Ending the Series - the right way!!

[sportsanchor]

I'm new to the boards, but I have an idea that the people running this site should consider fighting for. How about getting the cast together for one more 2-hour episode and end Moonlighting the way it was supposed to end.

I've watched the documentaries on the Season 1,2 & 3 DVDs and it looks like everybody's getting along again. I guess that's what 18 years between episodes will do.

I'll bet if Glenn Caron wanted to rally the troops for something like this, they'd all come back - even Bruce Willis who's moved on to bigger and better things since Moonlighting, and even though Dave & Maddie are in their mid 50's.

So what?
Like being in your 50's is old these days?!

Advertisers want to hit the key demos these days. I'll bet most of the people perusing this site are 35-years old or older.

Bring it back and end the greatest TV show in history correctly.

The creators of this website made the DVD's happen.
Now, let's get together and get Caron's ear and see if this can happen!!

Sportsanchor

[diane]

Hi Sports Anchor and welcome to the forum.

I certainly don't speak for everyone here, but I have to tell you, I think a Moonlighting movie would be just terrible. I don't think those wonderful moments from the 80's can ever be recaptured.

Bruce Willis has said quite emphatically that he is not interested (I think the quote was that he would consider it as an alternative to being the Center Square on Hollywood Squares). I think the cast and crew have all moved on -- and most very successfully.

I think the only ML movie you might get is with a different, younger cast......and that strikes my heart with fear!

I am very grateful that we got their reunion through the Season 3 DVDs. That was my greatest hope, and the one we worked on through this website. The DVDs are a wonderful prize!

It is always wonderful to meet new ML fans....even after doing this for as long as we have, it amazes me that new people find us every day!

Good luck should you decide to pursue your venture.

diane

[sportsanchor]

Diane,

On second thought, you're probably right.
I found myself reading some of the threads with people chatting about how much they hated season 5 and how the series ended.
I probably watched season 5 back in 1989 but I have to confess I remember none of the episodes.

But you're right; I guess the 'Season 3' reunion on the DVD is almost like the real series finale... seeing Glen, Cybill and Bruce all together 18 years later kind of symbolizes that they DID all end up together.

Other shows have done reuinions, though.
I remember 'Happy Days' did a 2-hour reunion show a few years ago. M*A*S*H did one, as did 'The Brady Bunch', 'Dallas' and a few others...

I guess beggars can't be choosers.
Having the DVDs come out is good enough for me.

Thanks Diane,
Brent (Sportsanchor)

[sportsanchor]

Diane,

What's in store for the season 4 & 5 DVDs in terms of deleted scenes and more reuinions/commentaries? Are you privied to that info, since you're one of the pioneers in making the DVDs happen, or are you left to wonder like the rest of us?

I'll be buying both final seasons for sure (even though Season 5 was a big nothing-burger), but I guess I'm looking for a 'teaser' - something to look forward to until September 12th.

I very much enjoyed your commentary on 'The Straight Poop' by the way.
I would imagine that was extremely fun for you.

One could argue that by making these DVDs happen, everything you had to do to get this thing pushed through, you've carved yourself a nitch in Moonlighting history.

Brent

[Johanna]

Hi sportsanchor Brent!

I don't think I've seen any of the reunionshows you mentioned, but I agree with you first post on this thread. Actually, I would like them to do anything together, whether it's a movie, a cartoon or a short film. The season 3 dvd's are great, but there's always room for more!

But I do not want a recast of any kind.

[rose35]

I don't want to see a recast either but that is probably going to happen more than a real reunion. Maybe i'm part of the minority but if a real reunion was possible i want that more than anything.But i know i have come around to living in the real world and understand it will never happen but it doesn't mean i will change my mind on how i feel about it. I hated the ending more than anything and will never get over it. Yes ok i need to get a life i guess LOL I did just hear yesterday that after 20years Henry Winkler( don't know what he has to do with this show though, was he in it?) wants to do a Charlies Angels reunion movie or retrospect with the original girls. I was like every show but Moonlighting gets a reunion. Oh well it's fun to dream about.........

[lin212]

Diane, do you know when Bruce said that he would not be interested in a reunion? Was it since the release of the DVDs?

[sportsanchor]

I think if a reunion with all the original actors is going to happen, they need to start on is now. What, are Bruce and Cybill in their mid 50's now? That's still not too old for sexual tension and high-octane banter. Once they're into their 60's, then it won't be believable (IMO).

Here's a story, I met and had a rather lengthy conversation with Joyce DeWitt (Janet from Three's Company for those who don't know) at a convention near Detroit in May of 2005. She told me that a 'Three's Company' reunion was in the works. All the hatchets were buried between the producers and Suzanne Somers to bring her back as Crissy. Then on September 11th, 2003 John Ritter died on the operating table from a freak heart issue.

Needless to say, there will be no 'Three's Company' reunion.

My point with this story is that I believe all the main characters from Moonlighting are still alive and among us. GLENN GORDON CARON NEEDS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT NOW BEFORE ONE OF THEM ENDS UP IN A PINE BOX!!

At least 'Three's Company' had an ending that made sense.
'Moonlighting' didn't!!

I've read that Cybill wants to do a reunion.
Getting Bruce back on board may be the challenge.

Another story, Harrison Ford said back in 1990 that he wanted nothing to do with the Star Wars movies. But in recent years, he's been appearing at several George Lucas events and recently gathered for a Star Wars alumni picture that was featured in 'Vanity Fair' Magazine. He even was interviewed for the commentaries for the DVD's that were released last fall.

My point with this diatribe is that eventually everybody 'comes home'.
Even Han Solo!
Hopefully Bruce will feel the same and want to return to the show that gave him his launch into success.

If the Season 3 DVD reunion went as well as it seemed to, geting Glenn, Bruce & Cybill in the same room together for the first time in 15 years, something may be in the works sooner than later.

Here's to hoping...

[lin212]

I'm right with you, rose. I want a reunion more than anything. OK, so I need to get a life too.

[diane]

lin212 said:

Diane, do you know when Bruce said that he would not be interested in a reunion? Was it since the release of the DVDs?

I myself have seen him say it several times, but here are two of them in print:

Not sure of the date of this one, but it was when he was promoting Hostage

Q. Cybill Shepherd was over here a few months ago doing London theatre she said she’d love to revisit the characters of ‘Moonlighting’, I wonder if that had any spell in your ten year plan?

I don’t watch TV, I watch movies on TV and I watch sports and that’s about it, I don’t watch the news, haven’t watched in about ten years but I’m told that every time Cybill appears on a talk show that she looks right at the camera and says “Bruce, if you’re watching I’d love to do the reunion show or the movie of Moonlighting” and I just don’t… The good news is the DVD of the first two years will be out this coming summer, (quick plug). But I’m going to sit down with Glenn Caron and do the commentary for five or six episodes. But here’s what I say about that, in jest, here’s the order it would go in before I do the ‘Moonlighting’ reunion show; I would become a judge on American Idol, I would be the centre square on Hollywood Squares, and then I would do the ‘Moonlighting’ reunion show. I’m kidding! I’m just kidding!

It’s been twenty years and sixteen since we finished the show and while there was a lot of hubbub at the time, time heals everything. And the real truth about the format, one hour, two characters, one camera show is the hardest entertainment format that exists, it was really difficult for Cybill and I. In the first two years of that show there was an episode that we did which I would put up against anything that’s ever been on TV. The first two years were probably the most amazing time of my life and I would put them up against any two years of my entire life.

You have to remember it was a quantum leap for me. I had achieved the level of doing off Broadway plays in New York and I went out to California to see the Olympics in 1984 and I had just gotten an agent in New York and I got to California and got a call and they said “Hi, we’re your California agents” and I didn’t know I even had California agents! And the second audition I went in for was ‘Moonlighting’ and in those days Aaron Spelling did ‘Moonlighting’ and I wasn’t Aaron Spelling leading man material so it took a while for Glenn Caron to convince him I was right for the part. But it was a grind, by the fifth year we were really worn down. I think I’d rather leave it alone and let it retire undefeated.


This is from May 18, 2006


He’s cycled back to his Addison groove, but don’t expect Willis, who has Die Hard 4.0 and Perfect Stranger (with Halle Berry) coming down the pike, to pop up in a reunion of that mid-’80s television cast.

“Yeah. The Moonlighting return. That’ll be the last thing you ever see me do, entertainmentwise,” Willis cracked. “It’ll be Hollywood Squares and the Moonlighting reunion show. I’m kidding. Please don’t write that.” But of course I will. The idea of Bruce Willis seguing from cool to centre square? It’s as irresistible as it is unlikely.

[diane]

sportsanchor said:

Diane,

What's in store for the season 4 & 5 DVDs in terms of deleted scenes and more reuinions/commentaries? Are you privied to that info, since you're one of the pioneers in making the DVDs happen, or are you left to wonder like the rest of us?

I'll be buying both final seasons for sure (even though Season 5 was a big nothing-burger), but I guess I'm looking for a 'teaser' - something to look forward to until September 12th.

I very much enjoyed your commentary on 'The Straight Poop' by the way.
I would imagine that was extremely fun for you.

One could argue that by making these DVDs happen, everything you had to do to get this thing pushed through, you've carved yourself a nitch in Moonlighting history.

Brent

Dear brent,

Thanks so much for the nice comments about the DVDs. Although I am exceptionally proud to have been part of the group that worked for the DVD release, I can't say we were pioneers.

I was not interested in personal glory .....I wanted the best TV series in history on DVD!! The participation in the commentary was lovely, but a bonus.

I am afraid I don't have any insider information for season 4. There are always some rumors you can find out there on the net, but so far, no substantiated information. I am just very excited they will soon be here........I know that most people don't love season 4, but I do!

Thanks for your feedback........it''s great to see and enjoy new people with a point of view! Stick to your guns!

I actually would love to see Bruce and Cybill work together again....maybe in a romantic comedy ala Tracy and Hepburn....or how about The Thin Man series?

diane

(PS..... a commercial....have you checked out www.VirtualMoonlighting.com? Might help you find some more Moonlighting).

[sportsanchor]

diane said:

lin212 said:

Diane, do you know when Bruce said that he would not be interested in a reunion? Was it since the release of the DVDs?

I think I’d rather leave it alone and let it retire undefeated.

How does he figure it retired "undefeated?"
It retired defeated IMO!
I agree the first two seasons were the best, but to say season 5 was "undefeated" is a bit pretentious.

[funkycat]

I loved Moonlighting when it first aired and have the video tapes almost 20 years later to prove it! I think it holds up well today and that is largely because of the writing and acting. As Jay Daniel said they caught 'lightning in a bottle'.

For that reason I don't support a reunion.

I thought the reunion of the actors for the DVD commentary and documentary was fantastic. I really enjoyed it!!! I know I haven't seen the 5th season and from what I have read here it doesn't end well. It would be great to make a time machine and go back to 1989 and rectify that.

(Actually it would be cool to go back to 1989 with what we know about the world and set a few things to rights!)

However, back on track, I may be a lone voice of dissent but I feel that no matter how badly ML ended and how much we would like it to be different it is not going to happen.

I have watched some of these reunion shows - MASH was really just the cast sitting around reflecting on the series - great but pretty much what we have already had on the ML DVD. As for I Dream Of Jeannie - don't get me started on how lame it turned out to be. Barbara Eden seemed OK but they didn't even get Larry Hagman he wouldn't sign on so they had Wayne Rogers (from MASH) instead!

I like to think that ML is above all of that sort of stuff. It was a classy show which did not end well. But still too classy to do some cheesy re-union. I also do not support the idea of a ML movie. Recast with some new blood - I don't think so! Like you Diane I tremble at the thought!

Let ML join the Pantheon of other love stories which did not end the way we wanted e.g Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, Wuthering Heights etc.

[diane]

Funky,

That may be one of the most eloquent explanations that I have heard...and you are not a lone voice! I have always felt that way.

[diane]

Sportsanchor's quote:
How does he figure it retired "undefeated?"
It retired defeated IMO!
I agree the first two seasons were the best, but to say season 5 was "undefeated" is a bit pretentious.


In my experience, Bruce Willis is very far from pretentious.

I think his using the term "retire undefeated" has nothing to do with ratings, and more with the fact that, when something is over, it's over.