Moonlighting Screen Test for David Addison: Bruce Willis versus Harley Venton, former GL actor!

[Wendy]

Found this gem on YT last night. Apparently, it was screen tests from September 1984 for the role of David Addison. Glenn Gordon Caron, Moonlighting creator, was sold on Willis, but the network wasn't sure.

An actor named Harley Venton was also considered. It says he played lawyer Derek Colby on Guiding Light from 1980 to 1982. No idea who was testing for Maddie Hayes here, but it is another actress.

Here are the tests for both, which was apparently some bonus feature on the pilot episode DVD/VHS:

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As a comparison, here is another screen test of the first scene from above, this time with Cybill Shepherd, and filmed in the style of the show (probably to give the network a sample of the overall look?):

 

[DRW50]

Great find @Wendy . I am very fond of Harley's work on GL (he was Derek, the long, long-suffering stick in the mud boyfriend of Hillary Bauer while she pined for Kelly and Tony - I would have chosen Derek any day), and I can see why he was liked by the network, but Glenn Gordon Caron was right to press for Bruce Willis. Bruce had more of a unique appeal which overcame how offputting the writing for David could have been. 

Harley reminds me of the late, lamented Charles Rocket, who ended up playing David's brother.

Edited March 20, 2023 by DRW50

[Wendy]

At least Venton played a role that was memorable, then! I did read that he ended up in an episode of Shepherd's next series, Cybill, so she really must have liked the guy.

But, as perverse as it sounds, I am thinking the animosity between Shepherd/Willis helped add a spark to their chemistry, so...

[Vee]

It's poignant to see these given Bruce's current condition. Thanks.

[Wendy]

It is, definitely. Bruce in his prime had swagger in spades. I crushed so hard on his David Addison! (In my defense, I was 12 or 13 then, so...)

[Vee]

As much as Hudson Hawk and his music career got lampooned, I think he had talent as a song and dance man. With more musical vehicles like the revival ones we have now he could've done better work in romantic comedy than he often got in film.

Edited March 21, 2023 by Vee

[Wendy]

He was in Blind Date, with Kim Basinger, Phil Hartman, John Larroquette, and William Daniels in 1987, so around Moonlighting. The film will never win awards, but it was a fun, sort of twisted rom-com.

[Wendy]

Speaking of song and dance, here is a dream sequence Maddie had from the Season 3 episode, "Big Man on Mulberry Street". Still remember this scene well!

When the show sucked, it was sewer level, but at its peak, it was electric.

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Edited March 21, 2023 by Wendy

[Franko]

Curly. Harold Hill. Billy Flynn. Coulda played 'em all.

YouTube commenters say it's Mary-Margaret Humes (Dawson's Creek).

[Vee]

Wow. That is a deep cut. I always liked her.

[Soaplovers]

I liked Mary-Margaret Humes portion of the screen-test... and while she had the fiestiness of Maddie down... I could see why Cybill Shepherd was chosen.