'70s/'80s TV theme song genius Mike Post has been inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame

[Dan Druff]

You might or might know the name Mike Post, but if you're around my age (or older), you've definitely heard his work.

Mike Post, along with frequent collaborator Pete Carpenter, was responsible for some of the best and iconic TV theme songs in the '70s and '80s, as well as some later ones. Here's a partial list:

The Rockford Files
The A-Team
Hill Street Blues
The Greatest American Hero
Law and Order
Doogie Howser, MD
Blossom
LA Law
Hunter
Quantum Leap
Magnum PI
NYPD Blue

There was no better theme song writer in the history of TV.

The only really memorable theme song from that era not involving Post was Hawaii Five-O, which was written by Morton Stevens in 1968, a bit before Post's time.

Here's a video of his induction: https://www.televisionacademy.com/vi...f-fame-honoree


The themes from Rockford and Greatest American Hero both became Top 40 radio hits at the time.

Post was 30 years younger than Carpenter, so he presumably did most of the work when the two collaborated. Carpenter passed away in 1987 at the age of 73. Post is still alive and will be turning 81 next month.

[The Boz]

I would argue Welcome Back (Kotter) by John Sebastian is up there as being memorable as it was a #1 hit.

Happy Days was also a Top 10 hit.

But yes, Post was the best.

[Dan Druff]

I would argue Welcome Back (Kotter) by John Sebastian is up there as being memorable as it was a #1 hit.

Happy Days was also a Top 10 hit.

But yes, Post was the best.

I guess I forgot Happy Days and Welcome Back Kotter, though those were different types of theme songs, as they were about comedies, and Post typically wrote songs for hourlong dramas.

[FRANKRIZZO]

George and Quise didn't make the cut? Best was All in the Family song so true. Good Times was also good

[Dan Druff]

George and Quise didn't make the cut? Best was All in the Family song so true. Good Times was also good

Those were all quality theme songs, but they were different because of being for sitcoms and also not instrumental. With the exception of "Blossom", all of the Post theme songs I listed were instrumentals, which are actually tougher to do in catchy fashion than ones involving singers.

I will say that the instrumental All in the Family end theme, as well as the almost-all-instrumental Jeffersons theme were also pretty good.

[FRANKRIZZO]

There were so many good shows circa 70s 80s none today or any of note. I also liked taxi, hilarious

[The Boz]

Those were all quality theme songs, but they were different because of being for sitcoms and also not instrumental. With the exception of "Blossom", all of the Post theme songs I listed were instrumentals, which are actually tougher to do in catchy fashion than ones involving singers.

Except for this one….and its remake.

[Dan Druff]

There was an interesting side story to the Theme from the Greatest American Hero.

The singer, Joey Scarbury, was a has-been '60s singer who was the epitome of peaking too early.

According to our own Harry Hollywood:

Joey Scarbury had been signed to a recording contract as a 14-year-old in 1969, releasing the single "She Never Smiles Anymore". If you haven't heard that song, you're not alone. It flopped, and got almost no airtime. His record label dropped him. Two years later, he had a #73 "hit", if you can call it that, with "Mixed Up Guy", but again failed to chart anything else. By age 16, he was already a has been! For the next eight years or so, he was a backup signer for various country music acts, and that seemed to be where he was relegated. However, after getting a job with TV theme songwriter Mike Post, he was almost randomly awarded the job of singing "The Theme from the Greatest American Hero", which became an instant hit.

This didn't translate to continued success, however. His further efforts flopped again.

[Dan Druff]

There have been various attempts to remake The Greatest American Hero, but none have gotten off the ground, so to speak.

A movie version of it was discussed, but never happened.

A 2018 remake was shot, but never aired -- this time featuring an Indian-American woman in the lead role.

It's a tough one to remake, because much of the series' appeal came from the main character being unfamiliar with his powers and unable to consistently harness them. It's an easy thing for writers to screw up, either going too slapstick or too serious.

[tgull]

Certainly a lost art, music intros to TV shows, they just don't exist any longer. Same with studio audiences. I think the last show that did so was The Big Bang Theory.

IMO, this was the best intro song of all time, not even close. What a run these actors had. Shelly Long left the show after like 3 years, it had to be one of the worst career decisions ever, as her career absolutely flopped afterwards. That reminds me of Kirstie Alley, I need to schedule a colonoscopy. She died of colon cancer a month after diagnosis, she had no idea she had it. Same issue with George Wendt, he effectively died of unchecked high cholesterol.

[Dive_Bar_Dave]

Those were all quality theme songs, but they were different because of being for sitcoms and also not instrumental. With the exception of "Blossom", all of the Post theme songs I listed were instrumentals, which are actually tougher to do in catchy fashion than ones involving singers.

Except for this one….and its remake.

I prefer this version, where you can see the actual show open:



A friend met William Katt a while back and said he was nice but a bit low energy/depressed. I guess I would be depressed if I was the runner-up to getting cast as Luke Skywalker.

https://images.app.goo.gl/af9n15jxNSXheCAM7

[Harry Hollywood]

Dan Druff has it right. Mike Post was the greatest TV theme show writer ever. In fact, since theme songs are going the way of the dodo, he might end up being the greatest TV show writer of all time, even after another 1000 years have passed.

Post just had a feel for the right song to create to serve as a perfect introduction to each show. Can you picture a better theme song being written for Hill Street Blues? Or The Rockford Files? Or The A-Team? There's no way. Those theme songs captured the mood and theme of each show like no other could.

I was a fanboy of Post and finally got to meet him at an early 90s party. I tried not to approach him like a dork and say something like, "I love your work!" Instead, as I spied him across the room, I thought of a good question to ask him.

I quickly introduced myself, then uttered the question I had settled upon in my mind. "Just wondering... have you ever been hesitant to write a theme song for a show you know isn't good, and is going to fail?"

He quietly answered, "Those type of shows are the ones I like to write for the most. Great shows don't need a great theme song. They will succeed either way. It's the shows which aren't so good, if my theme can draw people in and look forward to the hearing it again the next week, then I've really contributed."

He and I talked for about 15 minutes. I eventually relaxed and it was just like shooting the shit with an old buddy. It's funny because I worked with so many big stars, and wasn't the slightest bit nervous around them, nor was I ever in awe. Mike Post was the one I really wanted to meet. I guess it was from my time as a musician in my teen years. I just always appreciated a good theme song.

I'm glad he finally got this honor.

[go_buccos]

Dan Druff has it right. Mike Post was the greatest TV theme show writer ever. In fact, since theme songs are going the way of the dodo, he might end up being the greatest TV show writer of all time, even after another 1000 years have passed.

Post just had a feel for the right song to create to serve as a perfect introduction to each show. Can you picture a better theme song being written for Hill Street Blues? Or The Rockford Files? Or The A-Team? There's no way. Those theme songs captured the mood and theme of each show like no other could.

I was a fanboy of Post and finally got to meet him at an early 90s party. I tried not to approach him like a dork and say something like, "I love your work!" Instead, as I spied him across the room, I thought of a good question to ask him.

I quickly introduced myself, then uttered the question I had settled upon in my mind. "Just wondering... have you ever been hesitant to write a theme song for a show you know isn't good, and is going to fail?"

He quietly answered, "Those type of shows are the ones I like to write for the most. Great shows don't need a great theme song. They will succeed either way. It's the shows which aren't so good, if my theme can draw people in and look forward to the hearing it again the next week, then I've really contributed."

He and I talked for about 15 minutes. I eventually relaxed and it was just like shooting the shit with an old buddy. It's funny because I worked with so many big stars, and wasn't the slightest bit nervous around them, nor was I ever in awe. Mike Post was the one I really wanted to meet. I guess it was from my time as a musician in my teen years. I just always appreciated a good theme song.

I'm glad he finally got this honor.

Post’s body of work was far and away the most impressive, but IMO the greatest individual 80’s TV theme song is the theme to St. Elsewhere, composed by Dave Grusin.

Grusin was more known as a prolific scorer of movies back in the 70’s and 80’s, but that song is brilliant.

Somehow, he is still with us (and active) to this day at age 91.