Soundtracks to Copaganda
@copshowtunes.bsky.social
Theme music from police procedurals, mystery series, and adjacent TV programs, occasionally with commentary.
When I was a kid KOJAK (1973-78) had a rep for being too intense for younger viewers; watching clips of Telly Savalas harassing witnesses and suspects showed me why that might have been so. (Also the pilot was based on a real-life rape & murder case.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY2r...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY2r...
Kojak Opening
YouTube video by chuckcollins
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:59 PM
When I was a kid KOJAK (1973-78) had a rep for being too intense for younger viewers; watching clips of Telly Savalas harassing witnesses and suspects showed me why that might have been so. (Also the pilot was based on a real-life rape & murder case.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY2r...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY2r...
OK, finally getting around to SPENSER: FOR HIRE (1985-88). Urich also played the character in a series of TV movies during the early '90s.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=69WB...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=69WB...
Theme Song | Spenser for Hire | Warner Archive
YouTube video by Warner Bros. Classics
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:10 PM
OK, finally getting around to SPENSER: FOR HIRE (1985-88). Urich also played the character in a series of TV movies during the early '90s.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=69WB...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=69WB...
Reposted by Soundtracks to Copaganda
Zuckerberg is Edison, Musk is DW Griffith. Thank you.
December 30, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Zuckerberg is Edison, Musk is DW Griffith. Thank you.
I got distracted by Robert Urich a couple days ago, but mentioning Raymond Burr's huge office in KINGSTON: CONFIDENTIAL reminded me of Tia Carrere's implausibly large office in RELIC HUNTER.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq4J...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq4J...
Relic Hunter Intro
YouTube video by isurukill
www.youtube.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:24 PM
I got distracted by Robert Urich a couple days ago, but mentioning Raymond Burr's huge office in KINGSTON: CONFIDENTIAL reminded me of Tia Carrere's implausibly large office in RELIC HUNTER.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq4J...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq4J...
In between VEGA$ and SPENSER: FOR HIRE, Urich played former CIA operative and current action oceanographer Robert Gavilan in one season of GAVILAN (1982-3).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY1_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY1_...
Gavilan Main Title
YouTube video by Lee Goldberg
www.youtube.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:52 PM
In between VEGA$ and SPENSER: FOR HIRE, Urich played former CIA operative and current action oceanographer Robert Gavilan in one season of GAVILAN (1982-3).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY1_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY1_...
We've already seen early-career Robert Urich in the ensemble cast of S.W.A.T. A few years later he moved into a lead as PI Dan Tanna in VEGA$ (1978-81).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD-w...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD-w...
Vega$ Series Intro - Season 1 (1978)
YouTube video by 70s TV Detectives
www.youtube.com
December 27, 2025 at 2:54 AM
We've already seen early-career Robert Urich in the ensemble cast of S.W.A.T. A few years later he moved into a lead as PI Dan Tanna in VEGA$ (1978-81).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD-w...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD-w...
After IRONSIDE, Burr's next series was KINGSTON: CONFIDENTIAL (1977), in which he played a newspaper magnate who solved crimes through his editors and reporters.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2m-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2m-...
"Kingston: Confidential" TV Intro (and Bumper)
YouTube video by The Rap Sheet
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:10 PM
After IRONSIDE, Burr's next series was KINGSTON: CONFIDENTIAL (1977), in which he played a newspaper magnate who solved crimes through his editors and reporters.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2m-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2m-...
IRONSIDE (1967-75) put Raymond Burr back in crime drama just a year after the cancellation of PERRY MASON. Here he plays a police chief who returns as a consultant after an assassin's bullet leaves him paralyzed from the waist down.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtgQ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtgQ...
Ironside 1967-1975 TV Theme
YouTube video by War Dogs
www.youtube.com
December 20, 2025 at 7:24 PM
IRONSIDE (1967-75) put Raymond Burr back in crime drama just a year after the cancellation of PERRY MASON. Here he plays a police chief who returns as a consultant after an assassin's bullet leaves him paralyzed from the waist down.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtgQ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtgQ...
As we've seen in some other shows of the era (e.g. HARDCASTLE & MCCORMICK), the late '80s was more open to theme music with lyrics. Fox's MOD SQUAD update 21 JUMP STREET aimed for younger audiences and I'm a bit surprised they didn't release the theme as a single.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekfL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekfL...
21 Jump Street Season 1 Opening and Closing Credits and Theme Song
YouTube video by Steven
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:08 PM
As we've seen in some other shows of the era (e.g. HARDCASTLE & MCCORMICK), the late '80s was more open to theme music with lyrics. Fox's MOD SQUAD update 21 JUMP STREET aimed for younger audiences and I'm a bit surprised they didn't release the theme as a single.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekfL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekfL...
THE ROCKFORD FILES (1974-80) gave James Garner his first TV his since MAVERICK, in the role of an ex-con (wrongfully convicted and pardoned) PI working low-rent cases in Southern California and living in a trailer. Very mid-70s.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1zY...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1zY...
The Rockford Files Season 1 Intro
YouTube video by 1000 Mission Street
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:09 AM
THE ROCKFORD FILES (1974-80) gave James Garner his first TV his since MAVERICK, in the role of an ex-con (wrongfully convicted and pardoned) PI working low-rent cases in Southern California and living in a trailer. Very mid-70s.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1zY...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1zY...
HART TO HART (1979-84) belongs in the same "rich people solve crimes" subgenre as MATT HOUSTON (and Batman, I guess), but was more successful. Note the use of strings here to suggest luxe (and perhaps femininity, Stefanie Powers being a lead)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kPv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kPv...
Hart to Hart Theme (Intro & Outro)
YouTube video by 11db11
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:52 PM
HART TO HART (1979-84) belongs in the same "rich people solve crimes" subgenre as MATT HOUSTON (and Batman, I guess), but was more successful. Note the use of strings here to suggest luxe (and perhaps femininity, Stefanie Powers being a lead)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kPv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kPv...
Sweeping horns and strings laid over a disco beat make the CHARLIE'S ANGELS theme one of the most 1970s things ever.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtaE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtaE...
"Charlie's Angels" 1976 TV Intro
YouTube video by The Rap Sheet
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Sweeping horns and strings laid over a disco beat make the CHARLIE'S ANGELS theme one of the most 1970s things ever.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtaE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtaE...
Like superhero stories, Westerns often embody law-enforcement themes but have their own set of tropes, so OI haven't been super interested in posting any music from them. One exception is WILD WILD WEST, because "science fiction spy Western."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuCu...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuCu...
"The Wild Wild West" TV Intro
YouTube video by The Rap Sheet
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Like superhero stories, Westerns often embody law-enforcement themes but have their own set of tropes, so OI haven't been super interested in posting any music from them. One exception is WILD WILD WEST, because "science fiction spy Western."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuCu...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuCu...
I've been steering clear of superhero stuff so far because it's a totally different vibe, but I do want to post THE GREEN HORNET (1966-7).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIws...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIws...
Green Hornet Open
YouTube video by tvradiodude
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:58 AM
I've been steering clear of superhero stuff so far because it's a totally different vibe, but I do want to post THE GREEN HORNET (1966-7).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIws...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIws...
A less successful POLICE STORY spinoff was DAVID CASSIDY, MAN UNDERCOVER (1978), in which the former Keith Partridge tried to shake his teen-idol image through the time-honored vehicle of a police procedural.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmFe...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmFe...
"David Cassidy: Man Undercover" TV Intro
YouTube video by The Rap Sheet
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:17 PM
A less successful POLICE STORY spinoff was DAVID CASSIDY, MAN UNDERCOVER (1978), in which the former Keith Partridge tried to shake his teen-idol image through the time-honored vehicle of a police procedural.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmFe...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmFe...
Occasionally a POLICE STORY episode would get spun off into its own series; the most successful of these was POLICE WOMAN (1974-78), starring Angie Dickinson as Sgt. Pepper Anderson, who mostly worked undercover in roles that often excused revealing costumes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHmv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHmv...
Police woman Intro
YouTube video by TVTunes Quiz
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Occasionally a POLICE STORY episode would get spun off into its own series; the most successful of these was POLICE WOMAN (1974-78), starring Angie Dickinson as Sgt. Pepper Anderson, who mostly worked undercover in roles that often excused revealing costumes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHmv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHmv...
POLICE STORY (1973-77) was an anthology series created by LAPD detective-turned-novelist Joseph Wambaugh. The full theme music only ran over the end credits; this video contains four different arrangements of Jerry Goldsmith's tune.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WA...
Police Story Theme (4 Different Versions)
YouTube video by 11db11
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
POLICE STORY (1973-77) was an anthology series created by LAPD detective-turned-novelist Joseph Wambaugh. The full theme music only ran over the end credits; this video contains four different arrangements of Jerry Goldsmith's tune.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WA...
THE UNTOUCHABLES (1959-63) ran approximately four times as long as Eliot Ness' historical operation against Al Capone's syndicate (counting Capone's conviction as the end date).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZTj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZTj...
"The Untouchables" (1959) TV Intro
YouTube video by The Rap Sheet
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:23 AM
THE UNTOUCHABLES (1959-63) ran approximately four times as long as Eliot Ness' historical operation against Al Capone's syndicate (counting Capone's conviction as the end date).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZTj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZTj...
Speaking of MACGYVER (1985-92), Richard Dean Anderson's beloved action engineer had one of the most generic theme tunes I've ever listened to. Could easily run behind the credits of ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT or some half-hour sports highlight show.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hAg...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hAg...
MacGyver Intro Season 1
YouTube video by Fuzziato
www.youtube.com
November 2, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Speaking of MACGYVER (1985-92), Richard Dean Anderson's beloved action engineer had one of the most generic theme tunes I've ever listened to. Could easily run behind the credits of ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT or some half-hour sports highlight show.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hAg...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hAg...
Former Hardy Boy Parker Stevenson played asocial genius Austin James in the Sherlock Holmes (and possibly MACGYVER)-inspired PROBE. James owned some sort of tech company that he barely paid attention to while solving a lot of sciencey crimes. Isaac Asimov co-created.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5jy...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5jy...
Classic TV Theme: Probe (Isaac Asimov)
YouTube video by David Gideon
www.youtube.com
November 2, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Former Hardy Boy Parker Stevenson played asocial genius Austin James in the Sherlock Holmes (and possibly MACGYVER)-inspired PROBE. James owned some sort of tech company that he barely paid attention to while solving a lot of sciencey crimes. Isaac Asimov co-created.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5jy...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5jy...
CROSSING JORDAN (2001-07) was a crime-lab procedural set in Boston and starring Jill Hennessy as forensic pathologist Jordan Cavanaugh. Hence the Celtic music in the season 1 theme.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z308...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z308...
Crossing Jordan (2001-2007) Season 1 Intro
YouTube video by ThatAlexDude
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:19 PM
CROSSING JORDAN (2001-07) was a crime-lab procedural set in Boston and starring Jill Hennessy as forensic pathologist Jordan Cavanaugh. Hence the Celtic music in the season 1 theme.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z308...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z308...
I'm running out of intro clips for NBC MYSTERY MOVIE spokes, so let's pivot to 1985's half-season MacGRUDER & LOUD, in which our buddy cops are secretly married.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bvh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bvh...
MACGRUDER AND LOUD 1985 - John Getz, Kathryn Harrold - opening credits
YouTube video by PREHISTORICTELEVISION1956
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:40 PM
I'm running out of intro clips for NBC MYSTERY MOVIE spokes, so let's pivot to 1985's half-season MacGRUDER & LOUD, in which our buddy cops are secretly married.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bvh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bvh...
Reposted by Soundtracks to Copaganda
In this week's newsletter, I give some thought to company's going all-in on America as a brand (and how TV is serving this up)
... plus, the return of NBA on NBC also means the return of "Roundball Rock," which I think is a good thing — a signature piece of music functions as a logo in audio form!
... plus, the return of NBA on NBC also means the return of "Roundball Rock," which I think is a good thing — a signature piece of music functions as a logo in audio form!
When companies go all-in on America as a brand
Plus the power of "Roundball Rock" ... and a look at the celebrity documentary industrial complex.
buttondown.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:31 PM
In this week's newsletter, I give some thought to company's going all-in on America as a brand (and how TV is serving this up)
... plus, the return of NBA on NBC also means the return of "Roundball Rock," which I think is a good thing — a signature piece of music functions as a logo in audio form!
... plus, the return of NBA on NBC also means the return of "Roundball Rock," which I think is a good thing — a signature piece of music functions as a logo in audio form!
TENAFLY (1973-4), another second-season entry in the NBC WEDNESDAY MYSTERY MOVIE, was sort of the opposite of blaxploitation: Harry Tenafly (James McEachin) lived with his wife and kids in a suburban tract home, drove a sensible car, and worked for a large agency.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-5c...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-5c...
Tenafly Theme (Intro)
YouTube video by 11db11
www.youtube.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:40 PM
TENAFLY (1973-4), another second-season entry in the NBC WEDNESDAY MYSTERY MOVIE, was sort of the opposite of blaxploitation: Harry Tenafly (James McEachin) lived with his wife and kids in a suburban tract home, drove a sensible car, and worked for a large agency.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-5c...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-5c...
The second season of NBC WEDNESDAY MYSTERY MOVIE carried BANACEK over from the first and added three new legs. THE SNOOP SISTERS (1973-4) starred Helen Hayes and Mildred Natwick as a mystery novelist and her sister (and typist) who solved crimes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRI7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRI7...
Classic TV Theme: The Snoop Sisters
YouTube video by David Gideon
www.youtube.com
October 26, 2025 at 1:41 AM
The second season of NBC WEDNESDAY MYSTERY MOVIE carried BANACEK over from the first and added three new legs. THE SNOOP SISTERS (1973-4) starred Helen Hayes and Mildred Natwick as a mystery novelist and her sister (and typist) who solved crimes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRI7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRI7...