THEME = TV songs: “The Jeffersons”, “Laverne & Shirley” & “Life Goes On”
This week’s edition features 2 1970s-1980s favorites & 1 1980s-1990s hit….
#1 “The Jeffersons” | CBS | 01/18/1975-07/02/1985
Have you heard the full version of “Movin’ On Up”? This song was written by Ja’net Dubois & Jeff Barry. The full version in the video is sung by Sammy Davis Jr, who covered it in 1978. Since, the song has been referenced & used in various TV commercials & other songs, including Nelly’s 2001 “Batter up” (in which Sherman Hemsley is a baseball stadium public address announcer).
For the shortened show opening, Dubois sings the tune with a gospel choir:
At the end of the show, a different version was used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLCCRnzgGM0
FYI: this series is an “All In the Family” spinoff, & had a spinoff itself, the short-lived 4-episode series “Checking In”, starring Marla Gibbs (Florence). When the hotel burned down, Florence returned to her job as the Jeffersons’ housekeeper. This show also had continuity with the 1-season series “E/R”, starring Lynne Moody (who played George & Louise’s niece, Julie Williams). Louise Jefferson (Isabel Sanford) & Lionel (her son) were 1st seen on the 03/02/1971 episode of “All In The Family”. George Jefferson (created by Norman Lear specifically for Sherman Hemsley) did not appear until the 4th season due to his starring in Broadway’s “Purlie”. In the 01/11/1975 episode of “All In The Family”, George, Louise & Lionel say goodbye to the Bunkers in preparation for their move. The following week, “The Jeffersons” premiered. Along with Sanford, Hemsley & Gibbs, this series starred Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover, Zara Cully & Paul Benedict. During its original run, this series changed time slots at least 15 times. Despite its long run of 11 years, CBS inexplicably canceled it without a proper series finale or properly alerting the cast. Hemsley found out by reading it in a newspaper; Sanford heard about it through a cousin who read it in the tabloids. In 1996, the series finale of “The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air” featured the Jeffersons buying the house from the Banks family.
#2 “Laverne & Shirley” | ABC | 01/27/1976 – 05/10/1983
Have you heard the full version of “Making Our Dreams Come True”? This song, performed by Cyndi Grecco accompanied by the Ron Hicklin Singers, became a radio favorite, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976.
The shortened show opening with a look at the closing credits:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2ZXjY5rTHg
FYI: this series is a spinoff of the popular “Happy Days” & was originally set in Milwaukee WI with the ladies moving to Burbank CA in the 6th season (1980) after losing their jobs at Shotz Brewery due to new automation. Created by Gary Marshall (who later starred in “Murphy Brown” & others), this show stars Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, Michael McKean, David Lander, Phil Foster, Eddie Mekka, Betty Garrett, Leslie Easterbrook, Ted Danson & Ed Marinaro, who abruptly left to star in “Hill Street Blues” (featured last week). For 2 seasons, this show was at the top of the television ratings, claiming #1 for the 1977-78 & 1978-79 seasons. The next season, 1979-80, was the only season it failed to reach the Top 30, including the last season (#25), in which Shirley (Williams) left due to pregnancy. Hot Wheels even created & sold a Shotz Brewery Delivery Van.
#3 “Life Goes On” | ABC | 09/12/1989 – 05/23/1993
Certainly, you are familiar with this series’ full theme song, originally performed by The Beatles…!? Written by Paul McCartney, this song was originally released 11/22/1968, but not in the United States until 1976. In 1969, it claimed #1 in Australia, Austria, Switzerland & Japan. In 1976, it managed #49 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
For the shortened show opening, the song is performed by Patti LuPone & the cast:
FYI: this series is set in suburban Chicago IL, specifically Glenbrook IL, & originally focused on the challenges for the family with a member having Down Syndrome (Corky). Similar to “Friday Night Lights” & “Party Of 5”, this series was critically acclaimed (including 9 award wins), but suffered from low ratings. Stars in this series include Chris Burke (Corky), Kellie Martin, LuPone, Bill Smitrovich, Monique Lanier, Tracey Needham, Tommy Pruett, Chad Lowe & Andrea Friedman.