Friday, January 16, 2009

Old School Friday: TV Theme Songs



One of the most popular TV partnerships was the teaming of Robert Culp and Bill Cosby on the 1965-1968 series I Spy. For this week's OSF, I'm focusing on the theme songs to two series that Cosby and Culp did separately, post-I Spy. Not only that, but both series feature characters who teach.

The first is the theme to the 1969-1971 sitcom The Bill Cosby Show, in which The Cos played high school gym teacher Chet Kincaid. Although it's been years since I've seen this show, I've never forgotten the funky theme song (written by Cosby and Quincy Jones).

The second theme is to the 1981-1983 fantasy/adventure series The Greatest American Hero starring William Katt as high school teacher Ralph Hinckley and Robert Culp as FBI agent Bill Maxwell. I recall watching this as a kid with my mother. She would always laugh when reluctant superhero Ralph would say "damn!" after one of his crash landings. Although the show itself was never a huge with the Nielsen families, the theme song (Believe It or Not by Joey Scarbury) peaked at #2 on the Billboard pop chart during the summer of 1981.

You can hear both theme songs in the player below.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.


13 comments:

MsBoku said...

The Greatest American Hero continues...
In Comic book form! That's right! William Katt (aka Ralph Hinkley) Has started his own comic book company and released "The Greatest American Hero!" The first 3 comics will tell the updated origin story, then it's on to continuing NEW stories!
The show ended too soon and there were more stories to tell and William Katt and Chris Folino, will be telling them just for us.

William Katt will also be at the NYCC

Anonymous said...

Oh man...I shouldn't admit this, but Chris wanted to leave George Costanza's version of "Believe it or Not" on our answering machine a long time ago....

Believer said...

Hey, I’m back for OSF and my choices are up! :D

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an episode from The Bill Cosby Show.

Hey Shae! said...

I absolutely love the Cosby Show theme. Nice choice. :)

Edirin said...

anybody who doesnt like the cosby show them tune, is not right. Great great choice, have a great weekend revvy rev

pjazzypar said...

This is the good Cosby, not the old evil Cosby (lol). I also like the American Hero theme. Happy OSF.

Edirin said...

this is like the 3rd bill cosby im seeing, that was undeniable one of the best theme songs.

have a great weekend

clnmike said...

Man you caught me sleeping with GAH.

Anonymous said...

I remember that show and I liked it a lot - but then I liked all Bill Cosby's tv shows! I Spy is my fav though.

The Greatest American Hero is also one of my favorite shows and the theme music, Believe It Or Not, became more popular than the TV show!

Funny, Robert Culp was in both I Spy and Hero but he was never one of my favorite actors! Maybe he was unconsciously, lol!

Malcolm - you can guess how excited I was about this weeks theme - all those TV Themes I have - I went bonkers but I controlled myself and you can Play Just a Few of My Favorite Fifties TV Theme Songs!

John Holland said...

Never cared for the theme for Greatest American Hero but do like the theme from the Cosby show. I've been listening to some of his old records, such ones as Noah which is I think is so funny. It's forgotten how good a stand up Cosby was after the success of his second series.

Unknown said...

Great picks!! I love the theme music fro greatest American hero but I absolutely hated that show!

Marvalus said...

That Cosby theme is fabulous! And I always like the GAH theme song...never watched the show much, though...

Tha Connoisseur said...

I am so glad you picked The Greatest American Hero! It made my short list. I remember answering this correctly as a trivia question on a radio show, while everyone in my office was WRONG! ..lol

Happy OSF!

 
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