The Farr Side: The tunes that take us back to the shows we loved
I’m willing to bet the moment you read this verse you’ll be singing it before you’re done:
“… You take the good
You take the bad
You take them both
And there you have
The facts of life
The facts of life.”
The same might ring true for this one, too: “… Hey baby, I hear the blues a-callin’
Tossed salad and scrambled eggs
Oh my mercy
And maybe I seem a bit confused
Yeah maybe, but I got you pegged! Ha Ha Ha Ha.”
What about these lyrics?
“Tell me why, I love you like I do
Tell me who, can stop my heart as much as you
Tell me all your secrets and I’ll tell you most of mine
They say nobody’s perfect but that’s really true this time.”
And, who doesn’t know this little one?
“… So no one told life was going to be this way
Your job’s a joke
You’re broke
Your love life’s DOA
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear
Well, it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.”
Now, this one might be a little tougher. But, some of you are going to know it, for sure.
“… There’s a new girl in town
With a brand new style
She was just passing through
But if things work out she’ gonna stay awhile.”
It's funny the little things we remember, but when they become a part of your life for so long you just do. TV theme songs are just as important as the TV shows they open. The above-mentioned themes can instantly take you back. I know they do me.
The first was from the '80s sitcom, “The Facts Of Life.” The second one comes from TV’s “Frasier,” while the third mentioned one is from “Mad About You.”
The next one everybody knows is the highly successful “I’ll Be There For You” from “Friends.” The song became a No. 1 Billboard smash for the Rembrandts.
The last one is, perhaps, the most difficult one, but if I through in, “Well, kiss my grits,” you’re to know it’s the theme to “Alice.”
So, why the walk down TV memory lane? It’s simple! Plus, I’m quite excited to see this pan out. Each of these mentioned sitcoms have development deals in the works to return to TV. How cool is that? Add to that “Designing Women,” too. “Beverly Hills 90210” is rumored for a return and Jerry Seinfeld is hinting at resurrecting “Seinfeld.” He and fans of the series didn’t like how the show ended.
We’ve enjoyed the successful reboots of “Will & Grace” and “Roseanne,” which later became “The Connors.” Plus, we’ve seen reboots of “Dallas,” “Dynasty,” “Charmed” and “Murphy Brown.” For some reason, “Murphy Brown” failed to garner enough attention, although it did make me laugh.
Sources report that “The Facts of Life” will reunite Blair, Jo, Tootie and Natalie. They were a dream team when the show was a hit in the '80s. But, it’s going to take all of them to fill the shoes of the late Mrs. Garrett. I surely hope they keep the show intact to its original premise.
“Frasier” is one of my all-time faves. I am thrilled to see Dr. Crane back in action. And, by Dr. Crane, I mean Frasier. He’s back in Boston and it’s a new cast. Freddy is all grown up and quite opposite of his father. Critics have been harsh, but they were for “Will & Grace,” too. It takes a minute to get your footing again. I have faith Kelsey Grammar will make this work.
“Alice” is a biggie, too. And, Linda Lavin is said to be on board. She played Alice. I could see this one being modernized and being a hit all over again.
No one would ever be able to capture the sheer magic that was “The Golden Girls,” but if done right I could see the children of Rose, Blanche and Dorothy moving in together with adventures of their own.
As for “Friends,” well, we will have to wait and see, I guess. Everything has just been chatter so far.
What TV shows would you like to see make a comeback?
— David T. Farr is a Journal correspondent. Email him at farrboy@hotmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: The Farr Side: The tunes that take us back to the shows we loved
