# Moonlighting

> American television series (1985–1989)

**Wikidata**: [Q471350](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q471350)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonlighting_(TV_series))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/moonlighting

## Summary
*Moonlighting* is an American television series that aired from 1985 to 1989, blending crime and comedy genres. Created by Glenn Gordon Caron, the show starred Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd as a detective and a model who moonlight as private investigators, solving cases while navigating personal and professional challenges.

## Key Facts
- **Genre**: Crime television series and comedy television series
- **Original Network**: American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Premiere Date**: March 3, 1985
- **Final Episode Date**: May 14, 1989
- **Creator**: Glenn Gordon Caron
- **Starring Roles**: Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd
- **Instance of**: Television series
- **Wikidata ID**: Q5398426
- **Wikipedia Title**: Moonlighting (TV series)
- **Sitelink Count**: 32

## FAQs
**What genre does *Moonlighting* belong to?**
*Moonlighting* is a blend of crime and comedy television series, combining investigative storytelling with lighthearted humor.

**Who were the main stars of the show?**
The series starred Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd, who played a detective and a model moonlighting as private investigators.

**When did *Moonlighting* premiere and end?**
The show aired from March 3, 1985, to May 14, 1989, spanning four seasons.

**Who created *Moonlighting*?**
Glenn Gordon Caron served as the creator and writer of the series, shaping its tone and narrative structure.

**On which network did *Moonlighting* originally air?**
The series premiered on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), a major American television network.

## Why It Matters
*Moonlighting* stands out as a defining work of 1980s television, blending action, comedy, and detective storytelling. The show’s unique premise—featuring a model and a detective as private investigators—challenged traditional gender roles while delivering engaging cases. Its success paved the way for similar crime-comedy hybrids and showcased Bruce Willis’s early career as a leading actor. The series also contributed to the rise of ABC as a network for high-quality, genre-blending programming, influencing later television formats.

## Notable For
- **Genre-Blending**: Pioneered the crime-comedy hybrid format, merging investigative storytelling with humor.
- **Bruce Willis’s Breakthrough**: Established Willis as a leading action star and comedic actor.
- **Cybill Shepherd’s Rise**: Launched Shepherd’s career as a prominent television actress.
- **ABC’s Programming Shift**: Demonstrated the network’s ability to produce successful, genre-defying series.
- **Private Investigator Trope**: Popularized the concept of a model and detective duo in television.
- **Cultural Impact**: Influenced later crime-comedy shows and action-comedy films.

## Body
### Overview
*Moonlighting* is a television series that aired from 1985 to 1989, created by Glenn Gordon Caron. The show follows the adventures of a model (Cybill Shepherd) and a detective (Bruce Willis) who moonlight as private investigators, solving cases while navigating personal and professional challenges. The series blends crime and comedy genres, making it a standout in 1980s television.

### Production and Broadcast
- **Original Network**: American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
- **Premiere Date**: March 3, 1985
- **Final Episode Date**: May 14, 1989
- **Total Episodes**: 86
- **Seasons**: 4

### Main Cast and Characters
- **Bruce Willis**: Played David Addison Sr., a former detective moonlighting as a private investigator.
- **Cybill Shepherd**: Played Amanda Donohue, a model who partners with Addison in solving cases.
- **Bruce Willis Jr.**: Played David Addison Jr., the son of David Addison Sr., who often assists in investigations.
- **Robert Mandan**: Played Detective Mike Stone, a recurring character who interacts with the protagonists.

### Genre and Style
- **Genre**: Crime television series and comedy television series
- **Tone**: Balanced action, humor, and detective work, making it accessible yet engaging.
- **Influence**: Paved the way for similar crime-comedy hybrids and action-comedy films.

### Legacy and Influence
- **Bruce Willis’s Career**: Launched Willis as a leading action star and comedic actor.
- **Cybill Shepherd’s Rise**: Boosted Shepherd’s career as a prominent television actress.
- **ABC’s Programming**: Showcased ABC’s ability to produce successful, genre-defying series.
- **Cultural Impact**: Influenced later crime-comedy shows and action-comedy films.

### Related Entities
- **Creator**: Glenn Gordon Caron, an American television director, producer, and writer.
- **Network**: American Broadcasting Company (ABC), a major American television network.
- **Country of Origin**: United States, a global superpower with significant cultural influence.

### Technical Details
- **Wikidata ID**: Q5398426
- **Wikipedia Title**: Moonlighting (TV series)
- **Sitelink Count**: 32

*Moonlighting* remains a notable entry in television history, blending action, comedy, and detective storytelling in a way that captivated audiences and influenced later programming.

## References

1. [fernsehserien.de](https://www.fernsehserien.de/das-model-und-der-schnueffler)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Kinopoisk
4. Online-Filmdatenbank
5. The Movie Database
6. FilmVandaag.nl