S01E06: Prime Time ‘Toons

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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) [opening]

-Commercial Break-

FEATURED SERIES #2:
THE SIMPSONS (1989-present)
[season 1 opening] [season 1 closing] [season 2-20 opening]

-Commercial Break-

LIGHTNING ROUND #2:
CAPITOL CRITTERS (1992) [opening]
FISH POLICE (1992) [opening]
BATMAN – THE ANIMATED SERIES (1992-1993) [opening]
FAMILY DOG (1993) [opening]
THE CRITIC (1994-1995) [opening]
PINKY & THE BRAIN (1995-1996) [opening]

-Commercial Break-

FEATURED SERIES #3:
KING OF THE HILL (1996-2009)
[1996 pilot opening]

-Commercial Break-

LIGHTNING ROUND #3:
STRESSED ERIC (1998) [opening]
THE PJs (1999-2001) [1999 pilot opening]
DILBERT (1999-2000) [opening]
FUTURAMA (1999-2003; 2010-2013) [opening] [closing]
HOME MOVIES (1999) [opening] [closing]
MISSION HILL (1999-2000; 2002) [opening] [closing]
GOD, THE DEVIL & BOB (2000; 2003) [opening]
THE OBLONGS (2001) [opening]
CLERKS – THE ANIMATED SERIES (2000) [opening]
BABY BLUES (2000-2002) [opening]

-Commercial Break-

FEATURED SERIES #4:
FAMILY GUY (1999-2002; 2005-present)
[opening] [closing]

-Commercial Break-

LIGHTNING ROUND #4:
GAME OVER (2004) [opening] [closing]
FATHER OF THE PRIDE (2004-2005) [opening]
AMERICAN DAD! (2005-present) [opening] [closing]
CREATURE COMFORTS (2007) [opening]
THE GOODE FAMILY (2009) [opening] [closing]
THE CLEVELAND SHOW (2009-2013) [opening] [closing]
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (2012) [opening]
BORDERTOWN (2016) [opening]

-Commercial Break-

FEATURED SERIES #4:
BOB’S BURGERS (2011-present)
[opening] [closing]

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. 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.

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: “S01E07: Cathode Ray Memories” (available March 20, 2016)

Only One Week Until “S01E06: Prime Time ‘Toons”

Oliver Wendell Douglas (groggily): “Hello? Who is this?”

Hank Kimball: “Howdy, Mr. Douglas!”

Oliver Wendell Douglas: “Mr. Kimball? What on earth are you calling me for? It’s 6 a.m.!”

Hank Kimball: “I just wanted to tell you the great news. Well, it isn’t exactly GREAT news…it’s actually pretty good news. Well, I don’t know if you’d call it news…it’s actually…         …oh, boy.”

Oliver Wendell Douglas: “Mr. Kimball, I hope you know that you’ve gotten me out of bed and -”

Hank Kimball: “I just knew you’d want to know.”

Oliver Wendell Douglas:”Want to know WHAT?!”

Hank Kimball: “About the TUBE TUNES podcast.”

Oliver Wendell Douglas: “What about it?”

Hank Kimball: “What about what?”

Oliver Wendell Douglas (angrily): “The TUBE TUNES podcast!”

Hank Kimball: “Oh, yeah. I just called to say that Season 1, Episode 6, which is all about animated series that aired during prime time, will be out in one week!”

Oliver Wendell Douglas: “What?! You got me outta bed to – ”

Hank Kimball: “I knew you’d want to know about the podcast, Mr. Douglas.”

Oliver Wendell Douglas: “Oh, that stupid podcast!”

Hank Kimball: “No, this is the TUBE TUNES podcast. The STUPID Podcast doesn’t come out until next month.”

Oliver Wendell Douglas: “Yes, and you’re going to be the featured guest!!!”

Hank Kimball (excitedly): “I am? Gosh, that makes three months in a row!”

S01E05: Who Loves Ya, Baby? Detectives of the 1970s (Part 1)

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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 1975), an ad for Colgate Toothpaste, and an ad for the softer side of Sears.

Please don’t worry if I didn’t get to your favorite 1970s TV detective. I promise to include them when Part 2 of “Detectives of the 1970s” returns during the Summer of 2016.

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. 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.

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: “S01E06: Prime Time ‘Toons” (available February 29, 2016)

“What’s that, Chief? Season 1, Episode 5 of TUBE TUNES isn’t out, yet?”

Chief: “That’s right, Max. You haven’t posted ‘Episode 5: Who Loves Ya, Baby? Detectives of the 1970s (Part 1)’ of TUBE TUNES on January 18 like you had hoped. You need to be on top of that, Max.”

Max: “Right, Chief. I plan to have it out to the feeds by Monday, January 25, though, so don’t despair. And send thanks to everyone for their patience, Chief.”

Chief: “That’s fine, Max.”

Max: “Oh, one more thing.”

Chief: “Yes, Max?”

Max: “Sorry about that, Chief.”

TUBE TUNES Is Now a Proud Member of The Throwback Network

TUBE TUNES: The Television Theme Music Podcast is now a proud member of The Throwback Network family of retro-themed podcasts. You can find a full list and descriptions of all of the podcasts on the network by clicking here. Whether your interest lies in movies (Throwback Reviews), running (The Average Runner), or just shooting the breeze (any of Zerbinator’s fun podcasts fit that bill), I’m sure you’ll find a podcast that suits you. And if you like retro video games (who doesn’t?), you’ll find all of your favorites here, including the grandaddy of them all, Ferg’s wonderful Atari 2600 Game by Game podcast. Please check them out. In the meantime, I’ll see you back here soon when the next episode of TUBE TUNES is released on January 18. Same bat-time, same bat-channel. Don’t miss it. Be here. Aloha.

-Mark

TUBETUNE logo 04 is a proud member of
The Throwback Network

S01E04: From CHECKMATE to Spielberg – The TV Theme Music of John Williams

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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)[1963-64 opening] [1963-64 closing] [1964-1965 opening]
GILLIAN’S ISLAND (1963 pilot only) [opening] [closing]
LOST IN SPACE (1965-1968) [1965-67 opening] [1967-68 opening]
THE TAMMY GRIMES SHOW (1966) [opening] [closing]
THE TIME TUNNEL (1966-1967) [opening]
LAND OF THE GIANTS (1968-1970) [1968-69 opening] [1969-70 opening]
THE COWBOYS (adaptation of his movie theme; 1974) [opening]
NBC NEWS (“The Mission”; 1985-present) [opening]
AMAZING STORIES (1985-1987) [opening] [closing]
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (2006-present) [opening]

Also included in this podcast are four vintage commercials for everyone’s favorite soft drink.

Many thanks to Zerbinator for helping me get this podcast off the ground, and 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. 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. Thanks, Burford.

Next Episode: “S01E05: Who Loves Ya, Baby? Detectives of the 1970s (Part 1)” (available January 25, 2016)

S01E03: A Wacky Week in 1965 (Part 2)

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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 continued support. 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 theme music for TUBE TUNES; all of his fantastic music can be found here. Thanks, Burford.

Next Episode: “S01E04: From CHECKMATE to Spielberg – The TV Theme Music of John Williams” (available January 3, 2016)

S01E02: A Wacky Week in 1965 (Part 1)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

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 continued support. 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 theme music for TUBE TUNES; all of his fantastic music can be found here. Thanks, Burford.

Next Episode: “S01E03: A Wacky Week in 1965 (Part 2)” (available December 13, 2015)

S01E01: Go West, Old Man – Adult Westerns of the 1950s (Part 1)

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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 theme music for TUBE TUNES; all of his fantastic music can be found here. Thanks, Burford.

Next Episodes: “S01E02: A Wacky Week in 1965 (Part 1)” and “S01E03: A Wacky Week in 1965 (Part 2)” (available December 13, 2015)

S01E00: Introduction

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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 the podcast!

Next Episode: “S01E01: Go West, Old Man: Adult Westerns of the 1950s (Part 1)” (available December 1, 2015)