Battle of the TV Theme Songs: Final 8

[Spinal]

Here they are ... the champions of each bracket ... your final eight contenders ...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/nbc_petergunn.jpg

Peter Gunn DEFEATED (by Cowboy Bebop 13-9)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/cowboy_bebop_big.jpg

Cowboy Bebop

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/twin-peaks-red-room.jpg

Twin Peaks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/FraggleRock.jpg

Fraggle Rock DEFEATED (by Twin Peaks 14-10)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/twilightzone3b.jpg

The Twilight Zone

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/the-muppet-show.jpg

The Muppet Show DEFEATED (by The Twilight Zone 13-11)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/animaniacs_island.jpg

Animaniacs

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/InspectorGadget.jpg

Inspector Gadget DEFEATED (by Animaniacs 15-10)

[Russ]

Doesn't seem right that 5 out of the 8 are muppets or toons. Oh well, Match-Cut has spoken.

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to listen to both themes and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

The primary focus in your decision making should be the music. However, voters are also encouraged to consider the effectiveness of the theme within the context of the show's opening titles (or however else the theme is used). That said, you should not simply vote for the best overall show, even if it is impossible to eliminate that factor entirely. Voters should keep an open mind to new themes they have not previously heard for shows they have never watched. We are looking for the best theme, not the theme from the most popular show.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/nbc_petergunn.jpg

Peter Gunn (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dHy2nLNT1qU&feature=related) (theme begins at 1:38) (full version) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcflCzZlLcQ&feature=related)

First Round: Defeated Police Woman (12-10)
Second Round: Defeated The Dukes of Hazzard (16-2)
Third Round: Defeated The Simpsons (13-11)
Fourth Round: Defeated Deadwood (15-4)

Theme composed by: Henry Mancini

VS.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/cowboy_bebop_big.jpg

Cowboy Bebop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6zDfxZ4NcE)

First Round: Defeated The Roadrunner Show (21-2)
Second Round: Defeated The Monkees (14-9)
Third Round: Defeated Alfred Hitchcock Presents (12-6)
Fourth Round: Defeated Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (14-7)

Theme composed by: Yoko Kanno

[transmogrifier]

"I've said it before, and I'll say it again: democracy just doesn't work."
- Kent Brockman

[Acapelli]

man this is a tough one

[Spinal]

Hmmm ... these are pretty similar except for different tempos. Not sure what to do here.

[Raiders]

Peter Gunn

[Kurosawa Fan]

Nostalgia be damned, that Cowboy Bebop theme is way too cool to vote against.

[Winston*]

Bebop

[Ezee E]

Gunn.

[MadMan]

Even though the Peter Gunn theme has actually grown on me by this point, its too little, too late. Cowboy Bebop gets my vote.

[Spinal]

These battles will be 48 hours long, but they will overlap. In other words, I will start one battle a day and let them go on for 2 days.

[MadMan]

"I've said it before, and I'll say it again: democracy just doesn't work."
- Kent Brockman:lol:

I'm really shocked that Inspector Gadget made it this far. There's only two themes out of the whole bunch that I would have a problem with if they won the whole thing. The rest, are good. Well more like one, but the other one is merely good, not great.

[Spinal]

I'm really shocked that Inspector Gadget made it this far.

That was a weird bracket. The top-ranked themes turned out to be not as popular as I would initially have suspected. The five themes ranked ahead of Gadget were Paranoia Agent, Doctor Who, Firefly, Bonanza and Seinfeld.

[Sycophant]

I skipped a couple of voting brackets and individual contests. Obviously, that's why this is a little more whack than it should be. Sorry, guys. I'll try to pay more attention in the future.

[thefourthwall]

Peter Gunn.

[Yxklyx]

Cowboy Bebop

[soitgoes...]

Cowboy Bebop

[chrisnu]

Peter Gunn

[Derek]

Cowboy Bebop

[Watashi]

Cowboy Bebop

[Watashi]

To be honest, you could listen to Bebop's theme blind and believe its composed by Mancini.

Giacchino is also extremely influenced by Mancini's work.

[Spinal]

OK, every time I listen to Peter Gunn, it makes me think about how Mission: Impossible, Hawaii Five-O and Secret Agent deserve to be here more.

Therefore ...

Cowboy Bebop

[ledfloyd]

Peter Gunn

[Ivan Drago]

Cowboy Bebop

[EvilShoe]

The Gunn theme is really cool, but Cowboy Bebop still wins.

[Russ]

Peter Gunn

[dreamdead]

I'll go with Gunn. Content with either advancing, though. Both are supercool.

[monolith94]

Cowboy Bebop!

[[ETM]]

Cowboy Bebop.

[[ETM]]

That was a weird bracket. The top-ranked themes turned out to be not as popular as I would initially have suspected. The five themes ranked ahead of Gadget were Paranoia Agent, Doctor Who, Firefly, Bonanza and Seinfeld.

Doctor Who should have been here, but indeed - Mach Cut has spoken.

[Acapelli]

peter gunn

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to listen to both themes and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

The primary focus in your decision making should be the music. However, voters are also encouraged to consider the effectiveness of the theme within the context of the show's opening titles (or however else the theme is used). That said, you should not simply vote for the best overall show, even if it is impossible to eliminate that factor entirely. Voters should keep an open mind to new themes they have not previously heard for shows they have never watched. We are looking for the best theme, not the theme from the most popular show.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/animaniacs_island.jpg

Animaniacs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA0TS9l_nJE)

First Round: Defeated Freaks and Geeks (18-4)
Second Round: Defeated The Office UK (17-3)
Third Round: Defeated Mission: Impossible (11-10)
Fourth Round: Defeated The Wire (16-9)

Theme composed by: Richard Stone (music) and Tom Ruegger (lyrics)

VS.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/InspectorGadget.jpg

Inspector Gadget (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWXYNJv38_E&feature=related)

First Round: Defeated The Andy Griffith Show (11-9)
Second Round: Defeated Blackadder (16-5)
Third Round: Defeated Pinky and the Brain (10-9)
Fourth Round: Defeated The Jeffersons (12-9)

Theme composed by: Shuki Levy

[Ivan Drago]

Animaniacs

[Spinal]

Tough call.

Animaniacs.

Though I would rather have Pinky and the Brain.

[Russ]

C'mon Inspector Gadget. Go, gadget, go.

[Ezee E]

Animaniacs.

[Winston*]

animaniacs

[[ETM]]

Given this place's inexplicable love of the Animaniacs, Gadget doesn't have a chance. It is better, though.

Inspector Gadget.

[Raiders]

Animaniacs

[MadMan]

Damn this is tough. Both are pretty awesome. In the end I give the slight edge to Inspector Gadget. Especially since Animaniacs is going to win anyways.

[Acapelli]

animaniacs

[Sycophant]

Animaniacs.


;134523']Given this place's inexplicable love of the Animaniacs, Gadget doesn't have a chance.

Your love is inexplicable. All of it. All your love for everything.

[[ETM]]

Your love is inexplicable. All of it. All your love for everything.

Inexplicably so.:pritch:

[chrisnu]

Tough call.

Animaniacs.

Though I would rather have Pinky and the Brain.
Seconded. Count another vote for Animaniacs.

[MadMan]

That was a weird bracket. The top-ranked themes turned out to be not as popular as I would initially have suspected. The five themes ranked ahead of Gadget were Paranoia Agent, Doctor Who, Firefly, Bonanza and Seinfeld.Really. I guess I must have not been voting all that much back then, as I only really started voting later on during the early rounds. Out of that bunch I like the Dr. Who, Bonanza, and Seinfeld themes. Even though I don't really think the Seinfeld theme is all that great. I'm not a fan of Paranoia Agent's or Firefly's themes. I love Gadget's theme, of course. Dr. Who's is easily the best of the bunch there. But then I'm heavily biased.

[Yxklyx]

Animaniacs

[Watashi]

Animaniacs

[Derek]

Inspector Gadget

[Thirdmango]

Inspector Gadget

[Thirdmango]

Cowboy Bebop had my vote to win the whole thing since the beginning so I'm glad it's gotten this far, it's one that definitely deserves to be here.

[ledfloyd]

Inspector Gadget.

[soitgoes...]

Inspector Gadget

[EvilShoe]

Inspector Gadget

[Mara]

Peter Gunn.

[Mara]

I would be happy with either of these advancing.

That said, Animaniacs.

[dreamdead]

Animaniacs.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Inspector Gadget.

[Mara]

Doesn't seem right that 5 out of the 8 are muppets or toons. Oh well, Match-Cut has spoken.

I think this probably reflects reality. Many kids' shows pay more attention to making the theme or jingle memorable, because that helps sell the product and tie-in marketing. Meanwhile, there is a recent trend in adult or serious television to avoid having a theme song altogether (see "Lost," which just has some creepy noises and a floating word.)

Recent serious shows that do have a theme song seem to be going for the arty, complicated theme (like "Carnivale" or "Dexter.") Those are nice and I like them, but they're going to have trouble competing with the joyous, no-holds-barred nonsense of a good cartoon theme.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Animaniacs. Although Pinky and the Brain is better than both.

[Russ]

I think this probably reflects reality. Many kids' shows pay more attention to making the theme or jingle memorable, because that helps sell the product and tie-in marketing. Meanwhile, there is a recent trend in adult or serious television to avoid having a theme song altogether (see "Lost," which just has some creepy noises and a floating word.)

Recent serious shows that do have a theme song seem to be going for the arty, complicated theme (like "Carnivale" or "Dexter.") Those are nice and I like them, but they're going to have trouble competing with the joyous, no-holds-barred nonsense of a good cartoon theme.
My bewilderment really has nothing to do with recent trends or the more arty themes of some of the newer cable shows; rather, the fact that some of older, proven classic themes aren't making a better showing. Older, of course, being the key word here - I think this site's skewing towards a much younger demographic just suggests that, in some cases, popularity and familiarity are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

I dunno, I just thought that this thread's goal of a truly objective approach to the matchups would have yielded different results.

But that's just me. An old fart. :)

[Spinal]

Final Score:

Cowboy Bebop 13
Peter Gunn 9

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to listen to both themes and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

The primary focus in your decision making should be the music. However, voters are also encouraged to consider the effectiveness of the theme within the context of the show's opening titles (or however else the theme is used). That said, you should not simply vote for the best overall show, even if it is impossible to eliminate that factor entirely. Voters should keep an open mind to new themes they have not previously heard for shows they have never watched. We are looking for the best theme, not the theme from the most popular show.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/twilightzone3b.jpg

The Twilight Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y) (click here to hear longer version without voiceover) (http://www.televisiontunes.com/Twilight_Zone.html)

First Round: Defeated Mr. Belvedere (20-0)
Second Round: Defeated Knight Rider (16-8)
Third Round: Defeated Cheers (11-10)
Fourth Round: Defeated DuckTales (14-10)

VS.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/the-muppet-show.jpg

The Muppet Show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh_aG5MzPVM)

First Round: Defeated The Odd Couple (14-1)
Second Round: Defeated The Mary Tyler Moore Show (16-1)
Third Round: Defeated The Sopranos (13-3)
Fourth Round: Defeated Secret Agent (15-10)

Theme composed by: Sam Pottle and Jim Henson

[Spinal]

The Twilight Zone

[Watashi]

The Muppet Show

[Ivan Drago]

The Twilight Zone

[ledfloyd]

The Muppet Show!

[Acapelli]

twilight zone

[Ezee E]

Twilight Zone.

[Winston*]

Twilight Zone

[Yxklyx]

The Muppet Show

[chrisnu]

The Twilight Zone

[Kurosawa Fan]

The Twilight Zone

[Derek]

The Muppet Show

[Thirdmango]

Both are better then Pinky and the Brain.

[Thirdmango]

The Muppet Show

[EvilShoe]

The Twilight Zone

[soitgoes...]

Muppet Show

[Mara]

This battle breaks my heart.

The Twilight Zone

Sorry, Jim.

[dreamdead]

Oh man.

Twilight Zone.

[thefourthwall]

Inspector Gadget.

[thefourthwall]

I just realized that a word in the opening is "Muppetational" :eek:

The Muppet Show.

[MadMan]

The Twilight Zone gets my vote. If it has to lose finally though, I wouldn't mind if it lost to the Muppet Show theme, though.

[MadMan]

Final Score:

Cowboy Bebop 13
Peter Gunn 9Awesome.

And it could be that some of those "Older Themes" are actually overrated :P

[DavidSeven]

Animaniacs.

[Fezzik]

Animaniacs

[Fezzik]

It's really getting tough now.

The Muppet Show, mostly based on my love for all things Jim Henson.

[transmogrifier]

MUPPET SHOW.

Seriously, the Twilight Zone theme is the most overrated ever.

[MadMan]

MUPPET SHOW.

Seriously, the Twilight Zone theme is the most overrated ever.You're the most overrated thing ever. Oh snap! :P

[Russ]

And it could be that some of those "Older Themes" are actually overrated :P


http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/3712/inconceivable1ls9.jpg

[Spinal]

Final Score:

Animaniacs 15
Inspector Gadget 10

[Raiders]

MUPPET SHOW.

Seriously, the Twilight Zone theme is the most overrated ever.

The Twilight Zone.

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to listen to both themes and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

The primary focus in your decision making should be the music. However, voters are also encouraged to consider the effectiveness of the theme within the context of the show's opening titles (or however else the theme is used). That said, you should not simply vote for the best overall show, even if it is impossible to eliminate that factor entirely. Voters should keep an open mind to new themes they have not previously heard for shows they have never watched. We are looking for the best theme, not the theme from the most popular show.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/twin-peaks-red-room.jpg

Twin Peaks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oDuGN6K3VQ)

First Round: Defeated The Adventures of Pete & Pete (21-0)
Second Round: Defeated Barney Miller (17-3)
Third Round: Defeated Rawhide (17-2)
Fourth Round: Defeated Hawaii Five-O (13-11)

Theme composed by: Angelo Badalamenti

VS.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/FraggleRock.jpg

Fraggle Rock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSDeoO-j3G0) (extended theme) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHmKch_PG6o&feature=related)

First Round: Defeated ER (18-3)
Second Round: Defeated Carnivale (18-4)
Third Round: Defeated The Avengers (16-4)
Fourth Round: Defeated Sesame Street (13-12)

Theme composed by: Philip Balsam (music) and Dennis Lee (lyrics)

[Derek]

Twin Peaks

[Spinal]

I know I said I was going to support Twin Peaks all the way, and I still would be happy if it won it all, but I find myself physically unable to vote against Fraggle Rock.

So ... Fraggle Rock.

[Winston*]

Twin Peaks

[chrisnu]

Twin Peaks

[Watashi]

The Twin Peaks theme is so boring.

Fraggle Rock at least has some rythym.

[Milky Joe]

Twin Peaks.

[Yum-Yum]

Twin Peaks

Cool avatar, Spinal. I love that scene.

[Yum-Yum]

The Muppet Show

[transmogrifier]

The Twilight Zone.

Proving my point.

Haynes. Demme. The Beatles. Now this.

[Raiders]

Proving my point.

Haynes. Demme. The Beatles. Now this.

I think the first two would be more specific to me than the general consensus, unless your point is that you and I have different opinions on things sometimes. I can agree with that.

[Raiders]

Fraggle Rock

[soitgoes...]

Fraggle Rock

[Russ]

The Twilight Zone.

[dreamdead]

Twin Peaks.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Twin Peaks

[Acapelli]

twin peaks

[Russ]

Twin Peaks

[Ivan Drago]

Fraggle Rock

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

Twin Peaks

[Yxklyx]

Twin Peaks

[thefourthwall]

Twin Peaks.

Huzzah, it looks like something I'm voting for might win--I haven't been on the winning side too much the past few battles!

[Sycophant]

FRAGGLE ROCK.

[Sycophant]

The Muppet Show.

[Stay Puft]

Fraggle Rock

[Ezee E]

Fraggle Rock.

[Thirdmango]

can I ask why the Twin Peaks theme is loved so much? I mean as someone who hasn't yet seen the show (I know, I know), the theme is very long and repetitive and doesn't really flow with the scenes it shows. Plus there's the scene of the sign of Welcome to Twin Peaks which literally lasts for 36 seconds and plays music already heard earlier. I can see the theme being good if you really like the show and it's reminiscent but I'm not seeing how it could have gotten this far had you not watched the show previously. How does this theme have merit based on the theme alone?

Fraggle Rock

[EvilShoe]

Twin Peaks

[ledfloyd]

i am constitutionally incapable of voting against muppets.

Fraggle Rock.

[MadMan]

Twin Peaks, even though I'm not a fan of either theme. But Peaks has the better one in this case.

[MadMan]

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/3712/inconceivable1ls9.jpg:lol: Nice.

Final Score:

Animaniacs 15
Inspector Gadget 10

Well at least Gadget lost to a good theme. *Sigh*

[chrisnu]

can I ask why the Twin Peaks theme is loved so much? I mean as someone who hasn't yet seen the show (I know, I know), the theme is very long and repetitive and doesn't really flow with the scenes it shows. Plus there's the scene of the sign of Welcome to Twin Peaks which literally lasts for 36 seconds and plays music already heard earlier. I can see the theme being good if you really like the show and it's reminiscent but I'm not seeing how it could have gotten this far had you not watched the show previously. How does this theme have merit based on the theme alone
Well, the video has the theme from the pilot, which is about twice as long as the theme played during other episodes, because the list of credits for the pilot is so long. Yes, the shorter version of the theme (and the opening credits) is worth it.

Here's the shorter version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2lkvrMa27c

[[ETM]]

I'm not gonna vote further, I have no personal investment in any of the themes left. Inconcievable! Bizarro!

[Spinal]

Final Score:

The Twilight Zone 13
The Muppet Show 11

[transmogrifier]

Match Cut is not the messiah. He's a very naughty boy!

[Thirdmango]

Well, the video has the theme from the pilot, which is about twice as long as the theme played during other episodes, because the list of credits for the pilot is so long. Yes, the shorter version of the theme (and the opening credits) is worth it.

Here's the shorter version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2lkvrMa27c

Oh you're right, that is much better.

[MadMan]

Final Score:

The Twilight Zone 13
The Muppet Show 11Good stuff, although I'm sad to see the Muppet Show exit. I would have voted for it over some of the others left had it not been up against the Twilight Zone theme.

[Spinal]

Final Score:

Twin Peaks 14
Fraggle Rock 10

[Ezee E]

This boring theme won't die!