A candle that burns twice as bright lasts half as long. This is a show that's crammed with such witty, original dialogue in every episode that you just knew the writers couldn't keep this up for long. And, understandably, they couldn't. For me, this show lasted just three seasons. But those first three seasons were some of the best in TV history.
It's not just the witty dialogue and natural chemistry between Cybill Shephard and Bruce Willis, but it was also the unique plots and the interesting supporting cast. The plots, of course, were secondary and only served as a way to drive the conversational hari-kari between Cybill and Bruce. But despite their second class status, the plots were actually original and fairly interesting by themselves. Credit the writers for coming up with not just the witty dialogue but also unique and interesting story lines that were intriguing and that continued to develop the principle characters.
Credit also the casting director for not only finding the gems in Cybill and Bruce for the starring roles but also for the supporting cast. Aside from the obvious gem in Allyce Beasley, there were also Eva Marie Saint and Robert Webber as Cybill's parents and Charles Rocket as Bruce's brother. These were my favorite guest stars. Others I liked include Paul Sorvino as Bruce's dad and Dana Delany as Bruce's ex. These were not the usual suspects that appeared as guest stars on other TV shows at the time. Thus they were not on the forefront of every casting directors' minds. So when these actors were cast, you knew the casting director for Moonlighting spent a little more time and thought on picking them. And it paid off. I really loved Charles Rocket as David Addison's brother.
If I had to pick only five episodes to re-watch, these would be it: (1) Every Daughter's Father is a Virgin - This brings a tear to my eye every time. (2) Brother, Can You Spare a Blonde? - Charles Rocket was hilarious and seeing David vulnerable for once brought a tear to my eye. (3) Big Man on Mulberry Street - It was one of the few times Maddie overtly showed her feelings for David. (4) Knowing Her - Dana Delaney, the music and Maddie's behavior made this one fun to watch. (5) The Son also Rises - Paul Sorvino was great as David's dad plus we got to get to know David more.
It's not just the witty dialogue and natural chemistry between Cybill Shephard and Bruce Willis, but it was also the unique plots and the interesting supporting cast. The plots, of course, were secondary and only served as a way to drive the conversational hari-kari between Cybill and Bruce. But despite their second class status, the plots were actually original and fairly interesting by themselves. Credit the writers for coming up with not just the witty dialogue but also unique and interesting story lines that were intriguing and that continued to develop the principle characters.
Credit also the casting director for not only finding the gems in Cybill and Bruce for the starring roles but also for the supporting cast. Aside from the obvious gem in Allyce Beasley, there were also Eva Marie Saint and Robert Webber as Cybill's parents and Charles Rocket as Bruce's brother. These were my favorite guest stars. Others I liked include Paul Sorvino as Bruce's dad and Dana Delany as Bruce's ex. These were not the usual suspects that appeared as guest stars on other TV shows at the time. Thus they were not on the forefront of every casting directors' minds. So when these actors were cast, you knew the casting director for Moonlighting spent a little more time and thought on picking them. And it paid off. I really loved Charles Rocket as David Addison's brother.
If I had to pick only five episodes to re-watch, these would be it: (1) Every Daughter's Father is a Virgin - This brings a tear to my eye every time. (2) Brother, Can You Spare a Blonde? - Charles Rocket was hilarious and seeing David vulnerable for once brought a tear to my eye. (3) Big Man on Mulberry Street - It was one of the few times Maddie overtly showed her feelings for David. (4) Knowing Her - Dana Delaney, the music and Maddie's behavior made this one fun to watch. (5) The Son also Rises - Paul Sorvino was great as David's dad plus we got to get to know David more.