Today's Tune: 'Red Dwarf' Theme Music By Howard Goodall

Photo from www.jla.co.uk - After Dinner Speakers

Happy Birthday to Christopher Barrie! Chris Barrie is one of my favorite funny guys, and he turned 51 years old today. I hope he had a great time. Below is the Wikipedia introduction to Mr. Barrie.

Chris Barrie (born 28 March 1960) is a British actor. He first achieved success as a vocal impressionist, notably in the ITV sketch show Spitting Image.[1] He is best known for his roles as Arnold Rimmer in the sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, as Gordon Brittas in the BBC sitcom The Brittas Empire and as Lara Croft's butler Hillary in the Tomb Raider franchise films.[1]

I'm most familiar with, and most fond of, Barrie's work in the Red Dwarf television series. That has led me to pick the theme music for the series, in it's original form (series 1 and 2, of 9), for our 'Today's Tune' this time around. Check it out in the first video, below. The overall quality of the intros improved throughout the years, along with the show itself, but I still like the way it started out.

When I heard about the guys reuniting for the Red Dwarf: Back to Earth mini-series in 2009, it gave me hope that the show would come back as a regular programme. Apparently, it will soon (2012) be doing just that.

Original Red Dwarf theme music (1988) by Howard Goodall



Red Dwarf - "The End" S1 E1 (1988) Part 1 of 3



Red Dwarf - "The End" S1 E1 (1988) Part 2 of 3



Red Dwarf - "The End" S1 E1 (1988) Part 3 of 3

Today's Tune: John Sullivan's "Dear John"

Rest In Peace, Ralph Bates (February 12, 1940 – March 27, 1991). English film and television actor Bates, is most famous for his work in Hammer Horror films (1970s), the TV historical fiction drama Poldark (1975 - 1977) and situation comedy Dear John. He also played one of the lead roles in the far too short lived science fiction series Moonbase 3 (1973), a creation of Doctor Who producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks.

Ralph starred as the main character in the original UK version of Dear John, a hilarious show written by John Sullivan, which ran for two years. There was also a US version, starring Judd Hirsch (Delvecchio, Taxi, Numb3rs) in the role of John Lacey, that lasted for four years. I loved this show, and how the version we saw in the states was so close to the original. The opening, the individual characters and their names, were almost exactly the same in both.

Dear John series writer John Sullivan also wrote the theme song, which is our 'Today's Tune', this instalment.

Dear John Theme Song (UK)



Dear John Theme Song (US)



Fan Tribute to Ralph Bates - Song is "White Rabbit" by Collide



Moonbase 3 - "Departure And Arrival" - Part 1

Today's Tune: WKRP In Cincinnati Opening And Closing Themes

Happy Birthday Howard Hesseman! The American television and film actor, best known for his work on comedy television series programmes in the 1970s and 1980s, turned 70 years old today.

Hesseman's most memorable character is from one of the best American sitcoms of all time, WKRP In Cincinnati (1978 – 1982), in which he played a DJ named Dr. Johnny Fever. Our 'Today's Tune' installment for today includes both "WKRP In Cincinnati Main Theme", the opening theme (Performed by Steve Carlisle), and "WKRP In Cincinnati End Credits" (Performed by Jim Ellis), which is obviously the closing theme. As an added bonus (Yippie!), this video includes the entire episode called "Hoodlum Rock" (1978).

WKRP In Cincinnati (Season 1 / Episode 4) - "Hoodlum Rock"

Today's Tune: "Voi Che Sapete" ("Tell Me What Love Is") Performed By Cecilia Bartoli

Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet (1995).

Jane Austen, perhaps England's most famous and loved female novelist, was born on December 16, 1775. Austen did not become famous as a writer within her lifetime. She published her work anonymously. Before her death on July 18, 1817, Jane's novels and poetry were mostly read and enjoyed by her supportive family and the well to do literary society.

Austen's fictional writings were commentary on moral issues and the socially acceptable life path of women living in her time. She obviously tried to be more realistic than many previous authors, but often also included a fair amount of humor whilst enlightening the minds of her readers. The women in her stories, as in real life, were dependent on marriage for economic security and social standing. However, Austen made it clear that women have minds of their own, and are as deserving of the freedom to make major decisions for themselves as are men.

Through the 1869 publication of her nephew's 'A Memoir of Jane Austen', her works became more widely known and appreciated. By the middle of the 20th century, Jane Austen had come to be required reading for students in much of the world. Austen is mostly remembered for her novels. Between 1811 and 1816, she published and enjoyed success with 'Sense and Sensibility' (1811), 'Pride and Prejudice' (1813), 'Mansfield Park' (1814) and 'Emma' (1816). 'Northanger Abbey' and 'Persuasion' were released in 1818, after her death. Originally titled 'The Brothers', another novel later renamed 'Sanditon', was left unfinished.

Our 'Today's Tune' is an aria from Mozart's 1784 opera, 'Le Nozze Di Figaro' ('The Marriage Of Figaro'). "Voi Che Sapete" ("Tell Me What Love Is" - Not a literal translation) was the theme music for the BBC's 1995 television adaption of Austin's novel 'Pride And Prejudice'. Although it was also performed by the story's main character Elizabeth Bennet in one scene of the mini-series, I chose to include a performance by Italy's mezzo-soprano opera superstar Cecilia Bartoli, because she is my favorite female opera singer. Ms. Bennet was portrayed by Jennifer Ehle. Colin Firth, who was featured as a singer in a previous 'Today's Tune' entry, played leading man, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Cecilia Bartoli - "Voi Che Sapete" ("Tell Me What Love Is")
Live in Lucerne, Switzerland in 2006



Pride And Prejudice (1995) - Episode 1 (Part 1 of 6)

Watch the entire 1995 production on YouTube.

Today's Tune: "Dive", "Captain Nemo"By Sarah Brightman

According to Wikipedia:

The United States Naval Academy is an undergraduate college in Annapolis, Maryland, United States, that educates and commissions officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Academy often is referred to simply as "Annapolis". It is also called "The Academy", "The Boat School", or "Canoe U". Sports media refer to the Academy as Navy; this usage is officially endorsed. The U.S. Naval Academy was established 10 October 1845.

The Academy's motto is Ex Scientia Tridens, which is Latin for "from knowledge, seapower" (the trident, emblem of the Roman god Neptune, represents seapower).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keeping to the nautical / marine end of things, this 'Today's Tune' post features both album title track / intro "Dive" and "Captain Nemo" by English soprano singer Sarah Brightman. My apologies for not doing a more in depth entry today, but I spent an embarrassingly huge amount of time trying to find a high quality video for this, and there just wasn't one available on the Internet. The one I've chosen is the best video that included both tracks. Unfortunately, like most that I saw, the ending is cut a bit short.

Sarah Brightman - "Dive" / "Captain Nemo"

Today's Tune: Intro Theme To 'Brothers'

Happy Birthday to Robin Riker. Since I'm both really lazy and really late in posting the 'Today's Tune' for today, I'll let Wikipedea (see below) fill you in on this actress that has appeared in some really good television shows.

My favorite TV show that Robin Riker starred in was an incredibly funny show from the 1980's called Brothers, which I used to watch on good old Philly57. It was one of the first TV shows to deal with homosexual characters in a humorous yet respectful way in every episode. The show had a fantastically talented cast as well: Robert Walden as Joe Waters, Paul Regina as Cliff Waters, Brandon Maggart as Lou Waters, Philip Charles MacKenzie as Donald Maltby, Hallie Todd as Penny Waters, Robin Riker as Kelly Hall (Seasons 1-4), Mary Ann Pascal as Samantha "Sam" Booke Waters (Seasons 3-5), Yeardley Smith as Louella Waters (Seasons 4-5), Tommy Hinkley as Jim Grant (Season 4), Timothy Williams as Mike Chandler (Season 5) and Cathryn Hacker as Caroline Waters (Season 5). Hopefully Showtime (Series rights owner) will put the entire thing out on DVD someday real soon.


Robin Riker according to Wikipedea:

Robin Riker (b. October 2, 1952, New York City), is an American actress who has guest starred in a number of notable television series including The Rockford Files, M*A*S*H, The A-Team, Airwolf, Murder, She Wrote, Sliders, Malcolm in the Middle, Brothers, Pyramid, Six Feet Under, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, among many others.

She appeared as Chris Elliott's friend's wife and enemy on the sitcom, Get a Life and opposite Ed Asner and Haley Joel Osment on the short-lived ABC sitcom Thunder Alley.

In May 2008, she signed a contract for the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful as the recast of Beth Logan. Her first appearance was June 18, 2008. This is the second daytime drama that she had appeared on. In 2000, she played the roll of Maureen "Bonnie" Lockhart on the NBC daytime drama Days of our Lives. The role was later played by Judi Evans.

Brothers - Intro/Theme
Written by Marcus Barone (vocals), Joe Diamond and Gloria Nissenson

Today's Tune: "Where No Man Has Gone Before" By Alexander Courage

The first episode of the original Star Trek television series to be broadcast, was aired on September 8, 1966. The series is a science fiction show that takes place in outer space, and was created by American screenwriter and producer Gene Roddenbery.

"The Man Trap" was actually the 6th to be produced, including 2 pilots (1 failed, 1 aired during season 1), but was the episode chosen to be shown first. "Where No Man Has Gone Before" is the instrumental theme music written by Alexander Courage, who also created the woosh sound heard when the Starship Enterprise flies by during the opening credits. The second pilot episode uses the same title. Canadian actor and writer William Shatner, who starred as the character Captain James T. Kirk, provided the opening monologue that is added, creating the "Theme From Star Trek".

"Where No Man Has Gone Before" by Alexander Courage



"Theme From Star Trek"(Includes opening monologue)

Happy 57th Birthday Alexei Sayle

Recent photo of Alexei Sayle from his web site.

I know I mentioned that Alexei Sayle was born on August 7, 1952 in the previous post, but I felt like doin' it more proper like. A post totally about Mr. Sayle. So, Happy Birthday Alexei!

My favorite Communist funnyman is a comedian, an actor (both humorous and serious) and an author. Sayle's comedy has been described as physical, surreal, alternative and in the same vein as the popular comedy group Monty Python. I suppose these are pretty good descriptions. As far as appearance, for many years he sported a shaved head with stubby whiskers, while dressed in a suit that was well undersized for his frame. Recently though, he's let some hair grow on his head along with a decent beard.

Alexei Sayle has done radio, television, movies and records. He's written screenplays and books. Even if you don't care for his political and social views, there's no denying that he is a very intelligent man, and funny as hell.

When I think about Alexei, I remember his television shows Alexei Sayle's Stuff (1988 - 1991), The Young Ones (1982 - 1984), and his appearance in the Doctor Who episode "Revelation Of The Daleks" (1985). It's all good stuff. If you haven't experienced his work, you ought to as soon as possible. To get you started if you're unfamiliar, or maybe to help you remember if it's been a while, I've included some videos below.

Alexei Sayle as DJ in Doctor Who: "Revalation Of The Daleks" (1985)



Alexei Sayle's Stuff (1988 - 1991) - Opening Sequence



Alexei Sayle's Stuff - "Interfering With The Audience"


Alexei Sayle's Stuff - "God Sketch"



The Young Ones - Alexei Sayle as Reggie Balowski in "The Bomb" (Series 1 - Episode 4)