The CBS freshman drama Moonlight has had its share of difficulties. Add to it one more as the showrunner and executive producer Chip Johannessen has decided to depart the series.The show's writing team and executive producer Joel Silver will collectively run the show until a replacement for Mr. Johannessen has been found. Four additional episodes of the show have been ordered for this season.
Moonlight has shown some promise for CBS and was kept on the air during the writer's strike. The premise involves a vampire detective who falls for a mortal woman.
Despite behind-the-scenes drama, CBS president Les Moonves has stated the show will likely be picked up for a second season. I suppose that's a good thing, but I remember this show when it was called Angel. I'm not the first person to notice this. The creators obviously did when they hired Angel co-creator David Greenwalt to run the show and he subsequently left it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-23-2008 @ 11:57AM
rljones said...
The Canadian made show, Blood Ties is also another show that has more then a passing resemblance to Angel. It also has a male vampyre who is redeeming himself and working with a female partner who has gotten pulled into the demon underworld of Toronto.
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2-23-2008 @ 12:28PM
LadyOracle said...
Ahh yes, but they cancelled Blood Ties (which in my opinion was way better than Moonlight). So Moonlight is our only hope for new vampire television of any sort. And admittedly the show has been progressively improving with each additional episode.
Let us pray that they can hold this show together long enough to get the backstage stuff settled so we can get a second season.
2-25-2008 @ 7:42PM
Elizabeth said...
MOONLIGHT has few similarities to ANGEL or BTVS. You really ought to watch it before making statements like that.
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2-23-2008 @ 1:25PM
Dreamer said...
The Angel comparisons are getting a tad old. *sigh*
Moonlight is it's own show, here's to a second season!
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2-24-2008 @ 2:15PM
Jimmy said...
I agree. While I was one of those who thought this was just an Angel rip-off I've actually come to like this series. It is not Angel Redux. While there were definitely some bumps in the road, Moonlight has actually developed into an interesting series with its own take on the vampire mythology and some interesting characters. The reveal in the last episode about Coraline and her family dating back to the time of the French Revolution (and back farther probably) was a nice twist. I hope CBS will give it at least one more season before calling it quits, but considering Les Moonves once said it was likely Jericho would be picked up right before he cancelled it, I won't hold my breath.
2-23-2008 @ 1:25PM
Michelle said...
I love Moonlight... and I could not stand Angel and I was not a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer... This show has so much more depth than those shows ever had. It appeals to a whole set of people that are not even into Vampires... There is so much this show has to offer. Give it a chance the comparison to Angel is not a true comparison there is just so much more.
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2-23-2008 @ 1:55PM
seraphina said...
Other than a lead who's a vampire and a detective, there is NOTHING similar between Moonlight and Angel. That show was about demons and spells and a whole fantasty world, while Moonlight is based in a more mainstream reality, which is why it appeals to a broader audience. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy both Blood Ties & Angel, but enough with the comparisons.
Now Forever Knight... yes, big resemblance there - and that show about a detective vampire in love with a mortal and questing to become human predates Angel by a decade. Angel was not the original.
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2-23-2008 @ 2:04PM
Cherri said...
As Dreamer said, the Angel comparisons are getting old. I never saw the show - never had a desire to. Moonlight, on the other hand, is GREAT!!!! And it would be great whether or not Mick was a vampire. The acting, the chemistry between the actors, the humor, the romance. There's something for everyone. For those who are into vampires, there is plenty of "vamping out". For those who are not, there is crime drama, romantic tension, comedy, gorgeous cast. Moonlight is truly a show for everyone!!
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2-23-2008 @ 4:42PM
Marcia McAtee said...
Moonlight is really getting into some great stories....I like that they only dwell in the past occasionally, that's what I hated about most other shows was all the old flashbacks, YUCK, I know some of that is necessary to tie current storylines, but at least this show stays mostly in the here and now....Love the characters and the chemistry......just think this show is more original then Angel ever was
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2-23-2008 @ 5:34PM
ferger1 said...
Please!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enough of Angel & Buffy! They were for kids!
Now it's time for the adults to play!
Moonlight stands alone! The best on TV!
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2-23-2008 @ 8:55PM
GinaJas said...
Have you watched Moonlight?????? It is totally different from Angel! It is a witty, stylish show with interesting storylines and compelling characters! The only similarity is that there are vampires in both. Moonlight has a huge fanbase that will argue this point. http://www.moonlightline.com
Join us at the Moonlight Convention! http://www.moonlightcon.com
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2-23-2008 @ 9:34PM
Christy said...
Moonlight is my favorite show. It's a thrilling ride, with fun stories, amazing acting, great chemistry amongst the cast, witty dialogue, cool sets and film noir lighting. If people would just give it a chance, they would more than likely, enjoy it. Quit making comparisons to every other vampire show/movie ever made and just open your mind to it.
Alex and Sophia have ridiculously amazing chemistry onscreen. Alex also has chemistry with Jason Dohring and Shannyn Sossamon who play his best friend and ex-wife, respectively. You really do get sucked into Mick St. John's vampiric world.
The fans are ready to fight for this show and do whatever it takes to keep it on the air.
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2-24-2008 @ 6:09AM
Will said...
Yeah, so it has some things in common with Angel and other vampire-themed shows. How odd that tv producers would try something thats worked before; oh wait, there's 3 CSI's, numerous Law & Orders', medical shows coming out of the wahzoo (to get technical about it :), etc. That's what tv does best, copy themes that work. Moonlight is a great, enjoyable show for all the reasons all the other posters have listed. I'm glad it has been given another season. I do think they shouldn't have killed off Beth's boyfriend, they could have played out the love triangle for a while longer. But, whatever, I still like it.
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2-25-2008 @ 6:45AM
Liz said...
I don't care what show you compare Moonlight to, I've never watched any of them until Moonlight. All I know is I love this show and am hoping for a second season. It would be a shame to loose an actor like Alex O'Loughlin. I know he will be in movies, but to see him every week, well that is a treat!
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2-25-2008 @ 2:44PM
MIchelle said...
How is this like Angel? Angel claimed he was a PI, he never actually was one. Good grief! Have you even watched the show? Sorry, not trying to negative, I'm just a little tired of the comparisons.
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2-26-2008 @ 10:45AM
Ilyria said...
You know what, this whole "is Moonlight like Angel/Buffy or not" debate is tedious. No matter what side of the fence you're on, the truth of the matter is that Moonlight is on the air right now and Angel and BTVS aren't (their graphic novel formats continue on, though, and they're spectacular. Joss Whedon is King of All Things in my books.)
I digress. This shouldn't be a discussion of which show is/was superior. This should be about the possibility of returning a decent, interesting show for a second season.
There's only so much Survivor a girl can take before she wants to toss the TV out the window. Scripted shows are better than the reality garbage we're faced with now. And so, whether you think Mick is a pale copy of Angel, or that Angel could kick Mick's sorry ass into another dimension, you must at least acknowledge that both shows make you talk about them.
Keep Moonlight around for a second season. And a sixth season. When both shows have run for six seasons, there will be lots of examples to point out about Mick vs. Angel -- and then I'll be happy to wade in to that discussion.
Cheers,
A fan of vampire television
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2-28-2008 @ 7:32AM
tagrhm said...
Let see Angel had a hot guy yes, but he also had a pal or two that were demons, got real ooglie when he changed, had a friend teleported to a demon demension, in other words once upon a time there was a vampire named Angel. Moonlight however, has a guy dealing with being turned against his will, dealing with the loss of those he loved, and not being able to be with the one he wants to w/o endangering her. He's also only 85 yrs old he can relate to things we relate to. His cases are police cases, murder, etc. not a new demon in town just stole grannies enchanted necklace. Moonlight ROCKS.
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2-29-2008 @ 11:43PM
Tammy said...
I love moonlight and now for a couple weeks it's not been on, and I miss it I always look forward to fridays
at 9:00 pm I hope they have another season to. I did watch angle when it was on but moonlight is so much better.
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3-04-2008 @ 11:36PM
Rachel said...
CBS, Please listen to your viewers. It seems like some people at CBS dismiss Moonlight as being a poor second to Angel---WRONG!!!!!! I, AND MANY OTHERS THINK THAT MOONLIGHT IS THEIR FAVORITE SHOW!!! I recorded all the episodes and watch them often and I am looking forward to a First Season DVD. Moonlight is more mature, has a better plot, and Mick and Beth have more chemistry than any couple since Mulder and Scully. CBS would be making a huge mistake to cancel this show, and I would be very, very unhappy.
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3-07-2008 @ 8:50AM
Tina Eccles said...
MOONLIGHT is a great show!! I've never even watched another vampire story until this one. It is unique in storyline and has characters you cheer for and fall in love with (Mick/Beth). Please, CBS, renew this for a second season.
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