philip Carr Neel		(2 episodes, 1986-1988)
Geoffrey Rowland		(2 episodes, 1988)
Steven C. Brown		(unknown episodes)
Jerry Dronsky		(unknown episodes)
Leslie Gaulin		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Karen Vice		(5 episodes, 1985-1989)
Carol L. Dudley		(5 episodes, 1985)

Series Production Design by
James J. Agazzi		(65 episodes, 1985-1989)

Series Set Decoration by
Mel Cooper		(59 episodes, 1985-1989)
Bill Harp		(4 episodes, 1986-1989)
Cheryal Kearney		(unknown episodes, 1985)

Series Costume Design by
Robert Turturice		(66 episodes, 1985-1989)
Susan Cohoon-Swain		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Norman T. Leavitt	....	makeup artist (27 episodes, 1985-1989)
Josée Normand	....	hair stylist (24 episodes, 1985-1989)
Nora de la Torre	....	makeup artist (16 episodes, 1985-1986)
Judy Crown	....	hair stylist (14 episodes, 1985-1986)
Dave Grayson	....	makeup artist (11 episodes, 1985-1989)
Sharleen Rassi	....	hair stylist / makeup artist (7 episodes, 1985)
Timothy A. Miguel	....	makeup artist (6 episodes, 1985)
Anthony Esposito	....	hair stylist: Ms. Shepherd / hair stylist / ... (4 episodes, 1986)
Walter Derfer	....	hair stylist (3 episodes, 1985)
Kathryn Blondell	....	hair stylist: Ms. Shepherd (3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Elizabeth Rabe	....	additional hair stylist (2 episodes, 1985)

Series Production Management
Sally Young	....	production executive / production manager (23 episodes, 1985-1986)
Catherine Peacock	....	associate post-production supervisor / post-production supervisor (11 episodes, 1985-1986)
Dennis L. Judd II	....	production executive (7 episodes, 1986)
Philip Carr Neel	....	post-production supervisor (7 episodes, 1986)
Christopher T. Welch	....	post-production supervisor (6 episodes, 1985-1986)
Richard Learman	....	unit production manager (2 episodes, 1986)
Sheryl Main	....	post-production supervisor (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
James Simons	....	unit production manager (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
F.A. Miller	....	production manager (1 episode, 1985-1986)
Rick Finn	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)
David McCann	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Leigh Webb	....	second assistant director (25 episodes, 1985-1987)
Chris Howell	....	second unit director (22 episodes, 1985-1989)
Skip Beaudine	....	first assistant director (17 episodes, 1985-1989)
Elizabeth Ward	....	second second assistant director (11 episodes, 1985-1986)
Craig Beaudine	....	first assistant director (5 episodes, 1985-1986)
Donald P.H. Eaton	....	second assistant director / first assistant director: second unit (5 episodes, 1985)
Allan Wertheim	....	first assistant director (5 episodes, 1985)
James Simons	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 1985-1986)
James Lansbury	....	second second assistant director (4 episodes, 1985)
Mack Bing	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1985)
Steven Hirsch	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1988-1989)

Series Art Department
John Kersey	....	construction coordinator (35 episodes, 1985-1988)
Michael Diersing	....	construction coordinator (16 episodes, 1988-1989)
Victor M. Shannon	....	plasterer foreman (11 episodes, 1988-1989)
Anthony Cowley	....	construction foreman (9 episodes, 1985-1986)
Mel Cooper	....	lead person (4 episodes, 1986-1989)
John M. Schenk	....	property master (4 episodes, 1986-1989)
Louie Logerot	....	paint foreman (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Dominick Bruno	....	property master (unknown episodes, 1985)
William M. Bates	....	property master (unknown episodes)
R. Gilbert Clayton	....	production illustrator (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Ken Cain	....	sound conform (65 episodes, 1985-1989)
Jerry Trent	....	foley artist (65 episodes, 1985-1989)
Val Kuklowsky	....	sound editor / supervising sound editor (31 episodes, 1985-1987)
Richard Van Dyke	....	production sound mixer (17 episodes, 1985-1986)
Randy Lawson	....	assistant sound effects editor (15 episodes, 1985-1988)
Martin Raymond Bolger	....	production sound mixer (15 episodes, 1986-1989)
Jeremy J. Gordon	....	supervising sound editor / sound editor (14 episodes, 1985-1989)
Kevin B. Barron	....	assistant sound editor (11 episodes, 1988-1989)
Sandy Gendler	....	supervising sound editor (5 episodes, 1988)
Vanessa Theme Ament	....	foley artist (3 episodes, 1985)
Gregg Barbanell	....	foley artist (unknown episodes)
Derek Casari	....	dubbing engineer (unknown episodes)
John S. Coffey	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Greg Curda	....	foley mixer (unknown episodes)
Arnold Finkelstein	....	assistant sound editor (unknown episodes)
William Gazecki	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Tom Gerard	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
James M. McCann	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Paul Stewart	....	special effects (1 episode, 1985-1989)
Charles E. Dolan	....	special effects supervisor (1 episode, 1985)
Gary L. King	....	special effects coordinator (1 episode, 1986)
Jor Van Kline	....	special effects coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Thomas Baker	....	main title graphics (1 episode, 1985)
Hoyt Yeatman	....	visual effects (1 episode, 1985)
Randall Rudd	....	visual effects producer (1 episode, 1988)

Series Stunts
Keii Johnston	....	stunt double (64 episodes, 1985-1989)
Gregory J. Barnett	....	stunts (9 episodes, 1985-1989)
Bruce Paul Barbour	....	stunts (5 episodes, 1985-1989)
Chris Howell	....	stunt coordinator (4 episodes, 1985-1989)
Joey Box	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Ernie Reed	....	camera operator: second unit (54 episodes, 1985-1989)
Michael Santoro	....	best boy grip (11 episodes, 1988-1989)
Anthony R. Palmieri	....	camera operator (9 episodes, 1985)
Frederic J. Smith	....	camera operator (9 episodes, 1986-1989)
William N. Clark	....	camera operator (8 episodes, 1985-1986)
Walter Cripps Jr.	....	key grip (7 episodes, 1985-1988)
Mark Warren O'Brien	....	gaffer (6 episodes, 1985-1989)
H. Taylor Smith	....	gaffer (5 episodes, 1985)
Peter Salim	....	camera operator (5 episodes, 1986)
Red Cripps Jr.	....	key grip (3 episodes, 1985-1989)
George Hill	....	key grip (2 episodes, 1985)
Vincent Contarino	....	gaffer (unknown episodes, 1985)
Scott C. Williman	....	lamp operator (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Christine Sheaks	....	casting assistant / casting associate (16 episodes, 1985-1989)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Michelle Kurpaska	....	costumer: men / co-costume supervisor (3 episodes, 1985-1989)
Susan Cohoon-Swain	....	costumer: women (2 episodes, 1986)
Robert Q. Mathews	....	costumer: men (2 episodes, 1986)
Buffy Snyder	....	costumer: women (2 episodes, 1987-1989)
Michael Abbott	....	costumer: men (unknown episodes, 1987)
Yvonne Kubis	....	costume supervisor: women (unknown episodes)
Valerie Laven-Cooper	....	costumer (unknown episodes)
John S. Perry	....	costume department head (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Julie Janata	....	assistant editor (33 episodes, 1985-1987)
Dennis Brookins	....	negative cutter (26 episodes, 1985-1989)
Harvey Rosenstock	....	associate film editor / assistant film editor (18 episodes, 1985-1986)
Sheryl Main	....	post-production coordinator (12 episodes, 1986-1987)
Rory T. Marcus	....	post-production coordinator (6 episodes, 1985-1986)
Neil Eric Wenger	....	assistant editor (4 episodes, 1985)
Deborah Romare	....	post-production coordinator (2 episodes, 1985-1989)
Alec Smight	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)
Gerald Lawrence Whelan	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Lee Holdridge	....	composer: theme music (65 episodes, 1985-1989)
Al Jarreau	....	singer: theme music (65 episodes, 1985-1989)
Alf Clausen	....	conductor (52 episodes, 1985-1988)
David Rosner	....	music consultant (28 episodes, 1985-1989)
Frank Capp	....	music coordinator (21 episodes, 1985-1989)
Jim Harrison	....	music editor (20 episodes, 1985-1988)
Jeff Carson	....	music editor (16 episodes, 1985-1986)
Peter Asher	....	song producer: theme song (unknown episodes)
Brad Dechter	....	orchestrator (unknown episodes)
Don Nemitz	....	orchestrator (unknown episodes)

Series Transportation Department
Clive Henderson	....	transportation coordinator (31 episodes, 1985-1989)
Chris Haynes	....	driver (9 episodes, 1986-1988)
Linda Cipperley	....	transportation (9 episodes, 1989)
Marco Paul	....	production driver (2 episodes, 1987)
Jerry Sidwell	....	driver captain (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Bruce Bryant	....	main title design (65 episodes, 1985-1989)
James Castle	....	main title design (65 episodes, 1985-1989)
Carol Johnsen	....	main title design (65 episodes, 1985-1989)
Steve Dayan	....	assistant location manager / location manager (55 episodes, 1985-1989)
Edward J. Duffy	....	location manager (44 episodes, 1985-1989)
Robert Karpman	....	assistant location manager (38 episodes, 1986-1989)
Karen A. Hall	....	assistant to actor (23 episodes, 1985-1986)
Candace Montgomery-Lira	....	production auditor / production accountant (18 episodes, 1985-1989)
Roger Director	....	executive story consultant / creative consultant (18 episodes, 1985-1988)
Kelly K. Learman	....	assistant to writers (18 episodes, 1987-1988)
Coleen Cannon	....	script supervisor (17 episodes, 1985-1986)
Myrna Huffman	....	production coordinator (17 episodes, 1985-1986)
Bobby Howard	....	location manager (16 episodes, 1985-1987)
John Kersey	....	construction superintendent / lead foreman (15 episodes, 1985-1986)
Suzanne Waite	....	script supervisor (15 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jean Henley	....	assistant location manager (14 episodes, 1985-1986)
Ron Osborn	....	executive script consultant (11 episodes, 1985-1986)
Jeff Reno	....	executive script consultant (11 episodes, 1985-1986)
Suzanne Gangursky	....	production coordinator / assistant production coordinator (7 episodes, 1985-1989)
Jay R. Goldenberg	....	dialogue coach (7 episodes, 1986-1989)
Christopher T. Welch	....	production consultant (7 episodes, 1986-1987)
Karen Hall	....	assistant to actor (6 episodes, 1985)
Judi Brown	....	script supervisor (5 episodes, 1985)
Laura Sode-Matteson	....	location manager (5 episodes, 1985)
Priscilla Taussig	....	production coordinator (5 episodes, 1986)
Melissa Gelineau	....	assistant: Mr. Daniel / assistant to executive producer / ... (4 episodes, 1986-1989)
Ket Lamb	....	assistant to writer (4 episodes, 1986)
Michael Joiner	....	photo double (4 episodes, 1988-1989)
Jeff Gullo	....	production office assistant (3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Sharon Kimelblot	....	assistant production coordinator / production secretary (3 episodes, 1985-1986)
David Willis	....	production office assistant (3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Charles H. Eglee	....	executive script consultant (3 episodes, 1986)
Scott Grossman	....	office production assistant / production office assistant (2 episodes, 1986-1989)
Gregory Harris	....	assistant: Mr. Caron (2 episodes, 1986)
Tracy Bauer	....	assistant to producer / producers' assistant (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
James Kramer	....	story editor (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Vincent Landay	....	office production assistant / production office assistant (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Jim Painten	....	production executive (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Chris Ruppenthal	....	story editor (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
John Saviano	....	assistant production coordinator (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Dennis Schneider	....	assistant to producer / writers assistant (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Jerry Stahl	....	story editor (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Eric C. Daroca	....	production office assistant (unknown episodes)
Debra Frank	....	story editor (unknown episodes)
Keith McNulty	....	cue cards (unknown episodes)
John D. Sarviss	....	helicopter pilot (unknown episodes)
Carl Sautter	....	story editor (unknown episodes)

Series Thanks
Orson Welles	....	in memory of (1 episode, 1985)
Clint Althouse	....	dedicated to the memory of (1 episode, 1989)
Glenn Gordon Caron	....	thanks (1 episode, 1989)

Production Companies

• ABC Circle Films
• Picturemaker Productions

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1985-1989) (USA) (TV)
• Duna Televízió (2007-2008) (Hungary) (TV) (re-release)
• ABC1 (2004-) (UK) (TV)
• AXN (2010) (Hungary) (TV) (re-release)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Television (1995) (worldwide) (TV)
• Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• NHK (1986-1993) (Japan) (TV)
• Nelonen (2007) (Finland) (TV)
• SKY Show (????) (Italy) (TV)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) (2006) (Japan) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006-) (Germany) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 1-3)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 4 and 5)
• Universal Pictures Finland Oy (2006) (Finland) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Castle/Bryant/Johnsen  main title design
• Deluxe  color
• Dimension Sound  post-production sound services
• Fur Wardrobe International: Los Angeles  furs courtesy of (episode "Brother, Can You Spare a Blonde?")
• Fur Wardrobe International: Los Angeles  furs courtesy of (episode "Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice, The")
• Fur Wardrobe International: Los Angeles  furs courtesy of (episode "Lady in the Iron Mask, The")
• Fur Wardrobe International: Los Angeles  furs courtesy of (episode "Money Talks ... Maddie Walks")
• Los Angeles Post Office  special thanks (episode "Yours, Very Deadly")
• Movie Movers  cast trailers
• Westheimer Company  titles and optical effects

Also Known As:

Runtime:

60 min (66 episodes) | Argentina:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 (seasons 1 and 2) | Singapore:PG (season 3) (season 4) | Finland:K-18 (DVD) (2005) (self applied) | Australia:M (some episodes) | Netherlands:6 | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

ABC Entertainment Center - 2040 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

ABC Circle Films

Trivia:

Robert Blake was considered for the role of David Addison, Jr.

Quotes:

Maddie Hayes:[chasing David, who's on top of a hot air balloon] I'm coming!
David Addison:Good for you!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Allemaal film: Betere tijden (#1.9)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Moonlighting

Revived Romantic Comedy on Television in the 80's

Moonlighting went on the air in January of 1985 as a mid season replacement, beginning with a two hour TV movie pilot episode. The reviews were mixed - and so was the pilot. Was this a detective drama? A romantic comedy? It appeared it was trying to be both. Within a couple of episodes it became clear that creator Glen Gordon Caron was planting the show firmly in the field of romantic comedy - a good choice because it was in these moments that the series would really shine.

By the third episode it was clear they were on to something original, or if not completely original, at least written and executed better than anything else on TV at the time. The Tracy-Hepburn like sparring between Shepherd and unknown actor Bruce Willis, and the sophisticated writing by Caron and the other writers just got better and better as they finished their first half season of ten episodes.

The highlight of that first batch was the celebrated "black and white" episode, "The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice." In it Maddie and David interview a client who owns a once famous LA nightclub (like the Coconut Grove), which is about to be torn down. There they learn of a mysterious murder that occurred there in the 40's, still unsolved, that revolved around a trumpet player having an affair with the band's married girl singer. The singer's husband was killed and both the trumpet player and the songstress claim the other did the deed. Of course David assumes the woman framed the musician. Maddie feels it was much more likely the sleazy guy did it. Each of them daydream their version of events in 1940's black and white, with Bruce playing the trumpeter and Cybill the singer. Each of their mini-stories works as film noir homage, and the pairing of the two versions come off even stronger. In addition it allowed us to see David and Maddie in a romantic setting without having to put the characters directly into that kind of plot killing situation. The episode won Emmy nominations for everyone involved, including Cybill and Bruce. Bruce won.

Which brings up "the troubles." How many giant egos can one series sustain? Tension began to mount between Shepherd, Willis, and Caron. Cybill was the "star" - but she was essentially playing straight man to Willis. His manic character and split second timing were the force driving the chemistry forward. By the time they were filming the first full season - he was as recognizable as she was. And after years of struggling and starving in New York - he was enjoying every minute of his new found fame.

And then there was Glen Gordon Caron. He was very much a "hands on" producer and had very definite ideas about where he wanted to take the series. His perfectionism frustrated his cast and writers. Several times the crew would begin filming an episode while the writers were still writing. Caron had a commitment to the network for 22 episodes per season. He never delivered more than 20. His shooting regularly went off schedule and over budget. The quality was there on the screen ("Atomic Shakespeare" - a riff on the Taming of the Shrew was practically a movie in and of itself), but the show began to tick off viewers who complained about all the reruns while they waited for a new episode.

As the series moved into its second full season it hit a creative peak:

· The aforementioned Taming of the Shrew

· Big Man on Mulberry Street - with a musical sequence by "Singing in the Rain" director Stanley Donen

· The four Sam and David and Maddie episodes with Mark Harmon as the straight up astronaut whose proposal forces Maddie and David to confront their feelings.

Then it happened. A confluence of events that seemed to drain the show of all its life:

· Maddie and David "did it" - killing off the eternal suspense.

· The writers, tired of all Caron's tirades and very much in demand with all their Moonlighting awards, left the series. Caron had to bring in a fresh crop.

· Cybill Shepherd became pregnant with twins. The timing of the pregnancy would prevent her from filming between September and at least December - a prime production period.

· Glen wrote the pregnancy into the show - and had Maddie flee LA for home - for months. This allowed him to film Shepherd's scenes alone during the summer. Of course with 3000 miles between Maddie and David it's hard to get much zippy chemistry going.

Coming from the creative high of the second season, the letdown in the third year was all the more apparent. By the time they dumped the baby (a miscarriage) at the beginning of the fourth season - the magic was clearly gone. Shepherd and Willis were anxious to move on to more lucrative film projects, and the final season was only a slight improvement over the disappointing previous year.

But, as the nursery rhyme goes - when it was good, it was very very good. In addition to the episodes mentioned above, try to catch some of these on cable:

· "My Fair David" - Maddie bets David can't go through a week without breaking out into some Motown ditty, or making crass sexist comments.

· "Devil in the Blue Dress" with Judd Nelson and Whoopie Goldberg