The Television Theme

We have all heard them and become familiar with the opening cue of our favorite television shows. The theme songs to the shows we have grown to love are what have made it familiar to us and is what makes the show memorable.

 

According to Wikipedia, theme music is a piece often written specifically for a radio, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the intro, during the title sequence and/or ending credits. Also according to Wikipedia, the purpose of a theme song is to establish a mood for the show and to generate an audible cue for that specific program.

 

I couldn't agree more.

 

When you pause and think about some of the great television shows of all time, what immediately pops into your head? The theme song. Think Friends, I love Lucy, Law & Order: SVU, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, etc.

 

Themes have become the subject of text message tones, call alerts, parodies and cult phenomena. They are golden. Everyone loves a good theme that reminds them of their favorite show, movie or even a fond memory.

 

Perhaps among the  most memorable, and certainly the first of its kind, The Brady Bunch theme from 1969, became the first television theme to make use of the opening credits and theme to summarize the television show. Here are the lyrics:

Here's the story of a lovely lady
who was bringing up three very lovely girls
all of them had hair of gold, like their mother.
the youngest one in curls.

Here's the story of a man named Brady
Who was living with three boys of his own.
They were four men living all together
yet they were all alone

Till the one day when the lady met this fellow.
And they knew that it was much more than a hunch,
That this group must somehow form a family,
That's the way we all became the Brady bunch.

The Brady bunch, the Brady bunch.
That's the way we became the Brady bunch.

 

Other shows followed in their footsteps of the narrative theme, like The Partridge Family, The Adams Family and Gilligan's Island. However, most recently, we have seen a switch to using either exclusively instrumental themes (The Walking Dead)  as well as the use of older, popular songs to actively capture the theme of the show like the show, Parenthood, which uses Bob Dylan's "Forever Young".

 

The point is: television themes MAKE the show. They not only add excitement to the start of the show, but they provide a memorable cue and audible start to each episode. How boring would television be without these themes?

 

For your pleasure and leaisure, here are a few of my favorite theme songs from past & present:

• Sons of Anarchy
• Gilmore Girls
• Family Guy
• Miami Vice
• Golden Girls
• Full House
• Modern Family
• Duck Dynasty

Video Credits: YouTube

Information: Dr. Martin's lectures & Wikipedia

The Universal Dynasty

Universal Studios is most known by this generation as the studio that produces 'tons of films.' They are recognized for films varying as widely as the original Dracula, to Jaws, to Ted; all drastically different to say the least. But why is Universal so great? What is it about it that has made it one of the most outstanding film studios in the world?

Universal is part of "The Big Six" conglomerates and is the oldest continuously running studio and the oldest in the United States of America. Founded in 1912 by (mainly) Carl Laemmle, has released more than 3,424 films in its 101 years. That is insane! That's an average of 34 films per year.

Universal's success could be attributed in part to Laemmle's business savvy talent and his creative visionary, but the studio would be little if not nothing if it weren't for the films it released. Amongst the more than 3,000 film titles with Universal's name attached, three films have broken all time box office records: Jaws (1975), E.T: The Extra Terrestrial (1982) and Jurassic Park (1993). Here are a few more notable films born from the masterminds at Universal (a full ist can be found at Wikipedia):

• Phanton of the Opera (1925)
• Dracula (1931)
• Hamlet (1948)
• The Mummy (1959)
• Farenheit 451 (1966)
• The Andromeda Strain (1971)
• Jaws (1975)
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band (1978)
• E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
• The Pirates of Penzance (1983)
• Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
• Jurassic Park (1993)
• Apollo 13 (1995)
• Twister (1996)
• Patch Adams (1998)
• American Pie (1999)
• Gladiator (2000)
• The Grinch (2000)
• A Beautiful Mind (2001)
• Bruce Almighty (2003)
• United 93 (2006)
• The Kingdom (2007)
• The Changeling (2008)
• Couple's Retreat (2009)
• Despicable Me (2010)
• The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
• Ted, Les Miserables, Zero Dark Thirty, Anna Kerinina, Pitch Perfect, The Savages (2012)
• Oblivion, Jurassic Park 3D Re-Release (2013)

These are just a handful of Universal films that are a few of my personal favorites. Ironically, in 1999, my family and I went to visit my aunt and uncle who live in Los Angeles and work in stunts and camera (respectively) for Universal Studios. At the time, my aunt was working as a stunt double on the 2000 adaptation of How The Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey. One evening, we went on set and I actually got to walk around the "Whoville" set-climb the swirly stairs, play in the fake snow, 'shop' in Garfinkle's, even sit in Cindy Lou's bedroom! Unfortunately, due to security and disclosure rules, we weren't allowed to take any photos. Nonetheless, that was still one of the highlights of my childhood. I will never forget that feeling of the following Thanksgiving, seeing the set that I had visited just a year before!

 

Because of its success, like any good business, Universal needed to expand. In 1964, Universal Studios Hollywood opened for business; complete with rides and replicas of many of the movies already produced and released by the studio. Naturally, the theme park has evoloved with rides and sets to go along with more recent films and even television shows. In June of 1990, Universal Studios Orlando Resort opened. There you can find themed rides of films like Jaws (recently retired), Jurassic Park, E.T., The Simpsons, Dr. Seuss and most recently (my favorite) The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I can say from personal experience at both of these parks, experiencing it is truly magical. You are literally getting to step inside some of your favorite movies and pretend you are in them. One of the most extravagant rides is the Twister experience, which employs the use of some of the real movie set- complete with explosions, a cyclone, strong winds and a huge sopping rain storm. Most recently, Universal has expanded its theme park business to Osaka, Japan, which opened in May 2001.

 

I am a huge movie buff. If it were culturally and morally respectable, I would sit in a huge comfy chair all day watching film after film after film. It is undeniable that Universal Studios Corportaion has brought us multitudes of films that as a culture, we have enjoyed for decades. The classics will always be classics, but new classics are forming at nearly every release.

 

I think it is safe to say that Universal has formed a 'dynasty' of their own and a name that resonates in households both nation-wide and worldwide, providing entertainment and memory making for individuals and families alike.

Sources:

Photos- Google Images

Information- universalstudios.com & wikipedia.com