Seriously, what happened to television theme songs? For me, tuning into The O.C. and belting “CALIFORNIAAAAA!” at the top of my lungs was an essential part of the television experience. I associate “I Don’t Want to Wait” by Paula Cole exclusively to Dawson’s Creek, and “I’ll Be There For You” by The Rembrandts is now the “Friends Theme”. Nowadays, after the teaser to the episode, the viewer is simply greeted with the name of the respective show accompanied with a black or white background. I don’t know about everyone else, but that doesn’t make me pumped for the rest of the episode. Granted, there are selected shows where this technique works. Take Lost for example (tangent: SEASON SIX PREMIERE TOMORROW!), the eerie music and the disorienting motion of the title card works perfectly with the series.  Well, except for Dominic Monaghan and Jimmy Kimmel’s song, it starts at 1:14 in the video below. Check it out. Gold.

I may be alone in my thinking here, because I am aware that theme songs take up valuable airtime otherwise spent with the actual characters. I can’t really explain it, but hearing “A Perfect Lie” every week with Nip / Tuck or “Cosy in the Rocket” before Grey’s Anatomy really makes me happy. I like having a moment to display my lack of vocal talent before my favorite programs. Bring back the television themes, people. Make us music loving folk happy