Moonlighting

1948-present

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Styles Bitchley
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Re: Moonlighting

#21 Post by Styles Bitchley »

Dave Anderson wrote:Its interesting, Magnum by comparison seems far less "dated" than Moonlighting. I'm not quite sure why that is.
I'm pretty sure it's because of the setting. Hawaiian beach attire hasn't changed much in 30 years. Bur urban fashion, as we all know, is quite different. They also worked hard to ensure Maddie was dressed in the latest fashions, which can date you pretty quickly.

I really liked the show up until the point when Cybill Shepherd got pregnant and they had all those weird depressing slow plot lines to cover for it. I think this was the beginning of season 4. The show is very different starting then from the fun vibe where they actually go out on cases. Not surprisingly, the ratings dropped sharply.

I really like those first three seasons though.
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."

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Re: Moonlighting

#22 Post by eltonsean »

Styles Bitchley wrote: I really liked the show up until the point when Cybill Shepherd got pregnant and they had all those weird depressing slow plot lines to cover for it. I think this was the beginning of season 4.
I really like those first three seasons though.
I'm with you, Styles Bitchley on this. The show was never the same after Cybill became pregnant. Plus I think the writer's strike caused the show to temporarily lose momentum. I remember being really saddened when the show was canceled.
Magnum :magnum: and Moonlighting 8) were my favorites along with Star Trek: TNG, Three's Company, and The A-Team :lol:
"Living well is the best revenge".

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Re: Moonlighting

#23 Post by Dave Anderson »

Styles Bitchley wrote:
Dave Anderson wrote:Its interesting, Magnum by comparison seems far less "dated" than Moonlighting. I'm not quite sure why that is.
I'm pretty sure it's because of the setting. Hawaiian beach attire hasn't changed much in 30 years. Bur urban fashion, as we all know, is quite different. They also worked hard to ensure Maddie was dressed in the latest fashions, which can date you pretty quickly...
That's probably part of it, but I think there's more to it than that. I think workplaces, offices at least, have changed significantly since the 80s. Men and women don't flirt at work and rarely date co-workers anymore due to sexual harassment laws. At least its the exception rather than a norm like it was back in the day. So, it seems very "80s" in the way the character's relate, perhaps more so than a show set mostly on the beach.

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Re: Moonlighting

#24 Post by Dave Anderson »

In honor of St. Patty's Day this week, I suggest watching Moonlighting episode "Somewhere Under the Rainbow." I know it wasn't originally broadcast for St. Patrick's Day, but it easily could have been a special holiday episode.

Very surprising ending when they actually do find the "rainbow." So many good and funny scenes from this ep.

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Re: Moonlighting

#25 Post by eltonsean »

Dave Anderson wrote:
Styles Bitchley wrote:
Dave Anderson wrote:Its interesting, Magnum by comparison seems far less "dated" than Moonlighting. I'm not quite sure why that is.
I'm pretty sure it's because of the setting. Hawaiian beach attire hasn't changed much in 30 years. Bur urban fashion, as we all know, is quite different. They also worked hard to ensure Maddie was dressed in the latest fashions, which can date you pretty quickly...
That's probably part of it, but I think there's more to it than that. I think workplaces, offices at least, have changed significantly since the 80s. Men and women don't flirt at work and rarely date co-workers anymore due to sexual harassment laws. At least its the exception rather than a norm like it was back in the day. So, it seems very "80s" in the way the character's relate, perhaps more so than a show set mostly on the beach.
As far as feeling dated, this very first thing i noticed with "Moonlighting" is the 80's wardrobe and MUSIC. The synthesizer music was SO 80's. and cybil shepard's shoulder pads and big 80's hair really make it look dated! In "Magnum", they mostly used Mike Post's scores which are thankfully more orchestrated and less 80's synth. and ya, Magnum is mostly wearing beachwear and aloha shirts, which are timeless, especially in Hawaii. I actually feel that in the later seasons on "Magnum" it started to look more 80's because Magnum would wear less aloha shirts and beach shorts. Stick with the aloha shirts and you'll always look MAG-nificent ! That's my philosophy :)

Man, i miss the days when Bruce Willis was goofy, like in Moonlighting. I loved his amazing sense of comical timing! The past 20 years, his movies mostly show him fighting and being pissed off. I want the funny, goofy Bruce back that's not afraid to look silly for a laugh!
"Living well is the best revenge".

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Styles Bitchley
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Re: Moonlighting

#26 Post by Styles Bitchley »

eltonsean wrote:Man, i miss the days when Bruce Willis was goofy, like in Moonlighting. I loved his amazing sense of comical timing! The past 20 years, his movies mostly show him fighting and being pissed off. I want the funny, goofy Bruce back that's not afraid to look silly for a laugh!
I totally hear that. It's also what makes the first Die Hard so good.
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."

- J.Q.H.

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Re: Moonlighting

#27 Post by Little Garwood »

Styles Bitchley wrote:
eltonsean wrote:Man, i miss the days when Bruce Willis was goofy, like in Moonlighting. I loved his amazing sense of comical timing! The past 20 years, his movies mostly show him fighting and being pissed off. I want the funny, goofy Bruce back that's not afraid to look silly for a laugh!
I totally hear that. It's also what makes the first Die Hard so good.
I've never seen an episode of Moonlighting.

As for Bruce Willis, he's slated to appear in Woody Allen's 2016 film, so perhaps it will mark a return to comedy for him (and Woody!).
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Re: Moonlighting

#28 Post by eltonsean »

Little Garwood wrote:
Styles Bitchley wrote:
eltonsean wrote:Man, i miss the days when Bruce Willis was goofy, like in Moonlighting. I loved his amazing sense of comical timing! The past 20 years, his movies mostly show him fighting and being pissed off. I want the funny, goofy Bruce back that's not afraid to look silly for a laugh!
I totally hear that. It's also what makes the first Die Hard so good.
I've never seen an episode of Moonlighting.

As for Bruce Willis, he's slated to appear in Woody Allen's 2016 film, so perhaps it will mark a return to comedy for him (and Woody!).
Wow, that's awesome news, thanks L.G.!!!! I love Woody's films, so that makes me super excited! I never even considered a day when those two would collaborate! awesome!!
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Italian Ice
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Re: Moonlighting

#29 Post by Italian Ice »

If only Magnum broke the wall like Moonlighting did

This scene kills me every single time. David Addison is missing, so the producers can't find him and try to recast him. You see impersonators acting out lines from previous episodes and then you see a variety of others in a lineup wearing the goofy outfits he wore in previous episodes as well. You'd have to have seen everything up this point and recall the parts, but I've never seen a show to this.

Not only did they break the 4th wall here, but they blew it up into a million pieces, only to rebuild it and then do it over and over again...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMFazyw7SHc
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Re: Moonlighting

#30 Post by TSM308 »

Moonlighting... now there's a show I had forgotten all about. Time to dust that one off I guess!
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Re: Moonlighting

#31 Post by KingKC »

Moonlighting was a huge hit when it first came on and then died completely when David and Mattie hooked up and Sybil Shepard got pregnant. It probably would have never lasted all that much longer than it did as Bruce Willis climbed to fame in Die Hard and Cybil Shepard went off to become a mom. But it was a true classic.

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Italian Ice
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Re: Moonlighting

#32 Post by Italian Ice »

They sure did a long of musical numbers and singing in this show. I don't think this was done on any show. Some were part of the story line, but then these ones just came out of nowhere! Love it! How to add more time to a show? This is one way...
WTH did I just watch? :)


Cool Hand Dave - Prison Convict Musical Number
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Gpg9CVYhU

Writers Strike - Wooly Bully - the last 30 seconds had me laughing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gr5xEvAeUo

Various clips of Bruce Willis singing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRCyRQACV4g
Higgins: " Dispatch the pig!!! "

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Re: Moonlighting

#33 Post by giant_albatross »

I'm wondering how they could ruin a "reboot" of this show. I would love more episodes, but I don't see how it would work today. I would love to see them attempt it though. Removing the sexual innuendo and what today would be called "harassment" would be bizarre. I'd watch just to see how bad it would be.

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Re: Moonlighting

#34 Post by KingKC »

I don't know if Moonlighting was the first to create the sexual tension between the two lead characters but it was an early one. It came up again with Remington Steele. More recently the show Castle definitely played on the sexual tension and very recently the show Private Eyes plays on the sexual tension theme. I firmly believe that the new Magnum PI will evolve (devolve) into that with TM and Shiggins...if it lasts that long.

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