I know some
friends that are pretty damn fervid (a great word by the way...
so rarely have an opportunity to use it in a sentence.) about the
Grey's Anatomy TV series. I can understand that. Besides cop and court room dramas, nothing else has been a television staple like the medical series. It's proven to contain ample character and story fodder for writers and producers to mine for people's musing and entertainment. And I'm no different when it comes down to my favorites (I come from a long line of folk who've gotten sucked down into the vortex of diagnosis drama for their viewing pleasure). My grandmother never missed a
Ben Casey or
Dr. Kildare episode in her day (I sat right there with her, too... mind you, I didn't have a choice). Probably, this is where medical comedy/drama shows (like
Medical Center,
MASH,
City of Angels) became ingrained in my psyche. I still fondly remember
ER (before all the original cast left) and
Chicago Hope (before the show lost its mind).
The rest of this post has been updated and moved over to my current blog, found
here.
Don't they look so young? Denzel, Mark Harmon, David Morse - all that hair! :) I love it. This particular theme song brings back memories for me, too, because we played it in my band. The clarinet has a significant part in this score! Fun stuff, Michael. You never cease to amaze me with your stash of knowledge! YOU have a great weekend, too.
ReplyDeleteAren't they all impossibly young when you watch that beginning?!? Talk about big hair! Plus, you played this song in your band? It's your talents, my friend, that I find amazing. You're so very kind, Jen. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lauren!
ReplyDeleteHey my friend. A classic. I've never seen the entire series, but what a terrific cast. I can understand your desire for a DVD release. St. Elsewhere deserves it.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder about China Beach. I never saw the series, but I like Robert Picardo and Dana Delany and I really would really like to see a DVD release so I can watch all 62 episodes. I have a feeling I will like it like St. Elsewhere.
You have a lovely weekend my friend.
Great you mentioned China Beach, my friend. Another memorable series that's long overdue for DVD release. It really is strange what TV shows get held up for disc treatment (for whatever reason). Seems like a no-brainer for studios. I agree, too, you'd likely enjoy CB. Thanks so much, SFF.
ReplyDeleteI never watched St. Elsewhere (yes, I can hear you gasping, lp13) but have always liked that theme. I have a thing for '70s and '80s TV theme songs because they were melodious or had good lyrics. I even have a CD compilation somewhere of the best themes & used to listen to the Laverne & Shirley tune for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of one memorable theme from a current show. They've pretty much been eliminated or consist of one or two notes. Two and a Half Men? One note, one word. Zzzzzzzzzzz.
I have a special spot for this show. Right after I moved to L.A., someone I knew landed a guest-starring spot on China Beach and asked if I wanted to go on set with him. Did I? Do dogs like kibble? I got to meet the beautiful Dana Delany and the amazing Dr. Haing S. Ngor from The Kiling Fields who was also doing a guest spot. I couldn't believe how a few weeks earlier I'd been watching that show on TV and then all of a sudden I was shaking Nurse McMurphy's hand. I saw Robert Picardo, too, but didn't get to meet him. And Marg Helgenberger? That show definitely needs to be on DVD.
ReplyDeleteYou're correct regarding the lack of great (or even good) TV show theme songs in this day and age, Elyse. I don't think it's so much a lost art as it has been systematically eliminated by corporate media (but that's just me). St. Elsewhere is a marvelous example of the theme songs from that era -- and the show is exceptional. If you'd like, I'll lend you the Season 1 pack I have. Be warned, though. If you get hooked, you'll have to wait until someone gets their act together and releases Seasons 2 - 6 to DVD ;) .
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elyse.
Wow! That great that you got to go on set and meet members of the cast, Elyse. Hopefully, China Beach will come to DVD soon. Thanks, Elyse, for sharing that memory.
ReplyDeleteMark Harmon? Denzel Washington? Call me a geek if you like, but I only have to hear William Daniels' voice to make my heart do an extra pitty-pat (especially when his character is collecting scalps).
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean. This series had quite a cast, and put them to great use in what St. Elsewhere presented to its audience. Thanks, Naomi.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful show. Loved St Elsewhere which used to show in the UK on Channel 4, and the theme tune (just like Hill Street Blues) always served as a fine introduction to what usually turned out to be great television.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend.
Terrific of you to mention another wonderful series and theme song, Steve. Hill Street Blues was another favorite show. Great to hear from you, my friend. Thanks vey much for your comment.
ReplyDeleteI loved this show. Funny, those were the days when there was still good TV. Hills Street Blues, China Beach~~miss that quality. Great post, theme song and memory lane trip~~
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with you, Moondancer. That period produced an enormous amount a great content in television. It's good to hear from you, my friend. Please take care, and thanks.
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ReplyDeleteHey buddy. Finally. . .I can post some comments on your site! I mostly read and post from work and my work computer doesn't allow me to post comments there so. . .
ReplyDeleteAnyways: first off, couldn't agree with you more on Dr. Greene on ER. First they have his ex-wife dick him around, then he loses the love of his life only for her to come back but he's married. He gets the crap kicked out of him in a bathroom and then he frickin dies of cancer!!!! Jeez.
I for one do agree that title themes are a lost art. They always pump me up for the episode at hand, especially when the teaser is very effective. A great opening theme can accentuate the power of the teaser. Not my favorite theme by any stretch but effective, Law and Order Criminal Intent would have excellent teaser and then just go right into BUM BUM: BUM BUM BUMBUM BUMMMMMMMMMMM. Great stuff.
Everyone tells me ST. Elsewhere is excellent so I need to watch it. Plus the cast list, from what I viewed here and what I've read, is astounding!
Great to see you stop by, Will! Yeah, they really did it to Dr. Greene. That beat-down in the restroom (not once, but twice in that episode) seemed to encourage the writers/producers to think up more ways to make his life a living hell. Didn't they have him bury his parents, too, before the brain cancer?
ReplyDeleteSt. Elsewhere has been so influential. You can see elements they introduced on later medical series. Like Dr. Greene, St. Elsewhere did something quite shocking to one of their main characters that jaw-dropped everyone as the episode ended.
Thanks so much for your comment, Will.