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This episode, packed with 34 opening and closing theme tunes, will focus on the theme music of seven representative military sitcoms from the 1950s up to the present, some of them well-known, some of them forgotten. Here are the series and theme tunes included in this episode: YOU'LL NEVER GET RICH/THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW/SERGEANT BILCO (1955-1959) 1955-1959 syndicated reruns opening and closing titles Music composed by John Strauss; opening voice-over by Phil Silvers BONUS THEMES: CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU? 1961-1963 opening titles Music composed by John Strauss; lyrics written by Nat Hiken McHALE'S NAVY (1962-1966) 1962-1963 opening and closing titles Music composed by Axel Stordahl 1963-1964 opening and closing titles Music composed by Axel Stordahl 1964-1966 opening and closing titles Music composed by Axel Stordahl; arranged by Jerry Fielding BONUS THEMES: BROADSIDE 1964-1965 opening and closing titles Music composed by Jerry Fielding DAY BY DAY 1988-1989 opening titles Music and lyrics written by Axel S

To commemorate the extraordinary life and career of comedian Don Rickles, who died today at age 90, I'm posting this TUBE TUNES TURBO TUNE episode about the TV series for which he'll probably be best remembered: CPO SHARKEY, which ran on NBC from 1976 to 1978. The theme music for CPO SHARKEY was composed by Peter Matz, a veteran of THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW. I hope you enjoy this brief look at (and listen to) the theme music of a very funny show with a very funny man.

This episode, packed with 46 opening and closing theme tunes, will focus on the theme music to seven series, each from a different decade from the 1950s up to the present, and all of them with titles beginning with the letter B. Here are the series and theme tunes included in this episode: BLONDIE (1957) 1957 opening and closing titles Music composed by Leon Klatzkin; opening screeching by Arthur Lake BONUS THEMES: THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN 1952-1958 opening titles Music composed by Leon Klatzkin BLONDIE (1968 revival) 1968-1969 opening titles Music composed by Al Brodax & Bernard Green; lyrics written by Dennis Marks; performed by Patricia Harty and Will Hutchins BURKE'S LAW/AMOS BURKE-SECRET AGENT (1963-1966) 1963-1965 opening and closing titles Music composed by Herschel Burke Gilbert 1965-1966 opening and closing titles Music composed by Herschel Burke Gilbert BONUS THEMES: HONEY WEST 1965-1966 opening titles Music composed by Herschel Burke Gilbert BURKE'S LAW (1994 revival) 1994-1994 opening titles

Brought to you by the letter A, this episode will focus on the theme music to seven series, each from a different decade from the 1950s up to the present, and all of them with titles beginning with A. Here are the series included in this episode: THE ABBOTT AND COSTELLO SHOW (1952-1954) [1952-1953 opening titles] [1953-1954 opening titles] ADAM-12 (1968-1975) [1968-1969 opening titles] [1969-1970 opening titles] -Commercial Break- ALL IN THE FAMILY (1971-1979) [January 1971-September 1971 opening titles] [September 1971-1975 opening titles] [1975-1978 opening titles] [1978-1979 opening titles] [1971-1979 closing titles] ALF (1986-1990) [1986-1988 opening titles] [1988-1990 opening titles] ALLY McBEAL (1997-2002) [1997-2002 opening titles] -Commercial Break- ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (2003-2006; 2013) [2003-2005/2013 opening titles] [2003-2006/2013 closing titles] THE AMERICANS (2013-present) [2013-present opening and closing titles] Also included is bonus theme music to FRACTURED FAIRY TALE and PEABODY'S IMPROBABL

In this episode, I briefly explore 20 classic television series from the 1950s through the 1980s with memorable theme music composed and/or co-composed by prolific theme tune writer Earle Hagen. Here are the series included in this episode: MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY/THE DANNY THOMAS SHOW (1953-1964) [1956-1964 opening main titles: an arrangement of "Londonderry Air," a.k.a. "Danny Boy"] [1956-1964 syndicated reruns opening and closing main titles: an arrangement of "Londonderry Air," a.k.a. "Danny Boy"] with Herbert W. Spencer for MSI Spencer-Hagen WHERE'S RAYMOND/THE RAY BOLGER SHOW (1953-1955) [1953-1955 opening and closing main titles] with Herbert W. Spencer for MSI Spencer-Hagen IT'S ALWAYS JAN (1955-1956) [1955-1956 opening and closing main titles] with Herbert W. Spencer for MSI Spencer-Hagen MY SISTER EILEEN (1960-1961) [1960-1961 opening and closing main titles] with Herbert W. Spencer for MSI Spencer-Hagen THE BARBARA STANWYCK SHOW (1960-1961) [1960-1961 opening and closing main titles] with Herbert W. Sp

In this episode I present eight Emmy-winning theme tunes (along with lots of trivia) from seven selected series that aired during the New Millennium (between 1999 and the present). Here are the shows and theme music featured: THE WEST WING (1999-2006) [1999-2000 opening and closing main titles] [2000-2006 opening and closing main titles] Winner of Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2000 for composer W.G. Snuffy Walden MONK (2002-2009) [2002-2003 opening main titles] Winner of Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2003 for composer Jeff Beal [2003-2009 opening main titles: "It's a Jungle Out There"] Winner of Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2004 for composer Randy Newman -Commercial Break- DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (2004-2012) [opening and closing main titles] Winner of Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2005 for composer Danny Elfman THE TUDORS (2007-2010) [opening and closing main titles

In this episode I present series synopses and theme music of five of the most popular game shows to air on American daytime and prime time television, starting with the few venerable game shows that are still running today. Here are the five shows (and 26 themes) I'm featuring: THE PRICE IS RIGHT (1956-1965; 1972-present) [1956-1961 Weekly Nighttime opening & closing themes] [1961-1964 Weekly Nighttime opening & closing themes] [1972-present Weekday Daytime opening & closing themes] LET'S MAKE A DEAL (1963-1977; 1980; 1984-1986; 1990-1991; 2003; 2009-present) [1967-1977 Weekly Nighttime opening & closing themes] [1984-1986 Weekday Daytime opening theme] [1990-1991 Weekday Daytime opening theme] [2009-present Weekday Daytime opening theme] -Commercial Break- JEOPARDY! (1964-1975; 1978-1979; 1984-present) [1964-1975 Weekday Daytime opening & closing themes] [1984-present Weekday Nighttime opening & closing themes] WHEEL OF FORTUNE (1975-present) [1975-1983 Weekday Daytime opening & closing themes] [1989-1994 We

In this extra-length episode, I briefly explore 22 of the most popular and well-known series that aired as original programming on Home Box Office, or HBO as it is now known. I explore their stories, their stars, and their impact on both the pay and free TV landscape. And of course I present information about each series' theme music and theme music composers. Here are the series included in this episode: NOT NECESSARILY THE NEWS (1983-1990) [1983-85 opening theme] [1985-90 opening theme] FRAGGLE ROCK (1983-1988) [opening theme] THE HITCHHIKER (1983-1987/1989-1991) [opening theme]  1st & TEN: THE CHAMPIONSHIP (1984-1991) [opening theme] TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1989-1995) [opening theme] DREAM ON (1990-1996) [opening theme] -Commercial Break- THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW (1992-1998) [opening theme] ARLI$$ (1996-2002) [opening theme] OZ (1997-2003) [opening theme] SEX AND THE CITY (1998-2004) [opening theme] THE SOPRANOS (1999-2007) [opening theme] CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (2000-2011) [closing theme] -Commercial Break- SIX

In this episode, a sequel to "S01E01: Go West, Old Man - Adult Westerns of the 1950s (Part 1)", I explore ten more adult-oriented western dramas from the 1950s. I'll explore their stories, their stars, their impact on the western genre, and of course their theme tunes, some of them very familiar. And if your favorite adult western of the 1950s was not included in either episode, don't despair, partner; there will be a Part 3 episode in the future. Here are the series included in this episode: TALES OF WELLS FARGO (1957-62) [1957-62 opening theme] [1957-62 closing theme] THE RIFLEMAN (1958-63) [1959-60 opening theme] [1959-60 closing theme] [1960-63 opening theme] [1960-63 closing theme] LAWMAN (1958-62) [1958-62 opening theme] [1958-62 closing theme] -Commercial Break- BAT MASTERSON (1958-61) [1958-61 opening theme] [1958-61 closing theme] RAWHIDE (1959-66) [1959-66 opening theme] [1959-66 closing theme] BONANZA (1959-73) [1959-70/1972-73 opening theme] [1959-70/1972-1973 closing theme] [1970-72 opening theme

In this episode, I explore some iconic theme music from science fiction series set (as a whole or in part) within the outer reaches of space. I'll leave other supernatural shows such as THE TWILIGHT ZONE, THE X-FILES and even LOST to a future episode of TUBE TUNES. In this episode I'll be looking at six well-known TV space dramas, one representative series from each decade from the 1950s to the 2000s; I'll explore their stories, their stars, their impact on the science fiction canon, and of course their theme tunes. Here are the series included in this episode: The 1950s: CAPTAIN VIDEO AND HIS VIDEO RANGERS (1949-1955) [opening theme] The 1960s: STAR TREK (1966-1969) [opening & closing themes] Also included in this segment: STAR TREK (The Animated Series) (1973-1975) [opening & closing themes] STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE (1993-1999) [opening & closing themes] STAR TREK: VOYAGER (1995-2001) [opening & closing themes] STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE (2001-2005) [opening & closing themes] -Commercial Break- The 1970s: BATT

In this double-length episode, I explore the long and prolific career of TV theme composer extraordinaire, Mike Post. His influence on TV theme music cannot be underestimated, beginning with his collaboration with his longtime partner Pete Carpenter (1973-1986), and then on up to his stellar solo career as a theme composer thereafter. This surveys covers all 51 of the shows in which Mike Post composed or co-composed the theme music, including the following series: GRIFF (1973-74) [opening theme] TOMA (1973-74) [opening theme] THE ROCKFORD FILES (1974-80) [1974-75 opening theme] BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP/THE BLACK SHEEP SQUADRON (1976-78) [opening theme] RICHIE BROCKELMAN, PRIVATE EYE (1978) [opening theme] THE WHITE SHADOW (1978-81) [opening theme] THE DUKE (1979) [opening theme] 240-ROBERT (1979-81) [pilot opening theme] BIG SHAMUS, LITTLE SHAMUS (1979) [opening theme] -Commercial Break- TENSPEED AND BROWN SHOE (1980) [opening theme] MAGNUM, P.I. (1980-88) [episode 6 of season 1-1988 opening theme] HILL STREET BLU

In this regular-length episode, I wax nostalgic about my earliest and most influential television memories, and how what I watched impacted my sense of humor, my appreciation of drama and music, my love of animals, and my general outlook on life. Of course the theme music for the shows I discuss are included, many of them presented in stereo, as well as a brief synopses of the shows. This survey includes the following themes: THE TWILIGHT ZONE (1959-1964) [episode 1-31 opening] [episode 1-31 closing] [episode 32-36 opening] [episode 32-26 closing] [season 2 opening] [season 2 closing] [season 3 opening] [season 3 closing] [season 5 opening] [season 5 closing] -Commercial Break- CAPTAIN KANGAROO (1955-1984) [1955-1974 opening] [1974-1982 opening] -The Mystery Tune- GILLIAN'S ISLAND (1964-1967) [season 1 opening from Tape 1] -Commercial Break- GENTLE BEN (1967-1969) [opening] -Commercial Break- MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS (1969-1974) [opening] The commercials include three vintage promo drops from WTCG-TV 17 i

In this double-length episode packed with theme music, many of them presented in stereo, the broadcast histories, stars and (of course) the TV theme music of 40 animated broadcast network series from 1960 to the present are explored. Here is the layout for this extended episode: FEATURED SERIES #1: THE FLINTSTONES (1960-1966) [season 1-2 opening] [season 1-2 closing] [season 3-6 opening] [season 3-6 closing] -Commercial Break- LIGHTNING ROUND #1: THE BUGS BUNNY SHOW (1960-1961) [season 1 opening] [season 1 closing] THE BULLWINKLE SHOW (1960-1961) [opening theme & fanfare] [closing] TOP CAT (1961-1962) [opening] CALVIN AND THE COLONEL (1961-1962) [opening] [closing] THE ALVIN SHOW (1961-1962) [opening] THE JETSONS (1962-1963) [opening] [closing] THE ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST (1964-1965) [opening] [closing] THE FAMOUS ADVENTURES OF MR. MAGOO (1964-1965) [opening] THE NEW ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN (1968-1970) [opening] [closing] WHERE'S HUDDLES (1970) [opening] WAIT TILL YOUR FATHER GETS HOME (1972-1974) [o

In this double-length episode packed with theme music, many of them presented in stereo, the broadcast histories, stars and (of course) the TV theme music of 10 iconic police and private-eye detective dramas that aired most of their respective episodes during the 1970s are explored. This survey includes the following themes: IRONSIDE (1967-1975) [season 1 opening] MANNIX (1967-1975) [season 2 opening] [closing] THE MOD SQUAD (1968-1973) [opening] [closing] HAWAII FIVE-O (1968-1980) [season 1 opening] [season 1 closing] CANNON (1971-1975) [season 2 opening] BARNABY JONES (1973-1980) [season 8 opening] [closing] TOMA (1973-1974) [opening] KOJAK (1973-1978) [opening] [closing] THE ROCKFORD FILES (1974-1980) [season 1 opening] [season 1 closing] DELVECCHIO (1976-1977) [opening] Also included in this podcast are four vintage commercials, including a public service announcement for Keeping America Beautiful (with CANNON's William Conrad narrating), a promo for the premiere of RHYME & REASON (an ABC game show in 197

In this episode (my most popular episode to date), presented in stereo for the first time, the TV theme music of award-winning film composer John Williams is explored. Mr. Williams is best known as the musical composer for nearly 100 movies, notably those of director Steven Spielberg, for whom he has composed every movie except for two ("The Color Purple" and "Bridge of Spies"). His prolific musical legacy includes the well-known scores to "Jaws," all seven "Star Wars" movies, all four (soon to be five) Indiana Jones movies, "E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial," "Superman," the first two "Jurassic Park" movies, the first three "Harry Potter" movies, "The Witches of Eastwick," and many others. This survey includes the following themes to 14 series that aired beginning in 1960: CHECKMATE (1960-1962) [opening] [closing] ALCOA PREMIERE (1961-1963) [opening] [closing] WIDE COUNTRY (1962-1963) [opening] [closing] BOB HOPE PRESENTS THE CHRYSLER THEATRE (1963-1967) [opening] [closing] KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE (1963-1965)[196

S01E02 and S01E03 of TUBE TUNES together explore the histories and theme music of eleven kooky sitcoms that aired in a typical week 50 years ago (December 1965). Episode 2 covers six of the sitcoms, and Episode 3 covers another five. Included in both episodes are the iconic theme tunes of each show, brief biographies of the theme composers and lyricists for each series, a rundown of the stars, synopses and broadcast histories of each show, and trivia about all of them. The series explored in "S01E02: A Wacky Week in 1965 (Part 1)": I DREAM OF JEANNIE, GET SMART, MY FAVORITE MARTIAN, MY MOTHER, THE CAR, F TROOP and THE MUNSTERS. Vintage commercials included: Top Brass Hair Creme and Levi's Jeans. The series explored in "S01E03: A Wacky Week in 1965 (Part 2)": GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, BEWITCHED, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, HOGAN'S HEROES and THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS SHOW. Vintage commercials included: Post Raisin Bran and Adams Gum. Many thanks to Zerbinator for helping me get this podcast off the ground, and for his continue

S01E02 and S01E03 of TUBE TUNES together explore the histories and theme music of eleven kooky sitcoms that aired in a typical week 50 years ago (December 1965). Episode 2 covers six of the sitcoms, and Episode 3 covers another five. Included in both episodes are the iconic theme tunes of each show, brief biographies of the theme composers and lyricists for each series, a rundown of the stars, synopses and broadcast histories of each show, and trivia about all of them. The series explored in "S01E02: A Wacky Week in 1965 (Part 1)": I DREAM OF JEANNIE, GET SMART, MY FAVORITE MARTIAN, MY MOTHER, THE CAR, F TROOP and THE MUNSTERS. Vintage commercials included: Top Brass Hair Creme and Levi's Jeans. The series explored in "S01E03: A Wacky Week in 1965 (Part 2)": GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, BEWITCHED, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, HOGAN'S HEROES and THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS SHOW. Vintage commercials included: Post Raisin Bran and Adams Gum. Many thanks to Zerbinator for helping me get this podcast off the ground, and for his continue

This episode of TUBE TUNES explores the rise of the adult westerns in the 1950s by focusing on ten of them (Part 2 will cover another ten or so in a later episode). Included are the iconic theme tunes of each show, brief biographies of the theme composers and lyricists for each series, a rundown of the stars, synopses and broadcast histories of each show, and trivia about all of them. The series explored in this episode: GUNSMOKE, THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP, CHEYENNE, HAVE GUN - WILL TRAVEL, SUGARFOOT, WAGON TRAIN, MAVERICK, WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE, BRONCO, and THE TEXAN. A few vintage commercials (Budweiser Beer, Great American Soups, Hershey Chocolate, and Sergio Valente Jeans) are also interspersed throughout the podcast. Thanks to Zerbinator for helping me get this podcast off the ground and running. His encouragement and expertise are very much appreciated by me. You can find all of his fun-to-listen-to podcasts here. And I'd also like especially to thank him for providing the opening and closing

  TUBE TUNES is the first podcast that takes an in-depth look at the history of American television through the theme music that began and ended most every series from TV’s earliest days in the late 1940s through to the present day. Biographies of the composers, lyricists and performers are included in each bi-weekly episode. Also featured are brief biographies of the series’ stars, a look at the series’ broadcast history, a synopsis of each show, and fun facts about all of them. And full audio clips of the theme music itself accompany each episode. I’ve arranged each episode to cover a certain “theme” (pardon the pun), such as a genre of shows (westerns, crime dramas, sitcoms, etc.) or maybe a look (and listen) at a specific composer. Also included in every episode are vintage audio clips of commercials, psa’s, promos and jingles, interspersed throughout the podcast. And eventually a mystery theme tune will be added to future episodes to give my intrepid listeners an exercise in memory. I hope you enjoy