Blast from the Past: When TV Theme Intros Were Awesome

After a dry spell for a lot of years, some TV shows have come around to having some good credit sequences and theme songs, though they're usually fairly short. But nothing matches the quality of a good old one-minute to one-and-a-half minute opus of a theme song, with visuals edited to go along with the song! You might not even understand what I'm talking about if you don't already know. These were masterpieces that introduced the characters, the cast, the vibe of the show, and had real artistry. Though YouTube can kill some of the effect, the action would often be tailored to the beat, to the percussion, forming essentially a music video. Often they were themes by Mike Post or Lalo Shifrin. And the series they were attached to would often lose their nostalgia value without them.

Here are some of my favorites.

1. 21 Jump Street (1987-1991) - This show helped put Johnny Depp and the FOX TV network on the map. It was nothing like the movie. But the theme song sequence is really top notch.
2. Simon & Simon (1981-1989) - Never as popular as its cousin Magnum PI, this show nonetheless was a mainstay of the 80s. The intro was so memorable, it was parodied by Adam Scott in The Greatest Event in Television History.



3. Mission: Impossible (1966-1973, 1988-1990) - It would be impossible to leave this one out, though it had many versions, and different casts. The movie series had its highs and lows, but the television series stands on its own.
4. Hart to Hart (1979-1984) - Also parodied by Adam Scott, this is one of the iconic 80s programs, and the editing in the intro (which had several variations) was superb.



5. Charlie's Angels (1976-1981) - There were a total of six angels over five seasons. But for me, it was never the same after Kate Jackson left the series. Through each combination of Angels though, they did a great job with the credit sequence.
6. Knots Landing (1981-1993) - I debated whether or not to include this one, because the program had such varied and different themes from year to year. But something about season 7's theme has always stayed in my memory. So, it's worthy of inclusion.



7. The Incredible Hulk (1977-1982) - Cheesy by today's standards, but to its credit, played it straight. No campy, cartoony stuff here. And the opening explains the premise, while being very memorable.
8. The Six Million Dollar Man (1974-1978) - Okay, this one could be campy (Sasquatch, anyone?), but the opening is very much along the same lines as Hulk's.



9. The Bionic Woman (1976-1978) - Could I leave her out without being sexist?
10. The Fall Guy (1981-1986) - Back to Lee Majors, but I have to say, this is one of the best songs in TV theme history, and the opening credits were awesome.
 

And that will do it for this week. Happy Monday!

Blast from the Past: Best TV Themes of All Time (Part 1)

This is a Blast from the Past that needs very little exposition. These are my very favorite TV theme songs, and they rather speak for themselves. Either they are very catchy tunes, very meaningful lyrics, particularly good editing-with-music, or iconic pop culture confections. I'll insert a couple comments, but they mostly stand on their own. So, without further ado. . .



1. Laverne & Shirley: A spunky duo of 50s/60s gals face life on their own. Togetherness and determination all the way.
2. One Day at a Time: A divorcee strikes out on her own with two daughters in tow. And the theme song encourages others to strike their own path no matter what.



3. Simon and Simon: A detective team made of brothers who are like night and day. The theme song is cooler than the premise.

4. Knots Landing: A suburban cul-de-sac, loosely connected to the drama of Dallas. Soapy (but fun) show with an amazing theme song that changed from season to season. But season 5's was the best.

5. Gimme a Break: Fun theme song to a borderline racistly premised show.
6. Gimme a Break: Revised theme song to a borderline racistly premised show.



7. Dynasty: Glitzy soap opera, based in Denver, Colorado.
8. Dallas: Glitzy soap opera, based in Dallas, Texas.



9. Beverly Hills, 90210: superficial teen drama.
10. Melrose Place: superficial adult drama.

And that will do it for this edition of Blast from the Past. If I continue this series (and I very likely will), my "Best TV Themes of All Time" will very likely run to about 10 segments. And it's only that short, because some of my favorite shows have had no--or very nearly no--theme songs at all. Count this as batch #1, and have a great week, everybody!

Frivolity Break: Amazing a Capella The Simpsons Theme

Very good. The performer, Nick McKaig, looks to me like he could actually be younger than The Simpsons, or at least not much older. Having watched the very first short cartoon on The Tracey Ullman Show on my 21st birthday, I cannot claim the same. 

The Simpsons Gets a New Opening Sequence

Big deal, you say? Well, except for some tweaks here and there, The Simpsons has had essentially the same opening for 20 years! Of course the chalkboard and couch gags were usually different, but this sequence is a big change. But the biggest change is that the show is now in widescreen high-definition!

WKRP In Cincinnati for Real

Image from source, FOX "News"

WKRP in Cincinnati was one of the best sitcoms of the 70s and 80s, possibly of all time. The characters created there will live on as classics forever in my mind. Not even the badly done New WKRP series could tarnish them.

Loni Anderson as curvaceous but smart receptionist Jennifer Marlowe. Howard Hessman as stoner DJ Dr. Johnny Fever (Caravella). Frank Bonner as smarmy sales guy Herb Tarlek. Richard Sanders as neurotic newsman Les Nessman. Tim Reid as groovy DJ Venus Flytrap (Gordon Simms). Gary Sandy as program director Andy Travis (with the clothes as tight, and hair as perfect as Jennifer). Jan Smithers as mousy but sexy Bailey Quarters. Gordon Jump as the clueless station manager, Big Guy Arthur Carlson. Every one unique. Even secondary characters like Carol Bruce as evil Mama Carlson, Ian Wolfe as her sarcastic butler Hirsh, and Edie McClurg as daffy Lucille Tarlek were stellar.

Now, a TV station in Cincinnati is attempting to cash in on the memories. That's OK though, since it's hard to believe somebody hadn't already done that by now. Still, shouldn't it be a radio station?

[Excerpt]

WKRP in Cincinnati ... For Real This Time

A low-power TV station has changed its call letters to WKRP, the same as the fictional radio station in the 1970s hit series "WKRP in Cincinnati. . ."

Read more at: FOX "News"

Here is one of the better episodes: Tornado

Blast from the Past: The 1984 Television Season

Well, how about that? When I posted Blast from the Past: The 1983 Television Season last week, I marveled at the fact that somebody had posted the openings from so many shows from one season. As I said then, I tried the same thing with my VCR back in 1986. But there was more to be found at the YouTubes!

Somebody put together these clips from the 1984 TV season. That's the year I graduated high school, so I have a keener memory of some of these shows than in the intervening years. But even I don't remember all of them. Anybody remember Empire? How about The Master? Yeah, me neither! So, here we go, the shows of 1984. . .




Shows include, in this order: Masquerade, Lottery, Riptide, Empire, Legmen, The Master, Blue Thunder, TV Bloopers & Practical Jokes, The Four Seasons, Airwolf, Partners in Crime, Cover Up, Finders of Lost Loves, It's Your Move, St. Elsewhere, People Do The Craziest Things, Who's The Boss, Night Court, Knight Rider, Punky Brewster, E.R., Hot Pursuit, Mike Hammer, Diff'rent Strokes, Jessie, After MASH, Hawaiian Heat, Falcon Crest, Call To Glory, Charles in Charge, Dreams, Foul up Bleeps & Blunders, Three's A Crowd

Blast from the Past: The 1983 Television Season

Usually, when I do one of these Blast from the Past posts, I have to come up with a theme, do some research, seek out YouTube clips. . .it's really a lot of work. But I happened upon a four-clip batch of videos with a ready-made theme! And it reminds me of something I did back in 1986.

VCRs were newly cheap, and I was a single guy living in my first apartment. Not dating at the time, I had a lot of free time on my hands and very little money. So, I watched a lot of TV, and video tapes. At the start of the 1986 TV season, I got the idea to tape the opening theme songs from all of the shows I could. Why? Well, the free time thingy, and the fact that I've always liked TV themes. I still have the tape, but I'm afraid it might break if shoved into our "antique" VCR.

Somebody else had a similar idea, obviously, because they took the time to put together these clips from the 1983 TV season. They're kind of cool to watch, some for the memories, and some for the absolute lack of memories. Anybody remember For Love and Honor? How about Boone? Me neither! Anyway, here they are, the shows of 1983. . .




Shows include, in this order: The Fall Guy, Webster, Cutter to Houston, Hardcastle & McCormick, One Day At A Time, Emerald Point NAS, Oh Madeline, Whiz Kids, Dynasty, Hotel, Scarecrow 7 Mrs. King, The Mississippi, Remington Steele, The Facts of Life, Trauma Center, 9 to 5, Mr. Smith, Manimal, Silver The Rousters, First Camera, Boone, Just Our Luck, Happy Days, Gimme A Break, We Got It Made, For Love & Honor, Jennifer Slept Here, Bay City Blues, Automan.

Classic TV Themes: Saturday Morning

I know, I know, it's Sunday morning. But I feel the blog needs another dose of fun, and I got to thinking about how boring Sunday morning TV was when I was a kid. Religious sermons, Meet the Press (which I never miss today!), and Davey and Goliath. Ugh. No, Saturday morning was where it was at, and these were some of my favorites.

#1 - Superfriends - The ultimate for a DC Comics fan like me. This was in the unfortunate "Wendy, Marvin and Wonderdog" first season, but it has a warm spot in my heart anyway.

#2 - Scooby Doo, Where are You? - The first version of Scooby Doo, a show that changed a little too much and too often. The first season was the best, and the theme song rocked.

#3 - Josie & the Pussy Cats - Yeah, I know, apparently I would watch just about anything. But, the theme song was pretty cool, eh?

#4 - The Pebbles & Bamm-Bamm Show - Yabba Dabba Doosy! One of the early cartoon "spin-offs," one you don't see much anymore. Maybe for a reason. . .

Classic TV Themes: Sitcoms of the 80s

Delving back into the recesses of my mind for another frivolity break. All of these videos are openings to shows that were great at first. . .and then went on for far too long. In their heyday, they were immensely enjoyable, and full of talent.

#1 - It's a Living - This show was only a modest performer in the ratings, but had tons of potential. So, after it was cancelled by the network, it was picked up for syndication, and went on. And on. It was a lot of fun for the first couple of years, and then they rotated casts (and titles) to the point where the show just ran out of gas. It couldn't go on without Ann Jillian. Great theme song, though!

#2 - Perfect Strangers - This was the 80s, male version of Laverne & Shirley. Great physical comedy, outright hilarious sometimes. And then it got stale. Really stale. How long could Balki stay a fish out of water? When they brought in wives, and a (shared) house, and made it part of the childish "TGIF" lineup, it was finally put out to pasture.

#3 - Valerie - A case of a show that was killed by a contract dispute. Valerie Harper is one of the most underrated comedy performers of all time, willing to be the "straight man" to others' hijinks. After a tussle over salary or some such, she was killed off, and replaced by the (inferior for this show, but good otherwise) Sandy Duncan. The show went through three names before it was cancelled--years later. Bonus: Season 1 and 2, plus end credits.

#4 - Family Ties - Definitely the highest rated (by viewers and critics) of this list, Family Ties was one of my favorites at the time. But like most high-rated, long-running shows, the young kid got less cute. So, they brought in a baby and then miraculously aged him four years in a single season. The theme song was great though, and has some of the best editing, with images in time to the music.

Classic TV Themes: Dramas of the 80s (and 90s)

My previous posts' sidestep into frivolity led to this one. I realized that most of my "Classic TV" clips were from the 70s, and I was as much a "child" of the 80s--and even the 90s (I was immature), so I thought I'd branch out a bit.

First up, while I was still in my "comic book" phase (as if I ever left), I was a big fan of The Greatest American Hero, starring William Katt, Robert Culp (future father-in-law of Ray Romano on Everybody Loves Raymond), and Mrs. John Tesh, Connie Sellecca.

Second, the vastly underrated Remington Steele, starring the equally underrated Stephanie Zimbalist and future James Bond, Pierce Brosnan. Not to mention (future Ray Romano Mother on Everybody Loves Raymond) Doris Roberts.

Third, my guiltiest pleasure (I never missed an episode), Dynasty. Not well-written. Not well-acted. For some reason, addictive anyway. And the best use of a trumpet in a theme ever.

And last, a nineties entry, Melrose Place, which didn't kick into high gear until Dynasty alum Heather Locklear joined the cast (as perpetual guest star). And a great cast it was. Whatever happened to Andrew Shue, Josie Bissett and Thomas Calabro anyway?

Enjoy.

Classic TV Themes: Spinoff Showcase

A break from politics, and snarky commentary is in order. And if you thought I'd scraped the bottom of the barrel for the "classic" 70s and 80s nuggets lodged in my brain, you'd be wrong.

The ultimate safe-bet/surefire-fail paradox in TV programming is the spinoff. Usually, they make a big splash, only to fade away (see #1, #3 and especially #2), but sometimes they outlive their parent, in both longevity and in popularity (#4).

#1 - Mork & Mindy - Spun off from Happy Days. This is the extended version of season two's opening (rarely seen on TV today). Season two just about killed the show, after a stellar first year. They changed time slots and most of the cast. Hey, good going.

#2 - Joanie Loves Chachi - Also spun off (and back onto) Happy Days. Very popular at first, then *poof!* I guess it was especially successful in some Latin-American countries Korea, where "Chachi" is reportedly slang for "penis." This particular video has some especially snarky exposition, alleging that the clip will induce suicide. So be careful!

#3 - Rhoda - Spun off from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Very popular, until Rhoda got married, then sank in the ratings. And poor Valerie Harper--an underrated comic talent--never really got that next big break.

#4 - The Facts of Life - Spun off from the abysmal Diff'rent Strokes, this show may have been slightly vapid, but hey, it had George Clooney for a while! And that hobbit guy's brother!

Relive the magic. . .

Blast from the Past: Classic TV Themes #2

STILL TOO MUCH POLITICS! I need a burst of mindless entertainment! And here it is.

First up, One Day at a Time, which had the best set of lyrics of any TV theme song. We could all take that message to heart. Next, Alice, a show that didn't age well, but Linda Lavin did have a great set of pipes. Third, Maude, a show I didn't get at the time, but have loved (in its sparse airings of late) whenever I've caught it. Also, again, great lyrics: "Joan of Arc, with the Lord to guide her, she was a sister who really cooked!" And finally, Soap, one of the most subversive, and hilarious shows to come out of the 70s. Enjoy.