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* ''Series/TheOfficeUK'' episode "Training" ends with David Brent singing and playing the theme song, "Handrags and Gladrags", on guitar. (Kind of justified in-universe, in that it's a [[RealSongThemeTune song that predates the series]], and presumably was part of the repertoire of Brent's old band Foregone Conclusion, which is discussed in the episode.)
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* ''Series/TheOfficeUK'' episode "Training" "[[Recap/TheOfficeUKS1E4Training Training]]" ends with David Brent singing and playing the theme song, "Handrags and Gladrags", on guitar. (Kind of justified in-universe, in that it's a [[RealSongThemeTune song that predates the series]], and presumably was part of the repertoire of Brent's old band Foregone Conclusion, which is discussed in the episode.)
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** "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS40E2TheDevilsChord The Devil's Chord]]" calls into question what diegetic even ''means'' for the show, with the implication that the Doctor can hear the show's non-diegetic soundtrack. The music-themed villain of the episode, the Maestro, also plays excerpts of the main theme on the piano several times during the episode.
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* ''Series/{{Tatort}}'': Music/KlausDoldinger once had a [[TheCameo cameo]] in the Köln-set spinoff ''Ballauf und Schenk'' as a StreetMusician, playing the series' theme (which he composed) with his sax.
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* ''Series/Loki2021'': In the episode [[Recap/LokiEpisode9EighteenNinetyThree 1893]] which takes place in the same year, a band performd an 1800s marching band version of the Loki Green Theme from Season 1.
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* ''Series/Loki2021'': In the episode [[Recap/LokiEpisode9EighteenNinetyThree 1893]] which takes place in the same year, a band performd performs an 1800s marching band version of the Loki Green Theme from Season 1.
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* In ''Series/{{Castle}}'', the title character occasionally hums the show's standard "exciting things are happening now" background music to himself.
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* In ''Series/{{Castle}}'', ''Series/{{Castle|2009}}'', the title character occasionally hums the show's standard "exciting things are happening now" background music to himself.
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* ''Series/Loki2021'': In the episode [[Recap/LokiEpisode9EighteenNinetyThree 1893]] which takes place in the same year, a band performd an 1800s marching band version of the Loki Green Theme from Season 1.
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Historical Present Tense, sorry!
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* ''Series/TheIncredibleHulk1977'' episode "Alice in Discoland" had a disco version of the main title theme playing as Damsel-in-Distress of the week, Alice, was dancing at a club.
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* ''Series/TheIncredibleHulk1977'' episode "Alice in Discoland" had has a disco version of the main title theme playing as Damsel-in-Distress of the week, Alice, was is dancing at a club.
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confirmed
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* With a twist. ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' (2005) uses the theme music not from that series, but from the original ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|1978}}'', as what appears to be the Colonial anthem. In the pilot, an honor guard play it at ''Galactica'''s decommissioning ceremony. In the episode "Final Cut", it underscores the patriotic ending sequence of a ShowWithinAShow documentary. And one more time in the final episode when [[spoiler: the fleet is auto-piloted into the heart of the sun.]]
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* With a twist. ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' (2005) uses the theme music not from that series, but from the original ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|1978}}'', as what appears to be which is now the Colonial anthem. In the pilot, an honor guard play it at ''Galactica'''s decommissioning ceremony. In the episode "Final Cut", it underscores the patriotic ending sequence of a ShowWithinAShow documentary. And one more time in the final episode when [[spoiler: the fleet is auto-piloted into the heart of the sun.]]
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** The serial "Paradise Towers" had a Muzak version of the theme music playing in an elevator.
** "Vale Decem" in The End of Time is being sung by the Ood as the song they promised him. Just as 10 is beginning to regenerate, they shift into a triumphant/heartwrenching version of "The Doctor's Theme."
** A cello trio is playing Martha's theme in ''The Lazarus Experiment''.
** "Vale Decem" in The End of Time is being sung by the Ood as the song they promised him. Just as 10 is beginning to regenerate, they shift into a triumphant/heartwrenching version of "The Doctor's Theme."
** A cello trio is playing Martha's theme in ''The Lazarus Experiment''.
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** The serial "Paradise Towers" ''Paradise Towers'' had a Muzak version of the theme music playing in an elevator.
** "Vale Decem" inThe ''The End of Time Time'' is being sung by the Ood as the song they promised him. Just as 10 is beginning to regenerate, they shift into a triumphant/heartwrenching version of "The Doctor's Theme."
** A cello trio is playing Martha's theme in''The "The Lazarus Experiment''.Experiment".
** "Vale Decem" in
** A cello trio is playing Martha's theme in
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* ''Series/TheSeaBeyond'': Many episodes have one or more characters singing (or humming) the theme song, or some parts of it. At Gianni's concert in season 2, after singing his own original song "Sangue Nero", he also sings the theme song, and all the other characters join in.
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* In an instance which was bound to happen eventually because of the show's format (sing a song as karaoke, then correctly guess the next line when prompted), ''Series/DontForgetTheLyrics'' offered its own theme song (the Doobie Brothers' "China Grove") alongside the theme of ''Series/GreenAcres'' in a "TV Themes" category. Unfortunately, the clueless contestant, despite claiming she had never watched it, went with ''Green Acres'', and promptly lost.
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* In an instance which was bound to happen eventually because of the show's format (sing a song as karaoke, then correctly guess the next line when prompted), The game show ''Series/DontForgetTheLyrics'' offered its own theme song (the Doobie Brothers' -- the Music/DoobieBrothers' "China Grove") alongside the theme of ''Series/GreenAcres'' Grove" -- in a "TV Themes" category. Unfortunately, the clueless contestant, despite claiming she had never watched it, went with ''Green Acres'', and promptly lost.category once.
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* ''Series/{{Chockablock}}'': One episode has Chockabloke whistling the theme tune as he gets out of the Chockatruck.
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** "Clara's Theme" that introduced her from her first appearance eventually became a piece written and performed on electric guitar by the Doctor to express the Clara-shaped hole in his memory.
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* ''Series/TheGoodies''. In an episode spoofing ''Film/CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind'', Bill Oddie is trying to use a trombone to communicate with the UFO. He realises he's made contact when he gets the aliens to play the first few bars of ''The Gooodies'' theme tune.
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* ''Series/TheGoodies''. ''Series/TheGoodies''
** In an episode spoofing ''Film/CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind'', Bill Oddie is trying to use a trombone to communicate with the UFO. He realises he's made contact when he gets the aliens to play the first few bars of ''The Gooodies'' themetune.tune.
** In "Rome Antics", Bill is shown in their mud hut in Ancient Britain, playing the theme tune on a horn.
** In an episode spoofing ''Film/CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind'', Bill Oddie is trying to use a trombone to communicate with the UFO. He realises he's made contact when he gets the aliens to play the first few bars of ''The Gooodies'' theme
** In "Rome Antics", Bill is shown in their mud hut in Ancient Britain, playing the theme tune on a horn.
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** "Sanctuary" in ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', where the instrumentalist Varani plays the theme music for a rapt audience.
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** "Sanctuary" in ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', where ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'': the instrumentalist Bajoran music played by Sinada Varani plays the theme music for a rapt audience.audience in Quark's is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVh5qM0OvoM quite reminiscent of the series' theme music]].
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added trek examples, and removed the TNG saucer sep example which is non-diegetic
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*** In the pilot, the theme song is fully reprised to accompany the ''Enterprise'''s first saucer seperation sequence.
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** In "Fascination" in the third season of ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', Odo conducts a bajoran band playing a hardly recognizable version of the theme song.
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** In "Fascination" in the third season of ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', Odo conducts a bajoran Bajoran band playing a hardly recognizable version of the theme song.song.
** Reversed in ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': The theme music quotes a passage of diegetic music from the ''TNG'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS5E25TheInnerLight The Inner Light]]," a major Picard episode. (The melody was played on the flute by Picard's illusory son in the memories implanted by an alien probe.)
** In the ''Series/StarTrekStrangeNewWorlds'' episode "Spock Amok," the "Enterprise Bingo" PADD plays a ringtone of the opening fanfare when items are checked off.
** Reversed in ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': The theme music quotes a passage of diegetic music from the ''TNG'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS5E25TheInnerLight The Inner Light]]," a major Picard episode. (The melody was played on the flute by Picard's illusory son in the memories implanted by an alien probe.)
** In the ''Series/StarTrekStrangeNewWorlds'' episode "Spock Amok," the "Enterprise Bingo" PADD plays a ringtone of the opening fanfare when items are checked off.
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* ''Series/ThePartridgeFamily'' perform performs the Season One opening theme, "When We're Singin'," while on tour in Paris in "Mom Drops Out."
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* ''Series/ThePartridgeFamily'' perform performs the Season One opening theme, "When We're Singin'," while on tour in Paris in "Mom Drops Out."
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* ''Series/{{CSINY}}'' used an alternate arrangement of a portion of their RealSongThemeTune ''Baba O'Riley'' in their 2007 Halloween episode, "Boo." A violinist plays it during a nighttime street party.
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* ''Franchise/SuperSentai''
** In ''Series/ChikyuuSentaiFiveman'' episode 27, when [[TheDragon Captain Chevalier]] hypnotizes people with his singing, the Fivemen sing their own theme song in order to counter it.
** In ''Series/ChikyuuSentaiFiveman'' episode 27, when [[TheDragon Captain Chevalier]] hypnotizes people with his singing, the Fivemen sing their own theme song in order to counter it.
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-->'''James:''' ''[pointing at radio]'' I wasn't expecting that!\\
'''Jeremy:''' ''[in his best announcer voice]'' On tonight's program... ''[laughs]''
'''Jeremy:''' ''[in his best announcer voice]'' On tonight's program... ''[laughs]''
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* ''Series/TheGoodies''. In an episode spoofing ''Film/CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind'', Bill Oddie is trying to use a trombone to communicate with the UFO. He realises he's made contact when he gets the aliens to play the first few bars of ''The Gooodies'' theme tune.
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* In the ''Series/BarnabyJones'' episode "Death Leap", Barnaby can be heard whistling the series theme as he enters his office.
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* The [[TitleDrop Sound of Drums]] that echoes in [[spoiler: the Master]]'s head during the final three episodes of ''Series/DoctorWho'' series 3 is the same as that of the theme tune. Doubles as FridgeHorror.
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* The [[TitleDrop Sound of Drums]] that echoes in [[spoiler: the Master]]'s head during the final three episodes of ''Series/DoctorWho'' series 3 is the same as that of the theme tune.tune's bassline. Doubles as FridgeHorror.
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Examples of DiegeticSoundtrackUsage from live-action series.
----
!!Examples:
* In the end of the ''Series/GetSmart'' episode "The Not So Great Escape", Control agents whistle the theme song as they leave the Kaos prison camp.
* On ''Series/TheFallGuy'', Howie is reading the lyrics to a song he wrote (the show's theme song, "The Unknown Stuntman"). During the show, Colt and Howie make a bet where Colt says he'll sing the song live on stage if he loses. He does.
* Often ''Series/TheAndyGriffithShow'' would use the music that would eventually become the theme to its AfterShow ''Series/MayberryRFD'' as generic music played for ShowWithinAShow TV show themes and band music. ''Mayberry R.F.D.'' would continue the tradition during its own run.
* Classic example: In ''Series/ILoveLucy'', one episode has Lucy certain that Ricky has forgotten her birthday. She makes her way to the nightclub where he works, where he assures her he has not forgotten and sings the show's theme song to her, ForgottenThemeTuneLyrics and all.
* A classic example occurred in ''Series/GreenAcres''. At the start of the episode, we see Eb going off to do his chores while whistling the theme song. He then turns and [[BreakingTheFourthWall looks straight at the camera]] to say the line "Dahling, I love you, but give me Park Avenue" in ''Lisa's voice''.
* ''Series/BostonLegal'':
** There's an episode where Denny Crane has a miniature trumpet, which he plays the theme song on... through the regular part where the theme is played...
** The episode where Jerry hums the theme song through the opening.
** There is an episode where Betty White's character's phone goes off, and the ringtone happens to be a snippet of the theme tune to ''Series/ThePractice''.
* A few Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} examples:
** ''Series/DrakeAndJosh'': In the episode "First Crush", Drake Parker sings the show's theme song ("I Found a Way" by Drake Bell, [[DoItYourselfThemeTune who played him on the show]]) until a snake appears on his shoulder and gets thrown into the audience.
** ''Series/{{Zoey 101}}'': In "Back to PCA", "Follow Me" by Jamie Lynn Spears, the show's theme, is heard during the final scene.
** Series/ICarly: Carly was playing short chords of "Leave It All To Me" on her ukelele.
*** At the end of the ''Series/{{Victorious}}'' crossover "iParty With Victorious", the cast of both shows sing a mashed up version of both theme songs.
* In an episode of ''Series/MadAboutYou'', Paul walks past an ''ACappella'' group singing the theme song, which he'd cowritten. To further mess with the wall, he mentions its familiarity. At the end of the episode, Paul and Jamie listen to the same group singing the theme again as the end-credits play. This time, Paul recognizes the tune and grins with satisfaction, but does not identify the tune out loud.
* ''Series/MyTwoDads'' had one episode where the theme song was performed by Evigan (the other Dad of the title) and... special guest Davy Jones of Music/TheMonkees.
--> [[LampshadeHanging "Now where have I heard that song before...?"]]
* An episode of ''Series/PrettyGuardianSailorMoon'' has the characters doing karaoke with, and later synchronizing their attacks to, a song by Minako Aino, who later turns out to be Sailor Venus (the song, incidentally, repeats the phrase "C'est la vie", which sounds pretty much like "Sailor V" in Japanese) and which song is available on the soundtrack albums. (All the soundtrack albums. Sometimes more than once.)
* ''Series/{{Tweenies}}'': In one ep, some character has a blow-up guitar balloon and is singing, "Hey, hey, are you ready to play?"... the first line of the show's theme tune.
* The opening scene of the first episode of ''Series/TheYoungOnes'' has Rick rocking out to the show's theme song. Somewhat [[JustifiedTrope justified]] since the song predates the show, though the fact that he was explicitly listening to the cover version sung by the actors from the show creates a bit of a CelebrityParadox.
* "This Old Man", which in the later years of ''Series/{{Columbo}}'' was sometimes used as unofficial theme music (the show never really had a theme as such) also appears in a lot of episodes in some form, usually being hummed or whistled by the title character.
* With a twist. ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' (2005) uses the theme music not from that series, but from the original ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|1978}}'', as what appears to be the Colonial anthem. In the pilot, an honor guard play it at ''Galactica'''s decommissioning ceremony. In the episode "Final Cut", it underscores the patriotic ending sequence of a ShowWithinAShow documentary. And one more time in the final episode when [[spoiler: the fleet is auto-piloted into the heart of the sun.]]
* ''Series/StargateSG1'':
** "Chimera". Carter hums the SG-1 theme music in the elevator, prompting O'Neill to deduce that she has a new boyfriend. WordOfGod has it that the actress actually wanted to hum ''Series/MacGyver1985'''s theme music as a nod, but she completely forgot the notes so she hummed the Stargate theme instead.
** The episode "200", which is rife with self-reference, features the hypothetical wedding of Carter and O'Neill. The music in the background begins with ''Here Comes The Bride'', but segues into the SG-1 theme.
** In a related matter, the SG-1 theme also appears in the BGM of the ''Series/StargateAtlantis'' episode "Home" when the main characters arrive back on Earth.
** SG-1 returns the favor by using the Atlantis theme in "The Pegasus Project," when SG-1 visit Atlantis.
* ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'':
** The theme is also Lindsay's ringtone within the show.
** In season 4, George Michael's band is briefly seen playing "Balls in the Air", another piece of music from the show's soundtrack.
* ''Series/AlloAllo'':
** The opening in the episode "Leclerc Against the Wall" featured the usual opening shot of Rene in his cafe as the instrumental theme song plays. It fades out as Rene begins playing the exact same song on the cafe piano.
** In another episode an accordionist is heard wandering the town square outside the cafe, playing a slower version of the theme on his accordion.
* ''Series/VeronicaMars'': At the close of TheTeaser to one episode, Veronica wryly notes of an estranged acquaintance, "We used to be friends, a long time ago," the opening words (inverted) of the show's ThemeTune.
* On ''Series/WKRPInCincinnati'', during one episode recounting events prior to the start of the series ("The Creation of Venus"), Andy explains that he'd come to Cincinnati because he'd "gotten kind of tired of packing and unpacking, town to town, up and down the dial" -- the same explanation offered in the theme song. He lightly lampshades this by saying it as if he were alluding to well-known words.
* In ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir'', while giving his testimony at the bench during a court case, Will falls into the/his lyrics when introducing himself.
** [[MemeticMutation He Bel-Air'd HIMSELF!?]] [[YourHeadASplode Wha--?]]
* One episode of ''Series/TwinPeaks'' had the "bumper" music playing on a car radio. Since it was done "cold" right after a break, it had the effect of blurring the line between the credits and the show.
* An episode of ''Series/TwentyFour'' features the "The Longest Day" remix of the theme tune playing in a club.
* The ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' communicator signal was the original ThemeTune. A MonsterOfTheWeek also sings "Go, go, power particles!" to the tune of the theme to taunt the heroes. Similarly, ''Series/PowerRangersSamurai'' (which uses a remix of the ''Mighty Morphin''' theme) defaults to the same tune whenever it needs a little jingle to play (doorbell ringing, phone dialing, etc.).
** ''Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger'' takes it a step further, giving the theme song actual plot relevance: [[spoiler:it's the Earth's True Melody, a song that gives the heroes the power needed to defeat the BigBad Deboth.]]
*** ''Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge'' had an episode where Chase sings a song while cooking; it's actually ''Kyoryuger''[='s=] theme song with different lyrics. This instance wasn't scripted, but was added by the actors because [[JustForFun/OneOfUs they're Sentai fans themselves]].
* The KoreanSeries ''Series/YouAreBeautiful'' has the title theme not only as background music, but performed by a male singer, a female singer, and a BoyBand during its run. A given as it ''is'' said BoyBand's own song.
* The [[TitleDrop Sound of Drums]] that echoes in [[spoiler: the Master]]'s head during the final three episodes of ''Series/DoctorWho'' series 3 is the same as that of the theme tune. Doubles as FridgeHorror.
** The original 1963 recording of the theme cameos in the first episode of ''Series/{{K9}}'' within K9's memories.
** The serial "Paradise Towers" had a Muzak version of the theme music playing in an elevator.
** "Vale Decem" in The End of Time is being sung by the Ood as the song they promised him. Just as 10 is beginning to regenerate, they shift into a triumphant/heartwrenching version of "The Doctor's Theme."
** A cello trio is playing Martha's theme in ''The Lazarus Experiment''.
* [=WindWave=] Radio in ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'' when left on tends to play various bits of music including the eponymous hero's battle themes, all of which were written by fictitious bands from the show.
** Episodes 21 and 22 has a whistling tune of "Cyclone Effect" -- one of said battle themes - play a part of the case. Philip and Shotaro sing "Finger on the Trigger" in episode 23 in Fuuuuuutic Idol, their equivalent of ''Series/AmericanIdol''.
*** As an added bonus, the judges on Fuuuuuutic Idol are the two singers of the opening theme, and another singer of tokusatsu and anime themes.
** Sonozaki Ryubee is also seen idly humming his own theme music.
* In the finale for season one of ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', the band that plays the show's theme song (Remy Zero) is playing at the Smallville High prom. And what do they play? Yup. You got it.
** When Dr. Swann (former Superman actor Christopher Reeve, of course) tells Clark he's from a place called Krypton -- this being the first time the name is mentioned, a few years into the series -- we suddenly hear one of the fanfares from Reeve's movie series.
* The Jeremy Brett ''Series/SherlockHolmes'' episode ''The Creeping Man'' has Holmes listening to the TV show's theme tune on a music box. Since most readers despise the original short story, this rare bit of levity seems appropriate.
** One episode of ''The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'' ends with Holmes beginning to play the series' theme tune on his violin.
* In ''Film/HighlanderTheSource,'' the Guardian taunts some of the heroes by singing, "WhoWantsToLiveForever", one of the signature songs from the original movie.
** The series did this a few times as well. 'Who Wants to Live Forever' played after Fitz's death in 'Star-Crossed' and when Duncan was recalling Tessa later in season 2. A snippet of 'Princes of the Universe' played during the TrainingMontage in 'Eye for an Eye'.
* ''Series/MidsomerMurders'' does this ''all the time'' -- mostly at fairs or festivals. Mediums playing the theme include a brass band, a youth orchestra, and a marching band.
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** In ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'', a light cocktail bar version of the theme was played, appropriately, in a bar in "[[Recap/StarTrekS1E20CourtMartial Court Martial]]" and at a cocktail party in "Conscience of the King."
** An episode of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' had a string quartet preparing to play in Ten-Forward, and during the warmup the theme tune of the show is subtly played.
*** In the pilot, the theme song is fully reprised to accompany the ''Enterprise'''s first saucer seperation sequence.
** "Sanctuary" in ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', where the instrumentalist Varani plays the theme music for a rapt audience.
** In "Fascination" in the third season of ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', Odo conducts a bajoran band playing a hardly recognizable version of the theme song.
* One ''Series/JoanOfArcadia'' teaser has God singing (a humorously bad, given the character) version of Joan Osbourne's "One of Us," which was appropriated as the show's theme song. This segued directly into the credits.
* The aliens in ''Series/WarOfTheWorlds1988'' plot to hide [[SubliminalSeduction hypnotic messages]] in a pop tune in one episode. The tune is based on the theme music.
* In the ''Series/GrowingPains'' episode "All The World's a Stage", Mike Seaver and his choir sing the opening theme song -- and it serves as the theme song for that episode.
* The original title theme of ''Series/{{Monk}}'' by Jeff Beal, which was since replaced with ''It's a Jungle Out There'' (Randy Newman), has since often come up in the show as background music, usually in dramatic scenes or those having to do with memories. In one memorable instance, however, Randy Disher ''plays'' the song on a piano. When Stottlemeyer asks him what he's doing, Disher says [[LampshadeHanging "background music"]].
* In one episode of ''Series/HogansHeroes'', the Heroes pretend to escape so an Italian spy can "capture" them. When he marches them back into camp, they're all whistling the show's theme song.
* In Season 1 of ''Series/UpstairsDownstairs'', Sarah performs the “Downstairs” theme as a BawdySong ("What Are We Going to Do with Uncle Arthur?") in her music hall act. For Equal Time, the stately waltz of the “Upstairs” theme is played on the organ at Elizabeth’s wedding.
* ''Series/TheNanny'':
** The episode "Frannie's Choice" ended with Fran describing how she got to her current station in life by reciting the lyrics of the opening theme.
** In "Strange Bedfellows", Fran notices similarities between her and a fellow nanny that was going to be fired since the kids had grown up, the other nanny begins to describe that the way she got the job with the opening theme as well.
** Yet another example was in "Fashion Show", when Fran was describing her fashion sense with "I've got style, I've got flare, that's how I became ({{Beat}}) [[TitleDrop the nanny]]"
* The lost culture in the ''Series/{{Farscape}}'' two-parter "What Was Lost" chanted the series theme as they sacrificed goats. This may have been {{foreshadowing}} the larger role, plotwise and thematically, that they would play in the miniseries.
** In the episode "Losing Time", John can also be heard humming along to the background music while walking through Moya's corridors.
* In the ''Series/RedDwarf'' Western-VR episode "Gunmen of the Apocalypse", the piano in the Last Chance Saloon is playing the theme as the main characters enter.
** In ''Back to Earth'', a haunting rendition of the theme tune is played by [[spoiler:the Creator]]'s doorbell.
* An episode of ''Series/LoisAndClark'' has Clark whistling the theme tune.
* A scene in ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'' starts with JD and Turk walking in, singing the theme tune (Superman by Lazlo Bane).
** While not being ''sung'', in a later episode Doctor Kelso is seen talking with some beach babes, saying to them "... I can't do this all my own!"
** "Guy Love", which only really existed as part of an aneurysm induced hallucination, nevertheless shows up as Turk's ringtone in a later episode.
** JD and Turk also beatbox the themesong when they're gloating about diagnosing one of Dr. Cox's problem patients.
** And when Elliot puts one of those electronic "piano carpets" at her door, JD walks in and starts dancing around on it. Guess what he plays.
--->'''JD:''' Hmm. Catchy!
** The drumbeat at the start of the theme tune, always played onscreen before it actually goes into the titles, is played by a character on a couple of occasions. In ''My Office'' JD plays it out by bursting bubblewrap and in ''My Best Friend's Baby's Baby and My Baby's Baby'' it's done by a drummer in a marching band.
* On ''Series/{{Dallas}}'' several members of the Ewing family (Bobby, Pam and Lucy) as well as Ray Krebbs went to a disco, where the [=DJ=] started playing the ''Dallas'' theme tune.
* ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess:'' Xena played the theme song in one episode (on a lyre that sounded surprisingly like an electric guitar). Another time, she whistles it while fishing.
** ''Series/HerculesTheLegendaryJourneys'' also gave us [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAhjjZm2qN4 this]].
* ''Series/BigWolfOnCampus'' has Merton trying to compose a song on a piano, that is actually the show's theme tune. It's a double reference as the actor who plays Merton created the theme tune in real life. Unlike a lot of other examples of this trope, the song Merton writes actually has vital plot relevance later in the episode.
* Happens accidentally in ''Series/TopGearUK'': the Allman Brothers Band song "Jessica", the series' RealSongThemeTune, comes on the radio while they're filming a "[[BlatantLies factual review]]'' of American muscle cars in America.
* In ''Series/TheLWord'', ''every single tune you hear'' is some kind of adaptation of the theme music. It's exactly as annoying as you'd think.
* Another toku example: In one episode of ''Series/WarriorOfLoveRainbowman'', hero Takeshi Yamato sings the ED theme, which is his theme song.
* In the very early episodes of ''Series/TheBeverlyHillbillies'', the balladeer not only sings the theme song, but sings new lyrics to reflect the on-screen action, in part a feud between the Clampetts and the Drysdales.
** In "Jed Throws A Wingding", two old friends of the Clampett family write a song about Jed, which turns out to be the theme song.
*** The two friends are musicians Lester Flatts and Earl Scruggs who provided the music for the theme song.
* Kate's ringtone is a version of the themesong in a season 2 episode of ''Series/{{NCIS}}''.
* Played with on ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'': Howard's cellphone ringtone is the song that was used as the theme tune... in the unaired pilot.
* In an instance which was bound to happen eventually because of the show's format (sing a song as karaoke, then correctly guess the next line when prompted), ''Series/DontForgetTheLyrics'' offered its own theme song (the Doobie Brothers' "China Grove") alongside the theme of ''Series/GreenAcres'' in a "TV Themes" category. Unfortunately, the clueless contestant, despite claiming she had never watched it, went with ''Green Acres'', and promptly lost.
* In ''Series/TheMiddleman'', the Muzak playing in the lobby of the Jolly Fats Wehawkin Employment Agency (the front for the Middle organization) was based on the show's theme.
* In ''Series/{{Castle}}'', the title character occasionally hums the show's standard "exciting things are happening now" background music to himself.
** In "Last Call", as he enters an old drinking establishment he used to frequent, the piano man starts playing that same riff. Castle tips him for remembering.
* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmQWtGn889E first episode]] of ''Series/ThreeTwoOneContact'' features the recording session for the OpeningTheme.
* In the fourth season finale of ''Series/{{House}}'', a cover version of "Teardrop" plays as they try to find a way to [[spoiler:diagnose Amber and save her life]].
* In ''Series/GreysAnatomy'''s MusicalEpisode, Callie[[spoiler:'s hallucination of her disembodied soul]] sings a line of the show's former RealSongThemeTune.
* In one episode of ''Series/MadeInCanada'', one of the characters sings the theme song during a party; in another, the song is heard playing on a CD player.
* The ''Series/NewGirl'' pilot has Jess singing the theme song at one point. The standard opening credits don't show up until the second episode, making this a Theme Tune EarlyBirdCameo of sorts.
* In the second ''Series/TheWildWildWest'' TV movie, ''More Wild Wild West'', Artemus Gordon hums the main theme from the show while getting ready in front of a mirror.
* In the ''Series/{{Psych}}'' episode "The Amazing Psych Man & Tap-Man, Issue #2", Shawn tells Juliet "I know you know I'm not telling the truth. I know...you know...".
* ''Series/TheOfficeUK'' episode "Training" ends with David Brent singing and playing the theme song, "Handrags and Gladrags", on guitar. (Kind of justified in-universe, in that it's a [[RealSongThemeTune song that predates the series]], and presumably was part of the repertoire of Brent's old band Foregone Conclusion, which is discussed in the episode.)
* ''Series/TheTribe'': Sasha plays the theme from ''Series/TheTribe'' on his flute in his first episode as an official Mall Rat. A few episodes earlier, the piece of music Tai San uses during her dance routine is the same incidental music used during establishing shots.
* In ''Series/TeenWolf'', season 2 episode 12, "Master Plan", the opening credits/theme song is heard during the fight scene involving Derek, Scott, Isaac, Jackson, and Allison.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'' has a lot of fun playing with the fact that the song "The Rains of Castamere" is both the in-universe favorite song of the Lannister family and a frequent soundtrack motif and sometimes end credit theme for the show. It was easter egged as a tune that Tyrion was whistling and as background music in several scenes before viewers ever heard the lyrics or found out why the song was important.
** The proper theme of the show is used as well. For the introduction of the Night King and the later battles in Season 4, it is used to indicate a foreboding sense of doom.
* In the ''Series/PrettyLittleLiars'' episode "Over My Dead Body," Emily has a carbon-monoxide-induced hallucination that she's talking to Alison; when she asks who "A" is, Alison's reply quotes the opening song "Secrets" - "Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead."
* [[Series/MrLucky Mr. Lucky's]] watch plays the first five notes of the show's theme tune - ''his'' theme - when opened.
* One episode of ''Series/AbsolutelyFabulous'' had Edina and Patsy sing a (drunk, naturally) karaoke version of "This Wheel's on Fire", originally by the Band. Julie Driscoll got a UK hit out of covering it in 1968; she and Adrian Edmondson recorded a new version of the cover for the show's theme.
* In the series finalé of ''Series/DawsonsCreek'', Jen is shown a video that Dawson supposedly made back in season 1; it's a slight re-working of the show's original credits, including the original theme tune. ("One Hand In My Pocket" by Music/AlanisMorissette)
* In ''Series/{{Cranford}}'', the music for the waltz at the end of ''Return to Cranford'' is the InstrumentalThemeTune of the series, albeit in 3/4 time (the original was in 4/4). It's called "Cranford Waltz".
* During one ''Series/MythBusters'' episode, Adam and Jamie were using underwater speakers to test whether sharks were attracted to sounds of a certain pitch. To test the speakers, Adam played the show's theme tune while Jamie, underwater in a shark cage, listened... [[NotSoAboveItAll then started dancing to it]].
%%zero-context example* Happens ''many'' times in Series/EighteenYearOldSky, to the point where the theme song has become a staple for most of the audience.
* In the ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' episode "Hopeless", the main characters perform the theme as a band in a fantasy sequence SpecialEditionTitle. (It is an alternate mix with prominent guitar.)
** A few episodes later, when Barney declares himself the leader of the gang, an alternate version of the theme, sung by Barney and featuring pictures prominently featuring Barney and a disgruntled Ted and Robin in place of the normal pictures, is played, despite having already played the normal version of the theme in that episode. Later in the same episode, a third version is played, featuring Better Lily and New Marshall.
* ''Series/OneTreeHill'' has several cameos of "I Don't Wanna Be" most notably the cast singing along near the end.
* ''Series/BreakingBad'''s penultimate episode, "Granite State" [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMlNl0fKwxQ#t=105 ends with an extended version]] of the show's title theme.
* Not the title theme tune, but ''{{Series/Sherlock}}'' has the title character ''composing Irene Adler's {{leitmotif}}'' on his violin.
* ''Series/AustinAndAlly'' has the theme song used during a Glee club mashup.
* On an episode of ''Series/TheLoveBoat'', a character named April (played by Charo) sings the show's theme song in the ship's nightclub.
* On ''Series/TheBradyBunch'' episode ''The Drummer Boy'', Bobby is heard playing the trumpet in the backyard early in the morning, apparently attempting to play Reveille. But all he plays is cacophony, until he suddenly breaks into a flawless trumpet version of part of the Brady Bunch theme. This doubled as commercial bumper music, however.
* ''Series/TheYoungAndTheRestless'' character Gina Roma occasionally sang the lyrical version of the soap's iconic theme song.
* In Series/{{Detectorists}}, the central characters perform a self-penned song at an open mic night. The act on before them is "Johnny Piper", alias real-life folk singer Johnny Flynn, performing the show's theme song.
* Della Wells and Josh Alexander sing Kylie Minogue's ‘Always and Forever’, ''Series/NightAndDay'''s theme tune, to one another during the final episode.
* In one of the ad bumpers for Series/EureekasCastle, the slurms (claymation worm-like creatures who live in Magellan the dragon's room) can be heard singing the song.
** In another, Mr. Knack (the trader/fixer character) does one in the form of a knock-knock joke:
-->"Knock-knock. Who's there? You. ''Eureeka''!"
* The theme for ''Series/TheXFiles'' is used as Mulder's ringtone in the episode "Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster".
* In season seven of ''Series/ThirtyRock'', Liz starts an episode by singing an impromptu song about how [[spoiler:she and Criss just got married in the previous episode]], set to the show's theme tune.
* In the ''Series/{{Batman|1966}}'' episode "The Pharaoh's in a Rut", King Tut calls for "bat-music". A henchman sets a gramophone in motion, and we hear a brass-enhanced version of the show's theme.
* ''Series/SesameStreet'' is an interesting example. One episode focuses on Oscar trying to get the theme tune out of his head, not because it's an EarWorm but because it's so happy and he's a Grouch. Sometimes, the characters can [[LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn hear the theme music playing in the background]] and know that it's time to [[BreakingTheFourthWall say hello or goodbye to the viewers]].
* ''Series/TheAddamsFamily'': Sometimes, Lurch plays the theme tune on his harpsichord.
* ''Series/{{Lucifer}}''. Lucifer tells Detective Decker that he's written a song for her, and starts playing the theme tune on a guitar, with his own lyrics.
--> [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Crime solving devil. Ain't make sense!]]
--> [[MST3KMantra Don't overthink it...]]
* ''Series/BillNyeTheScienceGuy'': In the episode on "Motion", every time Bill or somebody else mentions inertia, the line "inertia is a property of matter." from the theme song plays.
* On ''Series/UnbreakableKimmySchmidt'', a gospel version of the theme song makes an appearance, with the line "them females are strong as hell" replaced by "Jesus is strong as hell."
* It is a major plot point in the pilot episode of ''Series/GameShakers''. The song is first heard when Babe and Kenzie are on the subway. This leads to the song becoming the background music on their game Sky Whale, which they put online. This leads to a lawsuit by Dub for stealing their music, but also leads to a partnership, and at the party, Dub sings the song.
* ''Series/TheDefenders2017'': When [[Series/Daredevil2015 Matt Murdock]] and Series/JessicaJones2015 are at John Raymond's brownstone, Matt goes over to the piano and plays a small excerpt of the title credits music, which is how they uncover plans Raymond had to blow up the Hand's base at Midland Circle.
* The ''Series/{{Taggart}}'' episode "Black Orchid" (the first [[TheCharacterDiedWithHim without Jim Taggart]]) has a ColdOpening featuring hypnotist The Great Sabina in a cabaret. We then cut to the caberet's singer, Julie Carson (played by Amanda Redman) singing the ''Taggart'' theme, "No Mean City", as a SpecialEditionTitle.
* In the ''Series/MiamiVice'' episode "Milk Run," some kids play the theme song on a boombox.
* The first few seconds of the ''Series/{{Shoestring}}'' theme song are used as a Radio West jingle, played at the beginning of things like news reports.
* The 2000 remake of ''Series/TheFugitive'' used the music from the [[Film/TheFugitive 1993 film]], possibly symbolizing the fact that it's based more on the movie than on the original series.
* In the second episode of ''Series/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents2017'', the opening theme, "Look Away", is briefly played by [[BigBad Count Olaf]]'s [[QuirkyMinibossSquad theatre troupe]] as the curtain rises on "[[EvilPlan The]] [[FilmFelons Marvelous]] [[OldManMarryingAChild Marriage]]".
* ''Series/TheOuterLimits1995'': In "Flower Child", a slower version of the theme tune is heard on a television advertisement for the company Gideon 3000, which produces plant food and nutrients.
* ''Series/KnotsLanding'': In "Do You Love Me?", Kate Whittaker and Alex Barton dance to a remix of the theme tune.
* ''Series/CrazyExGirlfriend'' loves to do this:
** In one episode in season 1, Paula explains to her husband what Rebecca's 'deal' is, and quotes line-for-line the ExpositoryThemeTune. When the theme tune sings the show's title, Scott himself accuses Rebecca of that, and Rebecca's objections in the theme tune ("That's a sexist term!") are said by Paula.
** Also, most episodes of season 1 found a way to segue into the theme tune by having someone ask Rebecca or just wonder what it is that took her to West Covina, which the tune helpfully explains.
** Season 2 gets a very brief one at the end when Rebecca's mother quotes that season's theme ("She's just a girl in love, she can't be held responsible for her actions.") in a flashback [[spoiler:during Rebecca's trial.]]
** Season 3's theme tune features a number of figures styled on different popular music genres giving conflicting advice about whether being crazy is good or bad, and ends with a shot of Rebecca on a toilet in a yellow dress mouthing 'What?' Later in the season after Rebecca receives her diagnosis, she is seen exiting the toilet wearing that same dress, taking earbuds out of her ears, clearly immediately after that final shot.
** Later in season 3, Nathaniel accuses Rebecca of being crazy and she smirks, and that is when the theme tune plays for that episode, beginning with the very scene-appropriate "Crazy's when I go off the rails / This is what you've done to me."
* ''Series/ThePartridgeFamily'' perform performs the Season One opening theme, "When We're Singin'," while on tour in Paris in "Mom Drops Out."
* ''Series/ElCorazonNuncaSeEquivoca'': since "Es Por Ti" was written in-universe by Ari, he and Temo decide to sing it while waiting for their laundry to be done in episode 6.
* Not quite the ''theme'' music, but Edward Nygma from ''Series/{{Gotham}}'' used the scene-transition riff from the 1960s ''Batman'' TV series as his personal cell phone's ringtone.
* ''Series/TheIncredibleHulk1977'' episode "Alice in Discoland" had a disco version of the main title theme playing as Damsel-in-Distress of the week, Alice, was dancing at a club.
* Some kids sing a part of the theme tune in episode 24 of the 4Kids English dub of ''Series/UltramanTiga''.
* "How Soon Is Now" plays in the background at P3 (Piper's new club) in the ''Series/Charmed1998'' episode "[[Recap/CharmedS2E4TheDevilsMusic The Devil's Music.]]"
* In "Better to Light a Candle" from ''Series/TheWatch2021'', the members of the Watch, performing as their band "The What," play a version of the show's theme tune to summon the Noble Dragon. Prior to this, Lady Sybil's dragon Goodboy had been humming in several previous episodes. Sybil releases Goodboy, who then chitters the tune to the Noble Dragon, which then meets its end.
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!!Examples:
* In the end of the ''Series/GetSmart'' episode "The Not So Great Escape", Control agents whistle the theme song as they leave the Kaos prison camp.
* On ''Series/TheFallGuy'', Howie is reading the lyrics to a song he wrote (the show's theme song, "The Unknown Stuntman"). During the show, Colt and Howie make a bet where Colt says he'll sing the song live on stage if he loses. He does.
* Often ''Series/TheAndyGriffithShow'' would use the music that would eventually become the theme to its AfterShow ''Series/MayberryRFD'' as generic music played for ShowWithinAShow TV show themes and band music. ''Mayberry R.F.D.'' would continue the tradition during its own run.
* Classic example: In ''Series/ILoveLucy'', one episode has Lucy certain that Ricky has forgotten her birthday. She makes her way to the nightclub where he works, where he assures her he has not forgotten and sings the show's theme song to her, ForgottenThemeTuneLyrics and all.
* A classic example occurred in ''Series/GreenAcres''. At the start of the episode, we see Eb going off to do his chores while whistling the theme song. He then turns and [[BreakingTheFourthWall looks straight at the camera]] to say the line "Dahling, I love you, but give me Park Avenue" in ''Lisa's voice''.
* ''Series/BostonLegal'':
** There's an episode where Denny Crane has a miniature trumpet, which he plays the theme song on... through the regular part where the theme is played...
** The episode where Jerry hums the theme song through the opening.
** There is an episode where Betty White's character's phone goes off, and the ringtone happens to be a snippet of the theme tune to ''Series/ThePractice''.
* A few Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} examples:
** ''Series/DrakeAndJosh'': In the episode "First Crush", Drake Parker sings the show's theme song ("I Found a Way" by Drake Bell, [[DoItYourselfThemeTune who played him on the show]]) until a snake appears on his shoulder and gets thrown into the audience.
** ''Series/{{Zoey 101}}'': In "Back to PCA", "Follow Me" by Jamie Lynn Spears, the show's theme, is heard during the final scene.
** Series/ICarly: Carly was playing short chords of "Leave It All To Me" on her ukelele.
*** At the end of the ''Series/{{Victorious}}'' crossover "iParty With Victorious", the cast of both shows sing a mashed up version of both theme songs.
* In an episode of ''Series/MadAboutYou'', Paul walks past an ''ACappella'' group singing the theme song, which he'd cowritten. To further mess with the wall, he mentions its familiarity. At the end of the episode, Paul and Jamie listen to the same group singing the theme again as the end-credits play. This time, Paul recognizes the tune and grins with satisfaction, but does not identify the tune out loud.
* ''Series/MyTwoDads'' had one episode where the theme song was performed by Evigan (the other Dad of the title) and... special guest Davy Jones of Music/TheMonkees.
--> [[LampshadeHanging "Now where have I heard that song before...?"]]
* An episode of ''Series/PrettyGuardianSailorMoon'' has the characters doing karaoke with, and later synchronizing their attacks to, a song by Minako Aino, who later turns out to be Sailor Venus (the song, incidentally, repeats the phrase "C'est la vie", which sounds pretty much like "Sailor V" in Japanese) and which song is available on the soundtrack albums. (All the soundtrack albums. Sometimes more than once.)
* ''Series/{{Tweenies}}'': In one ep, some character has a blow-up guitar balloon and is singing, "Hey, hey, are you ready to play?"... the first line of the show's theme tune.
* The opening scene of the first episode of ''Series/TheYoungOnes'' has Rick rocking out to the show's theme song. Somewhat [[JustifiedTrope justified]] since the song predates the show, though the fact that he was explicitly listening to the cover version sung by the actors from the show creates a bit of a CelebrityParadox.
* "This Old Man", which in the later years of ''Series/{{Columbo}}'' was sometimes used as unofficial theme music (the show never really had a theme as such) also appears in a lot of episodes in some form, usually being hummed or whistled by the title character.
* With a twist. ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' (2005) uses the theme music not from that series, but from the original ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|1978}}'', as what appears to be the Colonial anthem. In the pilot, an honor guard play it at ''Galactica'''s decommissioning ceremony. In the episode "Final Cut", it underscores the patriotic ending sequence of a ShowWithinAShow documentary. And one more time in the final episode when [[spoiler: the fleet is auto-piloted into the heart of the sun.]]
* ''Series/StargateSG1'':
** "Chimera". Carter hums the SG-1 theme music in the elevator, prompting O'Neill to deduce that she has a new boyfriend. WordOfGod has it that the actress actually wanted to hum ''Series/MacGyver1985'''s theme music as a nod, but she completely forgot the notes so she hummed the Stargate theme instead.
** The episode "200", which is rife with self-reference, features the hypothetical wedding of Carter and O'Neill. The music in the background begins with ''Here Comes The Bride'', but segues into the SG-1 theme.
** In a related matter, the SG-1 theme also appears in the BGM of the ''Series/StargateAtlantis'' episode "Home" when the main characters arrive back on Earth.
** SG-1 returns the favor by using the Atlantis theme in "The Pegasus Project," when SG-1 visit Atlantis.
* ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'':
** The theme is also Lindsay's ringtone within the show.
** In season 4, George Michael's band is briefly seen playing "Balls in the Air", another piece of music from the show's soundtrack.
* ''Series/AlloAllo'':
** The opening in the episode "Leclerc Against the Wall" featured the usual opening shot of Rene in his cafe as the instrumental theme song plays. It fades out as Rene begins playing the exact same song on the cafe piano.
** In another episode an accordionist is heard wandering the town square outside the cafe, playing a slower version of the theme on his accordion.
* ''Series/VeronicaMars'': At the close of TheTeaser to one episode, Veronica wryly notes of an estranged acquaintance, "We used to be friends, a long time ago," the opening words (inverted) of the show's ThemeTune.
* On ''Series/WKRPInCincinnati'', during one episode recounting events prior to the start of the series ("The Creation of Venus"), Andy explains that he'd come to Cincinnati because he'd "gotten kind of tired of packing and unpacking, town to town, up and down the dial" -- the same explanation offered in the theme song. He lightly lampshades this by saying it as if he were alluding to well-known words.
* In ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir'', while giving his testimony at the bench during a court case, Will falls into the/his lyrics when introducing himself.
** [[MemeticMutation He Bel-Air'd HIMSELF!?]] [[YourHeadASplode Wha--?]]
* One episode of ''Series/TwinPeaks'' had the "bumper" music playing on a car radio. Since it was done "cold" right after a break, it had the effect of blurring the line between the credits and the show.
* An episode of ''Series/TwentyFour'' features the "The Longest Day" remix of the theme tune playing in a club.
* The ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' communicator signal was the original ThemeTune. A MonsterOfTheWeek also sings "Go, go, power particles!" to the tune of the theme to taunt the heroes. Similarly, ''Series/PowerRangersSamurai'' (which uses a remix of the ''Mighty Morphin''' theme) defaults to the same tune whenever it needs a little jingle to play (doorbell ringing, phone dialing, etc.).
** ''Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger'' takes it a step further, giving the theme song actual plot relevance: [[spoiler:it's the Earth's True Melody, a song that gives the heroes the power needed to defeat the BigBad Deboth.]]
*** ''Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge'' had an episode where Chase sings a song while cooking; it's actually ''Kyoryuger''[='s=] theme song with different lyrics. This instance wasn't scripted, but was added by the actors because [[JustForFun/OneOfUs they're Sentai fans themselves]].
* The KoreanSeries ''Series/YouAreBeautiful'' has the title theme not only as background music, but performed by a male singer, a female singer, and a BoyBand during its run. A given as it ''is'' said BoyBand's own song.
* The [[TitleDrop Sound of Drums]] that echoes in [[spoiler: the Master]]'s head during the final three episodes of ''Series/DoctorWho'' series 3 is the same as that of the theme tune. Doubles as FridgeHorror.
** The original 1963 recording of the theme cameos in the first episode of ''Series/{{K9}}'' within K9's memories.
** The serial "Paradise Towers" had a Muzak version of the theme music playing in an elevator.
** "Vale Decem" in The End of Time is being sung by the Ood as the song they promised him. Just as 10 is beginning to regenerate, they shift into a triumphant/heartwrenching version of "The Doctor's Theme."
** A cello trio is playing Martha's theme in ''The Lazarus Experiment''.
* [=WindWave=] Radio in ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'' when left on tends to play various bits of music including the eponymous hero's battle themes, all of which were written by fictitious bands from the show.
** Episodes 21 and 22 has a whistling tune of "Cyclone Effect" -- one of said battle themes - play a part of the case. Philip and Shotaro sing "Finger on the Trigger" in episode 23 in Fuuuuuutic Idol, their equivalent of ''Series/AmericanIdol''.
*** As an added bonus, the judges on Fuuuuuutic Idol are the two singers of the opening theme, and another singer of tokusatsu and anime themes.
** Sonozaki Ryubee is also seen idly humming his own theme music.
* In the finale for season one of ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', the band that plays the show's theme song (Remy Zero) is playing at the Smallville High prom. And what do they play? Yup. You got it.
** When Dr. Swann (former Superman actor Christopher Reeve, of course) tells Clark he's from a place called Krypton -- this being the first time the name is mentioned, a few years into the series -- we suddenly hear one of the fanfares from Reeve's movie series.
* The Jeremy Brett ''Series/SherlockHolmes'' episode ''The Creeping Man'' has Holmes listening to the TV show's theme tune on a music box. Since most readers despise the original short story, this rare bit of levity seems appropriate.
** One episode of ''The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'' ends with Holmes beginning to play the series' theme tune on his violin.
* In ''Film/HighlanderTheSource,'' the Guardian taunts some of the heroes by singing, "WhoWantsToLiveForever", one of the signature songs from the original movie.
** The series did this a few times as well. 'Who Wants to Live Forever' played after Fitz's death in 'Star-Crossed' and when Duncan was recalling Tessa later in season 2. A snippet of 'Princes of the Universe' played during the TrainingMontage in 'Eye for an Eye'.
* ''Series/MidsomerMurders'' does this ''all the time'' -- mostly at fairs or festivals. Mediums playing the theme include a brass band, a youth orchestra, and a marching band.
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** In ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'', a light cocktail bar version of the theme was played, appropriately, in a bar in "[[Recap/StarTrekS1E20CourtMartial Court Martial]]" and at a cocktail party in "Conscience of the King."
** An episode of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' had a string quartet preparing to play in Ten-Forward, and during the warmup the theme tune of the show is subtly played.
*** In the pilot, the theme song is fully reprised to accompany the ''Enterprise'''s first saucer seperation sequence.
** "Sanctuary" in ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', where the instrumentalist Varani plays the theme music for a rapt audience.
** In "Fascination" in the third season of ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', Odo conducts a bajoran band playing a hardly recognizable version of the theme song.
* One ''Series/JoanOfArcadia'' teaser has God singing (a humorously bad, given the character) version of Joan Osbourne's "One of Us," which was appropriated as the show's theme song. This segued directly into the credits.
* The aliens in ''Series/WarOfTheWorlds1988'' plot to hide [[SubliminalSeduction hypnotic messages]] in a pop tune in one episode. The tune is based on the theme music.
* In the ''Series/GrowingPains'' episode "All The World's a Stage", Mike Seaver and his choir sing the opening theme song -- and it serves as the theme song for that episode.
* The original title theme of ''Series/{{Monk}}'' by Jeff Beal, which was since replaced with ''It's a Jungle Out There'' (Randy Newman), has since often come up in the show as background music, usually in dramatic scenes or those having to do with memories. In one memorable instance, however, Randy Disher ''plays'' the song on a piano. When Stottlemeyer asks him what he's doing, Disher says [[LampshadeHanging "background music"]].
* In one episode of ''Series/HogansHeroes'', the Heroes pretend to escape so an Italian spy can "capture" them. When he marches them back into camp, they're all whistling the show's theme song.
* In Season 1 of ''Series/UpstairsDownstairs'', Sarah performs the “Downstairs” theme as a BawdySong ("What Are We Going to Do with Uncle Arthur?") in her music hall act. For Equal Time, the stately waltz of the “Upstairs” theme is played on the organ at Elizabeth’s wedding.
* ''Series/TheNanny'':
** The episode "Frannie's Choice" ended with Fran describing how she got to her current station in life by reciting the lyrics of the opening theme.
** In "Strange Bedfellows", Fran notices similarities between her and a fellow nanny that was going to be fired since the kids had grown up, the other nanny begins to describe that the way she got the job with the opening theme as well.
** Yet another example was in "Fashion Show", when Fran was describing her fashion sense with "I've got style, I've got flare, that's how I became ({{Beat}}) [[TitleDrop the nanny]]"
* The lost culture in the ''Series/{{Farscape}}'' two-parter "What Was Lost" chanted the series theme as they sacrificed goats. This may have been {{foreshadowing}} the larger role, plotwise and thematically, that they would play in the miniseries.
** In the episode "Losing Time", John can also be heard humming along to the background music while walking through Moya's corridors.
* In the ''Series/RedDwarf'' Western-VR episode "Gunmen of the Apocalypse", the piano in the Last Chance Saloon is playing the theme as the main characters enter.
** In ''Back to Earth'', a haunting rendition of the theme tune is played by [[spoiler:the Creator]]'s doorbell.
* An episode of ''Series/LoisAndClark'' has Clark whistling the theme tune.
* A scene in ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'' starts with JD and Turk walking in, singing the theme tune (Superman by Lazlo Bane).
** While not being ''sung'', in a later episode Doctor Kelso is seen talking with some beach babes, saying to them "... I can't do this all my own!"
** "Guy Love", which only really existed as part of an aneurysm induced hallucination, nevertheless shows up as Turk's ringtone in a later episode.
** JD and Turk also beatbox the themesong when they're gloating about diagnosing one of Dr. Cox's problem patients.
** And when Elliot puts one of those electronic "piano carpets" at her door, JD walks in and starts dancing around on it. Guess what he plays.
--->'''JD:''' Hmm. Catchy!
** The drumbeat at the start of the theme tune, always played onscreen before it actually goes into the titles, is played by a character on a couple of occasions. In ''My Office'' JD plays it out by bursting bubblewrap and in ''My Best Friend's Baby's Baby and My Baby's Baby'' it's done by a drummer in a marching band.
* On ''Series/{{Dallas}}'' several members of the Ewing family (Bobby, Pam and Lucy) as well as Ray Krebbs went to a disco, where the [=DJ=] started playing the ''Dallas'' theme tune.
* ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess:'' Xena played the theme song in one episode (on a lyre that sounded surprisingly like an electric guitar). Another time, she whistles it while fishing.
** ''Series/HerculesTheLegendaryJourneys'' also gave us [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAhjjZm2qN4 this]].
* ''Series/BigWolfOnCampus'' has Merton trying to compose a song on a piano, that is actually the show's theme tune. It's a double reference as the actor who plays Merton created the theme tune in real life. Unlike a lot of other examples of this trope, the song Merton writes actually has vital plot relevance later in the episode.
* Happens accidentally in ''Series/TopGearUK'': the Allman Brothers Band song "Jessica", the series' RealSongThemeTune, comes on the radio while they're filming a "[[BlatantLies factual review]]'' of American muscle cars in America.
* In ''Series/TheLWord'', ''every single tune you hear'' is some kind of adaptation of the theme music. It's exactly as annoying as you'd think.
* Another toku example: In one episode of ''Series/WarriorOfLoveRainbowman'', hero Takeshi Yamato sings the ED theme, which is his theme song.
* In the very early episodes of ''Series/TheBeverlyHillbillies'', the balladeer not only sings the theme song, but sings new lyrics to reflect the on-screen action, in part a feud between the Clampetts and the Drysdales.
** In "Jed Throws A Wingding", two old friends of the Clampett family write a song about Jed, which turns out to be the theme song.
*** The two friends are musicians Lester Flatts and Earl Scruggs who provided the music for the theme song.
* Kate's ringtone is a version of the themesong in a season 2 episode of ''Series/{{NCIS}}''.
* Played with on ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'': Howard's cellphone ringtone is the song that was used as the theme tune... in the unaired pilot.
* In an instance which was bound to happen eventually because of the show's format (sing a song as karaoke, then correctly guess the next line when prompted), ''Series/DontForgetTheLyrics'' offered its own theme song (the Doobie Brothers' "China Grove") alongside the theme of ''Series/GreenAcres'' in a "TV Themes" category. Unfortunately, the clueless contestant, despite claiming she had never watched it, went with ''Green Acres'', and promptly lost.
* In ''Series/TheMiddleman'', the Muzak playing in the lobby of the Jolly Fats Wehawkin Employment Agency (the front for the Middle organization) was based on the show's theme.
* In ''Series/{{Castle}}'', the title character occasionally hums the show's standard "exciting things are happening now" background music to himself.
** In "Last Call", as he enters an old drinking establishment he used to frequent, the piano man starts playing that same riff. Castle tips him for remembering.
* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmQWtGn889E first episode]] of ''Series/ThreeTwoOneContact'' features the recording session for the OpeningTheme.
* In the fourth season finale of ''Series/{{House}}'', a cover version of "Teardrop" plays as they try to find a way to [[spoiler:diagnose Amber and save her life]].
* In ''Series/GreysAnatomy'''s MusicalEpisode, Callie[[spoiler:'s hallucination of her disembodied soul]] sings a line of the show's former RealSongThemeTune.
* In one episode of ''Series/MadeInCanada'', one of the characters sings the theme song during a party; in another, the song is heard playing on a CD player.
* The ''Series/NewGirl'' pilot has Jess singing the theme song at one point. The standard opening credits don't show up until the second episode, making this a Theme Tune EarlyBirdCameo of sorts.
* In the second ''Series/TheWildWildWest'' TV movie, ''More Wild Wild West'', Artemus Gordon hums the main theme from the show while getting ready in front of a mirror.
* In the ''Series/{{Psych}}'' episode "The Amazing Psych Man & Tap-Man, Issue #2", Shawn tells Juliet "I know you know I'm not telling the truth. I know...you know...".
* ''Series/TheOfficeUK'' episode "Training" ends with David Brent singing and playing the theme song, "Handrags and Gladrags", on guitar. (Kind of justified in-universe, in that it's a [[RealSongThemeTune song that predates the series]], and presumably was part of the repertoire of Brent's old band Foregone Conclusion, which is discussed in the episode.)
* ''Series/TheTribe'': Sasha plays the theme from ''Series/TheTribe'' on his flute in his first episode as an official Mall Rat. A few episodes earlier, the piece of music Tai San uses during her dance routine is the same incidental music used during establishing shots.
* In ''Series/TeenWolf'', season 2 episode 12, "Master Plan", the opening credits/theme song is heard during the fight scene involving Derek, Scott, Isaac, Jackson, and Allison.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'' has a lot of fun playing with the fact that the song "The Rains of Castamere" is both the in-universe favorite song of the Lannister family and a frequent soundtrack motif and sometimes end credit theme for the show. It was easter egged as a tune that Tyrion was whistling and as background music in several scenes before viewers ever heard the lyrics or found out why the song was important.
** The proper theme of the show is used as well. For the introduction of the Night King and the later battles in Season 4, it is used to indicate a foreboding sense of doom.
* In the ''Series/PrettyLittleLiars'' episode "Over My Dead Body," Emily has a carbon-monoxide-induced hallucination that she's talking to Alison; when she asks who "A" is, Alison's reply quotes the opening song "Secrets" - "Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead."
* [[Series/MrLucky Mr. Lucky's]] watch plays the first five notes of the show's theme tune - ''his'' theme - when opened.
* One episode of ''Series/AbsolutelyFabulous'' had Edina and Patsy sing a (drunk, naturally) karaoke version of "This Wheel's on Fire", originally by the Band. Julie Driscoll got a UK hit out of covering it in 1968; she and Adrian Edmondson recorded a new version of the cover for the show's theme.
* In the series finalé of ''Series/DawsonsCreek'', Jen is shown a video that Dawson supposedly made back in season 1; it's a slight re-working of the show's original credits, including the original theme tune. ("One Hand In My Pocket" by Music/AlanisMorissette)
* In ''Series/{{Cranford}}'', the music for the waltz at the end of ''Return to Cranford'' is the InstrumentalThemeTune of the series, albeit in 3/4 time (the original was in 4/4). It's called "Cranford Waltz".
* During one ''Series/MythBusters'' episode, Adam and Jamie were using underwater speakers to test whether sharks were attracted to sounds of a certain pitch. To test the speakers, Adam played the show's theme tune while Jamie, underwater in a shark cage, listened... [[NotSoAboveItAll then started dancing to it]].
%%zero-context example* Happens ''many'' times in Series/EighteenYearOldSky, to the point where the theme song has become a staple for most of the audience.
* In the ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' episode "Hopeless", the main characters perform the theme as a band in a fantasy sequence SpecialEditionTitle. (It is an alternate mix with prominent guitar.)
** A few episodes later, when Barney declares himself the leader of the gang, an alternate version of the theme, sung by Barney and featuring pictures prominently featuring Barney and a disgruntled Ted and Robin in place of the normal pictures, is played, despite having already played the normal version of the theme in that episode. Later in the same episode, a third version is played, featuring Better Lily and New Marshall.
* ''Series/OneTreeHill'' has several cameos of "I Don't Wanna Be" most notably the cast singing along near the end.
* ''Series/BreakingBad'''s penultimate episode, "Granite State" [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMlNl0fKwxQ#t=105 ends with an extended version]] of the show's title theme.
* Not the title theme tune, but ''{{Series/Sherlock}}'' has the title character ''composing Irene Adler's {{leitmotif}}'' on his violin.
* ''Series/AustinAndAlly'' has the theme song used during a Glee club mashup.
* On an episode of ''Series/TheLoveBoat'', a character named April (played by Charo) sings the show's theme song in the ship's nightclub.
* On ''Series/TheBradyBunch'' episode ''The Drummer Boy'', Bobby is heard playing the trumpet in the backyard early in the morning, apparently attempting to play Reveille. But all he plays is cacophony, until he suddenly breaks into a flawless trumpet version of part of the Brady Bunch theme. This doubled as commercial bumper music, however.
* ''Series/TheYoungAndTheRestless'' character Gina Roma occasionally sang the lyrical version of the soap's iconic theme song.
* In Series/{{Detectorists}}, the central characters perform a self-penned song at an open mic night. The act on before them is "Johnny Piper", alias real-life folk singer Johnny Flynn, performing the show's theme song.
* Della Wells and Josh Alexander sing Kylie Minogue's ‘Always and Forever’, ''Series/NightAndDay'''s theme tune, to one another during the final episode.
* In one of the ad bumpers for Series/EureekasCastle, the slurms (claymation worm-like creatures who live in Magellan the dragon's room) can be heard singing the song.
** In another, Mr. Knack (the trader/fixer character) does one in the form of a knock-knock joke:
-->"Knock-knock. Who's there? You. ''Eureeka''!"
* The theme for ''Series/TheXFiles'' is used as Mulder's ringtone in the episode "Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster".
* In season seven of ''Series/ThirtyRock'', Liz starts an episode by singing an impromptu song about how [[spoiler:she and Criss just got married in the previous episode]], set to the show's theme tune.
* In the ''Series/{{Batman|1966}}'' episode "The Pharaoh's in a Rut", King Tut calls for "bat-music". A henchman sets a gramophone in motion, and we hear a brass-enhanced version of the show's theme.
* ''Series/SesameStreet'' is an interesting example. One episode focuses on Oscar trying to get the theme tune out of his head, not because it's an EarWorm but because it's so happy and he's a Grouch. Sometimes, the characters can [[LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn hear the theme music playing in the background]] and know that it's time to [[BreakingTheFourthWall say hello or goodbye to the viewers]].
* ''Series/TheAddamsFamily'': Sometimes, Lurch plays the theme tune on his harpsichord.
* ''Series/{{Lucifer}}''. Lucifer tells Detective Decker that he's written a song for her, and starts playing the theme tune on a guitar, with his own lyrics.
--> [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Crime solving devil. Ain't make sense!]]
--> [[MST3KMantra Don't overthink it...]]
* ''Series/BillNyeTheScienceGuy'': In the episode on "Motion", every time Bill or somebody else mentions inertia, the line "inertia is a property of matter." from the theme song plays.
* On ''Series/UnbreakableKimmySchmidt'', a gospel version of the theme song makes an appearance, with the line "them females are strong as hell" replaced by "Jesus is strong as hell."
* It is a major plot point in the pilot episode of ''Series/GameShakers''. The song is first heard when Babe and Kenzie are on the subway. This leads to the song becoming the background music on their game Sky Whale, which they put online. This leads to a lawsuit by Dub for stealing their music, but also leads to a partnership, and at the party, Dub sings the song.
* ''Series/TheDefenders2017'': When [[Series/Daredevil2015 Matt Murdock]] and Series/JessicaJones2015 are at John Raymond's brownstone, Matt goes over to the piano and plays a small excerpt of the title credits music, which is how they uncover plans Raymond had to blow up the Hand's base at Midland Circle.
* The ''Series/{{Taggart}}'' episode "Black Orchid" (the first [[TheCharacterDiedWithHim without Jim Taggart]]) has a ColdOpening featuring hypnotist The Great Sabina in a cabaret. We then cut to the caberet's singer, Julie Carson (played by Amanda Redman) singing the ''Taggart'' theme, "No Mean City", as a SpecialEditionTitle.
* In the ''Series/MiamiVice'' episode "Milk Run," some kids play the theme song on a boombox.
* The first few seconds of the ''Series/{{Shoestring}}'' theme song are used as a Radio West jingle, played at the beginning of things like news reports.
* The 2000 remake of ''Series/TheFugitive'' used the music from the [[Film/TheFugitive 1993 film]], possibly symbolizing the fact that it's based more on the movie than on the original series.
* In the second episode of ''Series/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents2017'', the opening theme, "Look Away", is briefly played by [[BigBad Count Olaf]]'s [[QuirkyMinibossSquad theatre troupe]] as the curtain rises on "[[EvilPlan The]] [[FilmFelons Marvelous]] [[OldManMarryingAChild Marriage]]".
* ''Series/TheOuterLimits1995'': In "Flower Child", a slower version of the theme tune is heard on a television advertisement for the company Gideon 3000, which produces plant food and nutrients.
* ''Series/KnotsLanding'': In "Do You Love Me?", Kate Whittaker and Alex Barton dance to a remix of the theme tune.
* ''Series/CrazyExGirlfriend'' loves to do this:
** In one episode in season 1, Paula explains to her husband what Rebecca's 'deal' is, and quotes line-for-line the ExpositoryThemeTune. When the theme tune sings the show's title, Scott himself accuses Rebecca of that, and Rebecca's objections in the theme tune ("That's a sexist term!") are said by Paula.
** Also, most episodes of season 1 found a way to segue into the theme tune by having someone ask Rebecca or just wonder what it is that took her to West Covina, which the tune helpfully explains.
** Season 2 gets a very brief one at the end when Rebecca's mother quotes that season's theme ("She's just a girl in love, she can't be held responsible for her actions.") in a flashback [[spoiler:during Rebecca's trial.]]
** Season 3's theme tune features a number of figures styled on different popular music genres giving conflicting advice about whether being crazy is good or bad, and ends with a shot of Rebecca on a toilet in a yellow dress mouthing 'What?' Later in the season after Rebecca receives her diagnosis, she is seen exiting the toilet wearing that same dress, taking earbuds out of her ears, clearly immediately after that final shot.
** Later in season 3, Nathaniel accuses Rebecca of being crazy and she smirks, and that is when the theme tune plays for that episode, beginning with the very scene-appropriate "Crazy's when I go off the rails / This is what you've done to me."
* ''Series/ThePartridgeFamily'' perform performs the Season One opening theme, "When We're Singin'," while on tour in Paris in "Mom Drops Out."
* ''Series/ElCorazonNuncaSeEquivoca'': since "Es Por Ti" was written in-universe by Ari, he and Temo decide to sing it while waiting for their laundry to be done in episode 6.
* Not quite the ''theme'' music, but Edward Nygma from ''Series/{{Gotham}}'' used the scene-transition riff from the 1960s ''Batman'' TV series as his personal cell phone's ringtone.
* ''Series/TheIncredibleHulk1977'' episode "Alice in Discoland" had a disco version of the main title theme playing as Damsel-in-Distress of the week, Alice, was dancing at a club.
* Some kids sing a part of the theme tune in episode 24 of the 4Kids English dub of ''Series/UltramanTiga''.
* "How Soon Is Now" plays in the background at P3 (Piper's new club) in the ''Series/Charmed1998'' episode "[[Recap/CharmedS2E4TheDevilsMusic The Devil's Music.]]"
* In "Better to Light a Candle" from ''Series/TheWatch2021'', the members of the Watch, performing as their band "The What," play a version of the show's theme tune to summon the Noble Dragon. Prior to this, Lady Sybil's dragon Goodboy had been humming in several previous episodes. Sybil releases Goodboy, who then chitters the tune to the Noble Dragon, which then meets its end.
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