"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale" of a time when television shows began with awesome TV Theme Songs. "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name" and sometimes you want to go back to when TV Theme songs were special. "Here's a story... of a lovely" time when TV Theme Songs served to identify, distinguish and set the stage for the television program that followed. "You take the good, take the bad, take them both and there you have" what unfortunately has become a lost artform. "Believe it or not", sadly it seems no effort or pride is taken in the TV Theme Song ever since Seinfeld proved a short synth-bass riff could be used instead. “Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!” This regular feature may not "make all our dreams come true", but it will remember some of the best TV Theme Songs from years past (with a focus on the '80s decade). "Come aboard, we're expecting you."
This time we will cover the theme song for B.J. and the Bear. "Hey there where ya goin'? Not exactly knowin'. Who says you have to call just one place home? He's goin' everywhere, B.J. McKay and his best friend Bear." B.J. and the Bear debuted in February of 1979 running for three seasons and 46 episodes crossing over into the '80s and ending in 1981. The show is about a truck driver, played by Greg Evigan, and his pet chimpanzee.
B.J. and the Bear was created by Glen A. Larson who also created other popular shows including Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Quincy, M.E., The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, Knight Rider, The Fall Guy and Magnum, P.I. Larson actually composed the theme song for B.J. and the Bear himself. Along with some female background singers, the show's star (not the monkey) Evigan was chose to perform the theme song which allowed him to show off his singing skills. He actually began his career in musical theater, appearing in the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar followed by a touring production of Grease where he played the lead, "Danny Zuko". In 1987, Evigan went on to star in the sitcom My Two Dads for which he also would sing the theme song. Here is the opening for B.J. and the Bear featuring the theme song performed by Greg Evigan...
"He just keeps on movin'. Ladies keep improvin'. Every day is better than the last. New dreams and better scenes. And best of all I don't pay property tax. Rollin' down to Dallas. My wheels provide my palace. I'm off to New Orleans or who knows where. Places new and ladies, too. I'm B.J. McKay and this is my best friend Bear."
Hope you enjoyed tuning in for another "episode" of TV Theme Songs!