THEME = TV songs: “That ‘70s Show” & “Three’s Company”
This week’s edition features a 1990s-2000s hit & a 1970s-1980s favorite….
#1 “That ’70s Show” | FOX | 08/23/1998 – 05/18/2006
Have you heard the full version of “In The Street”!? The song was written by Alex Chilton & Chris Bell of the band Big Star & originally appeared on that band’s 1972 album ‘#1 Record’. That version was not used on the show; instead, Todd Griffin’s cover was used for Season 1 & Cheap Trick’s cover (this video) was used starting with Season 2. The phrase “We’re all all right!” in the CT version is a nod to the end of CT’s 1978 song “Surrender”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJZx6Op1COs
FYI: Ever get into a series AFTER its original run? That was the case for me with this show! Based in fictional suburban Point Place WI, this show’s events take place between 05/17/1976 and 12/31/1979. Imagine how long this show could’ve gone had they started in the early 1970s, but the creators opted to start in the mid 1970s to ensure that decade’s characteristics were firmly in place. The timeline was further hampered by the show’s unexpected longevity; it was, after all, the only series to debut on FOX in 1998 that was NOT cancelled. This proved problematic narratively, but the show was able to overcome those obstacles, for the most part. Other TV series, like “M*A*S*H” which aired 11 seasons even though the Korean War lasted 3 years, have had similar timeline issues. Even so, this series successfully addressed social issues of the time & had several notable features, including split screens, dream sequences, “the circle”, the water tower & several running gags. Of course, the best car-related feature was the aztec gold 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser, used prominently in scenes & the “star” of the opening theme sequence for the 1st 7 seasons. The cast includes Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Laura Prepon, Wilmer Valderrama, Josh Meyers, Debra Jo Rupp, Kurtwood Smith, Lisa Robin Kelly, Don Stark, Tanya Roberts & Tommy Chong.
#2 “Three’s Company” | ABC | 03/15/1977 – 09/18/1984
The theme song, “Three’s Company, Too”, was composed by Joe Raposo (known for compositions on “Sesame Street” & “The Electric Company”) & sung by Ray Charles (not the blind R&B musician) & Julia Rinker:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TjDgcqa_H0
FYI: based on the British sitcom “Man About The House”, this series wasn’t expected to last, as was the case in the 1960s & 1970s for shows with an original 6-episode spring run. But, it scored record ratings, breaking barriers at the time as the highest-rated midseason show ever broadcast on network TV. Thus, ABC ordered a 2nd season & the rest is history. Set in Santa Monica CA, this series had a lengthy development process with 2 different sets of writers, 3 pilot episodes & several recasts (even before the show aired). Writers included Peter Stone (1st) & the group of writers including Don Nicholl, Michael Ross & Bernie West, who had gained fame adapting the British series “Till Death Do Us Part” into “All In The Family”. The show’s humor came from farce, innuendo, misunderstandings & physical comedy. The cast includes John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, Suzanne Sommers, Jenilee Harrison, Priscilla Barnes, Richard Kline, Norman Fell, Audra Lindley, Don Knotts & Ann Wedgeworth.