Top 10 All-Time Greatest TV Theme Songs

1. Cheers - "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" by Gary Portnoy
2. Addams Family - "Addams Family Theme" by Vic Mizzy
3. Highlander: The Series - "Princes of the Universe" by Queen
4. Malcolm in the Middle - "Boss of Me" by They Might Be Giants
5. Moonlight - "Theme from Moonlighting" by Al Jarreau
6. Weeds - "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds
7. Miami Vice - "Miami Vice Theme" by Jan Hammer
8. Sopranos - "Woke Up This Morning" by Alabama 3
9. Dukes of Hazzard - "Good Old Boys" by Waylon Jennings
10. MASH - "Suicide is Painless" by Johnny Mandel

Weeds & Little Boxes

As I stated in an earlier post, Showtime's Weeds is the second best program on television.

The theme song, "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds, is very cool. In the second season, Elvis Costello performed the theme in one episode. As did Englebert Humperdink. In the kickoff to the third season, it was Randy Newman. This is a neat addition to a great program. (And, by the way, I don't smoke pot. I just enjoy watching a program at about a pot dealer).

Polygamy TV

HBO's Big Love is the best show on television. (Note: Showtime's Weeds is also pretty freakin' good).

The 2007 season just ended last week, and I'm already suffering withdrawal.

HBO only makes 12 episodes per year. Luckily, HBO programmers never skimp on placement of reruns. I'll have ample opportunity to view all of this year's episodes again and again.

Big Love benefits from great writing and good acting (too things rare on television serials). I'm particularly fond of Jeanne Tripplehorn ... because her character is believable as a reluctant polygamist ... and, also because Jeanne is a native of Tulsa OK. It's always good to see an Okie do well. Bill Paxon is a Texan ... and, unfortunately, his Texas bravado shows. He's not quite believable as a Mormon fundamentalist. The FLDS-types aren't chest-thumpers. They're usually squirrelly and reticent ... traits of those on the fringes of society. Second sister wife Chloë Sevigny is dead-on as a true believer in "The Principle." Third sister wife Ginnifer Goodwin isn't as convincing, but she's infinitely likable. There would be more tolerance for polygamy if more women like Ginnifer were available for multiple marriage.

Big Love is loosely based on the polygamy subculture of Colorado City AZ. I doubt that actual polygamist integrate as easily into suburban life. It's still fascinating to take a look at a taboo like multiple marriage from a different angle.