Battle of the TV Theme Songs: Final 8

[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.



The Twilight Zone (click here to hear longer version without voiceover)

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.



The Muppet Show

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.