Comments on: But Seriously, Why Were ’70s and ’80s TV Themes So Awesome?

By: Vidiot

Vidiot — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:50:15 +0000

The original "E.R." opening montage was really good, but my all-time hands-down favorite, for combination of theme (yep, it's Mike Post) and some absolutely beautiful video editing would have to be the long version of the "NYPD Blue" open.

By: Jay Wilson

Jay Wilson — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 05:19:01 +0000

Joel, I think you hit the nail right on the head when you mentioned the time element. With the trend for super-short into themes, a musician really, really has his hands tied in creating a kickin’ opening. While my inner fanboy would love to verbally lash you for taking a dump on the Fall Guy theme, I must praise you for bringing the name Mike Post back to the forefront of my memories – that was one talented mofo (btw, I always thought that the Hill Street Blues theme was licensed…maybe I just heard an extended version on the radio when I was young’un or something).

But I’d like to present one of my favorite themes: the opening of Battle of the Planets. Gotta love the horns and swirly effects.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoO5H_UKCrw

By: chus3r

chus3r — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:48:29 +0000

Dude, you guys totally missed out on Spiderman. http://youtube.com/watch?v=JUcktiQxC9Q

I know it wasn’t prime time or anything but c’mon, it’s got funk.

The Incredible Hulk intro is crazy. Kind of like a cross between a horror/thriller and soap opera mixed with a sprinkle of saturday morning cartoon.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TujifzRVETA

Another non-primetime from the 70’s Fat Albert! http://youtube.com/watch?v=7lOAAEN4zTg

By: Joe Mahoney

Joe Mahoney — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:32:30 +0000

Apparently my copy & paste foo is broken. This should link to the horns, strings and keys theme: http://youtube.com/watch?v=eNYDNtVs1PE

By: Joe Mahoney

Joe Mahoney — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:30:47 +0000

The original theme for most of season one of Magnum P.I. was not so awesome. Lots of strings, no rocking out. http://youtube.com/watch?v=eNYDNtVs1PE. If a show had that kind of theme these days the networks would probably cancel it rather than change.

By: hubs

hubs — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:07:00 +0000

Ummm. Taxi!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzhwx8aOO0A&feature=related

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:41:31 +0000

helllooooo Greatest American Hero!!!

By: Rob Beschizza

Rob Beschizza — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:30:30 +0000

It is with both delight and disappointment that I find that twoeightnine has beaten me to adding Airwolf to the list.

It is the platonic form of the 1980s TV theme come to life. Its only rival is the theme to Terrahawks, which was re-used in a recruitment video by the Panamanian riot police.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9t4lpEXRFaY

“Rest assured, the next shot will kill you, clone!

By: sir jorge

sir jorge — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:11:33 +0000

the 80’s had cool ones, but the 90’s had some really good ones too

By: middy

middy — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:49:03 +0000

/me shakes head sadly…

By: twoeightnine

twoeightnine — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:18:50 +0000

What kind of man are you Joel?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z0KpS0f480