I can't recall ever having heard Elmer Bernstein's "Serpico." This one was post-McQ, but found Bernstein writing in the same vein. The show only lasted half a season on NBC, from September 1976 to January 1977.
Danny Elfman went against type for this cop sitcom and gave it a propulsive main theme worthy of any police action show. "Sledge Hammer!" played two seasons (1986-88).
Randy Edelman's "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." was so exciting that NBC licensed it for use during their Olympic coverage. The series ran one season only (1993–1994).
Mike Post and Pete Carpenter were pretty much the in-house composers for Stephen J. Cannell Productions. And they usually had their names put into the opening credits. For Cannell's long-running 1980s' cop series "Hunter," which ran 7 seasons, they provided one of their typically driving themes. Here is the original:
The theme was re-orchestrated for seasons 3 and 4 to soften it a bit, then again in season 5 to punch it up a bit, and yet again in season 6. Here is season 6, which really amps up the brass and percussion.
Good shout Bob, always loved Serpico. David birney was decent and i could never understand why they didnt keep it going. "Hippy cops were de rigeur then, after al pacino and the super cops. They even made belcher a serpico-style cop when hill street started a few years later. It was a good dramatic theme from elmer.
I also liked the Chief of detectives theme with joe don baker. (think it was Cacavas) And the short lived bumpy morgan series with i think george kennedy, The Blue knight by mancini. (bill holden in the movie)
"Bronk" was another one-season police drama (1975-76). With Bruce Geller as executive producer, it should come as no surprise that Lalo Schifrin did the theme.
Bruce Broughton's theme for "JAG" gets the blood-pumping and the chest thumping.
"JAG." of course, was the precursor to "NCIS" and all of its progeny. All of the U.S. military services have lawyers and investigators. Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why these shows focus on the Navy?
One of my favorites too. I prefer the first season version, which ran a tighter 1 minute. In later seasons they had to run it to a minute and a half to include the expanded cast. The original also has a punchier intro.
One of my favorites too. I prefer the first season version, which ran a tighter 1 minute. In later seasons they had to run it to a minute and a half to include the expanded cast. It also has a punchier intro.
Would so love for this to have a cd release;-) Yes the first season I much prefer.
