Search - Various Artists - Soundtracks, Edd Kalehoff, Hal Hidey :: Classic TV Game Show Themes

Kelli S. from PLAINSBORO, NJ
Reviewed on 7/22/2010...

Great memories!

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Great themes from the classics...

bigdcaldavis | North Carolina | 01/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD has great themes from the classics...from famous shows like "Wheel Of Fortune" (its "Changing Keys" theme which was used from 1983 to 1991), "Jeopardy" (the theme first used for the Alex Trebek syndicated version...this version was used until around 1996 when it was replaced by a modernized version), and the classic "The Price Is Right" (which has been in use since 1972) to obscure shows like "The Wizard Of Odds" and "Go". There are also great themes to "Password" (this one from the 1971-1975 ABC version), "The New $25,000 Pyramid", "Tic Tac Dough" and "The Joker's Wild" (Hal Hidey wrote both these great themes for those 2 great shows), "The Dating Game" and "The Newlywed Game" (both pretty good themes by the creator of those two shows, Chuck Barris), "What's My Line" (the closing theme from 1950 to 1967), "I've Got A Secret" (opening theme from 1952 to 1967), "To Tell The Truth" (opening theme from 1969 to 1978), "G.E. College Bowl" (opening theme from 1959 to 1970), "Match Game" (the 1970s version...Dumb Dora was SO DUMB...), "Family Feud" (opening theme from 1976 to 1985...Survey SAYS this is a great theme), "Card Sharks" (opening theme from 1978 to 1981...this theme was also heard on the short-lived Alex Trebek NBC gameshow "Double Dare"), "Jackpot" (opening theme from 1985 to 1990), and "Chain Reaction" (opening theme which was used on not only the 1980 NBC Bill Cullen run but also the 1986-1991 Geoff Edwards run). A must-have!"

WIll our mystery guest enter and sign in please?

GameShowGuy | 11/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Any fan of game shows will tell you that the excitement of the game is one of the reasons they watch. But for me, the theme of the show is why I watch. And this CD is chock full of some of the best known themes and shows.



1-Wheel Of Fortune: This theme is known by even casual fans of the genre. Merv Griffin did a fine job with this.



2-Jeopardy!: This was trivia well before Regis even asked :Is that your final answer?". Well reminisicent of the 1980's, with the synthesizer sound.



3-What's My Line?: The original celebrity panel show. The only theme to have been on every episode during its initial run.



4-I've Got A Secret: This theme was the first to be utilized. This show was a clone (sort of) of What's My Line?.



5-Password: Perhaps the first game show where celebrities HELP the contestants win money instead of preventing them from winning. This theme was from the ABC run.



6-To Tell The Truth: This theme was from the second run of the show, starting in 1969. What is unique about this theme is it had something that game show themes didn't have before this: lyrics. It almost sounds like a British invasion hit from that decade.



7-Tic Tac Dough: This was from the 1978-86 run of the show. Created by Hal Hidey, the musical genius for Barry & Enright shows of that same era, this had an audience participation feel from even the first show.



8-The Joker's Wild: Another Hal Hidey creation. This was a replacement for a revamped version of the first theme used for the show.



9-GE College Bowl: This was a way to show off your knowledge and your school spirit at the same time. This theme had a college fight song feel to it.



10-The Wizard Of Odds: This theme was from a short run game show, hosted by the king of Jeopardy!, Alex Trebek. It also had lyrics and was written & sung by Alan Thicke, a Canadian-born actor and singer.



11-The Dating Game: A Chuck Barris abberition of a game show. The theme was cool, though, had a Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass feel to it.



12-The Newlywed Game: Another Chuck Barris abberition. This theme had a Las Vegas feel and so did the set used.



13-The $25,000 Pyramid: Perhaps Bob Stewart's greatest game show idea. This theme was written by Bob Cobert and took the timing from the theme used in the 1970's, but added a new key and synthesizers to it.



14-The Price Is Right: Even those who aren't game show fans know what this show is. TV's longest running game show in history. This theme was created in 1972 by Robert Israel, who created a lot of themes used by Goodson & Todman shows in the 1970's and has been used ever since on the daytime and several nighttime versions.



15-Match Game: IMHO, the greatest theme ever created and certainly the funniest game show in history. Theme was created by Robert Israel.



16-Family Feud: This theme sounded like it belonged at a barn dance instead of a game show. But it fit right in with the set. Created by Score Productions.



17-Card Sharks: This theme was used originally on a G&T show called Double Dare (not the Nickelodeon game show). Another creation by Score Productions.



18-Jackpot: This theme was used on the version seen on the USA network, but oddly enough was recorded in Canada. Originally used on the NBC show "Shoot For The Stars". Created by Bob Cobert.



19-Go: This show was short lived, but the theme had a big feel to it, with a hornlike sound to it. Another Bob Cobert creation.



20-Chain Reaction: Yet another Bob Cobert creation. This was used on both the NBC & USA runs. Almost felt like raindrops at some points.



Overall, a terrific collection of themes that any game show fan would be proud to own. And anyone who loves TV themes in general would also like this CD."