Jeopardy! theme songs
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Since Jeopardy! debuted in 1964, the show has had many different theme songs, most of them composed by creator Merv Griffin.
[edit] Art Fleming versions
"Think!" (originally composed by Merv Griffin as "A Time for Tony" as a lullaby for his son Tony[1]), has served as the Final Jeopardy! Round countdown music since the show's debut in 1964.[2] In the United States, "Think!" has insinuated itself into everyday communication; the song has been used to score situations in which someone is waiting for another to answer a question or make a decision[3] Merv Griffin estimated that the Jeopardy! theme song earned him royalties of over $70 million.[4][5]
A jazz number titled "Take 10", composed by Julann Griffin, served as the main theme song to the original NBC daytime version.[6][7]
The main theme to the 1978-1979 revival, called "Frisco Disco", was composed by Merv Griffin and arranged by Mort Lindsey, the bandleader on The Merv Griffin Show.[8] The opening theme, called "January, February, March", was also composed by Griffin and arranged by Lindsey, and reappeared as the main theme on the first pilot of the Alex Trebek-hosted Jeopardy! in 1983.[9]
[edit] Alex Trebek version
An electronic version of the "Think!" melody became the main theme when Jeopardy! returned to the airwaves in 1984, while the original recording of "Think!" was used for the Final Jeopardy! Round. The main theme was remixed in 1991 to include a bongo track. In 1997, both the main theme and the Final Jeopardy! Round "Think!" music were updated, with jazzy orchestral arrangements by Steve Kaplan. The main theme was updated again in 2000 and again in 2001, with arrangements similar to those previous. The theme has gone through some slight re-orchestrations since then.
The electric guitar-based theme from Rock & Roll Jeopardy! has been used on Jeopardy! leading to and coming out of commercial breaks during College Championships, Teen Tournaments, recent Kids Weeks, and recent Celebrity Jeopardy! episodes. (During a few of these tournaments, it was also played during Final Jeopardy!)
Alternate versions of "Think!" have been performed by the UCLA Marching Band (during the 2001 College Championship), the Yale Whiffenpoofs (during the 2003 College Championship), and organist Trent Johnson during the final Celebrity Jeopardy! show at Radio City Music Hall in 2006. Five different piano renditions were used during the show's first trip to New York City in 1999. On an episode aired in May 2007, another piano rendition was used, performed by a piano player aboard the Orient Express.[10]
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ The original "A Time for Tony", which differs slightly from "Think!", was used as a jewelry prize cue on Wheel of Fortune in the 1980s.
- ^ "Think!" was not used at all during the 1978-1979 The All-New Jeopardy!, as there was no Final Jeopardy! Round.
- ^ "Think!" is often used at baseball stadiums when the manager goes out to the pitcher's mound to discuss a replacement, or at football and hockey games during instant replay reviews, or at short-track races when officials are trying to ascertain the cause of a red flag accident. On numerous television shows, including The Jerry Springer Show and Boston Legal, the theme or some variation thereof is heard when a choice has to be made or a result is being awaited.
- ^ Natale, Richard. "Hollywood legend Merv Griffin dies: Media mogul known for gameshows, talkshow", Variety (magazine), August 12, 2007. Accessed January 11, 2008.
- ^ International versions of Jeopardy! use sound-alike music rather than the actual "Think!" theme during the Final Jeopardy! Round, presumably to avoid making royalty payments to Griffin.
- ^ On the 2000th episode in 1972, the theme music was the overture to The Who's Tommy.
- ^ At the end of the final episode of the original NBC daytime version, Art Fleming walked off the set to the tune of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile". As the song played, credits rolled over a shot of the darkened set, with no applause.
- ^ "Frisco Disco" would later resurface in 1983 as a prize cue on Wheel of Fortune, where it was used until 1989.
- ^ Both "Frisco Disco" and "January, February, March" were recorded in 1976 and released on Merv Griffin's double album As Time Goes By, two years prior to the revival of Jeopardy! in 1978.
- ^ On at least one occasion, the "Think!" theme was not played at all during Final Jeopardy! Before, during, and after Alex Trebek's reading of the Final Jeopardy! clue for show #3985, the L.A. Spirit Chorale sang a live, a cappella rendition of "Silent Night", with Clue Crew member Cheryl Farrell on lead vocals. This appeared to confuse challenger Carly Minner, who looked up from her podium in surprise when it was announced that time had expired.
[edit] External links
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