Quite some time ago, it occurred to me that I tend to like shows that have good theme songs (usually with catchy riffs).
Shows that I like that have good themes in no particular order:
1) "Star Trek - The Original Series", but not the new DVD version, which, IMHO, is out-of-sync with the "whoosh" heard over the credits, and the new woman's vocalizations are too breath-y.
2) Disney's "Kim Possible" - great beat and lyrics!
3) "Magnum PI" - jazzy, electric; really moves!
4) "The West Wing" - excellent lead-in with the drum tattoo through the full-theme's orchestration.
It's impossible to list shows that I don't like solely because of bad themes, because I don't pick shows just because of the music! For example, I like the 2nd season of Naruto, but hate the new version of the theme song which has a male Japanese scream at us (a subtitled translation might have helped!); not that I was thrilled with the first season's theme music!
Also, I don't count shows that use 70's and 80's music, since those are just rip-offs, even though they may be a perfect match to the show's overall niche (e.g., The Who's "Who are you?" in "CSI", which, BTW, I don't watch, or Earth, Wind and Fire's "Hearts Afire" in the eponymous show which starred Markie Post and the late John Ritter, which I also never watched).
So, why is it so hard for all shows to come up with great theme songs?
And why do some shows feel it necessary to muck with success?
(i.e., "Star Trek: Enterprise" using peculiar lyrics for its theme).
I also wonder about NCIS, which is produced by Donald Bellisario, who also worked on Magnum PI. If you're familiar with the electric, fast-paced theme of MPI, then you may find it very interesting that NCIS has virtually the same jazzy rhythm and staccato beat; the music is different to the ear, at first, but if you play them at the same time (as I did), you may be surprised at their similarities!
I wrote a satirical song for "Avatar - The Last Airbender"! Check it out at: