You didn't think anyone would be here did you? Well, talk about no respect! Poor Bert's only fans seems to be Agnes DiPesto and me. I have dedicated this page to convince you, the "Moonlighting" fan, to join Bert's fan club. I'll admit when the show first aired on ABC, I threw things at the television when I saw that the long awaited new episode was a Bert & Agnes episode with little to no Dave or Maddie. After countless reruns, I began to hate those Bert and Agnes episodes too. But, over time, I've calmed down. If you watch the "Moonlighting" episodes in order, with no reruns, no production delays, you'll come to appreciate Bert. You'll even come to enjoy watching Bert woo Agnes, fight with MacGilicuddy, and try to solve cases with his mentor Mr. Addison. After all, the production delays weren't his fault. It wasn't his fault Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd needed a break on occasion. He just did his best to entertain us all. Seriously, after watching Bert with a fresh attitude, one has to marvel at the comedic talents of Curtis Armstrong. So, c'mon give him a chance. We, the fans of "Moonlighting," have to let go of our grudge and give Bert the respect he so richly deserves. Let me present my case, and then you can vote on whether or not to join the club. You will also be able to vote on your favorite Bert scenes.
You like Agnes don't you?
Everyone likes Agnes. She loves Bert. He is the love of her life. They were made for each other. If Agnes could find something to love in Bert, you can too, right? Seriously, the Viola/DiPesto relationship was often used as a contrast to the Addison/Hayes relationship. It was absolutely necessary in fostering the constant fighting and hilarity between Bert and MacGilicuddy.
He's David's Loyal Friend and Second Banana
I know what you're thinking. How can anyone as cool as David Addison hang out with likes of Bert Viola? Well he did. David often turned to Bert in times of need and Bert was always there to offer his support when Dave needed it. OK, at first it was simply because Bert was there (such as them following Maddie in "Blonde on Blonde" and the McClafferty surveillance in "Sam and Dave".) But once Maddie leaves for Chicago, Bert really shines. He helps David with the case in "Come Back Little Shiksa," and insists on being his "backstop" in "Take a Left at the Altar" so that Dave can go to Chicago at the drop of a hat if Maddie calls. In "A Tale in Two Cities" Bert and Dave go 'wenching and wining' together when they are both having problems with their women. The very next episode "Cool Hand Dave -Part 1" Bert "the man" Viola tells David that Maddie is pregnant. A difficult thing for Bert to do, since he just had promised Agnes he wouldn't tell. But Dave had to know and Bert came through for his friend, despite the havoc that would ensue in his personal life. In "Fetal Attraction" Bert serves as David's Lamaze partner when David asks for his help in this "personally traumatic time." In "Eek! A Spouse!" Bert offers anti-depressants and a shoulder for David to cry on when Maddie comes back married. He also offers to 'investigate the hopefully checkered past' of Walter Bishop. In "Maddie Hayes Got Married" Bert offers to take David out for 'liquid lunch' to avoid meeting Walter Bishop, then offers to beat him up in the garage for David. Later, he does a striptease for Walter Bishop's bachelor party, and assists David in filling the church with 'extras' for Maddie's wedding ceremony. In "Shirts and Skins" Bert helps David support Neal Fass's case. In "Take My Wife, For Example" Bert unknowingly assists David's attempt to have his new car stolen. In "Perfetc" he helps David with the Brock Ash case and press conference. He helps David with the "Annie situation" and then asks Dave to be his Best Man at his wedding. Alright, so David never actually has a heart-to-heart with Bert, but David knew Bert was there for him and appreciated it.
Bert's Really Funny
Join the Club
C'mon, admit it, you laugh (or at least smile) when you see Bert sing "The Lady is a Tramp" in drag, or when he sings "Wooly Bully." How about when he shows the Sapperman film or the McClafferty pics to the office? When he poses as Monsignor Viola or Chester Warwick? In any number of his scenes with MacGilicuddy, the water cooler roulette, chicken in the garage, and taking 5 laps around the office as punishment? I challenge anyone to keep a straight face when he says through tears at the end of "Lunar Eclipse," "I should've done the right thing and left the show." America's dislike of Herbert Viola was a running joke on the show and Bert took it well.
I say it's time for America to stand up and proclaim "We love Bert Viola!" OK, so at least proclaim "We like Bert Viola!" It's been more than a decade since the show went off the air. Now that we've all had a chance for the rational sides of our brains to take over again, please vote to join the Herbert Viola Fan Club!