You know how you hear a song and instantly your mind takes you to a moment you haven’t thought about in decades? I love when that happens. Music is my favorite form of time travel, and it almost never causes a rift in the space-time-continuum.
As we begin the fall season of TV series (during the lull in the movie action), I find myself more critical of the new crop of programs. My life is ramping up with activities, and I’m just too busy to schedule in a series that is only so-so. Thus, if a new show wants a slot on my calendar, it needs to capture my attention. I want something to call to me.
When I was growing up, television shows had theme songs. The music and lyrics would call me to the living room like the Pied Piper. I’d race to get my homework finished so that my evenings would be available for my favorite sitcoms.
I’d claim my place on the couch and watch The Facts of Life, Cheers, or even The Partridge Family, and sing along with the themes. Shows like LA Law and M*A*S*H* didn’t have lyrics, but the music still called. I like theme songs.
At any given moment, I can cause my boys to stop and stare, simply by breaking into the lyrics from Laverne and Shirley or Bosom Buddies. I’m always amazed that I can remember the words to songs I haven’t heard in years, but once a trigger is pulled, there they are.
Imagine my delight when I discovered that Jimmy Fallon’s new series, Guys with Kids has a theme song. Imagine my complete joy to see Fallon’s segment where he, along with the cast of Guys with Kids, offers a musical history of TV theme songs. This is what I want to see. This gives me reason to smile!
History of TV Theme Songs, Jimmy Fallon
I have to share with you all, because I know you need a smile, and a quick trip back, just as much as I did!
That’s a wrap for this Toast to Cinema. Thanks for reading!