#i binged watched all two hour long 52 episodes of this and IT WAS WORTH IT | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

jswdmb1 · 4 years

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Video Killed The Radio Star

“We hear the playback

and it seems so long ago

And you remember

the jingles used to go”

- The Buggles

My mom asked me to help her set up an Apple TV a while back, and it made me realize how far we have come as far as entertainment options go. I remember the day my dad came home and announced he saw that they were installing cable TV lines in the neighborhood. He was about as excited as I have ever seen him. It meant we increased our channel roster from about five to over thirty! There was a network that played sports 24 hours a day! We could watch movies at home uncut and uninterrupted. I wanted my MTV and now I got it! It may seem quaint to someone who wasn’t there at the time, but it was an incredibly cool and mind-blowing experience when you consider how our viewing experience exponentially changed with the installation of that little black cable.

As I was setting up the Apple TV, and all of the incredible options that come with it, I did not feel the same as that day in 1983 when I could now watch Nickelodeon and Australian rules football to my heart’s content. Sure, the explosion of viewing options within cable and streaming services are just awesome, but sometimes it seems too much. The immediate gratification of it all is disappointing as well. The concept of binge watching seems to take away from the anticipation we used to have from the episode we waited all week for (or all summer for a cliffhanger). That anticipation would start with the show’s theme song, which I feel is a real lost art. Just the act of hearing that familiar tune along with credits and scenes of the stars of the show was almost as exciting as the show itself. It may make me seem old and out-of-touch, but I really miss those days when we lived without DVRs and on demand viewing and got real theme songs to kick off your entertainment viewing experience.

But instead of rueing over days long lost, let’s celebrate some of those old shows (that ironically are all over Hulu and Netflix) that were not only great programs, but had the type of theme songs that really made you feel good when they came on. It meant something that you waited for all week was about to arrive, and for an hour or two you could lose yourself in a world away from your own. I now present to you my ten favorite tv theme songs and their shows, in no particular order:

1) All in the Family - In fall of 1973, CBS put forth what is considered the finest lineup on one night in television history. On Saturday nights, people stayed home for three straight hours of unparalleled entertainment. This was the start of it all at 7:00 (all times I give you are Central). There was no better lead off than Edith and Archie sitting at the piano singing “Those Were the Days”. How cool is it to have your lead actors sing the theme song live. All In the Family was so great it had a separate ending theme. You can read plenty elsewhere about the groundbreaking episodes that went on in between, but the theme music from this series gets us off and running.

2) Rockford Files - This show always opened with a unique montage of a client of Jim’s leaving a message on his answering machine. What followed was what I consider the best music composition on the list. Written by Mike Post, it is a funky, hard driving and timeless theme just like the Pontiac Firebird he drove. I like this song so much it is often in my normal rotation on many of my daily playlists. The program was great, for sure my favorite detective show of all time, but I would tune in just for this song.

3) Hill Street Blues - This is another Mike Poat theme, but couldn’t be more different than Rockford’s theme. Jazzy rather than funky and smooth versus hard driving, the piano of the song seemed to sum up everything this show was about. I recently caught up with some episodes on Hulu recently and forgot how ahead of its time this show was. Before Hill Street Blues, police dramas tended to tie things up neatly before the hour ended. This show, like life, didn’t always work out so well. The sadness of the lives in the people in the show is tinged throughout the theme. But, you also hear some hope in the final chords, and I think that what the show was all about. It told us that life could be a grind and full of despair, but there are also a lot of good people trying their best to ease suffering and make this world a better place. That’s a lot to pack into one theme song, but this one hits all the right notes.

4) M*A*S*H - This was in the 7:30 slot on the CBS Saturday lineup and was put there to boost its ratings in its second season. As hard as it is to believe in hindsight, the show struggled to find its audience in its first year. For many folks, the opening theme was their first introduction to this unique medical/war comedy/drama. Like the show, the theme (titled “Suicide is Painless”) was taken from the 1970 movie of the same name. The TV version dropped the lyrics and became one of the most instantly recognizable themes ever. The show that followed is very good too. I must confess that I am a bit of a M*A*S*H aficionado and the second season was one of their best (I’m partial to the McLean Stevenson/Wayne Rogers episodes). If you haven’t watched the show in a while, give a couple of episodes a spin (now on Hulu). I’ll bet dollars to donuts you are whistling the theme the rest of the day.

5) WKRP In Cincinnati - A terribly underrated show with an equally underrated theme, the quirky gang at WKRP were always good for some laughs and DJs spinning great records. While the theme song is fantastic (“...baby just think of me once in a while” is such a great line), the real soundtrack of the show was the late 70s/early 80s rock and roll in the background of each episode. Unfortunately, due to licensing issues, you don’t get those songs in the reruns, but the crazy storylines and big laughs that come with them still make this series worth your time. As a side note, the lyrics in the theme at the end are pure jibberish. The writer of the song used nonsense words as placeholders but the producers kept them in as a bit of an inside joke about how hard rock lyrics are to understand. I think that perfectly sums up what WKRP is all about.

6) Mary Tyler Moore Show - Who can turn the world on with a smile? Mary no doubt did it every Saturday night at 8:00. I have vague memories of this show the first time it came around as first run episodes, but found it later in reruns and discovered what a true gem it is. The characters were quirky and unique without being oversimplified and the acting of the supporting cast was brilliant. Any show with Ed Asner, Ted Knight and Betty White is going to end up being our gold. As for the theme song, I think it is the most hopeful and happy on the surface, but it always struck a sad note with me. There always seemed to be a back story with Mary in the show that we weren’t always getting that hinted of difficult times before she got to Minneapolis. The song echos that and her throwing the hat up at the end seems to tell us that no matter how rough things were, or might end up, she’ll keep that smile on her face. Not a bad lesson for all of us to follow.

7) Three’s Company - In the interest of full disclosure, I did not watch this show when it first aired. It was banned from my house by my mother because it was “stupid”. Once I left the house for college, I wanted to start trying new things and testing my independence in this world, so the first thing I did was devote every weeknight from 10:00 to 11:00 to the Three’s Company reruns on Channel 32. What I saw was certainly a bit stupid but far from a waste of time. Arguably, the show included some of the finest physical comedy of it’s day and was a great showcase for actors like John Ritter, Norman Fell (Mr. Roper) and Don Knotts. Admittedly, the premise and some of the themes of the show have not aged well, but I never saw anything but an intent to have fun and provide a few laughs. That was conveyed in the theme song which was as light and airy as the breeze coming off the Pacific while standing on the pier in Santa Monica. For me, just the sound of that song brings back a memory of living in the college dorms and starting off an independent life full of promise and possibilities. Each episode of this show felt the same even if each could have been solved in the first two minutes with a simple question or statement like “No, Mr. Furley, Jack is getting a Mexican pot to cook in, not the kind you smoke”. I guess though, that wouldn’t have been all that funny.

8) Barney Miller - This one is on here purely for the bass line. The notes are unmistakeable and leads into a full jazz combo with killer lead guitar. The funk you hear in the theme follows along with the show. The detectives at the precinct seemed to take what initially seemed to be mundane aspects of police work and turn every epsiode into a funky life lesson. I read somewhere that real cops think this is the police show more true to life than any other they have seen. I’m guessing it was because they drew up characters so real to the point where you would think of them as people first and not some exaggerated character as most police are drawn up on TV. The whole thing just worked and really was quite funny. The episodes hold up very well in reruns as well, so if you have never given it a try, I think you’ll find that it is as good as any other cop show you have seen recently.

9) Bob Newhart Show - Anchoring the CBS Saturday night 8:30 slot is another jazzy instrumental that is a great theme, but in this case the show behind it was the real gem. Just like Barney Miller, The Bob Newhart Show took the fairly mundane aspects of life - whether it be at the office or at home - and mined them for laugh after laugh. For those who are finds of Mr. Newhart (Loyola, Class of ‘52), this is no surprise. Bob could literally turn a phone call into absolute hilarity. His choice of profession on the show was perfect as well - for those who don’t know he played a psychologist. As someone who has spent a lot of time in the offices of mental health professionals, I can tell you first hand that the only portrayal that I have seen that is true-to-life is the one on this show. The group therapy sessions are always the real gems and this show nails exactly what they are like. I can’t it explain it much further, just go get a copy of the first season of this and watch it and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Also, this show gets credit for one of the best wacky neighbors - Howard the pilot played by the incomparable Bill Daley. Of all of the shows on this list, this is the one that I would recommend you check out before all others.

10) The Love Boat - The show was pretty lame though I can be talked into watching anything that could have Sonny Bono, Vincent Price, and Chart as guest stars on the same night. The theme, however, was a winner. Sure it was cheesy, but it fit the series perfectly and always gave me the impression that I would know I made it in life if I could take a cruise on a boat like the Pacific Princess (I haven’t so I guess that I’m still waiting to make it). Another reason that I love this show is that I have fond memories watching it with my Grandma when we would occasionally stay over at her house on Saturday nights. Her smart comments about all of the washed up actors and how bad they looked or untalented they were was the real entertainment of the evening. Plus, just the fact that she let us stay up late to watch it was a real treat in it of itself. She would make us popcorn and let us have a soda and we could just live it up. It’s funny how the most simple things in life end up being the most memorable. I’d give anything right now for an hour again with her and that show. Gosh, what fun.

Honorable mentions include the themes from Hawaii 5-0, The Golden Girls, Cheers, Sanford & Son, The Greatest America Hero, Good Times, The Odd Couple, Welcome Back Kotter, and Miami Vice

Now, I know that I’m being a real old-timer here by bringing out these ancient shows, but I will challenge you to a different binge-watching experience before passing judgment on my list. Just You Tube the ten opening theme songs/credits that I list here and watch them in order. You don’t even have to watch whole episodes of these shows (though if you the time you should). I guarantee that you will get a feel for what it was like when these shows were first on the tube. Or, if that’s too much work, I made you a playlist with a few other favorites:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2J8rLlC3FIAvaCLmQg95vT?si=fpgJ8wYaSH-V0M0gP12rvA

I am now at the ending point of this post. It’s always hard for me to come up with a good finish to one of these. I now realize that I need a good theme song. I guess that is going to be hard to convey in written form and also because I don’t have one, but hum something catchy in your head and play it across images of the great times you just had reading this blog.

Until next time....

Jim

P.S. - The last hour of “The Greatest Night in Television” on CBS was occupied by the Carol Burnett Show. A fantastic program, but not my favorite theme, so it did not make the list. Still worth checking out if you find it on somewhere if only to watch the cast crack up at Tim Conway’s antics.

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panclownrights · 7 years

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Get To Know The Blogger (Repost)

1. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?

Binge watch my current favorite shows and movies. (Currently: Parenthood, Skam, and 13 Reasons Why

2. What is your favorite piece of clothing you own / owned?

Leggings because they’re comfortable as fuck.

3. What hobby would you pick up if time & money weren't an issue?

Yoga seems fun and I try to be a chilled person.

4. What does your perfect room look like?

A rustic/vintage style room with a bunch of old cameras and maps and books but then also plants and fairy lights.

5. How often do you play sports?

If I played sports often I would not be on here.

6. What fictional place would you like to visit?

I want to visit Idris (Shadowhunters).

7. What job would you be terrible at?

I’m terrible at any job that you have to do under pressure (most jobs) so I would be a really bad waitress.

8. When was the last time you climbed a tree?

I have never climbed a tree.

9. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance of winning a medal for?

Being able to find out certain information on anyone about anything.

10. What is the most annoying habit that you or other people have?

I am ALWAYS late. I can never be on time for anything.

11. What job do you think you'd be really good at?

I think I would be good as a retail person or a makeup artist.

12. What skill would you like to master?

Drumming, guitar, piano, singing, and reading fast.

13. What would be the most amazing adventure to go on?

A road trip across the US with my friends.

14. If you had unlimited funds to build a house to live on for the rest of your life, what would the finished house look like?

An apartment type place that is an industrial building with old brick and a spiral staircase with a bunch of rustic accessories, located in a city.

15. What's your favorite drink?

Hot chocolate.

16. What state or country do you never want to go back to?

I have never been there but I never want to go to Idaho.. I don’t know why??

17. What songs do you have completely memorized?

Anything Troye Sivan, 5sos, most One Direction. A bunch of songs.

18. What game or movie universe would you like to live in?

Twilight in Forks, Washington.

19. What do you consider to be your best find?

Um... I dont know?

20. Are you usually early or late?

Late forever and always.

21. What pets did you have when you were growing up?

Two cats, two hamsters, a bunch of fish, hermit crabs, and a dog.

22. When people come to you for help, what do they usually need help with?

Mainly any type of advice. Boys usually with girls and girls usually with rumors and gossip.

23. What takes up too much of your time?

My phone, specifically a website called Quotev.

24. What do you wish you knew more about?

I wish I knew more about psychology.

25. What would be your first question after waking up from being frozen for 100 years?

Who the fuck froze me?

26. What are some small things that make your day better?

When an idol of mine posts a new picture or video. Or when a new clip or episode of one of my favorite shows comes out.

27. Who's your go-to band or artist when you don't know who or what to listen to?

5 Seconds of Summer.

28. What's the best way to start the day?

Waking up around 9 am, showering, and having a fruit with coffee.

29. What TV shows do you like?

Skam, Shameless, American Horror Story, Shadowhunters, Scream Queens, 13 Reasons Why, Modern Family, The Fosters, Riverdale, and Parenthood.

30. What TV channel doesn't exist but really should?

LGBTQ+ channel.

31. Who has impressed you most with what they've accomplished?

Any actors that started at a later age (19-23) and are on successful, popular shows or movies now.

32. What age do you wish you could stay at permanently?

22 seems pretty great.

33. What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch?

I refuse to watch most horror movies.

34. What's your ideal way to spend a weekend?

A successful binge weekend of movies and tv.

35. What is something that is considered a luxury, but you don't think you could live without?

My iphone.

36. What is your claim to fame?

I don’t know, acting??

37. What is something you enjoy doing the old-fashioned way?

I enjoy writing letters and reading physical books.

38. What's your favorite book or movie genre?

Fantasy or realistic - fiction.

39. How often do you people-watch?

Basically everyday.

40. What have you only recently formed an opinion about?

On how teenagers in high school need to be kinder towards each other and watch what they say and do that could be hurtful to someone else.

41. What's the best day of the year?

Halloween.

42. What subject interests you that not many people have heard of?

I’m pretty sure most people have heard of psychology and astronomy.

43. How do you relax after a long day of work?

Laying in bed and watching Netflix.

44. What's the best book series or TV series you've ever read or watched?

I have been watching Shadowhunters ever since it aired then watched the movie and now am currently reading the books.

45. Where is the farthest you've ever been from home?

I went from Florida to Boston without my family one summer.

46. What's the most heartwarming thing you've ever seen?

I have seen many heartwarming things.

47. What is the most annoying question people ask you?

Where do you want to go to college?

48. What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with no preparation?

Either Shadowhunters or Evan Peters.

49. If you were the dictator on a small island nation, what crazy dictator stuff would you do?

Make them all have some form of sparkly accessory and have any of my favorite shows air on each person’s televisions whenever they are on.

50. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?

They should take a trip alone.

51. Would you rather go hand gliding or whitewater rafting?

Whitewater rafting.

52. What's your dream car?

A purple jeep or a Volkswagen van.

53. What's worth spending more on to get the best?

Foundation always.

54. What is something a ton of people are obsessed with, but you just don't get?

Actually most trends like the thing on the back of people’s phones or the unicorn frap I do not understand.

55. What are you most looking forward to in the next 10 years?

Being able to travel.

56. Where is the most interesting place you've been?

Disney World.

57. What's something you've been meaning to try but haven't gotten around to it?

Playing the drums and yoga.

58. What is the best thing that happened to you last week?

I went on vacation.

59. What piece of entertainment do you wish you could erase from your mind, only to experience it for the first time again?

The Malec kiss scene in season 1 episode 12 on Shadowhunters.

60. If all jobs had the same pay rate and hours, what job would you want to have?

A retail job at Barnes & Noble.

61. What amazing thing have you done that no one was around to see?

Ace a Biology tests since I suck at science.

62. How different was your life 1 year ago?

I lived in a different state, went to public school, and had friends.

63. What quirks do you have?

I rant about my current obsessions, I do not know how to make eye contact, and I dodge away from conversations.

64. What would you rate 10/10?

My gay ships.

65. What fad or trend do you think should come back?

I thought the Rainbow Loom was awesome.

66. What is the most interesting piece of art you've seen?

Shirtless guys.

67. What kind of art do you enjoy most?

I enjoy face paint.

68. What do you hope never changes?

Our freedom of speech.

69. What city would you most like to live in?

Boston or New York City.

70. What movie title best describes your life?

The Art of Getting By. (The movie is basically me)

71. Why did you decide to do the work you are doing now?

I am not doing any work.

72. What's the best way a person can spend their time?

Doing what they are most passionate about and feeling care free about it.

73. If you suddenly became a master at woodworking, what would you make?

I would make furniture that looked like it was from a fairy tale world

74. Where is the most relaxing place you've ever been?

In a spa.

75. What's the luckiest thing that has ever happened to you?

I won a cute and expensive bag without realizing that’s what I signed up for.

76. Where would you rather be from?

I am from New York and I like being from there.

77. What are some things you've had to unlearn?

I did not have to, but every summer I forget everything I learned that year in math.

78. What do you look forward to in the next 6 months?

I am going on vacation with my cousins.

79. What website do you visit most often?

Quotev or Instagram.

80. What one thing do you really want but can't afford?

High quality makeup.

81. Where do you usually go when you have free time?

I go to my bedroom.

82. Where would you spend all your time if you could?

My bedroom.

83. What's special about the place you grew up?

I have never grown up in one place. I move every 4 years.

84. What age do you want to live to?

95 seems like a good age.

85. What are you most likely to become famous for?

Makeup or acting.

86. What are you absolutely determined to do?

To live my life to the fullest and not have regrets on things I did not do.

87. What is the most impressive thing you know how to do?

How to draw a skull on my face using just eye shadow.

88. What do you wish you knew more about?

I answered this question earlier on.

89. What question would you most like to know the answer to?

What is my future going to be?

90. What question can you ask to find out the most about a person?

What are your passions?

91. When was the last time you changed your opinion or belief about something major?

I stopped believing in my religion and the political opinions my family has.

92. What's the best compliment you've ever received?

You are really interesting to talk to.

93. As the only human left on earth, what would you do?

Scream as loud as possible.

94. Who inspires you to be better?

My idols (there are a lot).

95. What do you want your epitaph to be?

She lived a long, full life doing what she loved.

96. What haven't you grown out of?

Hugging my mom in public.

97. In what situation or place would you feel most out of place in?

A high school.

98. What's the dumbest thing you've done that actually turned out pretty well?

Throw a party.

99. If someone wrote a book on an event in your life, what would the book be about?

Nothing at all. I am not interesting.

100. What's something you will never do again?

Throw a party.

101. How do you hope you'll change as a person in the future?

I hope to be more confident, daring, and adventurous.

102. What keeps you up at night?

Things I keep putting off or events that happen the next day.

103. What's the most surprising self-realization you've had?

That I was a negative person and needed to change for the better.

104. What is the most illegal thing you've ever done?

Drink underage. Risky, I know.

105. How do you get in the way of your own success?

I am a big procrastinator.

106. What are you afraid people see when they look at you?

My body.

107. What is your biggest regret?

Not applying myself more (I’m still working on that).

108. What do you look down on people for?

The way they behave and treat others.

109. What bridges do you not regret burning?

Toxic or one sided relationships.

110. What lie do you tell most often?

I’m almost ready.

111. What would be your spirit animal?

A hedgehog.

112. What is the best & worst thing about getting older?

Living on your own.

113. What are you most likely very wrong about?

A lot of things.

114. If you had a personal flag, what would be on it?

A rainbow and glitter.

115. What's happened that changed your view on the world?

How negative or hurtful people can be.

116. What is the biggest lesson you've learned?

That there is no point in being negative about a situation because it will not do anything to fix it.

117. What is the most immature thing you do?

Wear hair bows.

118. What are you famous for among your friends & family?

Being the outcast.

119. If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?

The pool.

120. What one responsibility do you wish you didn't have?

Making money to live even if it is something you do not enjoy.

121. What are 3 things you want to accomplish before you die?

Travel to all the places I want to visit, being successful in some sort of way, and helping to make a difference somewhere.

122. What do you want to tell your 10-year-old self?

So far, 10 was back when things were simple so stay there till further notice.

123. What's the best thing you got from your parents?

Their attitude on doing what makes you happy.

124. What's the best thing about you?

I am passionate about many things and have big dreams.

125. What blows your mind?

How people think it is cool to not care about things.

126. Have you ever saved someone's life?

No.

127. What are you really good at but embarrassed to be good at?

How easy I can find out information about people.

128. What would a mirror opposite of you look like?

Black hair, dark skin, brown eyes, tall, skinny.

129. What are 3 interesting facts about you?

I watch about 5 movies a week, I am homeschooled, I have been to Disney 25 times.

130. Which of your scars has the best story behind it?

None of my scars have interesting stories.

131. What's the title of the current chapter in your life?

A work in progress.

132. What were some of the biggest turning points in your life?

When I went from public school to high school.

133. What's the hardest lesson you've learned?

It is hard to find genuine people who care about you when you’re young.

134. What do people think is weird about you?

My obsession with sparkles.

135. What mistake do you keep making?

Trusting people.

136. What have you created that you're most proud of?

I rewrote an alternate version of the ending to The Fault In Our Stars.

137. What do you doubt?

I have a bad habit of doubting my ability to be confident and social.

138. What are some of your morals?

Be kind, always. Do what you love. Have goals and make dreams. If you try hard enough and work your ass off, you will succeed. You are not getting anywhere with a negative attitude.

139. What do you want to be remembered for?

Making a difference in somebody’s life.

140. What do you regret not doing in your childhood years?

Having more of an opinion about things and standing up for myself.

141. What is your favorite fragrance?

The A&F store.

142. What do you think your last words will be?

I love you.

143. Who or what do you take for granted?

The amount of free time I have.

144. Why would you be annoying as a roommate?

I stay up super late with the lights on and take very long showers.

145. What is something you're insecure about?

My body.

146. What's the best & worst piece of advice you've received?

Do what you love is the best. Get a high paying job to make money is the worst.

147. What irrational fears do you have?

Not knowing what my future is.

148. What makes a good life?

Living the exact way you want to live with little regrets.

149. What's the last adventure you went on?

I don’t even know.

150. What is the most memorable gift you've received?

A ring my aunt gave me that was made from one of her mother’s stones she had on her old jewelry.

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