TUBE TUNES

TUBE TUNES
TUBE TUNES

This monthly podcast 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. The podcast also features 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, of course, full audio clips of the theme music itself accompany each episode.

  1. 04/15/2017

    S02E08: You’re In the Army Now (Part 1)

    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 Stordahl, Paul Weston and Sammy Cahn (based on their song "Day by Day," composed in 1946) GOMER PYLE - USMC (1964-1969) 1964-1969 opening and closing titles Music composed by Earle Hagen -Commercial Break- M*A*S*H (1972-1983) 1972-1983 opening and closing titles "Suicide is Painless" Music and lyrics (never used) written by Johnny Mandel (based on his music for the 1970 film "M*A*S*H") BONUS THEMES: BANYON 1972-1973 opening titles Music composed by Johnny Mandel TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. 1979-1986 opening titles Music composed by John Parker AfterMASH 1983-September 1984 opening titles Music composed by Patrick Williams (based loosely on "Suicide is Painless" by Johnny Mandel) September-December 1984 opening titles Music composed by Patrick Williams (based loosely on "Suicide is Painless" by Johnny Mandel) ROLL OUT! (1973-1974) 1973-1974 opening and closing titles Music composed by Dave Grusin BONUS THEMES: THE GHOST & MRS. MUIR 1968-1970 opening titles Music composed by Dave Grusin IT TAKES A THIEF September 1968-1970 opening titles Music composed by Dave Grusin; voice-over by Robert Wagner THE NAME OF THE GAME 1968-1971 opening titles Music composed by Dave Grusin DAN AUGUST 1970-1971 opening titles Music composed by Dave Grusin ST. ELSEWHERE 1986-1987 opening titles Music composed by Dave Grusin -Commercial Break- OPERATION PETTICOAT (1977-1979) 1977-1979 opening titles Music composed by Artie Butler BONUS THEMES: GRANDPA GOES TO WASHINGTON 1978-1979 opening titles Music composed by Artie Butler THE ARMY SHOW (1998) 1998 opening and closing titles Music composed by Jonathan Wolff BONUS THEMES: SEINFELD 1990-1998 closing titles Music composed by Jonathan Wolff CAROLINE IN THE CITY 1995-1999 closing titles Music composed by Jonathan Wolff WILL & GRACE 1998-1999 closing titles Music composed by Jonathan Wolff Also included are vintage promos for many of the series featured in this episode, as well as some ads that my podcasting friends provided to me to promote their own great podcasts; be sure to check them out. Many, many thanks to Zerbinator for his continued support.

  2. 03/29/2017

    S02E07: Please ‘B’ Mine

    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 Music composed by John E. Davis -Commercial Break- BARNEY MILLER (1975-1982) January 1975-September 1975 opening and closing titles Music composed by Jack Elliott & Allyn Ferguson September 1975-1976 opening and closing titles Music composed by Jack Elliott & Allyn Ferguson 1976-1977 opening and closing titles Music composed by Jack Elliott & Allyn Ferguson 1977-1982 opening and closing titles Music composed by Jack Elliott & Ferguson BONUS THEMES: FISH 1977-1978 opening and closing titles Music composed by Jack Elliott & Allyn Ferguson PISTOLS 'N' PETTICOATS 1966-1967 opening titles Music and lyrics written by Jack Elliott THE NEW DICK VAN DYKE SHOW 1971-1972 opening titles Music composed by Jack Elliott & Allyn Ferguson LOTSA LUCK! 1973-1974 opening titles Music and lyrics written by Jack Elliott & Allyn Ferguson, with Bill Persky & Sam Denoff; voice-overs by Dom DeLuise, Kathleen Freeman, Wynn Irwin, Beverly Sanders & Jack Knight CHARLIE'S ANGELS 1976-1977 opening titles Music composed by Jack Elliott & Allyn Ferguson; narrated by John Forsythe NIGHT COURT 1984-1992 opening titles Music composed by Jack Elliott BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1987-1990) 1987-1989 opening titles Music composed by Lee Holdridge; dialogue by Ron Perlman & Linda Hamilton BONUS THEMES: GEMINI MAN 1976 opening titles Music composed by Lee Holdridge and Mark Snow CODE R 1977 opening titles Music composed by Lee Holdridge EIGHT IS ENOUGH 1978-1981 opening titles Music composed by Lee Holdridge; lyrics written by Molly-Ann Leikin; performed by Grant Goodeve MOONLIGHTING 1985-1988 opening titles Music composed by Lee Holdridge; lyrics written and theme performed by Al Jarreau -Commercial Break- BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 (1990-2000) 1990-1991 opening titles Music composed by John E. Davis 1991-1992 opening titles Music composed by John E. Davis 1992-1993 opening titles Music composed by John E. Davis 1993-1994 opening titles Music composed by John E. Davis 1994-2000 opening titles Music composed by John E. Davis 1994-1995 closing titles Music composed by John E. Davis BONUS THEMES: MELROSE PLACE 1992-1999 opening titles Music composed by Tim Truman 90210 2008-2009 opening titles

  3. 03/19/2017

    S02E06: The A’s Have It

    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 IMPROBABLE HISTORY (both segments of ROCKY & HIS FRIENDS/THE BULLWINKLE SHOW), DRAGNET '67-'70, MAUDE, THE JEFFERSONS, ARCHIE BUNKER'S PLACE, GLORIA, THE CRITIC, NORTHERN EXPOSURE, and DEADWOOD. And I've included vintage promos for many of the series featured in this episode, as well as some ads that my podcasting friends provided to me to promote their own great podcasts; be sure to check them out. Many, many thanks to Zerbinator for his continued support. His encouragement and expertise are very much appreciated by me. You can find all of his fun-to-listen-to podcasts here, including my favorite, "Please Stand By." And I'd also like especially to thank him for providing the opening and closing theme music for Tube Tunes; all of his fantastic music can be found here. And, again, thanks are in order for him for providing TUBE TUNES with the "We'll Be Right Back" drops heard during the podcast. Thanks, Burford. I would also like to again thank Rob "Flack" O'Hara and Sean Johnson for adding TUBE TUNES to The Throwback Network. It's a great place to find just about any retro-themed podcast you can think of. Please check out the network here. I also need to thank the Free Music Archive for the following musical artists and songs that were used in this episode under the Creative Commons License: "Jingle Time" and "Smiling Cars" by David Szestay, "Maybe" and "So Far So Close" by Jahzzer, and "Little Tomcat (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward. Finally, my thanks to Ferg of The Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast. His inspiration and dedication to covering every game cartridge ever made for the Atari 2600 (I think over 1000 of them!) is what gave me the courage to begin this podcast. And his continued support and promotion of TUBE TUNES on his excellent podcast is greatly appreciated by yours truly. Please, check out his podcast, even if you're not an Atari 2600 collector; or at least visit his website here. Next Episode: "S02E07: Please 'B' Mine" (available March 2017)

  4. 01/31/2017

    S02E05: The Earle Hagen Themeography

    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. Spencer for MSI Spencer-Hagen -Commercial Break- THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW (1960-1968) [1960-1965 opening and closing main titles: "The Fishin' Hole"] [1965-1968 opening and closing main titles: "The Fishin' Hole"] THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW (1961-1966) [1961 (episodes 1-14) opening and closing main titles] [1962 (episodes 15-30) opening and closing main titles] [1962-1963; 1964-1965 opening main titles] [1963-1964; 1965-1966 opening main titles] GOMER PYLE - USMC (1964-1969) [1964-1969 opening and closing main titles] I SPY (1965-1968) [1965-1968 opening and closing main titles] THAT GIRL (1966-1971) [1966-1967 opening and closing main titles] [1967-1970 opening and closing main titles] [1970-1971 opening and closing main titles] -Commercial Break- RANGO (1967) [1967 opening and closing main titles] THE GUNS OF WILL SONNETT (1967-1969) [1967-1969 opening and closing main titles] THE DANNY THOMAS HOUR (1967-1968) [SORRY, NO THEME AVAILABLE] MAYBERRY, R.F.D. (1968-1971) [1969-1971 opening and closing main titles] THE MOD SQUAD (1968-1973) [1968-1973 opening and closing main titles] -Commercial Break- MAKE ROOM FOR GRANDDADDY (1970-1971) [1970-1971 opening and closing main titles: an arrangement of "Londonderry Air," a.k.a. "Danny Boy"] THE NEW PERRY MASON (1973-1974) [1973-1974 opening main titles] BIG EDDIE (1975) [1975 closing main titles] YOUNG DAN'L BOONE (1977) [1977 opening main titles (excerpt only)] MICKEY SPILLANE'S MIKE HAMMER/THE NEW MIKE HAMMER/MIKE HAMMER, PRIVATE EYE (1984-1987; 1997-1998) [1984-1986 opening main titles: "Harlem Nocturne" (composed in 1939)] [1986-1987 opening main titles: "Harlem Nocturne" (composed in 1939)] [1997-1998 opening main titles: "Harlem Nocturne" (composed in 1939)] I've included vintage promos and commercials for many of the series featured in this themeography episode. And you'll also have fun listening to some ads that my podcasting friends provided to me to promote their own great podcasts; be sure to check them out. Many, many thanks to Zerbinator for his continued support. His encouragement and expertise are very much appreciated by me. You can find all of his fun-to-listen-to podcasts here, including my favorite, "Please Stand By." And I'd also like especially to thank him for providing the opening and closing theme music for Tube Tunes; all of his fantastic music can be found here. And, again,

  5. 01/22/2017

    S02E04: Best of the Millennium

    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] Winner of Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2008 for composer Trevor Morris NURSE JACKIE (2009-2015) [opening and closing main titles] Winner of Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2010 for composers Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman -Commercial Break- THE BORGIAS (2011-2013) [opening and closing main titles] Winner of Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2012 for composer Trevor Morris JESSICA JONES (2015-present) [opening and closing main titles] Winner of Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music in 2016 for composer Sean Callery During the commercial breaks, I've included promos for the show MILLENNIUM starring Lance Henriksen; it ran on Fox between 1996 and 1999, and also starred Megan Gallagher and a pre-LOST Terry O'Quinn. And you'll also have fun listening to some ads that my podcasting friends provided to me to promote their own great podcasts; be sure to check them out. Many, many thanks to Zerbinator for his continued support. His encouragement and expertise are very much appreciated by me. You can find all of his fun-to-listen-to podcasts here, including my favorite, "Please Stand By." And I'd also like especially to thank him for providing the opening and closing theme music for Tube Tunes; all of his fantastic music can be found here. And, again, thanks are in order for him for providing TUBE TUNES with the "We'll Be Right Back" drops heard during the podcast. Thanks, Burford. I would also like to again thank Rob "Flack" O'Hara and Sean Johnson for adding TUBE TUNES to The Throwback Network. It's a great place to find just about any retro-themed podcast you can think of. Please check out the network here. I also need to thank the Free Music Archive for the following musical artists and songs that were used in this episode under the Creative Commons License: "Dancing On the Edge," "Endless Story of Sun and Moon," and "The Flames of Rome," all by Kai Engel; and "Sense the Wind" by Lee Rosevere. Finally, my thanks to Ferg of The Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast. His inspiration and dedication to covering every game cartridge ever made for the Atari 2600 (I think over 1000 of them!) is what gave me the courage to begin this podcast. And his continued support and promotion of TUBE TUNES on his excellent podcast is greatly appreciated by yours truly. Please, check out his podcast, even if you're not an Atari 2600 collector; or at least visit his website here. Next Episode: "S02E05: The Earle Hagen Themeography" (available January 2017)

    46 min
  6. 01/16/2017

    S02E03: Games People Play (Part 1)

    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 Weekday Nighttime opening & closing themes] [2002-2006 Weekday Nighttime opening theme] -Commercial Break- FAMILY FEUD (1976-1985; 1988-1995; 1999-present) [1975-1985 Weekday Daytime opening & closing themes] [1994-1995 Weekday Nighttime opening & closing themes] [2006-2010 Weekday Nighttime opening theme] [2010-present Weekday Nighttime opening theme] In keeping with the fun nature of this episode's focus, I've included vintage commercials for classic board games such as Operation, Battleship, Mouse Trap, and Gnip Gnop. And you'll also have fun listening to some ads that my podcasting friends provided to me to promote their own great podcasts; be sure to check them out. Many, many thanks to Zerbinator for his continued support. His encouragement and expertise are very much appreciated by me. You can find all of his fun-to-listen-to podcasts here, including my favorite, "Please Stand By." And I'd also like especially to thank him for providing the opening and closing theme music for Tube Tunes; all of his fantastic music can be found here. And, again, thanks are in order for him for providing TUBE TUNES with the "We'll Be Right Back" drops heard during the podcast. Thanks, Burford. I would also like to again thank Rob "Flack" O'Hara and Sean Johnson for adding TUBE TUNES to The Throwback Network. It's a great place to find just about any retro-themed podcast you can think of. Please check out the network here. I also need to thank the Free Music Archive for the following musical artists and songs that were used in this episode under the Creative Commons License: "The Savers" by Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley (used as the theme music for THE JOKER'S WILD), "Animal Booster Kiss" by The Cow Goes Moo, and "Happy Jambo" by Angel Garcia. Finally, my thanks to Ferg of The Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast. His inspiration and dedication to covering every game cartridge ever made for the Atari 2600 (I think over 1000 of them!) is what gave me the courage to begin this podcast. And his continued support and promotion of TUBE TUNES on his excellent podcast is greatly appreciated by yours truly. Please, check out his podcast, even if you're not an Atari 2600 collector; or at least visit his website here. Next Episode: "S02E04: Best of the Millennium" (available January 2017)

  7. 12/09/2016

    S02E02: Cable Hits (Part 1) – HBO

    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 FEET UNDER (2001-2005) [opening theme] THE WIRE (2002-2008) [2002 opening theme] [2003 opening theme] [2004 opening theme] [2006 opening theme] [2008 opening theme] [2002-08 closing theme] ENTOURAGE (2004-2011) [opening theme] BIG LOVE (2006-2011) [2006-09 opening theme] [2010-11 opening theme] TRUE BLOOD (2008-2014) [opening theme] -Commercial Break- EAST BOUND & DOWN (2009-2013) [closing theme] BOARDWALK EMPIRE (2010-2014) [opening theme] GAME OF THRONES (2011-present) [opening theme] GIRLS (2012-present) [closing theme] VEEP (2012-present) [opening theme] I've included vintage commercials and promos for Home Box Office (HBO). And you'll also have fun listening to some ads that my podcasting friends provided to me to promote their own great podcasts; be sure to check them out. Many, many thanks to Zerbinator for his continued support. His encouragement and expertise are very much appreciated by me. You can find all of his fun-to-listen-to podcasts here, including my favorite, "Please Stand By." And I'd also like especially to thank him for providing the opening and closing theme music for Tube Tunes; all of his fantastic music can be found here. And, again, thanks are in order for him for providing TUBE TUNES with the "We'll Be Right Back" drops heard during the podcast. Thanks, Burford. I would also like to again thank Rob "Flack" O'Hara and Sean Johnson for adding TUBE TUNES to The Throwback Network. It's a great place to find just about any retro-themed podcast you can think of. Please check out the network here. I also need to thank the Free Music Archive for the following musical artists and songs that were used in this episode under the Creative Commons License: "Secondment" by Simon Mathewson, "I'm What You'd Be Without Her" by Doctor Turtle, and "Linger," "Tornado," and "Night Surfing," all by David Szesztay. Finally, my thanks to Ferg of The Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast. His inspiration and dedication to covering every game cartridge ever made for the Atari 2600 (I think over 1000 of them!) is what gave me the courage to begin this podcast. And his continued support and promotion of TUBE TUNES on his excellent podcast is greatly appreciated by yours truly. Please, check out his podcast, even if you're not an Atari 2600 collector; or at least visit his website here. Next Episode: "S02E03: Games People Play (Part 1)'" (available January 2017)

    1h 37m
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

This monthly podcast 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. The podcast also features 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, of course, full audio clips of the theme music itself accompany each episode.

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