Guilty pleasures. We all have ‘em. Music, movies, food, tv shows… Last week I found out that one of my current guilty pleasures, Whiskey Cavalier, is not being renewed for a second season by ABC. One and done. And that’s too bad, because it was a well produced action-dramedy with a good cast that really seemed to be hitting its stride by season’s end. And yes, it was often cheesy with lots of tongue-in-cheek silliness (c’mon, the main character’s name is Will Chase, and he and his team convene every episode at a bar—inexplicably closed to the public—called The Dead Drop), but amidst all the spy-spoofing and espionage cliches, there was also well-developed sexual tension between the two lead characters, fun gadgets, well-choreographed stunts, and an international flair reminiscent of big budget Hollywood movies starring Jason Bourne, Ethan Hunt or James Bond because most of the show was shot on location in Prague rather than a Los Angeles soundstage. Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus sums it up best by describing the show as: “Fun, feisty, and fueled by the chemistry between its charismatic leads, Whiskey Cavalier overcomes its familiar structure to deliver an attractive take on a well-worn formula.”
The other thing Whiskey Cavalier has going for it, in my opinion, is a real earworm for a theme song — which got me thinking and, of course, prompted a list. So I thought it might be fun to spend the month of June listening to some of my favorite songs from some of my favorite TV shows. Most have vocals, but some are instrumentals. Most are from series’ produced for the big cable networks, but some are from network programs or shows found on streaming services. Some were specifically composed for shows, while others were just plucked and perfectly paired to become an integral part of the show that defies using the fast-forward button to zip through the opening credits.
The other thing Whiskey Cavalier has going for it, in my opinion, is a real earworm for a theme song — which got me thinking and, of course, prompted a list. So I thought it might be fun to spend the month of June listening to some of my favorite songs from some of my favorite TV shows. Most have vocals, but some are instrumentals. Most are from series’ produced for the big cable networks, but some are from network programs or shows found on streaming services. Some were specifically composed for shows, while others were just plucked and perfectly paired to become an integral part of the show that defies using the fast-forward button to zip through the opening credits.
The opening theme song for Whiskey Cavalier is a six-year old song that is new to me, and I can’t get it out of my head even as the last episode fades from the screen into obscurity. “Love me Again” was a UK #1 hit single from British singer John Newman’s debut album, Tribute. I’m not sure Newman is an artist I would have gravitated towards outside the context of Whiskey Cavalier’s opening credits, but I am grateful for the serendipitous introduction because I really dig his take on Motown, Stax and Northern Soul.
If you’re looking for a show to add to your on-demand binge list, give Whiskey Cavalier a try. In the meantime, here’s the opening theme song, “Love Me Again,” courtesy of John Newman and the Happy Medium Song of the Day. (Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)
If you’re looking for a show to add to your on-demand binge list, give Whiskey Cavalier a try. In the meantime, here’s the opening theme song, “Love Me Again,” courtesy of John Newman and the Happy Medium Song of the Day. (Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)