Catchy TV theme songs still music to our ears | ajc.com

Catchy TV theme songs still music to our ears | ajc.com: "Schlemiel! Schlimazel!

Having read those two words, you'll have that 'Laverne & Shirley' song in your head for the rest of the day. You're welcome.

A song that can instantly make you think of a rather middling sitcom decades after its demise seems a solid testament to the power of TV theme music.

Even though you don't hear theme songs as much on prime time anymore, the TV theme has proved a remarkably resilient thing. These days, it lives on at the far reaches of your remote. Cartoons, Spanish-language stations and premium cable shows all show a love of a good opening ditty. There are even homemade, fake title sequences on YouTube created by viewers honoring their favorite shows.

So, obviously, people like TV themes. Why don't network executives? They've been trying to kill them off since the 1990s, when 'Seinfeld' opened with a funky —- but very quick —- bass line."