Moonlighting (1985)
The sharp-tongued, romantically charged detective comedy that made Bruce Willis a star and redefined the buddy dynamic on American television.
Moonlighting - Series Information
- Original Title: Moonlighting
- First Air Year: 1985
- Last Air Year: 1989
- Created by: Glenn Gordon Caron
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 46 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 66
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: March 3, 1985 (United States - TV-PG), March 3, 1985 (Germany - 12), March 3, 1985 (France - NR), March 3, 1985 (Australia - PG), March 3, 1985 (Brazil - 12)
- Networks: ABC
- Production Companies: Picturemaker Productions, ABC Circle Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: Model und der Schnueffler (DE), Na Wariackich Papierach (PL), Детективне агентство «Місячне сяйво» (UA), Детективы на полставки (RU)
Moonlighting - Plot
After being duped and going bankrupt, model Maddie is convinced by David to become a partner in a detective agency. Together they solve various cases, while getting comfortable with each other.
Moonlighting - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the wit and chemistry that defined this beloved series:
Detectives with a heart
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Moonlighting - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Glenn Gordon Caron
Main Cast
- Cybill Shepherd
- Bruce Willis
- Allyce Beasley
- Curtis Armstrong
- Jack Blessing
- Robert Webber
- Eva Marie Saint
- Charles Rocket
- Mark Harmon
- Dennis Dugan
Writers
- Roger Director
- Charles H. Eglee
- Ron Osborn
- Jeff Reno
- Kerry Ehrin
Executive Producers
- Glenn Gordon Caron
Moonlighting - FAQs
Where can you stream Moonlighting today?
Moonlighting is available to stream on Hulu with a subscription. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region, so check JustWatch for the most current options in your area.
Why did Moonlighting end after only five seasons?
Moonlighting ended in 1989 due to a combination of factors: escalating tensions between stars Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis, production delays caused by Willis's growing film career, creative burnout, and declining ratings after the central will-they-won't-they tension was resolved when Maddie and David finally became a couple.
Did Moonlighting launch Bruce Willis's career?
Yes, Moonlighting was the breakthrough role that made Bruce Willis a household name. His portrayal of the wisecracking David Addison earned him an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe, and the show's popularity directly led to his casting in Die Hard (1988), launching his blockbuster film career.
Who are the main actors in Moonlighting?
Moonlighting stars Cybill Shepherd as former model Maddie Hayes and Bruce Willis as the irreverent detective David Addison. The supporting cast includes Allyce Beasley as Agnes DiPesto, Curtis Armstrong as Herbert Viola, and guest appearances by Mark Harmon and Eva Marie Saint, among others.
What is Moonlighting about?
Moonlighting follows Maddie Hayes, a former supermodel who discovers her finances have been embezzled, leaving her with only a struggling detective agency. She reluctantly partners with the agency's fast-talking investigator David Addison, and together they solve quirky cases while navigating a charged romantic tension.
How many seasons and episodes does Moonlighting have?
Moonlighting ran for five seasons on ABC from 1985 to 1989, comprising 66 episodes in total. Season 2 was the longest with 18 episodes, while the final Season 5 wrapped up the series with 13 episodes. A collection of specials is also available.
Is Moonlighting based on a true story?
No, Moonlighting is not based on a true story. It is an original creation by writer-producer Glenn Gordon Caron. The series was conceived as a genre-blending comedy-drama that playfully subverted the conventions of detective procedurals while centering on a sharp, romantically charged dynamic between its two leads.
Did Moonlighting win any major awards?
Yes, Moonlighting earned significant recognition. Bruce Willis won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his role as David Addison. The show itself received multiple Emmy nominations for Outstanding Drama Series, and Cybill Shepherd earned Golden Globe nominations, cementing the series as a critical favorite of the late 1980s.
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