Scott Ryan is an author, publisher, and television historian who captures the truth of what really happened. His latest book, Moonlighting: An Oral History (Fayetteville Mafia Press, June 1, 2021), is the never-before-told inside story behind the making of the pioneering TV series.
Ryan is also the managing editor of The Blue Rose Magazine, co-founder of Fayetteville Mafia Press, the author of thirtysomething at thirty: an oral history and the author of The Last Days of Letterman.
FMM: You have a gift of getting people to open up. Where does this come from?
First of all, thank you for having me in Formidable Men magazine, I can only assume I will be featured in your Ironic issue. I always tell my wife that it is a bummer for her that the only skill her husband has is the gift of interviewing people. I can’t change a flat tire, hang a picture, or put together furniture. I can, however, get an actress or director to open up to me. I think it comes from me studying David Letterman and Johnny Carson. I have learned how to listen, how to be interested, and how to be open. I also am a very curious person. I want to understand how things work and why they don’t.
FMM: Tell us about your latest book, Moonlighting: An Oral History. Why was this important for you to write?
I have always been shocked that there never was a book about one of the most famous series ever. It influenced me as a writer and a comic. I knew I couldn’t be the only one. I wanted to understand how they got away with all that ABC let them get away with. In all honesty, I did this book for myself. I have wanted to interview Glenn Caron, Cybill Shepherd, and Jay Daniels since I was 15. It just took a long time till I was given the opportunity. When it came, I jumped.
FMM: Moonlighting helped to pave the way for the era of prestige television. What do you remember about this time?
Moonlighting, Twin Peaks and thirtysomething all had a major impact on me. I have been lucky enough to get to write about all of them and learn how the creators of those series changed television. I think that shows in the early 80s were just on the brink of something new. Most of TV from that time is comfort food, but a few series tried to be more. Moonlighting is a detective series, like so many other shows were in that time, but it doesn’t care about its cases. They knew what viewers wanted was to see Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis interacting. That metta-self awareness, really was new to TV at that time.
FMM: You conducted over 20 interviews with actors, writers, directors, and producers. What surprised you the most?
Well, any of them spoke to me was the biggest surprise. These are all artists at a very high level in Hollywood. All of the writers, actors, and directors went on to create so much wonderful art. I was in awe of speaking with everyone. I think when readers hear this story, they are going to be surprised. Everyone knows about the tabloid side of Willis/Shepherd. It was everywhere, but what I focus on is the work. When readers hear about the hours that were put in, how they had to adapt so quickly to pregnancies, broken bones and Die Hard films, I think people will be entertained and educated. (Am I formidable yet?)
FMM: How did great writing of the show, Moonlighting overcome the backstage feuds and inflated egos?
I mean in some ways, it didn’t. In the end it was the backstage feuds that led to the demise of the series. The egos got to a place where people wouldn’t go to the stage to do the work. They fought over lines, plots, and lighting. One of the postproduction workers told me, in the end, all that added up to toppling the show. I think in the beginning the excitement and the ratings were enough to let ABC let things go, but when those things slip away, the bill comes due pretty quickly. I don’t really think there is another series that was as high as Moonlighting was, and then collapsed at the hands of the people who were making it. It is a pretty singular experience and story. It always amazes me that it hasn’t been told till now.
FMM: Who will enjoy Moonlighting: An Oral History the most?
Fans of the show surely will enjoy hearing from Allyce Beasley, Cybill Shepherd, Curtis Armstrong and many others. I honestly think that the book is for anyone who loves creating. Most of the stories are just incredible in the book. It is not an episode guide and you don’t have to remember the episodes to enjoy the story. It is set up in chronological order, but it really follows the flow from idea, to when the show was super hot, to the very painful downfall. The book is also very funny. It fits the tone of the series. So basically, the author shockingly thinks that everyone reading this article would love it.
FMM: Do you have any additional thoughts?
I have had such a great time working on this project. It has just started to get into fans hands and it is rewarding that people are enjoying it. I worked on this project over the entire crazy last year we all went through. It is amazing to come out the other side with a piece of art that is entertaining strangers and making fans happy. Plus, I am not friends with Cybill Shepherd and that is pretty darn great, too.
@scottluckstory www.ScottRyanProductions.com www.FayettevilleMafiapress.com
