# TV show changes theme song: Do you prefer the new one? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2026, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002 "2026-01-25T10:14:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/1 "2026-01-25T10:14:18Z")
Sometimes, a TV show changes its distinctive theme music. Sometimes it’s a subtle variation on the original, that makes total sense. Sometimes it’s a clean break from Season One (_Lost in Space, Monk_). Have you ever _preferred_ the new one? ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/2 "2026-01-25T11:21:30Z")
I think Everybody Loves Raymond had multiple theme songs. My preference is Jungle Love, just because I like the song. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/3 "2026-01-25T11:45:36Z")
> [@Horatio\_Hellpop](#): > > Have you ever _preferred_ the new one? I was pleased when they added “_the Professor and Mary Ann_”. Especially Mary Ann, as I firmly a camp Mary Ann type of guy! 😘 ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/4 "2026-01-25T12:41:57Z")
I liked how “The Wire” had different versions of Tom Waits’ “Way Down In The Hole” for each season. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/5 "2026-01-25T12:52:01Z")
_The Cosby Show_ had a different theme song each season. I had no particular preference, though. _Monk_ changed it after the first season. I preferred the new one because I like Randy Newman. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/6 "2026-01-25T14:30:09Z")
_The Drew Carey Show_ had a variety of theme songs, each with a song and dance routine by the cast. Cleveland Rocks was the most often used, but I really liked What is Hip? Five O’Clock World was the original, I think, and probably my least favorite. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/7 "2026-01-25T14:33:20Z")
Probably cheating as they are basically the same song, but I liked Tennant’s version of the Dr. Who theme the best. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/8 "2026-01-25T14:33:58Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Five O’Clock World was the original, I think, and probably my least favorite. That would be “Moon Over Parma.” ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/9 "2026-01-25T14:36:57Z")
I thought _Peep Show_ made the right choice when it switched to Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta” from whatever that knockoff “Curb Your Enthusiasm” theme was. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/10 "2026-01-25T15:04:53Z")
I much preferred the use of “Rock Around the Clock” for the first two seasons of _Happy Days_. Garry Marshal must have gotten sick of writing royalty checks to Bill Haley. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/11 "2026-01-25T15:07:29Z")
Original Monk fan here. Marci Maven: "if you ever get your own tv show never change the theme song” Hawaii 5-0s iconic (it should be the national anthem) theme music actually changed nearly every year. Just the arrangement, not the tune itself. But, to the OP, I’m not sure which one is best. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/12 "2026-01-25T15:10:51Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Hawaii 5-0s iconic (it should be the national anthem) theme music I think it would be a lot better than the current “To Anacreon in Heaven” tune. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/13 "2026-01-25T15:17:55Z")
The song and opening credits scene of the second season of _Peacemaker_ grew on me but I still prefer the first season. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/14 "2026-01-25T15:29:47Z")
I prefer 3rd season **Lost in Space** theme but I’m a sucker for French horns. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/15 "2026-01-25T17:04:21Z")
Patrick McGoohan was _“Danger Man”_ , then _“Secret Agent Man”_ in the U.S. (before he was _“The Prisoner”)._ Loved _Danger Man,_ wasn’t so sure about the theme on… harpsichord? Is there a less dangerous instrument? The longer theme gets jazzier in the middle… [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLgNPYw9QMw/hqdefault.jpg "Tv Theme Danger Man (Full Version)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLgNPYw9QMw) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/16 "2026-01-25T19:08:23Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Loved _Danger Man,_ wasn’t so sure about the theme on… harpsichord? Pretty sure that’s a **bouzouki**. Its spy/thriller cred dates back to _The Third Man_. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/17 "2026-01-25T19:35:28Z")
**The Third Man** music was done on zither (the movie, anyway). “Shut that bloody bouzouki up!” ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/18 "2026-01-25T19:38:04Z")
D’oh! ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/19 "2026-01-25T19:39:14Z")
For years I thought they switched when _Happy Days_ went into syndication. I didn’t realize that it came during the series’ original run. I agree with you, though: _Rock Around the Clock_ was a much better theme. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/20 "2026-01-25T20:58:13Z")
Jungle Love was never the theme song, though I like it a lot and love the episode in which they play it (everyone is at Frank and Marie’s and they’re snowed in). However, the visuals changed each year and those are clever. As a kid, I was excited when they added lyrics to **That Girl’s** theme. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002.md?page=2)