"The Name of the Game" cool sci-fi episode "L.A. 2017", 1971

This prophetic episode, directed by 24 year old Steven Spielberg, covers lots of ecological /political ground in its 73 minutes. You have to hand it to Universal TV/NBC, with a budget of $375 000, you get a lot of bang for your buck in 1971.
Great to see Gene Barry, no stranger to sci fi (remember 1954's "War of the Worlds"?) as Glenn Howard, the thinking man's Murdoch. Don't expect to see perky secretary, Susan St James in this episode. Edmond O'Brien has a juicy bit. Blink and you'll miss Joan Crawford. (Spielberg worked with her earlier in a "Night Gallery" episode). Louise Latham, always great, is wasted as Barry Sullivan's creepy wife. The wealthy in underground LA sip milk like it's single malt whisky. The final scene of the dead sea bird on the highway still packs a punch.
A great swansong for the third and last season. Loved that Dave Grusin theme music and cool opening titles.

My favourite TV theme music/openings

• "The Name of the Game" 1968-1971 Dave Grusin composer
• "Search" 1972-1973 Dominic Frontierre
• "The Wild,Wild West" 1965-1969 Richard Markowitz
• "Hawaii Five-0" 1968-1980 Morton Stevens
• "The Father Brown Mysteries" 1974 ITV Jack Parnell
• "The Persuaders" 1971 ITV John Barry
• "The Avengers" 1961-1969 ITV Laurie Johnson
• "Banacek" 1972-1974 Billy Goldenberg music with George Peppard rowing up? down? the Charles River

Terrific opening titles from TV, past and present

• "The Wild, Wild West" (1965-1969) complemented by Richard Markowitz's theme music, the four screens of villains are later used in the frozen four scenes pre-commercial breaks. Hard to explain, Youtube it.
• "Hawaii Five-0" (1968), the camera zooms, Jack Lord on the high rise balcony. Sublime. I love 1968.
• "Dexter" of course - inspired and witty - breakfast of champions.
• "True Blood", style later copied in "Banshee"
• "'American Horror Story" (2012- , FX) It's a bit "Se7en", but still wonderful.
• "The Name of the Game" (1968-1971)
• "Search" (1971-1972)
• "The Father Brown Mysteries" (1974, U.K.)
• "Callan" (1967-72) the swinging light bulb is iconic - simple yet effective
• "It Takes A Thief" (1968-1970) Wayne Fitzgerald has done countless shows and movies, the master. Dave Grusin's cool theme music is the perfect match.
• "Boardwalk Empire" (2010- , HBO)
• "Mr and Mrs Murder" (2013 , Aust., Network 10) comic strip/pop art inspired. Go Australia!
• "True Detective" (2014- , HBO) together with T Bone Burnett's music is inspirational.

It is often hard to separate great opening titles from great theme music, as one complements the other.

70's TV Guilty Pleasures (10 of the best)

Not The Brady Bunch, thought it was naff. Liked the two sendup movies, though.
I did watch The Partridge Family (for Susan Dey). You must bear in mind I was between the ages of 14 and 23 in the seventies.  Here we go, in order of what I would most desperately like to see again ....

U.S. 70's shows

1. Columbo (Where do I start? I think the first few seasons are my favourite) "Er....just one more thing....." 
2. The Name of the Game (glossy Universal telemovies with rotating stars, I'm also a sucker for great opening titles/theme music)
3. Kolchak: The Night Stalker
4. Night Gallery patchy Universal horror anthology series with great guest stars and soon to be famous directors (Steven Spielberg)
5. Search (Probe was the pilot movie, loved the Dominic Frontiere theme music and the changing stars format)
6. Rich Man, Poor Man mini-series (polished Universal production)
7. Laugh In (1968-1973)
8. MacMillan and Wife (Universal again, John Schuck really annoyed me!)
9. Banacek (Cool Peppard rowing down the Charles River)
10. The Snoop Sisters (shortlived but not forgotten, those old birds were good)

British 70's shows

1. Family at War  must-see wartime melodrama
2. The Sandbaggers  I preferred this to Callan, but my wife will kill me for saying such sacrilege.
3. Bouquet of Barbed Wire  miniseries, pretty raunchy, if I remember.
4. Journey to the Unknown   another horror anthology series, creepy introductory whistling music. I know it finished in 1969 but I didn't see it until 1970, it's my blog, it wouldn't be the first time the truth has been 'bent' on the Internet.
5. Thriller (from the creator of The Avengers, Brian Clemens)
6. The Persuaders big budget Lew Grade series, Tony Curtis was great, so were the cars.
7. Doctor in the House (loved Professor Loftus)
8. Morecambe & Wise (Brit gold)
9. Doctor Who (Jon Pertwee episodes)
10. Doctor Who (Tom Baker episodes)