Does anyone remember this TV program from about a million years ago, when dinosaurs still roamed the earth? I loved this show, but my favorite thing about it was the theme song. I thought it was cool and jazzy, and even listening to it now, it doesn’t sound dated. Well, I don’t think it does, anyway... Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd had great chemistry, the show made Bruce Willis a major star, and the title song fit the premise of the show perfectly. Tomorrow night the singer of the theme song to “Moonlighting” – Al Jarreau – will be at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, and my friend Lesley (one) and I are going to see him.
The year "Moonlighting" first aired – 1985 --was full of major events. President Ronald Reagan was sworn into office; Mikhail Gorbachev became President of the Soviet Union; “Amadeus” won best picture at the Oscars; the Discovery Channel was launched; the first Live Aid concerts were held in Philadelphia and London; Robert Ballard located the wreck of R.M.S. Titanic; Microsoft Corporation released the first version of Windows, Windows 1.0; the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable were released for sale to the public; the Tommy Hilfiger brand was established; DNA was first used in a criminal case.
It was a busy year for pop culture as well, and the Queen of Pop Culture -- Princess Diana -- was at the height of her reign. 1985 was the first sighting of "the Full Nanaimo" also known as "the Full Cleveland" for men -- polyester, of course -- and big hair and linebacker shoulder pads for women. The comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes" debuted in 35 newspapers; and "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" directed by Tim Burton was released (one of my favorite movies -- I love the scene where Pee-wee dances on the bar to "Tequila"). Somehow, the theme from “Moonlighting” was the perfect soundtrack for all the events that happened in 1985. I think I'll dig out my big hair and shoulder pads.We’ll walk by night
We’ll fly by day
Moonlighting strangers
Who just met on the way
Who just met on the way
Who just met on the way
Oh I'm SO glad you're going to see him as I know how much you appreciate his music! Let me know how the concert is.
ReplyDeleteOH Jo!! You have made my evening! I was feeling a bit down and... Boom... Moonlighting! I haven't thought about that show for years. I loved it, still love it. You are so right about the theme song.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
I do remember this show. Liked it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I loved this show too...LOL
ReplyDeleteI wish they would bring it back in reruns. How fun to go to the concert! Have fun, Jo! I know your are an expert at that! :D Do a little dance for me while you are at it :D
xox
Kelly
I loved the show... I thought Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd were perfect together. They made a great pair and yes!! had perfect chemistry. I was in school when it used to be aired on National TV in Dubai... I'd stop everything to watch the show...
ReplyDeleteBrings back such happy memories!
Can you believe how young they were??? I love this song. Let's see... 1985....I had a two year old. I was in the Junior League. I had big should pads, some were removable so you could interchange them. Oh, my... :-)
ReplyDeleteUm - that would shoulder pads - not should pads... it's been a long time since 1985.
ReplyDeleteI loved this show! The assistant was incredibly funny too. I do wish they'd bring it back on tv land or somewhere so I could watch it once in a while. 1985? I was a junior in high school, dating the man I'm STILL married to. Seems like 100 years ago.
ReplyDeleteWhat??! White belts, white ties and white shoes are ... out of style?! How long has this been the case?!
ReplyDeleteAnd big fuzzy hair? That, too?!?
Yes, this was on UK tv screens way back when. Mind you, I was still in primary school so I wasn't allowed to watch it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI loved this show! And Remington Steele too... Man, that takes me back. I was a senior in college that year.
ReplyDeleteI remember Moonlighting very well! It was such a fun show. I guess the cast battles were epic, and it is still referenced as the hit show, that made the biggest writing mistakes after its huge success.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat legacy, to be remembered as one of the funnest, wittiest achievements, but also with a lesson to be learned going forward about specific pitfalls in writing.
I guess that's a weird thing to mention, but I do think that it is neat that it is remembered in today's TV market, by TV writers both for the heights, and the lows it illustrated.
I think most viewers do remember it, it was a fun show, but all TV writers remember it also, which in that industry? That's a really big deal, to not ever become part of the blur, but to stand out.
Ah, sweet nostalgia:)
ReplyDeleteLoved the show...
ReplyDeleteloved the song...
so long ago...
i feel so old! lol!
I loved that show and never missed an episode. I also lived the song - and Al Jarreau has been my favorite singer for years.
ReplyDeleteCybill Shepherd is and was majorily hot...just saying
ReplyDeleteMoonlighting was a great show and you're right on about the "chemistry!" Gosh, 1985 seems like yesterday, but it was so-o-o long ago! :-p I had a good laugh about the shoulder pads and big hair! Oh, I did love those shoulder pads! :)
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