ok, review time.
i just finished watching this so i can contribute my thoughts to the board.
i watched this as it was first shown on tv waaay back when. loved it then. this was just as good as any episode. even started like one so all the traits are already there.
it starts out with a happening before we see any of the regualar cast. the cast appears and it gets better. dave and maddie argue.
i loved the end where dave and maddie were on the ledge tryng to climb to the clock's hand. and the deal on the ladder was so good. almost like watching a three stooges or harold llyod short.
if you have seen this movie, you know how it went.
as for extras, it does contain bruce willis' screentest with another actress standing in as maddie hayes. they also show another screentest of another actor at the time doing the same scenes.
it also has audio commentary by willis and glenn gordon caron. i do not get into audio commentary so i can't comment on that.
if you like this show, get this disc as it is right now your only option on dvd.

Hey, Bobby. :wave:

Well, I must say I am relieved you finally got around to watching this one. :p

Glad you liked it. I've always enjoyed the pilot, and I'd kill for another episode besides "And the Flesh was Made Word," so I was gonna go get this one even if the extras were crap. :D

Thanks for the review!

~Lauren

:sheep

hmm.... i have a Moonlighting DVD but it is not the same one apparently...

because on mine there are NO extras !! :( :(

but instead there are two other episodes (chosen at random ? LOL the choice doesnt seem to be a logical one) :
* The Lady in the Iron Mask (with a nice chase scene... "Freeze !" LOLOOOLOL)
* A Womb with a View (with "baby David Jr"... how cute :rolleyes: )

in case anyone is interested, that DVD is a UK release from Universal (collection Playback ) but well... as the series will soon be available as a whole and that that DVD has no extras, i am not sure it is that interesting after all...

now i have to find the one you are talking about... i mean Bruce's casting ? wooooaaw !! that's a must-see !!

Moonlighting pilot on DVD - love it, love it, love it.
I watch it at least once a week, but I do have to admit that I don't watch the chase scenes. I watch it only for the David and Maddie scenes. You must get it in order to hear Bruce and Glenn do the commentary (even though they stop 3/4 of the way through except for a line or two).

That dance scene gets me every time -- ooooh, I just love it.:happyface

As unbelievable as this may seem, I still don't have the Pilot. I was all prepared to buy it, but when I was notified that the entire series would be available on DVD, I figured it would be pointless. :o

I'm waiting for the full monty also, in the meantime I have the pilot on a VHS that I bought in LONDON!!!

Deja vu Deja vu!

Since I don't know all of the details concerning the upcoming DVD releases, I would be worried that the pilot DVD wouldn't have the same stuff on it as the one I have. I could be wrong -- maybe it will have all of the stuff, plus more. Who knows? It's just that on the one that is already available, you have Glenn and Bruce doing the commentary, you have Bruce's audition (with another actress), plus you have another actor's feeble attempt at trying to be David Addison.

Originally posted by kismet
Since I don't know all of the details concerning the upcoming DVD releases, I would be worried that the pilot DVD wouldn't have the same stuff on it as the one I have. I could be wrong -- maybe it will have all of the stuff, plus more. Who knows? It's just that on the one that is already available, you have Glenn and Bruce doing the commentary, you have Bruce's audition (with another actress), plus you have another actor's feeble attempt at trying to be David Addison.

Would love to see that, but I wonder if this one is for sale in Holland.

I can't help you with that, Taz. When you buy a DVD from your favorite site, do they list the features available on the DVDs. I know Amazon sometimes does. I'm sure a commentary by Bruce Willis might be considered important enough to list on the features. The cover I have is purple and black, I believe. It's the one shown on Amazon.

think i got my copy from DVD PLANET. but i am sure it would be region 1. so it may not work for you.

Originally posted by bry
think i got my copy from DVD PLANET. but i am sure it would be region 1. so it may not work for you.

Yes it works B!
My DVD player can play both!! hehehehehe

I'll check out the sites you huys mention, purpe and black huh?
I think I've seen that one somewhere

Does the image look a little like this one??

i see that DVD PLANET is out of stock. try DVD empire, that is where i got this page. this is the one i got.

http://www.dvdempire.com/exec/v4_item.asp?olduserid=00000970166075&item_id=11468&userid=00000970166075&redir=1

Originally posted by bry
i see that DVD PLANET is out of stock. try DVD empire, that is where i got this page. this is the one i got.

http://www.dvdempire.com/exec/v4_item.asp?olduserid=00000970166075&item_id=11468&userid=00000970166075&redir=1

That's the one I have, Bry. The features list the BW commentary.

For some reason, Amazon,com won't come up for me this morning. I checked several other sites, and they are all sold out of the Moonlighting pilot on DVD! I had no idea that the pilot was so popular lately.

I've got a question for you guys: I'm wondering if the DVDs are going to include the Pilot...I hear that sometimes, it's not officially considered part of Season 1. Anybody know?

Originally posted by bry
i see that DVD PLANET is out of stock. try DVD empire, that is where i got this page. this is the one i got.

http://www.dvdempire.com/exec/v4_item.asp?olduserid=00000970166075&item_id=11468&userid=00000970166075&redir=1

Yes! I have seen this one before, great!

The Pilot on DVD with extras.... the picture quality is really good....mucho better than my worn out VHS tape. But my one complaint is that Cybill's commentary was not also included.... and...wait, I guess, I have more than one complaint. I would have liked MORE extras....like maybe some of the original promotional ads and photos for the pilot....and it would have been really cool to see one of the early screen tests between Cybill and Bruce too. But just to have it on DVD is sweet....now if they will just hurry up with all the others.


One of my favorite scenes in the pilot that no one here has mentioned yet is---when Maddie comes flying out of her car and into David arms because of the dead man in the back seat. The dialog leading up to that is priceless with him trying to get her not to turn around and her turning around in spite of it all.

I love that scene also, Cindy.

Do you know if they are going to re-release the pilot? with extra-extras?
I was afraid that they might release it and not include the extras, and Taz wouldn't have the opportunity to hear BW and Glenn do the commentary. Of course, this time, if they release a new version, maybe Cybill will be included - that would be nice, wouldn't it?

How about the scene when Cybill and Bruce are walking on the sidewalk (it's when they have just come out of the apartment building) - Cybill looks sooooooo beaituful - her neck looks so long and she's just drop dead gorgeous. She's much more beautiful in natural light than on a set.

My other complaint about the commentary (aside from Cybill not being part of it) was that it stopped three fourths into it. The last part was nearly silent. They didn't talk about filming the last scene on the big clock at all. Maybe it's my imagination, but it also seemed like they deliberately avoided commenting any romantic scenes like the dancing in the bar.

According to Cybill she was being left out on doing commentary, and that hurted her.
For her it was proof that it was a boy's world, Glenn and Bruce were the best of pals.
T was like they made up all the rules.

I think the dvd's wouldn't be complete without her commentary.

And Kismet : When you're right, you're right!
Cybill does look the best in natural lighting.

Originally posted by CyBr
My other complaint about the commentary (aside from Cybill not being part of it) was that it stopped three fourths into it. The last part was nearly silent. They didn't talk about filming the last scene on the big clock at all. Maybe it's my imagination, but it also seemed like they deliberately avoided commenting any romantic scenes like the dancing in the bar.


I noticed that also, CyBr. Maybe they did make other comments, but what was said was cut out? How could they not make any comments about the dance scene ( love it, love it, love it), or the great scene in the car when they discover the dead body? They only made the comment about "and yes, I am looking up your dress" during almost a 1/2 hour of the pilot. It's interesting that Bruce said that the line "and yes, I am looking up your dress" is his favorite line, and that Cybill said the same thing in a very recent interview.

And who said they couldn't agree on anything!

Originally posted by Tazmania
And who said they couldn't agree on anything!

Not me.;)

WOW!

I just checked Amazon for the pilot availability on DVD, and they are out of stock also. They had a used one for $39.98. Has it become a collector's item? Have our discussions changed its status?

:eek: :eek:
maybe they are trying to get the price up for a sucker.

Originally posted by kismet
WOW!

I just checked Amazon for the pilot availability on DVD, and they are out of stock also. They had a used one for $39.98. Has it become a collector's item? Have our discussions changed its status?

I think we woke up the whole world!
Now everybody wants a copy of the pilot!

my first moonlighting!
i didn't see it on dvd-but rather on a tape someone had.
did i love this movie? well, let me count the ways.
so many things surprised me about this movie.
i've decided to follow the advice of bry and go threw the episodes in order and not read posts about other episodes.
shy, careful, will do anything to entertain (from late night with david letterman) bruce willis can act and is unrecognizable as a fast talking, sexy david.
bawdy, defensive, eager to please cybill shephard is unreconizable as the strong, sexy, contained, ladylike maddie.
shakespeare is an undercurrent with hostility and distrust between maddie and david, yet their eyes smile when they look at each other.
a rhyming! receptionist.
literate, wonderful writing.
i started to have a crush on david when the police shined the light in his face and he put on sunglasses, and used his one phone call to order pizza.
do flys fly? does spock beam up?
"yes i am looking up your dress"
the ladder 'cliff hanger' had my complete attention. scary!
whenever a man has held me that close and smelled my hair when we dance he has told me he's in love with me. is david in love with maddie? it doesn't seem likely because he's after her to make money, like in taming of the shrew. still, felt like love to me!
the song!!!
the way they really look at each other. they don't look away from each other and they keep on looking!
very begining, with their names comming on screen, the way it was done...a step above the rest (i actually sighed, let go and just relaxed-this was going to be a quality show) and the beginning of a beautiful friendship-me and moonlighting.

Originally posted by marla
my first moonlighting!
i didn't see it on dvd-but rather on a tape someone had.
did i love this movie? well, let me count the ways.
so many things surprised me about this movie.
i've decided to follow the advice of bry and go threw the episodes in order and not read posts about other episodes.
shy, careful, will do anything to entertain (from late night with david letterman) bruce willis can act and is unrecognizable as a fast talking, sexy david.
bawdy, defensive, eager to please cybill shephard is unreconizable as the strong, sexy, contained, ladylike maddie.
shakespeare is an undercurrent with hostility and distrust between maddie and david, yet their eyes smile when they look at each other.
a rhyming! receptionist.
literate, wonderful writing.
i started to have a crush on david when the police shined the light in his face and he put on sunglasses, and used his one phone call to order pizza.
do flys fly? does spock beam up?
"yes i am looking up your dress"
the ladder 'cliff hanger' had my complete attention. scary!
whenever a man has held me that close and smelled my hair when we dance he has told me he's in love with me. is david in love with maddie? it doesn't seem likely because he's after her to make money, like in taming of the shrew. still, felt like love to me!
the song!!!
the way they really look at each other. they don't look away from each other and they keep on looking!
very begining, with their names comming on screen, the way it was done...a step above the rest (i actually sighed, let go and just relaxed-this was going to be a quality show) and the beginning of a beautiful friendship-me and moonlighting. :

It sounds like another ML addict has been born!

:wave:

great news marla!!!
i knew you'd love it once you started.
i loved your listing the qualities of the pilot. you mentioned the writing. as far a writing goes, i love dialog on this show like none other. the way they have dave and maddie fight EVERY SINGLE WEEK, the same way. they know how to also give the lines to other people on the show as well.
one of my other favourite aspects of this show is the camera work and editing. watch how the scenes are together. especially when our heroes are in a discussion or arguement. the cameras are on them. and change with every word from one to the other, just like the dialog.
one silent thing i like is the office staff. they never speak, but they are in all the scenes doing what they do and it's the same people in every episode. i look forwrd to them all in every epsiode as well as they add to so many great moments of the episodes. just because they are doing nothing or their facial expresions. it's just funny.
now jumping a few episodes ahead, if you are like me, you will enjoy the "family" as much as i do. each member of their family's are perfectly casted for the character. and the relations with each other are clearly defined very quickly.

bottomline is, this was a great show. very underrated in my opinion. it was more than a stepping stone for bruce willis as some may think. this show had it all going for it.

Yes!!
I knew it!
Marla you will be wanting more and more!!
There will NEVER be another show like Moonlighting!
Nothing compares to this!

Yay for Marla! :woohoo: Great post...so glad you enjoyed it. Always love to see new fans drop by. Hope you stick around!

YAY MARLA! It's great to have a new fan in the family LOL:D I think you would love the episode Atomic Shakespeare btw:) Have fun with the rest of the episodes you're going to watch!

Greets Steph

there's something that makes this pilot different from anything i've ever seen. it just feels different.
maybe it was the writing. and the fighting. and the lighting. and the chemistry between david and maddie.
this really feels like the beginning of a love story. like it would feel in real life.
maddie and david talk the way real people talk.
about maddie- she so in control, and in a way,proper. and yet she loses her temper and throws office equipment out the window! i somehow felt that she lost it more with david than she would have normally.
and david is such a sexy creep. he makes a point of looking in her eyes straight on, which is what 99% of men do, but there's something about his eyes. maybe they're bigger than most peoples eyes, or maybe he just doesn't let go when he looks at her. the fun part is that she looks back.
these two are very sexy together in a very real way.
when they went back to the office, he asked if she would have 'gone for it' meaning would she have gone back to his place, and she just looked at him and didn't answer. i think that that meant no, but i also think david decided to test the waters by asking maddie if the wanted to call her boyfriend. in a way she opened a door for him.
i have to wonder why she was dating the older man. she was so painfully bored with that bore!
the dance in the bar was wonderful and it wasn't just a dance. what i mean, is that it was so real. david looked so attracted to maddie, and she was so nuetral. this is so real life. often when actors are dancing, it's sort of look at me. but with david and maddie dancing, they both let each other be the one to pay attention to. not sure if if was clear about what i meant there.
this is such a lush, beautiful start-i'm so glad it's not just a movie. and there's more to come.

With the dance scene in the Pilot it's like everything around them fades away, even the audience.

I think most of you already know how I feel about the dance scene in the pilot. It is one of my favorites scenes in ANY movie (big or small screen).

It did feel real. The way they talked to each other, the way they looked at each other, the way they interacted - it doesn't get any better IMO.

I watch the pilot at least once a month (I have to admit I fast forward through the scenes that don't include Bruce or Cybill).


Hi Lena - we seem to agree. :wave:

Kismet, I do exactly the same. :) I saw the parts without Cybill and Bruce about a 100 times as well, but now I'm only focused on the scenes that includes B and C :)

i have to wonder why she was dating the older man. she was so painfully bored with that bore!

Same question here, Lena!

Well, I suposse that is because she's a little like that also! But David shows up to turn her controlled-quiet-world up side down! ;) :D

and david is such a sexy creep. he makes a point of looking in her eyes straight on, which is what 99% of men do, but there's something about his eyes. maybe they're bigger than most peoples eyes, or maybe he just doesn't let go when he looks at her. the fun part is that she looks back.
these two are very sexy together in a very real way.
when they went back to the office, he asked if she would have 'gone for it' meaning would she have gone back to his place, and she just looked at him and didn't answer. i think that that meant no, but i also think david decided to test the waters by asking maddie if the wanted to call her boyfriend.


SEXY CREEP?? :lol:
About the part when he asks if she would have gone for it.....
In Holland we have a saying "silence means approval" ;) :D

...

I'm sorry, I wanted to reply but all I can do is smile.

Silence means approval ;)

hi lena
got your call and see you tuesday.
i think that in the usa sometimes silence means 'your not good enough for me to walk on-drop dead' or something like that.
i think david wasn't sure:(or was, but being the eternal optimist decided to double, triple check)
he checked to see if she had a boyfriend
he asked her that is "she needed anything"
her answer
"i won't"

but i'll keep in mind what you wrote for the next time i visit holland. i Love holland. holland rocks!!!!

marla sweetie,
we're on this at the same time.
come over now, time for a group date.

i think david is a creep because he called maddie the bit-- word.

i think he's sexy because---this is too obvious!

i don't think that silence would be thought of as approval in the usa.

and yes--holland rocks!!! and then men there All made sure what i was thinking when i was silent!
sometimes yes-sometimes no-sometimes not sure.

Oh, I think that Maddie's silence meant that she would have gone for it. That is, I think that she would have gone to David's place without protest, because she was genuinely fearful. I think she felt she didn't have much choice at this point and could trust David enough with her safety. By saying nothing, I think she was saying, "Well, yes, but not for the reason you might wish". I think bringing Maddie back to the office instead speaks well of David's deep character trait of chivalry, and perhaps his own caution about his developing feelings for Maddie. And yet, he just can't resist asking; expressing his brash and presumptuous side by tweaking Maddie's conservative character!

that was lovely insight cece. you showed a deep respect and clear eyed understanding for the characters.

Well, wouldn't that be confusing if a cute guy in the USA asks me something like that and I say nothing. :p

Oh, I think that Maddie's silence meant that she would have gone for it. That is, I think that she would have gone to David's place without protest, because she was genuinely fearful. I think she felt she didn't have much choice at this point and could trust David enough with her safety. By saying nothing, I think she was saying, "Well, yes, but not for the reason you might wish". I think bringing Maddie back to the office instead speaks well of David's deep character trait of chivalry, and perhaps his own caution about his developing feelings for Maddie. And yet, he just can't resist asking; expressing his brash and presumptuous side by tweaking Maddie's conservative character!


I agree! :D

thank you cece
i felt i was just missing something and i was. you filled in the blanks.
it set the tone for me, for the rest of the series.

it also explained david's monologe at the end when he was talking about being business partners with maddie (or was he?)

i'm a different guy. i've changed. i know what your thinking about all the crummy things i did to you...
well, that was the old me. that was the me before i realized the value of a partner-a real partner. a person you can depend on with your life. you don't play with people like that. you don't lie to people like that. you don't put pressure on people like that.

dutchie-one thing that cute guy from the usa would know from your silence is that you did not say a heartfelt 'yes'-and there's nothing confusing about that.

I watched the pilot (again) this week. It's so great to pop a DVD in and watch it with such clarity (without my VHS tracking problems).

Sometimes I just pause on Maddie's beautiful face in the dance scene...
I'm dreaming again. :D

I don't watch much of the actual crime footage -- I focus on David and/or Maddie scenes. Just to watch the two of them together makes me a happy camper.

I have a huge urge to go and watch the Pilot ... so I shall :D

Thing I didn't understand in the pilot was - in the dance scene in the bar, how and when did David get the watch back off Maddie? She put it into her handbag - are we to assume that he went into her handbag when they were dancing. If so - what a pro!

Love Gem

You are not supposed to ask questions like that one, Gem. :D
Sometimes things don't make sense (in lots of films).
Why did the old man climb out onto the ladder to get the diamonds? How about just holding the gun to Maddie's head and threatening her demise? You think David would have risked Maddie for some diamonds? I don't think so! Wouldn't a threat directed towards Maddie have produced a better ending for the old guy?

kismet, we really think alike. I thought exactly the same thing when I saw the Pilot for the first time. Maybe the old man wasn't that smart :p

You are not supposed to ask questions like that one, Gem. :D
Sometimes things don't make sense (in lots of films).
Why did the old man climb out onto the ladder to get the diamonds? How about just holding the gun to Maddie's head and threatening her demise? You think David would have risked Maddie for some diamonds? I don't think so! Wouldn't a threat directed towards Maddie have produced a better ending for the old guy?

Yeah, I thought that too. Also, he should have thrown the diamonds to Maddie when the old man started along the ladder. Oh, but it's so easy to say that with hindsight. ;)

Love Gem

thankfully I am not always observant enough to spot holes in plotlines. I like to just sit back and enjoy the show ;)

The plot of the Pilot is not why I love it so much. That's why I can forgive and forget. I watch it for the interaction between David/Maddie Bruce/Cybill. Just to see them together makes me happy. It's as if they were made to be together, physically and emotionally. Ham and l'eggs, ying and yang etc. The beauty of Cybill, the swagger of Bruce, the looks between them right off the bat in the first weeks of the series. I think you get the picture. I just love it.

My very first memory is of sitting in my mothers lap in Central Park in New York City on a hot summer night watching-I'm not sure of the spelling here-Raul Julia and Meryl Streep acting in Taming of the Shrew. They were Really arguing and at one point she was so angry she spit in his face. I'm remember Both of them looked shocked, and everything got quiet...then Raul slowly licked her saliva off his face staring at her with such intensity. This is what this episode of Moonlighting felt like it was the start of.

The mystery of this episode has been done to death and in many ways, felt like it was just filler.

The feeling of these two is what got to me. I never thought I'd see that again. The trick is to take two ordinary people and have something that's hard to describe happen. And the casting people managed that with the Maddie and David characters.

The writing is great.

This episode could be summed up with:

David-
Madolyn, get it straight, I'm the best.

Maddie-
You better be.

or

David-
You cold? I'm burnin' up over here.
(Talk about conflict)

Ooooh, I just love those lines. :wave:

Also, I would have loved to seen Raul and Meryl work together. Even though you were a babe, you had a wonderful opportunity given to you.

from laura:

I really love the pilot.
I hope with all of my heart the rest of the series is this good.

This show is different. I've never seen anything quite like it.

It's kind of the story of Sleeping Beauty with sex.

The writing is not lazy, or standard. This is written with care.

The backgroup music, casting, lighting-everything feels like a new beginning.

Maddie and David are two complete people. I feel that David has done everything and Maddie has done everything...within her 'should' boundaries.

Favorite line:
And yes, I am looking up your dress.

Maddie is dating someone she 'should' date- the face fixer doctor and clearly she's bored with her shoulds.
Along comes David, who had put on 'clean underwear'.

This is a fast paced show, but it's whimsical also.
Maddie:
'I haven't heard the word boyfriend since the 8th grade.'
Those are words right out of my own mouth. I've actually rolled my eyes when men have said 'boyfriend'.

David is not my type at all, but he's the kind of guy that doesn't let a little thing like that stop him! And you end up paying attention to him, eyes wide open, and ignoring the guy you think you are attracted to.

Witty David:
Maddie-Explain that.
David-It's an adjective. I'll use it in a sentence. That cow jumped over that moon.

I really think this episode (and maybe the show) could be summed up in this exchange:
David-Get it straight, I'm the best.
Maddie-You better be.
Surely they are not talking about him being a detective!

Your friend is very observant. How can people take notes on the show? I am always too involved in what is going on on the screen for anything else

i can't say for sure, but i feel very comfortable saying that she was asked to please be observant and take notes by whoever loaned her the episodes.

This is my first Moonlighting and it is fun.
The cinematography is wonderful. It helps to make the show look "happy", if that makes any sense. It sets a happy mood.
The script is intellegent and filled with jokes, romance, and an old fashioned story.
The casting is as close to brillant as it can get. I would never have thought that Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis could be sexy together. At times my heart actually beat faster when they were looking at each other! (How did that happen?)
I felt I saw the beginning of something between Maddie and David and I really hope the writers and producers move forward with that.
I think this could be intense and funny at the same time. But who knows.
The pilot was fun.

Hello Haley - welcome to the boards! Great to meet new fans. I hope you enjoy watching the rest of the episodes - if you enjoyed the first one, I'm certain you will. Let us know how you're getting on!

Love Gem

Welcome Haley! :D

I hope you get to see all the later episodes (especially Seasons 1, 2 and 3, which are fantastic!), I agree that Cybill and Bruce were wonderful together, the chemistry is just special. ;)

Hope to see you posting even more around here!!

If you want to find out more about Moonlighting generally, I'd recommend www.davidandmaddie.com as a great site!

Mul