This television gem is now on Filmin. There are television moments that remain engraved in the collective memory, like an endless echo of laughter, intrigue and chemistry in the air. moonlight (Moonlighting) is one of those milestones, a series that, almost 40 years after its premiere, continues to be synonymous with freshness, ingenuity and the unbreakable complicity of its protagonists. Now, in a surprising but welcome twist, moonlight returns to our screens thanks to Filmin, offering new generations the opportunity to discover it and the nostalgic the pleasure of reliving it. Starting December 24, we will be able to immerse ourselves again in the five seasons and 66 episodes that left an indelible mark on television history.
The magic of the meeting
The series, created in 1986 by Glenn Gordon Caronnot only revolutionized American television, but also left an indelible mark on Spanish television. In its early years, it was a benchmark for what was meant by fast, sarcastic fiction, loaded with unresolved sexual tension and with plots that mixed mystery, comedy and action. Nothing like the first meeting between Maddie Hayes, played by a splendid Cybill Shepherdand the irreverent David Addisonplayed by the then unknown Bruce Willis. Through them, Moonlight showed one of the most vibrant relationships on television: a combination of love, rivalry and a palpable magnetism that kept the audience on the edge of the emotional abyss.
The story revolved around a detective agency in Los Angeles, “Blue Moon”, whose name was a reference to a perfume that Maddie Hayes had promoted in her golden age as a model. After losing her fortune to a corrupt manager, Maddie inherits the agency, which is in the hands of David Addison whose disinterest in the business is only matched by his overflowing charisma. What seemed like a bad deal soon turns into an explosive relationship, marked by competition, admiration, and an attraction that never quite resolves. The chemistry between Shepherd and Willis, two actors with opposite personalities, was one of the secrets of their success.
The legacy of a creator
What made Moonlight so special was its ability to mix the craziest comedy with the most exciting action, all under the influence of the screwball comedy of the 30s and 40s. Caron, who had already worked at Remington Steele, found In Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew, the inspiration to build a script that played with misunderstandings, disputes and, above all, the chemistry between its protagonists. The famous unresolved sexual tension that always slips between the lines of the script was the engine that drove the plot, fueled by fast, witty and sparkling dialogues.
Once the main cast was chosen, the only thing missing was the music to complete the magic formula. Moonlighting, the song composed by the virtuoso Al Jarreau, became the main theme of the series, accompanying the characters in each adventure and letting the viewer know when it played that they were about to experience something extraordinary. The song, which reached No. 1 on Billboard and was nominated for two Grammy Awards, became an anthem of the series, and its infectious rhythm continues to resonate as an echo of those golden years.
A Christmas gift and a challenge
Moonlight’s return to the screen is, in many ways, a miracle. For years, the series disappeared from regular programming due to complications with music rights, an essential part of the series’ charm. The songs, which ranged from classics like My Girl de The Temptations hasta Respect by Aretha Franklin, had been a fundamental piece in the atmosphere that the series created. The difficulty in recovering those rights and remastering the episodes in high definition had made their return almost impossible. However, Filmin has achieved what seemed impossible, bringing the series back with an impeccable remastering and the original music, intact.
It is true that, due to these music rights, the series will not be available in its version dubbed into Spanish, as it was broadcast in the 80s on TVE. But the ability to watch the original version with Spanish subtitles is a golden opportunity to enjoy the episodes as they were conceived, with their legendary songs and cameos, including artists like Ray Charles, Pierce Brosnan y Tim Robbins. In addition, the series continues to be a feast of guest stars who gave life to memorable characters in plots that fused the absurd with the sublime.
A timeless phenomenon
Despite all the problems that Moonlight faced, including its reputation for being the most expensive series of the time and the natural wear and tear of a frenetic pace of production, the series managed to conquer the public resoundingly. With more than 60 million viewers in its most memorable episode, “I’m curious… Maddie“, moonlight It transcended the screens to become a cultural phenomenon.
Today, through Filmin, we can relive this television milestone. The series remains fresh, modern, despite its 40 years. And although the detective plots and the tension between the protagonists may seem simple from our current perspective, the charisma of Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis, the ingenuity of the scripts and the brilliance of the direction make Moonlight a series that continues to work like clockwork. A clock that, instead of stopping, continues to advance in time, reminding us that good cinema and good television never stop being good, no matter how many years pass.
This December, let yourself be carried away by the magic of Moonlight. A gift for the senses, a jewel that continues to shine, and that once again takes its place in the hearts of all those who knew how to appreciate it in its golden age.
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