whatever happened to predictability........the milkman the paperboy, evening TV
― Bo Jackson Overdrive, Saturday, 19 July 2008 21:24 (fifteen years ago) link
Golden Girls?
― Keaney Tong, Sunday, 20 July 2008 02:03 (fifteen years ago) link
hm.. no jeffersons.. is it too obvious?
― billstevejim, Sunday, 20 July 2008 02:08 (fifteen years ago) link
Actually come to think of it, Amen was better..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTMF8gxnL50
― billstevejim, Sunday, 20 July 2008 02:18 (fifteen years ago) link
Holy hell, y'all! The best one ever is Good Times:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s3sRJCRW-k
― Kevin John Bozelka, Sunday, 20 July 2008 02:20 (fifteen years ago) link
Whoever noted that the Duck Tales theme song was a rewrite of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is my favorite poster ever.
Also, anyone else know that the theme for the US "the Office" is based off of the coda for ELO's Mr. Blue Sky? They used the original song in the pilot.
― Cunga, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 01:46 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vbnLYROCj8
― Spectrum, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 02:13 (fourteen years ago) link
Van der Valk Simon Park Orchestra
Department S Cyril Stapleton
Der Kommissar Herbert Jarczyk
Captain Scarlet and the MysteronsBarry Gray
Stingray Barry Gray
Raumpatrouille Orion Peter Thomas
The Odd Couple Neil Hefti
― meisenfek, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 03:56 (fourteen years ago) link
Also, anyone else know that the theme for the US "the Office" is based off of the coda for ELO's Mr. Blue Sky? They used the original song in the pilot.― Cunga, Wednesday, December 23, 2009 1:46 AM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
― Cunga, Wednesday, December 23, 2009 1:46 AM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
They used "Mr. Blue Sky" in a rough cut of the pilot, but not the actual pilot itself. This rough cut also contains alternate scenes that were never included on the DVD, and different actors for some of the characters. I would seriously pay like $3,000 to see it.
― Mr. Snrub, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 03:57 (fourteen years ago) link
The Buford Files:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1uo8wC9Ctk
"Here comes help! Here comes action! Here comes Buuuuffffooooorrrrddddddddd..."
― Mr. Snrub, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 04:02 (fourteen years ago) link
Action News Theme ("Move Closer to Your World")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrrVhHBI-K0
― professional log roller Lizzie Hoeschler (los blue jeans), Wednesday, 23 December 2009 04:58 (fourteen years ago) link
Hockey Night in Canadahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByKu8BwT5K4
― sofatruck, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 05:12 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo3lTbYFK6A
The original Randall and Hopkirk theme takes some beating
― Dr X O'Skeleton, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 09:10 (fourteen years ago) link
Callan, another one Portishead must have noticed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDdSWjpPJDg
Whatever happened to the likely lads?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcJ4C0pTGDw
― Bing Crosby, are you listening? (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 23 December 2009 11:30 (fourteen years ago) link
> Randall and Hopkirk
awesome, there should be an ITV music thread
― meisenfek, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 14:56 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SfG_f-quqk
― meisenfek, Tuesday, 29 December 2009 17:47 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqg-U1iTuF4
― meisenfek, Tuesday, 29 December 2009 17:50 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOqT3A5tpPc
― meisenfek, Tuesday, 29 December 2009 17:55 (fourteen years ago) link
Dig the theme to The L Word. It must be heard to be believed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6pZ-JRsYh0
― kornrulez6969, Tuesday, 29 December 2009 17:59 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXRyQkkJdNI
― meisenfek, Tuesday, 29 December 2009 18:00 (fourteen years ago) link
correct answer is dr. who
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF2x5IKxmAQ
― tramp steamer, Wednesday, 30 December 2009 04:22 (fourteen years ago) link
This should have been a poll. There are several fantastic submissions above, but it's "The Jeffersons" for me.
― King of Snake (j-rock), Wednesday, 30 December 2009 05:42 (fourteen years ago) link
Denise Nicholas and Karen Valentine...sigh; I'm a '70s guy.
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― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 December 2009 06:09 (fourteen years ago) link
I always forget.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcaUluahdwM
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 December 2009 06:10 (fourteen years ago) link
Wow, "Room 222" is all in 7/4 time and prog-rock jazz-flute mellowness!
Anyway, can't believe nobody's mentioned my all-time theme song fave. Mike Post FTW!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPSulCDZ1rA
― james cameron gargameled my boner for life (Pancakes Hackman), Wednesday, 30 December 2009 13:39 (fourteen years ago) link
Pretty much everything by Ron Grainer belongs here.
― unpredictable johnny rodz, Wednesday, 30 December 2009 13:59 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVQzxuYpHpE
― Bob Six, Wednesday, 30 December 2009 14:16 (fourteen years ago) link
>Anyway, can't believe nobody's mentioned my all-time theme song fave. Mike Post FTW!
ha! which leads us to gotcha - Tom Scott (cheating intended).
― meisenfek, Wednesday, 30 December 2009 14:29 (fourteen years ago) link
Love this funky harpsichord.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOkN8AU_XXA
― queen frostine (Eric H.), Wednesday, 30 December 2009 14:37 (fourteen years ago) link
Oh the harmonies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQHpV0F2xx4
― The Hood Won't Jump (Eazy), Wednesday, 30 December 2009 14:47 (fourteen years ago) link
Oops, one of those was supposed to be the closing theme (maybe better than the opening):
― The Hood Won't Jump (Eazy), Wednesday, 30 December 2009 14:48 (fourteen years ago) link
Zoo Gang from the mid-70s - music by Paul McCartney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4EdVmJOLfo
Slowed down, this sounds a bit like the theme for 80s series Bergerac
― Bob Six, Wednesday, 30 December 2009 15:00 (fourteen years ago) link
Suicide Is Painless is a song written by Johnny Mandel (music) and Mike Altman (lyrics). Mike Altman is the son of the original film's director, Robert Altman, and was 14 years old when he composed the song's lyrics.
:o true?
― meisenfek, Wednesday, 30 December 2009 17:50 (fourteen years ago) link
Closing credits to Monkey Magic, possibly best theme song EVER:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfwcbexkHpk
Opening theme equally awesome: just ride out the minute of non-singing for the awesomeness to kick in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfl7LqvxxDw
― VegemiteGrrrl, Wednesday, 30 December 2009 23:35 (fourteen years ago) link
thanks for the far-east cue! *stunned by the 1 minute intro in the opening theme*
― meisenfek, Thursday, 31 December 2009 15:37 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-anabfAg06U
― meisenfek, Thursday, 31 December 2009 15:38 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3U2qO4f1_k
― The Hood Won't Jump (Eazy), Thursday, 31 December 2009 16:13 (fourteen years ago) link
That Manga intro is beautifully animated.
― Communi-Bear Silo State (chap), Thursday, 31 December 2009 17:44 (fourteen years ago) link
best intro intro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1NiNKwueE
― poster x (ledge), Thursday, 31 December 2009 17:46 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPAt4pAF46Y&feature=related
― Communi-Bear Silo State (chap), Thursday, 31 December 2009 17:54 (fourteen years ago) link
lollest:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuCAQnWyAiQ
― poster x (ledge), Thursday, 31 December 2009 17:59 (fourteen years ago) link
Kingswood Country represent!! (Lex Marinos in the house yall)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsEzk66T4PY
― VegemiteGrrrl, Friday, 1 January 2010 00:04 (fourteen years ago) link
<3<3<3 Room 222 theme for all time
― velko, Friday, 1 January 2010 00:10 (fourteen years ago) link
And don't forget MINDER...Arfur Daley, lads!....used to watch it JUST for the song when i was little.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=280-jLL1u78
― VegemiteGrrrl, Friday, 1 January 2010 00:12 (fourteen years ago) link
I forgot how awesome the Equalizer opener is. Damn.
― VegemiteGrrrl, Friday, 1 January 2010 00:13 (fourteen years ago) link
Was going to rep for Famous Five theme being one of the best ever, but listening now...were those kids on valium? They sound so fragging bored! In my mind it was a lot more 'up'...yeesh
But i still love the "...George and Timmy the doh-ohhhh--OG"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPkh0lxFOhE
― VegemiteGrrrl, Friday, 1 January 2010 00:24 (fourteen years ago) link
No White Horses, no credibility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR6z8GUywyc
― anagram, Friday, 1 January 2010 00:45 (fourteen years ago) link
i dont like to reduce the whole OST to one theme. so i will not mention Cowboy Bebop.
― meisenfek, Saturday, 9 January 2010 21:19 (fourteen years ago) link
I liked the opening music Red Dwarf used for its first two series, and the visuals are cool too. Quite haunting for a comedy programme.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY_nkBU4Wjk
― Communi-Bear Silo State (chap), Sunday, 10 January 2010 18:04 (fourteen years ago) link
These two songs are a jam and the opening titles are sharp. The Rookies has a better tune, but they are both classic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXfOuDGEAIE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUJu17fAnKU
― earlnash, Sunday, 10 January 2010 20:06 (fourteen years ago) link
taxi theme song is such a gorgeous mood setter for not just the show but an evening it really does it for me lately
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 9 November 2023 04:48 (five months ago) link
I always loved the Taxi outro, especially the very last shot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VY9HSjFdh0
Look how young the cast looks!
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Thursday, 9 November 2023 04:54 (five months ago) link
15 years and nobody's mentioned The Mary Tyler Moore Show yet?
― Hideous Lump, Thursday, 9 November 2023 06:19 (five months ago) link
there are some great western tv themes but damn y'all these anime themes are next level. just some random ones:
venus line (theme to Birdie Wing):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA7dgQl1nso
the theme to gakko no kaidan (notorious for its us comedy dub "ghost stories"):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGI0g8xX-VY
and if we're gonna get really obvious "a cruel angel's thesis", the theme to evangelion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIZL5qeEKj0
― Kate (rushomancy), Thursday, 9 November 2023 06:33 (five months ago) link
you mean "goodnight mr walters! (groan)"? xxp
i had bob james's 'touchdown' on an old ipod. i also meant for it to be a mood setter but it didn't work out that way because walking around manhattan with the cues from taxi as an overlay is actually pretty funny.
― Deflatormouse, Thursday, 9 November 2023 06:35 (five months ago) link
Yes, that part. For some reason, it always made me laugh when I was a kid.
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Thursday, 9 November 2023 12:04 (five months ago) link
xp to Kate: Thanks for those anime themes. Those are great. I don't watch a lot of anime, but binge-watched bootlegs of Rurouni Kenshin on CD-ROM a few decades ago. Grew very partial to its theme song, Sobakasu.
Full version:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DBkXcDU270
Freckles, the English dubhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSen97C496M
― peace, man, Thursday, 9 November 2023 14:38 (five months ago) link
Sorry (Remix): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmL-OT4Q3sc
Young Ones (outro): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY4n_sfkcUo
In terms of putting me right back on the sofa, thirty years ago
Boon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6mjSAgxusM
The Taggart intro and (especially) outro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k6RF7nBxX8
The Denton/Cook Tomorrow's World theme is a huge slapper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sSxz9ojrI8
― Chuck_Tatum, Thursday, 9 November 2023 15:25 (five months ago) link
My favorite w/lyrics is “Diff'rent Strokes” (an Alan Thicke banger). There are too many instrumentals to rate… many of the best ones by Mike Post.
― Phair · Jagger/Richards · Carl Perkins (morrisp), Thursday, 9 November 2023 15:37 (five months ago) link
I loved the Boon theme as a kid. I have no memory of what the show was actually about
― Duane Barry, Thursday, 9 November 2023 17:23 (five months ago) link
Michael Elphick did stuff, on a bike, sometimes he was a fireman?
Yeah, it's a tricky one
― Chuck_Tatum, Thursday, 9 November 2023 18:01 (five months ago) link
Magnum PIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBIgXhiOpeQAlso in about 10 years if I grow a moustache I'll look like Higgins.
― you gotta roll with the pączki to get to what's real (snoball), Thursday, 9 November 2023 18:36 (five months ago) link
As recommended by Alan Partridge himself. "The Adventures of Black Beauty" ("Galloping Horse" by Denis King).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hasBJ1Gkjy8
― The First Time Ever I Saw Gervais (Tom D.), Thursday, 9 November 2023 19:02 (five months ago) link
Another classic. "The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" (by Robert Mellin and Gian-Piero Reverberi).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNsV1BUb9mc
― The First Time Ever I Saw Gervais (Tom D.), Thursday, 9 November 2023 19:06 (five months ago) link
I did bring up the subject of Boon with my older brother a while back, thinking he might have a clearer memory of it, and he was like "um, he was a bodyguard...or no, hold on, he was a fireman I think...?" Hi ho Silver!
I do remember my 10yo self thinking it was a lot like Lovejoy. Shows about these guys who did stuff.
― Duane Barry, Thursday, 9 November 2023 20:31 (five months ago) link
As for anime themes, I've always loved the Outlaw Star opening. The show itself was only so-so (Cowboy Bebop on sugar pills, basically):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoDUxs3rlRU
― Duane Barry, Thursday, 9 November 2023 20:38 (five months ago) link
Forgot about how much Knight Rider theme was a Carpenter/Moroder-esque banger:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C00gX_5iAG8
I hate 99.99% of anime but who among us could hate on both the opening (and closing!) theme(s) of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gciVpfFh9Y
― citation needed (Steve Shasta), Friday, 10 November 2023 00:04 (five months ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9ZiYaYaFcUbbc ice skating = james last - mornings at sevenhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=526OsPdSlxkski sunday - the cavendish orchestra . pop goes bach
― massaman gai (front tea for two), Friday, 10 November 2023 07:56 (five months ago) link
i wanna _garage_ band that does just gr8 tv themes now. at first i was "i wanna band that...," but i searched, found and now i see it MUST be a garage band, because otherwise it turns out kinda gross
― digital chirping and whirring (Hunt3r), Friday, 10 November 2023 15:20 (five months ago) link
the anime opening rabbithole goes _deep_, there are like a _billion_ anime shows every season now and a lot of them have absolute banger theme songs. one of the niches i get into is when people put up pirate comps of all the anime OPs from a year or a season. here's four i just picked now from 2020... that's four out of 175 total.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjdvgI_jVP8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOoYcBoj0W0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q7wY3K0cm0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kpK_SwJ12w
the first is from an anime called "darwin's game". no idea what it's about. the second is from an anime called "food wars". i don't know if i've talked about it here. it's an "ecchi" anime, which is like hentai but not as explicit apparently, and also a cooking anime, which ... on paper, that sounds to me like a good way to ruin a cooking anime. but it's surprisingly likeable. basically it's about a cook who makes dishes so good that people experience sexual pleasure from eating them. i enjoy a good meal more than i enjoy sex - asexual people don't all experience it the same way, but that's my experience. i kind of like the central hook of the show. if other people want to see it as dirty, that's fine... all i see is people who are really enjoying their meals. it's the opening sequence to the fifth season of the show. oh, the other thing to know about anime theme songs is that they tend to have a new theme song every season... sometimes two new ones a season, like with the next selection. the weirdest one i've seen is that one of the opening sequences to the classic '80s anime "maison ikkoku" uses gilbert o'sullivan's "alone again, naturally" as the theme. well, ok, then.
the third is from an anime called "fruits basket", the remake. like a lot of anime "fruits basket" is based on a manga, and the first time they made an anime adaptation the manga wasn't done yet. so they kind of made up an ending. this remake adapts the full manga, including the ending. it's really highly acclaimed and people like it a lot. it's also my ex-wife's favorite manga and anime ever, so i'm never going to watch it. the fourth is from an anime called "sleepy princess in the demon castle", which i've watched some of. it's a funny deconstruction of rpg tropes where the kidnapped princess basically terrorizes the entirety of the demon castle in her quest to get a good night's sleep. it's not, like, the best anime ever, but it's fun.
― Kate (rushomancy), Friday, 10 November 2023 20:03 (five months ago) link