For some reason, I always got these two themes mixed up whenever I would play them in my head. (The shows were really nothing alike ... other than the fact that they were both "family" sitcoms ... but something in my brain found a similarity between these two themes and I'd have to really "think it out" from time to time in order to determine which was which.
Interesting then that these two themes should finish so close to each other in our 2020 Favorites Poll.
(FAMILY TIES earned 69 of your votes and came in at #108 ...
While GROWING PAINS finished slightly higher at #106 with 70 of your votes.)
In between??? (Because I just KNEW you'd be wondering!!!)
HIGH CHAPPAREL, #107.
FAMILY TIES (this one did not make the list in 2013)
This is the show that made Michael J. Fox a star here in America.
The concept was a fun one …
Two hippie parents are trying to raise their ultra-conservative first born son with mega accounting skills … and political aspirations.
The first season theme was sung by our buddy Dennis Tufano (former lead singer of The Buckinghams) and Mindy Sterling …
But after a couple of hit singles together as a duo, it was permanently replaced by the Johnny Mathis / Deniece Williams version.
The show also helped to make a hit out of the Billy Vera tune “At This Moment” when Fox’s character Alex Keaton fell in love with Ellen Reed, played by actress Tracy Pollan. Fact is, they fell in love OFF screen as well … and have been together now since 1987 … and married for 32 years!
DIDJAKNOW?: Pollan had plans to marry actor Kevin Bacon at the time … and she was replaced as Alex Keaton’s love interest by Courtney Cox. Bacon later fell for Kyra Sedgwick … and Fox and Pollan were reunited during the filming of “Bright Lights, Big City.” They have been together ever since.
Fox continues to do occasional television appearances. He’s been battling Parkinson’s Disease since 1991 … but Tracy has stood by his side through all of it.
GROWING PAINS (this did not make the list in 2013)
When the show first premiered, the title theme was sung by B.J. Thomas as a solo effort …
But as the series went on, a female vocal was added ...
which is probably the way you remember it …
That one was sung with BJ by Jennifer Warnes …
But in between a duet with Dusty Springfield was also recorded.
And check out this cast reunion …
Another family sitcom (with perhaps some less conventional family dynamics) that scored very well is ONE DAY AT A TIME. (#95 with 78 of your votes)
ONE DAY AT A TIME (this one did not make the list in 2013)
There was a period of time where ANYTHING Norman Lear touched turned to gold … and this is one of those television series that absolutely benefited from Lear’s Midas Touch.
(That being said, the show is STILL airing today, in reboot form, to critical raves … so who knows!!!)
Yes, I watched it from time to time … typically before I was heading out for the evening … and it wasn’t AWFUL … but it wasn’t exactly “Must See TV” either. It WAS cool to see MacKenzie Phillips (offspring of Papa John Phillips of The Mamas and Papas) and newcomer Valleri Bertinelli, who would eventually go on to marry guitar god Eddie Van Halen ...
But Schneider regularly got on my nerves to the point that I just couldn't stand to watch him. (No offense, Pat Harrington, Jr. ... I believe that is EXACTLY what you were going for!!!)
But honestly ... a guy THAT slimely should have been a used car salesman or something ...
And not the building's superintendent!
THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW (this one did not make the list in 2013) #142 with 50 votes
Years before The Atlanta Rhythm Section introduced us to THEIR version of “Champagne Jam,” we had already been treated to a brief view from “Mr. Bubbles” himself.
Now I will say that … unless I was at my Grandma’s house, where it was mandatory viewing … I NEVER watched “The Lawrence Welk Show” on my own …
But you just couldn’t escape the bright and bubbly sound of his theme song.
