Did 'Moonlighting' Ruin It For All TV Couples??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-09-2010, 11:59 PM

http://www.popeater.com/2010/04/09/b...ghting-effect/

The show's ratings decline is popularly attributed to Episode #14 of Season 3, "I Am Curious... Maddie", which infamously had Maddie and David consummate their relationship after two and a half years of romantic tension.

Whether that was the real reason the show's ratings declined, it is evident that many tv producers are fearful of getting tv love interests together mid show.

TMC · 12-18-2018, 03:28 AM

One can argue that what tanked the show/made it jump the shark really wasn't David and Maddie sleeping together, but the contrived ways the show tortured their relationship to cover both Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd not being full time available. Had the show continued normally with David and Maddie still constantly fighting but in the context of an actual relationship, then maybe the show could have still worked well. But Willis needed time off to make movies and a recover from a skiing accident and Shepherd needed time off after she had twins. The show could not figure out how to handle their absences--if there weren't ever in the same room, there couldn't be any of the tension that made the first 2-3 seasons so fun.

thejasoomian · 09-21-2019, 02:58 AM

And the long delays with no new shows ; repeats didn't help. Hooking up didn't hurt the show Bones and some others.

04-09-2010, 11:59 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Did 'Moonlighting' Ruin It For All TV Couples??? http://www.popeater.com/2010/04/09/b...ghting-effect/ The show's ratings decline is popularly attributed to Episode #14 of Season 3, "I Am Curious... Maddie", which infamously had Maddie and David consummate their relationship after two and a half years of romantic tension. Whether that was the real reason the show's ratings declined, it is evident that many tv producers are fearful of getting tv love interests together mid show. Attached Images
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12-18-2018, 03:28 AM	#2
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,886	One can argue that what tanked the show/made it jump the shark really wasn't David and Maddie sleeping together, but the contrived ways the show tortured their relationship to cover both Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd not being full time available. Had the show continued normally with David and Maddie still constantly fighting but in the context of an actual relationship, then maybe the show could have still worked well. But Willis needed time off to make movies and a recover from a skiing accident and Shepherd needed time off after she had twins. The show could not figure out how to handle their absences--if there weren't ever in the same room, there couldn't be any of the tension that made the first 2-3 seasons so fun.

09-21-2019, 02:58 AM	#3
thejasoomian Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 15, 2019 Posts: 327	And the long delays with no new shows ; repeats didn't help. Hooking up didn't hurt the show Bones and some others.