Customer Reviews

Television's Greatest Hits, Vol. 6: Remote Control

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a collection of 65 TV themes from the '70s and '80s. They all seem to be the original versions of the themes, unlike some of the earlier volumes in the series, which had some rerecordings. These are the TV shows I grew up with, so there is a lot of nostalgia here for me. I like the sitcom themes the best, because that is mostly what I watched when I was a kid. A lot of them are really cheesy, but I love 'em. If you watched too much TV during the '70s and '80s, you will probably get a kick out of this CD.

I was relieved when I found this CD had all original TV versions, compared to the usual unfamiliar orchestra versions you usually get on a compilation - that really frustrates me. Especially when I came to "The Dukes of Hazzard" - the version Waylon Jennings released on record just didn't have the same drive or edge to it as the one played on TV. That has always been disapointing for me until I saw here the original on CD.
Themes like "Diff'rent Strokes" and "Alf" and "The Golden Girls" are really refreshing and a reminder of the old familiar innocence and laid back atmosphere of TV family comedy, while "Airwolf", "Doctor Who" and "People's Court" and "Monday Night Football" give a lively and yet serious feel.
However, I think there might be an error in the CD liner notes; they describe the theme to "James at 15" as vintage 70s pop/rock, and say the song itself is called "It's all up to you."
I never saw this show, and the words "It's all up to you" do not appear in the song. I would like to know if anyone can enlighten me as to whether or not this was a mistake, as with the exception of this theme being vaguely reminiscent of Elton John's piano and harmonica style of pop/rock, I find this hard to believe.

Although I've taken a look at and sampled many TV show theme compilation CDs, I've never found one that had more than just a few of my fave telly tunes until this one came along. Several of my most beloved themes, including `Night Court', `Benny Hill', Knight Rider', `Hunter', `Airwolf', `Monday Night Football', and `Doctor Who' are included here, along with tons of other melodies from various late 70s & 80s shows that I viewed and enjoyed back in the day. I even discovered a new-found fave in the super-rockin' `Hardcastle & McCormick' number! And the absolutely silly `BJ and The Bear' is a great piece to goof on. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that all of the tracks here are the original ones that were actually used on the programs. Most other TV tunes compilations I've checked to don't have the original versions. I've also found this collection to be great for `guess the TV show' trivia challenges I play with my fanboy buds!

But, I did discover a few downsides to owning this recording, one being the fact that none of the closing credits music to the shows are included. I was hoping to get the end themes from `Knight Rider' and `Airwolf', which were slightly extended (and in my opinion superior) versions of their opening counterparts. It also sounds like a few of the tracks, including `Hunter' and 70s/80s rendition of `Monday Night Football', have had a few seconds cropped from them (syndiaation cuts, perhaps?). Then there's my disappointment over the exclusion of the themes to `The A-Team', `Magnum P.I.', and `Taxi'. Instead, they throw in the opening numbers to `Fish' and `Angie', whose combined prime-time endurance was a mere 2.5 seasons! Finally, I was somewhat miffed by how pricey this CD was. If I hadn't received this as a gift, I doubt I would've plunked down the couple of sawbucks necessary to purchase this platter. Thank goodness for the holiday season...

`Late

Listen, this isn't the strongest entry in the television theme song pantheon, but for including "Mr. Belvedere," the "Monday Night Football" theme (which always makes me feel like going back to school and playing in the leaves...), "Siskel & Ebert" AND "The People's Court," it gets my vote of confidence. Buy this and listen to it in the comfort of your home on a Sunday afternoon when all the reruns on TV are worthless and you need to be reminded of your childhood. (That is, if your childhood was the late '70s and early '80s.)

I really bought this for the Super Vehicle (mid-80s) themes such as Airwolf (1st Season Opening Theme - no 'Lady' rotors at the start!) and Knight Rider ('Pilot' Extended Closing Theme - no overdub by Richard Basehart), The Fall Guy (complete opening song by Lee Majors) and The Dukes Of Hazard (Opening Theme - no voice-overs or Sheriff Roscoe "Kyuh, Kyuh, Kyuh, Kyuh").

But for the first time, these ARE the 'original' off-air themes, unlike many so-called television albums with limp renditions, these are all the real McCoy.

And while there are some obvious omissions such as 'Street Hawk', 'The Highwayman' and 'Blue Thunder', it was well worth the money and I highly recommend it for the range that is here.

I got a real charge out of hearing some of these songs again. I lived for those Friday nights with the Dukes of Hazzard and the music takes me right back to a simpler time. For Airwolf fans this track is worth the price alone, although I admit that while I loved that show, I always liked the TV version of Blue Thunder better. Of course, we don't get it here, but we do get the themes from..."Angie????? "James at 15"????????? Whatwhathuhwhat? How could they omit dynamic themes like Blue Thunder or "A-Team" or "Magnum P.I." from this collection yet include such mediocre and forgettable themes like "Angie"? The opening theme from B.T. was sooooo cool, especially the buildup at the beginning. It's hard for me to recollect it now, so I hope it can be included on a future release. For the sake of quality over quantity I will give 4 stars because it still contains enough good themes.

Out of all the CDs (TV themes) I own, this one easily is the best for me. The only one that I can press play at the beginning and allow to go all the way through. Shoot, some of the theme songs I've never even seen the show attached, but the songs are all catchy, and, even better IMO, is that there is a wide range of goodies. A definite must for the Mushy-for-the-old-school.

Again, one of the great CD's that will get you reminiscing!!!
Great for parties and long drives.

This CD has, to me at least, the best selection of TV Themes of any of the TV Tunes releases. All of the tunes have excellent sound, and they represent a time when I was growing up, when I used to be a "couch potato" (I hardly watch any TV now)

I used to record TV themes off of the TV back in the early and mid-80's and it's great to have a CD with two of my favorites - Knight Rider and Doctor Who(1963-1979 version, with a better stereo enhancement than I'd heard before) My only complaints - they used the lame cable USA-Network Version of AIRWOLF (the original network version used several arrangements over the 1.5 seasons it lasted, going from horns at the beginning to the stylish synthesizers at the end, but the USA version had some tacky embellishements on it that I don't care for) Also, I'd have liked the Incredible Hulk to have been taken from the original soundtrack, with the voice-overs, instead of the instrumental-only version they used.

Despite those minor complaints, this one is, by far, my most favorite of all the TV Tunes CD's,and deserves 5 stars.

Let's face it, from this series, you cannot expect to find one single volume that has all the songs that you want. However, gems in volume 6 are just too irresistable such as The Unknown Stuntman from the TV show The Fall Guy, the ever cheerful Benny Hill Theme and memorable growing up themes from Growing Pains, Charles in Charge, Silver Spoons and Who's the Boss. A very good starting CD if you plan to get more like myself.