Customer Reviews

Moonlighting - The Pilot Episode

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With the first two season of "Moonlighting" now out on DVD, the demand for just the pilot episode will be considerably less than before. But there is still something special about our introduction to Dave and Maddie, especially since it is more fun to remember the beginning of the series than to recall how it all ended. Written by Glen Gordon Caron and directed by Robert Butler, the "Moonlighting" pilot aired as a two-hour television movie on March 3, 1985 (in retrospect the "in like a lion, out like a lamb" idea certainly fits this show). The chief charms here were both the amount of dialogue that Caron was cramming into the script and the sparks that were flying between the two stars. Little did we know there would be much more of both in the future. At this point we were simply excited by the idea that not having flies on you is a good thing and that if you are being questioned by the police bringing a pair of sunglasses or ordering pizza with your one phone call would be good things.

Maddie Hayes (Cybil Shepherd) is a famous ex-model known as the "Blue Moon Girl," because of the ads she did for a shampoo. When her accountant embezzles her fortune, Maddie has to sell off the few failing businesses she owned as tax write offs. One of those is the City of Angels Detective Agency, run by David Addison (Bruce Willis), who wants to keep his job, his staff and his company car(s) (not necessarily in that order). So he tries to talk Maddie into forming a partnership. The only problem is that, at least at first, they cannot stand each other. He thinks she is a "blonde piece of fluff" and she considers him a "sissy fighter." So the question is can they make it through the pilot without falling in love with each other. The catalyst becomes the case they stumbled on when a dying man produces a broken watch from his mouth and slips it onto Maddie's wrist before he drops dead, courtesy of a knife in the back. Whether she wants to or not, Maddie Hayes is going to find out what it means to be a detective.

When I watched the pilot again for the first time in about a decade I kept thinking that there was something a little strange about it, but I simply dismissed such thoughts because like any pilot the actors are just starting to find their characters. Then it suddenly dawned on me why the episode sounded strange but still looked great after twenty years: Dave and Maddie are talking to slow in this pilot. At the time we were all marveling at how fast they talked on "Moonlight," but they are not yet up to warp speed in this first effort. This was also before the show become an example of postmodernism, primarily through its self-reflexivity, but even from the start you can see that this series is a dramedy. Remember, this was a show that was being nominated for Emmys as a dramatic series while being considered a comedy by the Golden Globes. Both, of course, were right. Today the idea that "Designing Women" or "Gilmore Girls" are situation comedies even though they are hour-long programs is not a radical idea, but it sure was twenty years ago.

In terms of the supporting cast in the pilot, Allyce Beasley as Agnes DiPesto is only on the cusp of becoming endearing because besides answering the phone in rhyme and having a bucket fall on her head she is really just background in this one. Among the guest stars the two who stand out are Dennis Lipscomb as Simon, whose slow and measured cadences stand out quite well in marked contrast to the speedy delivery of the two stars. Plus he appreciates the finesse of the word "duress." Then there is Jim McKrell as Dr. Spellner, Maddie's dinner date, who is wonderfully oblivious that his smooth condescension is not going over well with anybody, let alone Maddie. For familiar faces the guy with the blond Mohawk, whose name is apparently Klaus Gunter, is Dennis Stewart from "Grease," while Allistair, Simon's Man, is Brian Thompson, who goes on to be Luke and then the Judge on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (the television series, not the movie). Die hard fans of the series are going to want the entire show on DVD, but for those who just want to remember how "Moonlighting" was such a breath of fresh air, this pilot episode certainly suffices.

I grew up in the 80s watching Moonlighting when i was in my 20s. I fell i love with that show and the incredible chemistry between Bruce Willis and Cybil Sheppard. There will never be a chemistry like that ever again with any other tv characters. Cybil is gorgeous, and Bruce is handsome, and to watch them together is pure magic. I think Moonlighting was the greatest show in tv history. It was original, imaginative, innovative and ground-breaking. I've yet to see a tv show that can match it. Everyone loved to watch David and Maddie fight and banter back and forth with the funny dialogue. That was the main reason we all tuned in was to see the sparks fly. Moonlighting introduced the world to Bruce Willis, one of Hollywood's most underrated actors ever. He's one my all time favorite actors, and once Moonlighting ended, his career really took off, but no one will ever forget his stint on Moonlighting. I'm obsessed with that show and am glad to see that the pilot episode is finally on dvd. I had that episode on vhs for over a decade. The theme song is also one of my top ten favorite songs ever. I recommend this disc as a shining example of a timeless show. Yes, if you can look past the fashions and haircuts, this show is timeless. My only wish is that they decide to release the ENTIRE series on dvd, not just the pilot. I'm sure it will sell out. Many of the people reviewing the dvd are wondering why Cybil Shepard wasn't in the audio commentary. Well i hate to break it to the fans, but in real life Cybil doesn't really like Bruce Willis, especially during the last season of the show. She has publicly stated back then that she couldn't stand him at all. I'm sure her feelings mellowed a bit over the years, but i really doubt she'd want to sit in the same room with him to do an audio commentary.

I was hoping for better, I love Moonlighting, but as usual a third party has handled the transfer. DVD is great if the encoding is done correctly, but once again on this DVD it has not. It is not good enough that any non moving part of the picture "freezes" very noticibly constantly throughout the DVD, I would rather watch the VHS copy. And I know this is not only happening on TV Shows, some of the movies are just as bad. If we the public, just accept this, nothing will be done and DVD`s will carry on coming out at this poor level. I have shown this disc to many friends, some of which couldn`t watch it all the way through because the constant background moving/frozen/moving/frozen made them feel ill. 10/10 for Bruce & Cybill, 1/10 for the transfer :(

At about an hour and a half in length, this is the pilot episode, the one that set the standard for the show. It is fast paced, witty, charming, and romantic. All the best qualities that the show retained until near the end of it's run. If you ever enjoyed Moonlighting, you'll love this.

Now, where are the DVD's with the complete seasons? Come on! Cybill and Bruce deserve a digital treatment! I remember watching the show when I was thirteen, and I loved it. It's good to see the pilot episode again.

The chemistry between "Maddie" and "David" is classic, like Tracy and Hepburn. My teenagers and I used to tape every episode, they were so witty. Please, put the whole series on DVD. It's an instant seller of a classic madcap comedy.
A New England viewer

Watching the first episode of Moonlighting on DVD really did bring back the memories. The understated chemistry that was evident between Willis and Shepherd is here in abundance, even in this, the Pilot episode. All the elements that made Moonlighting what is was are also here - the rhyming Ms. Dipesto, the overlapping dialogue and the wonderful Moonlighting theme, which brings a lump to my throat every time I hear it. The DVD, while not significantly updating the quality of the actual episode itself, includes screen tests and an audio commentary which are great additions, showing that both Willis and Glenn Gordon Carron still have a genuine affection for the craft of the show that was Moonlighting. If you are a fan, I urge you to buy this disc to show your support for the future release of the rest of the series on DVD...

Well, a bruce willis classic has been released on DVD. The whole Pilot has been remastered but I was disepointed that the sound was in MONO. Other than that, you can also choose the see some very rare Bruce Willis Sreentests which he has a lot of hair on! and also a screentest with another guy who odetioned for the role of "David Addison" who I've never seen in my life! and Plus , it was great to hear Bruce Willis and Glen Caron's thoughts about the pilot and the series in the audio commentary. Defenatly for a Bruce Willis Or a "Moonlighting" fan to add to their collection!

SEASON TWO AND THREE STARTS WITH THE PILOT,SO WHY BY THE PILOT IF YOU DONT HAVE TO????????

I never saw the show until last year when Bravo played the whole series over again starting with the pilot episode. I like Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd, they make a great couple on tv. This show is completely unpredictable and will make you laugh through every episode. I think its probably my favorite television show ever. I would pay any price for all the seasons on dvd. I really hope that they decide to release this whold series on dvd as they seem to be doing with every other classic tv show out there. This should have been the first one in my opinion. If you like clever humor, exciting plots, and a great ongoing love story, this is the series for you. Too bad you can only get the pilot!