Originally I was going to ask you to choose your favorite Norman Lear sitcom. Since a couple of the shows ("Maude" and "One Day At A Time") are rarely seen in reruns today, that would put them at a slight disadvantage. As a result, I decided to ask you to vote for your favorite theme song from a Norman Lear sitcom. The links for you to listen to each theme song are below:All In the Family
Good Times
The Jeffersons
Maude
One Day At A Time
Sanford & Son
15 comments:
I just voted, my favourite is The Jeffersons. Mainly, because I more or less know it, would be able to hum along and recognize some of the words. It's upbeat and catchy. I do not like All IN The Family so the song just reminds me of bad feelings to that show.
Oh by the way...Norman Lear is going to be in one of the upcoming episodes of ICONOCLASTS on sundance channel next week or so.
My Norman Lear favorites (from your list0 are:
1) Sanford & Son
2) Good Times
3) All In The Family
4) One Day At A Time
5) Maude
6) The Jeffersons
I wasn't a big fan of the Jeffersons and didn't much care for the song either (smile). My love for Good Times slowly faded with the loss of the father figure, James.
I loved All In The Family. I think it was probably one of the most creative and honest shows on television, ever. I doubt if we'll see anything of that nature on the regular networks anytime soon.
Music-wise, I think Sanford & Son and Good Times were a tie, but I voted for S & S. Gotta give Quincy some love (smile). Maude's theme was pretty catchy too. After all of these years, I can remember it.
I had never heard the theme to Maude. I like all of the rest of them, but I went with One Day at a Time, b/c it's fun and catchy.
This was a tough one, I actually like everyone of the themes mentioned and religiously watched each one of these shows in the seventies. Who doesn't want to "move on up" or "hang in a chow line"? Well maybe not so much the latter, but you get my meaning.
Although "Good Times" might be my favorite Lear sitcom, I will have to choose the theme song from "Maude" as my favorite theme. The song was delivered with a lot of energy by the late, great Donnie Hathaway. Looking back I wonder why a woman wasn't chosen to perform the song. The lyrical content and being that the song is about the quintessential woman libber makes it almost cry out to have a woman sing it. However I am glad they chose Donny.
I have a quick question. I know that Janet DuBois sang the "Jefferson" theme, Quincy Jones performed "Sanford and Son", Donny Hathaway "Maude" and Carroll O'Connor & Jean Stapleton "All In The Family". Who sung the themes for "Good Times" and "One Day At A Time". I always thought that the latter was sung by Bonnie Franklin, but I am not really sure.
Candy: Out of all the themes to choose from, AITF is the weakest to me.
Thanks for the heads up on the upcoming Iconoclasts episode. I just got rid of the Sundance Channel today. I've found clips from past episodes on You Tube, so hopefully I can get a chance to see the Norman Lear one.
Lori: No love for "The Jeffersons" theme song? Those hand claps aren't enough to entice you? lol
Quincy was one of the best when it came to memorable theme songs. I know you probably remember the theme to "Ironside".
Holly: What did you think of the theme to "Maude"? As for "One Day At A Time", that is one of my favorite theme songs for the same reasons you listed. I actually liked it better than the show itself.
Pjazzy: I hope that this poll doesn't come down to a tie because it will be tough for me to choose. The theme to "Maude" is one of the best of all-time. Great lyrics, solid performances by Hathaway and the background singers, excellent organ work, etc. I never thought about it, but you are right... I am surprised that they didn't get a female singer to perform it. I can hear somebody like Aretha or Carole King doing it.
In answer to your questions about the themes to "Good Times" and "One Day At A Time", the former was sung by Jim Gilstrap and Blinky Williams and the latter was done by Polly Cutter and Cynthia Bullens.
These are all really interesting comments. It's funny...I started thinking about AITF...and my aversion. I think...Lori, you might find this interesting...is that I was too youngto understand the humor...that the audience is laughing AT Bunker. I always took him literally and not as a joke you know?
I see now, how he is like Seinfeld...he's supposed to be unlikeable (the Seinfeld cast is the second most unlikeable characters on tv I think, after Bunker) and my daughter didn't get the humor of Seinfeld...because all she saw were jerks as people.
Fun stuff...and I think my second choice would be Sanford andSon. Oh I LOVED that show. Will still watch it if I ever see it on tv.
Have to go with Donnie Hathaway.
Oh man...too many good ones. I don't know if I can choose :(
Most of those were very good, but the winner must be All In The Family
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'Right on, Maude!'
I preferred Maude---it was one of the first sitcoms to have a woman as the leading characters...but they were all great.
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The best sitcome from your list with the best theme song, imho, is "All in the Family"
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