Most actors would sacrifice their first born child to score the lead role in a major television series. Especially if that major television series turns out to be a hit. A particularly lucky few have not only landed such gigs, but have managed to pull off the rare ego-stroking double-play of acting in the series and singing the theme song. Because they’re just that talented.

Or not. But we’ll let you decide that in this public airing of our most recent obsession. Note: We didn’t include “The Brady Bunch” or “Partridge Family” since those were sung by the entire cast and not just a single member (or two.)

Theme: “Eight Is Enough” from “Eight is Enough”
Sung by: Grant Goodeve
Verdict: The eldest Bradford brother belted this one out for dear old Dick (Van Patton). Interestingly, Goodeve replaced Mark Hamill in the role, who jumped ship after the pilot episode to become a Jedi.
Mp3: “Eight Is Enough“

Theme: “Those Were The Days” from “All in the Family”
Sung by: Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton
Verdict: The best sitcom ever also has one of the best theme songs ever. Here’s the super cool “live” version with the extra verse.
Mp3: “All in the Family“

Theme: “The Unknown Stuntman” from “The Fall Guy”
Sung by: Lee Majors
Verdict: Extra points for having the balls to sing shitty, self-referential lyrics (“Well, I’m not the kind to kiss and tell, but I’ve been seen with Farrah…”) We know, Lee, we know.
Mp3: “The Fall Guy“

Theme: “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”
Sung by: Will Smith
Verdict: We don’t know if it’s possible to sue yourself, but this “Parents Just Don’t Understand” ripoff warrants some kind of lawsuit.
Mp3: “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air“

Theme: “Gimme a Break” from “Gimme a Break”
Sung by: Nell Carter
Verdict: So nice, they wrote it twice! Here’s the original faux soul-gospel jam, followed by the toned-down, white boy Cosby version.
Mp3: “Gimme a Break (1982)“
Mp3: “Gimme a Break (1983)“

Theme: “Makin’ It” from “Makin’ It”
Sung by: David Naughton
Verdict: He went from Pepper to pauper after this “Saturday Night Fever” wannabe was canned, though the song stayed in the Top 40 well after the show went off the air. Trivial trivia: The B-side of this record is actually called “Still Makin’ It” (thanks, Michael).
Mp3: “Makin’ It“

Theme: “There’s A New Girl In Town” from “Alice”
Sung by: Linda Lavin
Verdict: We shit you not, there are five different versions of this song. But don’t worry, they all sound more or less like this one (from the first two seasons).
Mp3: “Alice“

Theme: “That’s So Raven” from “That’s So Raven”
Sung by: Raven Simone
Verdict: Raven by Raven? Malkovich? Malkovich. And it’s still our favorite catchphrase.
Mp3: “That’s So Raven“

Theme: “Brotherly Love” from “Brotherly Love”
Sung by: Joey Lawrence
Verdict: Following in the footsteps of ex-mother figure Nell Carter, “Woah”-ey barfed out this gem for his short-lived show starring the senior Lawrence alongside his two irritating kid brothers.
Mp3: “Brotherly Love“

Theme: “Living Single” from “Living Single”
Sung by: Queen Latifah
Verdict: If Big Willie Style could do it, why not Big Dana Owens?
Mp3: “Living Single“

Theme: “I’m A Survivor” from “Reba”
Sung by: Reba McEntire
Verdict: Malkovich Malkovich? Yes, still Malkovich. We don’t know what’s worse, nu-country or the fact that it took six years to get this turd off the air.
Mp3: “Reba“

Theme: “Friends Forever” from “Love, Sidney”
Sung by: Tony Randall et al.
Verdict: A show ahead of its time featuring a theme song behind its time. Somewhere in the middle lies Tony Randall.
Mp3: “Love, Sidney“

Theme: “There’s No Place Like Home” from “227″
Sung by: Marla Gibbs
Verdict: Flo knows apartments, although we can’t help but feel that she moved on down with this shaky theme song.
Mp3: “227“

Theme: “You Look At Me” from “Joanie Loves Chachi”
Sung by: Scott Baio and Erin Moran
Verdict: It’s true, she really does love him. Can you blame her? Look at that hot piece of ass. You must obey-o.
Mp3: “Joanie Loves Chachi“

Theme: “Moesha” from “Moesha”
Sung by: Brandi
Verdict: This one is almost unfair since Brandi is a fine singer. It’s included here mostly because an acquaintance of ours thought the show was pronounced “Moishe” and presumed it was about an old Jewish dude. Seriously.
Mp3: “Moesha“

Theme: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”
Sung by: Fred Rogers
Verdict: Everyone’s favorite neighbor was such a badass, he once tripled the funding for public broadcasting after reciting the lyrics to one of his songs at a congressional hearing. We’re getting weepy.
Mp3: “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood“

UPDATE: We’ve noticed a couple themes running through the comments and figured some housework was in order. “WKRP in Cincinnati” was performed by non-cast member Steve Carlisle, not the lovably nerdy Richard Sanders. “Family Guy” rules, but that falls under the “whole cast” exemption mentioned at the top of the post. And “Growing Pains” wasn’t sung or written by Alan Thicke, although that guy has penned some mighty fine tunes (our favorite being the theme to the game show “The Wizard of Odds”).

But we will cop to missing “Frasier,” “21 Jump Street” and the incredible “Walker, Texas Ranger.” It’s a (Not So) Complete History after all…

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