# Most loved TV show themes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 19, 2012, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407 "2012-05-19T08:49:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/22 "2012-05-19T15:29:42Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I think the only shows from the `90s I have are The Sopranos, Twin Peaks, and Due South, and nothing afterwards. They just don’t make TV themes like they used to… [Maybe you’re not](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT2i2UylxJ0&feature=related) [watching the right shows.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19KPSB5IfOo&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/23 "2012-05-19T15:33:11Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > [Maybe you’re not](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT2i2UylxJ0&feature=related) [watching the right shows.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19KPSB5IfOo&feature=related) F’rinstance? Keep in mind that I live in Russia part-time and don’t always have access to the shows you might watch. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/24 "2012-05-19T15:33:46Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > [Maybe you’re not](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT2i2UylxJ0&feature=related) [watching the right shows.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19KPSB5IfOo&feature=related) Believe it or not, Dude, but I knew what those were going to be before I even clicked on them! Just add [this one!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVHOn-S82ms) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/25 "2012-05-19T15:37:26Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Believe it or not, Dude, but I knew what those were going to be before I even clicked on them! Just add [this one!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVHOn-S82ms) Ah, okay, I notice the links now! A couple of bad-ass themes, to be sure, but I’ve never seen either show… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/26 "2012-05-19T15:39:15Z")
In terms of cheesy, however, nothing is as wonderful as Disney’s 1950s ZORRO. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/27 "2012-05-19T15:42:13Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > In terms of cheesy, however, nothing is as wonderful as Disney’s 1950s ZORRO. How about the theme from Disney’s 1950s SWAMP FOX, starring Leslie Nielsen as Col. Francis Marion? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/28 "2012-05-19T15:45:12Z")
I find the Big Bang Theory theme pretty catchy. Done (like Malcolm in the Middle) by They Might Be Giants. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/29 "2012-05-19T15:49:30Z")
What, no _Miami Vice_? No _Gilligan’s Island_? No _The Prisoner_? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/30 "2012-05-19T15:54:27Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > What, no _Miami Vice_? > > No _Gilligan’s Island_? > > No _The Prisoner_? See above, please. Two out of three… 🙂 The most awesome Disney series ever: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/JDYId2Ab1o8/hqdefault.jpg "SCARECROW of ROMNEY MARSH") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDYId2Ab1o8) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/31 "2012-05-19T16:03:10Z")
I just had to post these. Possibly Disney’s second greatest series ever: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28LW6w7pCgg) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-SBPnw5riLM/hqdefault.jpg "Swamp Fox - The Birth of the Swamp Fox pt 1") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SBPnw5riLM) ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/32 "2012-05-19T16:04:43Z")
Falling (The Twin Peaks Theme) is easily one of the most haunting songs used as a TV theme. Speaking of haunting, how about Dark Shadows? ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/33 "2012-05-19T16:07:07Z")
[The Twilight Zone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVSRm80WzZk) ---
**Author:** ![LaurenIpsum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@LaurenIpsum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LaurenIpsum)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/34 "2012-05-19T16:13:58Z")
Cheers The Jeffersons The Mary Tyler Moore Show Community Laverne and Shirley Happy Days The Greatest American Hero (yes, really) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/35 "2012-05-19T16:40:31Z")
I love that y’all are mentioning oldies. Mike Hammer- definitely (thanks for naming it… never knew the name) I definitely remember Swamp Fox! Peter Gunn Mr. Lucky How about Robin Hood (the one with Richard Greene)? More recently: Monk ETA: Just listened to “Harlem Nocturne.” That was NOT the Mike Hammer theme. I shall research further. Okay, further correction… I’m talking about “Mike Hammer” from the '60’s with Darren McGaven. Harlem Nocturne seems to be the theme for a later one with (?) Stacy Keach. Typing fast so as not to miss the edit time limit. I believe the '60’s show may have been called “Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer.” Back with more soon. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/36 "2012-05-19T16:45:40Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I love that y’all are mentioning oldies. > > Mike Hammer- definitely (thanks for naming it… never knew the name) > I definitely remember Swamp Fox! > Peter Gunn > Mr. Lucky > > How about Robin Hood (the one with Richard Greene)? > > More recently: Monk > ETA: Just listened to “Harlem Nocturne.” That was NOT the Mike Hammer theme. I shall research further. I hope you’re remembering the one from radio. If so, it was [Streetcar Named Desire - Main Theme](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FaDve3_SIU) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/37 "2012-05-19T16:47:27Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > I hope you’re remembering the one from radio. If so, it was [Streetcar Named Desire - Main Theme](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FaDve3_SIU) Are you talking about the series that starred Stacey Keach? I’m pretty sure that’s the name of the tune. I just checked. It is. But the other theme is great, too. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BTua5yI_jJo/hqdefault.jpg "Mike Hammer Theme Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTua5yI_jJo) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/z1Isj51Px6o/hqdefault.jpg "Harlem nocturne") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Isj51Px6o) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/38 "2012-05-19T16:51:31Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Okay, further correction… I’m talking about “Mike Hammer” from the '60’s with Darren McGaven. Harlem Nocturne seems to be the theme for a later one with (?) Stacy Keach. Typing fast so as not to miss the edit time limit. I believe the '60’s show may have been called “Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer.” Back with more soon. Aha, alles ist jetzt klar! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/39 "2012-05-19T16:52:09Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Are you talking about the series that starred Stacey Keach? I’m pretty sure that’s the name of the tune. No, _Harlem Nocturne_ (by the same guy who composed the _Andy Griffith Show_ theme – Earle Hagen) was used for the Keach Hammer. I seem to recall another Hammer between radio and Keach, though. The radio Hammer was played by Ted de Corsia. (see [Ted de Corsia - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_de_Corsia)) ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/40 "2012-05-19T16:54:48Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > ETA: Just listened to “Harlem Nocturne.” That was NOT the Mike Hammer theme. I shall research further. > > Okay, further correction… I’m talking about “Mike Hammer” from the '60’s with Darren McGaven. Harlem Nocturne seems to be the theme for a later one with (?) Stacy Keach. Typing fast so as not to miss the edit time limit. I believe the '60’s show may have been called “Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer.” Back with more soon. > [@Zeldar](#): > > I seem to recall another Hammer between radio and Keach, though. The radio Hammer was played by Ted de Corsia. (see [Ted de Corsia - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_de_Corsia)) The McGavin one was the one I had trouble remembering! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407/41 "2012-05-19T16:54:52Z")
Okay. Here it is. [Mike Hammer (1956-1959)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050039/) Here’s the tune! [“Riff Blues”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9s_4t7ilf4) To me this melody and especially this arrangement captures a mood of urban, burned-out loneliness… a man wandering the streets late in the day, not having anywhere in particular to go, lengthening shadows, lighting cigarette ofter cigarette. I’ve loved this tune since I was a little girl and way too young to have experienced any of those feelings. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-loved-tv-show-themes/622407.md?page=3)