http://www.classictelevision.info/television-theme-songs/
57+ Channels and Somethin’ On: Memories–Fond and Bittersweet–About Television
Bruce Springsteen once wrote an ode to the cable industry called “57 Channels (And Nothin’ On)”. What a great, hummable song! However, Bruce doesn’t seem to share the same, endless love for the media–any media, for that matter–print and especially broadcast–that I do.
As a child, my parents use to comment what a good baby I was in the late 1950s. Perhaps they didn’t realize I was drooling over images of Howdy Doody or Tom and Jerry on the old tube television. Later, these same parents–I never traded them in for a new pair–would complain that I was in a fog-like dream in front of the new remote control TV set. Sorry, mom and dad: I was fixated on Catwoman’s skin-tight suit or Jeannie’s seductive harem outfit. After all, I had just hit puberty!
When cable was introduced, my after-school treat was watching Marcia-Marcia-Marcia getting hit in the face repeatedly by a runaway football or lusting after the slender Susan Dey on The Partridge Family. Thanks to television, these teenage years were a time of discovery for me. First, I learned getting hit in the face by a football in the real world was more painful than on television. Second, I discovered how I preferred more full-figured women (like Kim Catrall) than Susan Partridge.
Of course, television has shared some of the tragic moments of history with me since 1963, my first year of elementary school. I remember being dismissed early from school to somberly announce the assassination of JFK. I caught a glimpse of Uncle Walter holding back tears while announcing his death.
Television helped build my fear of death, yet I was fascinated by the sad stories which unfolded during the 1960s and early 70s: Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, and the Charles Manson Murders. Kent State, The Vietnam War, and the attempt on the life of Alabama Governor George Wallace were like a train wreck to me, but I couldn’t remove my eyes from the screen.
But television has also played a role in some of my fondest memories: Watching my cousin Angie, in her underwear, march with a broomstick to the tune of “The Daniel Boone Show”. How her kindergarten students would love to see that! Hearing my sons, now 25 and 21, sing off-key to the”Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” theme song. Money can’t buy such memories as this…
Here’s to your memories!
About the Author
Brian Keller, 52, is a writer, speaker, and business person fascinated by age-related issuses such as anti-aging, relationships, health, and retirement. Learn more about Keller and his interests at http://www.radioactiverambler.com
Guess the TV Theme Songs
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BackYard Show: Barney & Friends [VHS] $12.99 A favorite Barney tape, about the kids throwing a talent show for their dad’s birthday… |
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Animorphs – The Invasion Series, Part 2: Nowhere to Run [VHS] $9.98 If you know the difference between an Andalite and a Yeerk, then you’ll easily become engrossed in this video, which contains three episodes of the Animorphs television series. Even if you’re not hooked on the series of sci-fi books that are sweeping grade schools, there’s enough inherent drama to draw you in and clues to help you figure it out. Each installment involves high drama: the teens are… |
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Last of the Summer Wine [Collection Set] [VHS] $59.98 “Award-winning series written by Roy Clarke. British comedy classic. Stars Peter Sallis, Bill Owen, Michael Bates and Brian Wilde.”… |
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Fisher Price Star Station Dance Party #3 ROM Pack $9.99 This Star Performer lets kids turn any television into an instant hit show by putting the power of performance right into their hands. Kids can see and hear themselves on TV and sing along to popular Kidz Bop Music. Kidz Bop features some of today’s most popular songs – sung by kids, for kids. This ROM contains eight Kidz Bop songs to a Dance Party theme…. |
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Fisher Price Star Station Entertainment System $69.99 The Star Station lets kids turn any television into an instant hit show by putting the power of performance right into their hands. Using Plug ‘N Play technology, this hardware unit plugs right into the TV. Kids can access the music library to choose from over 75 Kidz Bop songs — songs sung by kids, for kids. (Kidz Bop is the most popular and recognized music product in the US for kids aged 4-11…. |
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Songs of Anarchy: Music from Sons of Anarchy Season 1-4 $9.09 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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Game Of Thrones $7.99 … |
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Game of Thrones $12.29 Game of Thrones Original SoundtrackMain Title (1:46)North Of The Wall (3:48)Goodbye Brother (3:07)The Kingsroad (2:06)The King�s Arrival (3:34)Love In The Eyes (4:00)A Raven From King�s Landing (1:16)The Wall (1:59)Things I Do For Love (1:52)A Golden Crown (1:38)Winter Is Coming (2:42)A Bird Without Feathers (2:02)Await The King�s Justice (2:00)You�ll Be Queen One Day (1:36)The… |
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Liberty’s Kids: Complete Series $29.48 History comes alive in this excellent Emmy and Humanitas Award-nominated 40-episode, animated series about the experiences of two young teens during the American Revolution. Far more than a simple chronicle of the battles and major events of the American Revolution, Liberty’s Kids tells the story of the cultural, scientific, political, and social forces that helped shape America’s fight for indepe… |
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Jake & the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns (Two-Disc DVD + Digital Copy Combo) $12.06 This feature-length animated adventure from Disney Junior extends the Peter Pan story with the adventures of Neverland pirate leader Jake (voiced by Colin Ford), a young swashbuckler whose attempts at having simple fun are ever being attacked by the nefarious Captain Hook (Corey Burton). In this thrilling exploit, Jake and his crew go in search of no less a treasure than Peter Pan’s shadow! Co-sta… |
