By Night and By Day: A Retrospective on Moonlighting

By Justin D Williams

Take a trip back to the 1980s with us as we revisit Moonlighting, the groundbreaking ABC series that mixed romance, comedy, noir, and jazz into one unforgettable package. Starring Bruce Willis in his breakout role as David Addison and Cybill Shepherd as Maddie Hayes, the show redefined television with its witty banter, bold storytelling, fourth-wall breaks, and an iconic theme song performed by Al Jarreau. In this retrospective, we dive into the themes of romance, gender roles, identity, and fate that made the series resonate, spotlight the best episodes (The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice, Big Man on Mulberry Street, Atomic Shakespeare), and explore how the show’s daring use of music elevated it to a cinematic experience. From the electric chemistry between Willis and Shepherd to the behind-the-scenes drama that fueled both brilliance and chaos, Moonlighting remains one of the most daring and stylish shows of the 1980s.