Moonlighting

Moonlighting is an American series, produced in the United States between 1985 and 1989. It consisted of 66 45 minute episodes divided into five seasons, and it was first broadcast on German television on March 21st 1990.

The series starred Cybill Sheperd, playing the role of Madelyn Hayes, and the then yet unknown Bruce Willis, portraying private detective David Addison. The theme song was performed by Al Jarraeu.

The series distinguished itself through the ultrafast dialogs between the main characters, which were quite unusual for that time.

Madelyn Hayes, nicknamed „Maddie“, is the owner of a detective agency in Los Angeles. She is a former model and is characterized by her self-confidence, inteligence and erotic charm. “Hard shell, soft core” is definitely a phrase that describes her very well. A love-hate relationship develops between her and detective David Addison, who appears to be her total opposite. Maddie often doubts her decision of collaborating with him.

Detective David Addison is talkative, often impulsive and relies on luck and his insight into human nature. However, he does sometimes escape this pattern and now and then surprises Maddie with smart and profound choices.

The third co-worker is telephone operator Agnes Topisto, the detective agency’s warm heart. She provides the series’ running gag by greeting callers with long-winded rhymes. Now and then she also participates directly in the investigation, helping in every way she can.

In the first episode of the series, successful model Maddie finds out that her manager had been lying and deceiving her through his teeth. She is close to bankrupcy. She merely owns a few depreciable assets, which she wishes to sell. One of her real estate properties hosts the office of the somewhat decrepit and badly running detective agency „City of Angels“ of detective Addison.

Upon the advice of her lawyer, Maddie wants to close down the detective agency, however, Addison is strongly opposed and tries to convince Maddie to become a partner. Yet she refuses to colaborate. However, she changes her mind when, during a dinner with Addison at a restaurant, she receives a mysterious watch from a dying punker. She thereby becomes unwillingly involved in her first case with Addison.

Trivia

Maddie and Addison’s detective agency is renamed as „Blue Moon“ by Maddie. This name comes from a shampoo commercial that Maddie had modelled for.

It is often mentioned within the episodes that this is indeed a television series. Thus, in the last episode before Christmas, the entire filming team starts to carol and it begins to snow in the studio. During the last episode of the series, it is also pointed out by a member of the filming crew that this is the last episode of the series.

Moonlighting achieved great popularity also in Europe. It is therefore not surprising that real detective agency from all corners of the world have adopted the name Blue Moon, probably in order to profit from the same popularity that the detective agency from the television series was enjoying. However, the real life private detectives have no similarities with the characters from the series.

You may find the Moonlighting episode guide here.