TVSquad

I've always had this theory that even the worst songs in the world can sound better if you play them on an acoustic guitar. You can take the most insipid sitcom theme song or the most bombastic heavy metal tune, and when you play the song on an acoustic guitar, it suddenly becomes more profound, more deep, just better somehow.

The folks over at Best Week Ever have complied a great set of videos that show people doing the theme songs to various TV shows on various instruments. Some of them are pretty straightforward with normal instruments (for example, a small orchestra doing the Muppet Show theme and Family Matters done on piano), while others are rather odd and unexpected, like the parrot doing the Andy Griffith Show theme or The Love Boat performed on a theremin. After the jump, one of my favorites: the theme to Baywatch performed by a guy on an acoustic guitar. He even has his shirt off like a lifeguard and shows pics from the show.

I still don't get that MacGyver theme on the ruler though.

Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow.

Wow ... M.A.N.T.I.S.! Remember this show? It lasted for 23 episodes on FOX back in 1994-95. I had completely forgotten that it starred Carl Lumley from Alias as the superhero. I didn't think it would ever come out on DVD (or maybe I should say I didn't really think of it at all in the past few years), and now here it is with a complete series set. By the way, the letters stand for Mechanically Automated NeuroTransmitter Interactive System.

As for The Love Boat, I knew that was going to be out on DVD, but I'm not going to buy it.

• The All-New Superfriends Hour - Season 1, Vol. 2
• Blossom - Seasons 1 and 2
• Cheers - Season 11
• The Invaders - Season 2
• The Love Boat - Season 2, Vol. 1
• M.A.N.T.I.S. - Complete Series
• Meerkat Manor - Season 4
• The Pink Panther Show - Classic Cartoon Collection
• Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? - Vol. 1
• SpongeBob SquarePants - Spongicus
• You're A Good Sport Charlie Brown - Remastered

... Ten shows on DVD

Since there are twelve shows a-stinkin' on TV this year (well, that's the low estimate), you might be glad to hear that 2008 brought us some spectacular TV on DVD. You knew there had to be a bright spot, right?

Whether you want to re-watch your favorite classic shows from the '50s or '60s (or earlier), or catch up on one of the hottest shows on current TV (yeah, there are a few) by starting with the first season, they've been released on DVD in 2008. It was actually hard to pick just ten, but for better or for worse, here are my picks:

If I didn't love this news so much, I'd be worried that 30 Rock was turning into The Love Boat or Will and Grace. After all, it seems as though there's news of a new guest star every few days. First Will Arnett signed on to reprise his role as the delightfully evil Devon Banks, then ex-Friend, Jennifer Aniston, decided to return to television in order to stalk Jack Donaghy. After that came news that Oprah was scheduled to play herself on an upcoming episode.

That's a lot of guest stars to pack into one season, but now we have news of two more. Everybody's favorite Gossip Girls, Blair and Serena, AKA Leighton Meester and Blake Lively, are coming to 30 Rock. What on earth could bring these Upper East Siders to Midtown? Are they trying to overthrow Liz Lemon as queen bee of TGS with Tracy Jordan? Are they starring in a movie with Tracy Jordan? There's more info on their storyline after the jump.

I have a confession to make: I always liked Caroline in the City. Maybe it was because it was set in the world of cartooning, or that I liked the fact that Richard was sarcastic and morose, or maybe it's just that I've always thought that Lea Thompson was really cute. Anyway, the first season is out on DVD tomorrow, and I just might have to pick it up.

Another syndicated-writer show is on DVD for the first time tomorrow too: Dave's World, the sitcom starring Harry Anderson that was based on the life and columns of Dave Barry. I miss Harry Anderson.

• Caroline in the City - Season 1
• Dave's World - Season 1
• Kenny vs. Spenny - Season 4
• The Love Boat - Season 1, Vol. 2
• Naruto - Uncut Box Set 9
• Prison Break - Season 3
• South Park - Season 11
• The Superman/Aquaman Adventure Hour - DC Superheroes: Filmation Adventures
• That Girl - Season 4
• Tom and Jerry Tales - Season 5
• Tru Calling - Complete Series
• The Wire - Season 5

Since we had so much fun examining the greatest mysteries of Cheers, I've decided to make this a quasi-regular feature. The next classic show to come under scrutiny is The Love Boat, the 1977 - 1986 Aaron Spelling series that involved water, Mexican paradises, and everyone from David Hasselhoff to George Burns getting busy on the Lido deck.

I used to watch the show just about every Saturday night, especially during its early years (it was a big event when Julie went from her bowl cut to the feathered look... I think it coincided with my very first months of pre-puberty). At the time, I just took the show at face value, but as the years have gone on, aspects of life on the Pacific Princess made me scratch my head, starting with a fact of life that just about everyone took for granted:

Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow.

• Archie's Fun House - Complete Series
• Doctor Who - Planet of Evil and Destiny of the Daleks
• Flight 29 Down - Season Finale and Season 2
• The Kill Point - Complete Series
• The Love Boat - Season 1, Vol. 1
• Magnum, P.I. - Season 8
• The Pink Panther Show - Season 6
• Saturday Night Live - Best of 2006/07 and Lost & Found: SNL in the 80s
• Trading Spaces - Specials

Television producer Aaron Spelling, who has worked in some capacity on nearly 200 productions, suffered a stroke over this past weekend.  According to spokesman Kevin Sasaki, the 83-year-old Spelling, who has produced such hits as Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Charmed and 7th Heaven, was briefly hospitalized. Sasaki did not know the extent of damage the stroke caused; however, he said that the fact he was released from the hospital was a good sign.

If you have watched a television show anytime during your life you have probably seen a show that Aaron Spelling had a hand in. He has produced a number of nighttime soaps including Dynasty, Family, The Colbys, Summerland and Twin Peaks (he co-produced the series). He also produced a number of crime dramas such as Starsky & Hutch, T.J. Hooker, The Mod Squad, and Burke's Law. During the 1970's, his mark could be found on ABC with the hits Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, Vega$, and Fantasy Island. Needless to say, an extremely impressive resume.

Spelling is the father of actor Tori Spelling, who appeared in Beverly Hills 90210, and Randy Spelling