TV Themes easily get stuck in our head. Some of them even go on to become Top Ten hit songs for bands. But what makes a TV Theme truly great? I like to think a great TV Theme will introduce the show in such a way that you can tune in to any episode at any time in the series and be able to have an idea of what's going on. And you'll be shocked to know that the theme to Full House didn't make my list. So there.
11. The Muppet Show
Not only was this theme slighly different every time the show aired, but you really get a feel for what you're going to see in the show. 10. Hammerman
What could be better than having your theme song by MC Hammer? Perhaps having the main character be MC Hammer! Or in this case, Hammerman. The history of how Hammerman came to be is outlined in the intro, so you can just right into the action. 9. Spider-Man
This fucking song is from the 60s and kids today are still singing it. Here comes the Spider-man... We're told that he can spin a web of any size and catch thieves just like flies. What else do we need? 8. Gilligan's Island
I've never watched too much of this show, and so I don't know if there is a pilot episode that shows Gilligan and company getting stranded. But I DO know they get stranded because it's so nicely explained in the song.
7. Transformers
Possibly the coolest cartoon ever made, the Transformers also had a great theme that let you know they were robots in disguise and that they were in battle with evil Deceptacons. 'Nuff said. 6. America's Funniest Home Videos
Sure, this show SUCKED even with the sinister Bob Saget at the helm, but it had a really catchy theme song that promised laughs from "coast to coast". 5. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
You know the words, and you sing along every goddam time you see this show. This theme is so good that I've heard it come on at clubs and girls lose their f-ing minds over it. And they even act out the basketball dribbling part. A Carlton Dance would've been a nice touch. 4. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Again, the entire show is outlined in this theme... but if you were a child of the 80s then chances are you used to act out that He-Man pose with the sword and sing the song. The pose became a cultural phenomenon.
Fuck, a whole wack of main characters are introduced by name in the opening... this was a great 30 second commercial for toys that Mattel didn't even have to pay for. Characters we get to know by name: Prince Adam, Cringer, He-Man, Battle Cat, Orko, Man-At-Arms, the Sorceress, and Skeletor. Plus we get to see all his flunkies.
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3. The Brady Bunch
It's the story of a lovely lady and how she hooked up with a dude and they both had kids and you gotta wonder how they made the love with all those kids in the house... oh, and Alice too. 2. Pee Wee's Playhouse
This TV Theme could've also been a toy advertisement if it weren't so gosh darn long. As TV Intros go, this one even seems to have it's OWN intro... trés bizarre. But it's Pee Wee Herman at his finest, shouting and "arrrrr-ing" over what sounds like Cyndi Lauper bust most likely isn't. 1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
I can't believe the original Turtles theme isn't on YouTube. I found the "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles" version from Europe, and a few covers of the original, but not the original itself. Maybe too many internet predators were getting excited over April O'Neil. Who Knows. Another theme that introduces all the main characters and sets the stage, this one isn't just catchy like AIDS, it doesn't just have cool vocals... but yes dear Ryan-Fan, this theme was actually covered by Charlie Sheen on Two And A
Half Men. If that's not a sign that you've made it, then I don't know what is. When the evil Shredder attacks, these Turtle boys don't cut him no slack. I'm pumped to watch it now just from thinking about the theme. I mentioned this theme introduces characters liked others, but the Turtles theme goes a step further to provide a piece of their personality: Leonardo leads the team, Donatello does machines, Raphael is cool but rude, and Michaelangelo is a party-dude. Cowabunga!
