History AwesomeMusic / RealityGameAndTalkShows

** In 1983, "Big Wheels" was replaced by Merv Griffin's "[[https://youtu.be/wf37Dgj92QM Changing Keys]]", a jazzy tune with [[TruckDriversGearChange multiple key changes]]. Fans consider it to be the definitive theme song. It was re-orchestrated many times until 2000, and it was brought back in 2021 with a new arrangement.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6rHqrLA7aw The original theme]] had a dramatic buildup to the four-way TruckDriversGearChange accompanied by synthesizers and saxophones. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4exVV_Msgs prototype theme]] from the second Trebek pilot also qualifies as this, thanks to the drum fills. In 1992, the theme was remixed to include [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfDUKtxi8HU a bongo and shaker track]], but the tournament and celebrity games would use a combined version of both.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75SvzqamY-k The 1997 arrangement]] was smooth and jazzy with more diverse instrumentation and guitar and sax solos near the end. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwcCfpI6-Q4 2001 update]] also deserves a mention, with its quicker tempo and freestyle solos. It helps that the latter version brought back the second half of the "globe swoosh" used to introduce the show.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5yU78avR6w The 2008-2021 version]]. It's nice and relaxing, plus the eleven-note ending is styled after the iconic Daily Double sound effect.
** Likewise ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBrbp8kyNVw The Greatest of All Time]]'' version has been the dubbed either as the movie version or more appropriately the Final Boss version bringing a cinematic sound and heavy percussion to add to the grandeur.
** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXGhvoekY44 think music]] is iconic in itself, but [[https://youtu.be/rJUuz9D5jos the current version]] with a small orchestra taking over the second half of the song from the pianos is awesome, particularly when it cues up and the made-for-HD backdrop turns from blue to red.

* '''''DO IT, ROCKAPELLA!!''''' "Tell me, ''Series/WhereInTheWorldIsCarmenSandiego''". [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuzc4jgwlT Here is the live version.]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vPywpcyUQg And the CD version.]]
* Susan Boyle on ''Series/BritainsGotTalent''. Awesome and sad, as well as a glorious inversion of CuteButCacophonic. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALQCkizx4UI Listen.]] She impressed the hell out of Simon Cowell, who was first stunned to silence, and then he smiled. Repeat. She impressed ''[[Series/AmericanIdol Simon Cowell]]''. Some of us thought you had to [[DealWithTheDevil sell your immortal soul]] to do that.
* ''Series/AmericasGotTalent'' has its own great musical acts, from singing ventriloquist [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzok8OFA9m8 Terry Fator]] to insurance salesman turned opera singer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-7zYPT-jpA Neal Boyd]] to chicken farmer turned country singer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYtDEFDtIc4 Kevin Skinner]].

** The music used for the Eliminator in the UK version (which was reused in the Australian version). Listen to the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1a4jqkEw1Q soundtrack version]], which has additional lyrics that make it even more awesome.
** The original ''American Gladiators'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBHg6RlcZzw theme]]. Guaranteed awesome from [[Music/BillConti the guy who brought you "Gonna Fly Now" from]] ''[[Music/BillConti Rocky]]''.
** The UK theme isn't too shabby either [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlSFELEA1uA "Do you feel POWER of the GLADIATORS? Can you face the CHALLENGE of the champions? Do you have COURAGE of a HERO?"]]

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RURbrGXBSag Africa]], especially with the African singing in the background.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybn70xhBWz4 Marquesas]] makes you want to go to a tropical island.
** The ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhGLW0jQkso China]]'' theme has an oriental Chinese feel to it.
* ''Series/LegendsOfTheHiddenTemple'' captured the adrenaline of speeding through a TempleOfDoom perfectly [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmOXA7JaBQs right here]]. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4llIoW2vsc The Opening Theme]] also makes the blood pump.

** Marc Summers's six famous words - "On your mark! Get set! GOOO!" - perfectly complement the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2ylEJNeKDA opening theme]] to ''Series/DoubleDare1986'' to set the tone for the show.[[note]]Funnily enough, Kalehoff ''also'' composed the theme to ''Series/DoubleDare1976''.[[/note]] And there's the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYA2l6vEaLQ obstacle course music]].
** ''Series/FindersKeepers'' gets a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW70dZtVvn8 jazzy main theme]] prominently featuring guitar and saxophone to get the contestants and audience revved up for the room-trashing that awaits. The syndicated version [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMVwM6dogbg adds extra trumpets]] for extra adrenaline.
** Whatever one's opinion of ''Series/ThinkFast'', the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6wPcLnGdmY theme music]] is as high-octane and blood-pumping as the score for a game show with emphasis on thinking - and acting - fast should be.
** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJh_zZdYXNw main theme]] of ''Series/MakeTheGrade'' pairs the usual Kalehoff guitars with synthesisers to create an appropriately tense atmosphere for the academic showdown of the game itself.

* "Your Future Yesterday", the theme song of ''Series/TheLateLateShow''. This post-punkish confection was [[DoItYourselfThemeTune co-written and performed by host]] Creator/CraigFerguson, who happens to be an ex-punk rock drummer. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q22ut6HchNg This is the extended version.]]

** His [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2otQnXXeI0Q opera]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzbmPEjr0Z4 songs.]] The opera song at the end of "Songs of The Western" in particular, for Wayne's ultrahigh note at the end, as well as the most epic gargling ever. Brad even manages to gargle ''in tune''.

* From 1988-2002 Creator/TheBBC had a policital program called ''On The Record''; [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZqOpchn2Uw this]] was its opening. Not only is the music cool, it has Victoria Tower (a.k.a Big Ben, though that's the name of the bell) transformed into a crocodile in it..
* As a gift to their viewers for helping raise over for charity, Creator/JimmyFallon had Creator/StephenColbert perform the infamous Music/RebeccaBlack song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLAMhTorPCk Friday]] live on his show, along with The Roots and Taylor Hicks, creating what is probably ''the single most epic musical number in late-night comedy history.''
* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFuGfwIhv14 theme music]] for ''Series/UnsolvedMysteries'' is haunting and chilling. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZQNX5kK6VM 2020 Netflix theme]] makes it even DarkerAndEdgier than the original.
* ''Jeux sans frontières'' (''Games without Frontiers'' or ''Games Without Borders'') was a Europe-wide television game show. The theme song has two parts, and both are awesome. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0TzyuDhfNI Youtube link.]] If you are from Europe and grew up in TheNineties, it will bring heart-warming tears in your eyes. The first part is the ''Prelude'' from Marc-Antoine Charpentier's ''Te Deum'', written near the end of the 17th century. It is often known as "the Eurovision theme" as it was adopted as the ident of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) / ''Union européenne de radio-télévision (UER)'' and has played at the start of every Eurovision Song Contest. It is no less awesome for any of this.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btCXZC_JIkE The theme to]] ''Series/{{Wipeout|2008}}''. Manages to be silly and badass in the same fifty seconds, perfectly capturing the transition from the silly qualifier to the serious Wipeout Zone.

* Say whatever you want about the [[Creator/JimmySavile creator of the show himself]], but when separating an "artist" (for lack of a better term) from their work, you have to admit that the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neCP_xu18k8 theme song]] for ''Jim'll Fix It'' is actually very beautiful in itself.
* If you want some Taiwanese game show theme tunes, try out [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ReqNewfVg4 Hao Pen Io]] which is a catchy and jovial tune that is essentially ''Series/{{Wipeout}}'' in 1990s Taiwan.
* The theme music to the Peter Tomarken-hosted ''Series/Wipeout1988'' (a trivia game unrelated to ''Series/Wipeout2008'', the obstacle course show), titled "Peter's Theme", is remembered just as fondly as the show itself. Unfortunately, there's no clean copy of the tune available, but there is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR6SkkpV5UY a nice piano cover to enjoy]].

** Edd Kalehoff's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8iOmVd1W_g bouncy Moog synthesizer theme]] is a perfect fit for "television's most exciting hour"--so much so that it was unchanged for 35 years, and was finally [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnSWvwDj0Fo remixed]] when Drew became the host.
** Despite the perceived flaws of the 1994 nighttime version, it did have a pretty cool [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIhOP2NR2bM saxophone rendition of the daytime theme]], also by Kalehoff. After this version was cancelled, its theme was later reused for ''Bruce's Price is Right'' in the UK, as well as several other international versions.

** From the show's debut in 1975 until 1983, they used Alan Thicke's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPq7U2R-D24 Big Wheels]]", a groovy horn-driven piece that is reminiscent of Maynard Ferguson's "Give it One". The latter was used in the show's pilots.
** In 1983, "Big Wheels" was replaced by Merv Griffin's "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf37Dgj92QM Changing Keys]]", a jazzy tune with [[TruckDriversGearChange multiple key changes]]. Fans consider it to be the definitive theme song. It was re-orchestrated many times until 2000, and it was brought back in 2021 with a new arrangement.

* ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'''s newest ThemeTune, though we never hear more than 20 seconds of it at any given time. Unless, say, the producers add an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tAmtnoILqc extra-long credit roll]] to vamp for lost time, and we hear about two minutes' worth...
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6rHqrLA7aw The original 1984 synthesizer theme]], as well as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfDUKtxi8HU the 1992-97 remix]] that added bongos.
** The iconic JeopardyThinkingMusic, especially the version used from 1964 all the way to 1997.

* The theme music to the Peter Tomarken-hosted ''Series/Wipeout1988'' (a trivia game unrelated to ''Series/Wipeout2008'', the aforementioned obstacle course show), titled "Peter's Theme", is remembered just as fondly as the show itself. Unfortunately, there's no clean copy of the tune available, but there is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR6SkkpV5UY a nice piano cover to enjoy]].
* ''Series/ThePriceIsRight'': Edd Kalehoff's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8iOmVd1W_g bouncy Moog synthesizer theme]] is a perfect fit for "television's most exciting hour"--so much so that it was unchanged for 35 years, and was finally [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnSWvwDj0Fo remixed]] when Drew became the host.

* ''Series/{{Survivor}}'':
** The theme song, "Ancient Voices", gets more epic every season.
*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RURbrGXBSag Africa]], especially with the African singing in the background.
*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybn70xhBWz4 Marquesas]] makes you want to go to a tropical island.
*** The ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhGLW0jQkso China]]'' theme has an oriental Chinese feel to it.

** The ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhGLW0jQkso China]]'' theme has an oriental Chinese feel to it.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RURbrGXBSag Africa]], especially with the African singing in the background.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybn70xhBWz4 Marquesas]] makes you want to go to a tropical island.

* The [[Series/LetsMakeADeal Monty Hall]]-hosted quiz show ''Series/SplitSecond1972''[[note]]a show co-created by Hall in 1971[[/note]] from 1986 has, perhaps, [[https://youtu.be/7gF3Cq1btV0 the most epic electric guitar riffs ever featured in game show music]]. The score was composed by Todd Thicke, Alan Thicke's brother.

* The theme music to the Peter Tomarken-hosted ''Series/Wipeout1988'' (a trivia game unrelated to ''Series/Wipout2008'', the aforementioned obstacle course show), titled "Peter's Theme", is remembered just as fondly as the show itself. Unfortunately, there's no clean copy of the tune available, but there is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR6SkkpV5UY a nice piano cover to enjoy]].

* If you want some Taiwanese game show theme tunes, try out [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ReqNewfVg4 Hao Pen Io]] which is a catchy and jovial tune that is essentially ''Series/{{Wipeout}}'' in 1990s Taiwan.

* The [[Series/LetsMakeADeal Monty Hall]]-hosted quiz show ''Series/SplitSecond''[[note]]a show co-created by Hall in 1971[[/note]] from 1986 has, perhaps, [[https://youtu.be/7gF3Cq1btV0 the most epic electric guitar riffs ever featured in game show music]]. The score was composed by Todd Thicke, Alan Thicke's brother.

* Marc Summers's six famous words - "On your mark! Get set! GOOO!" - perfectly complement the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2ylEJNeKDA opening theme]] to ''Series/DoubleDare1986'' to set the tone for the show. And there's the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYA2l6vEaLQ obstacle course music]].

* '''''DO IT, ROCKAPELLA!!''''' "Tell me, ''Series/WhereInTheWorldIsCarmenSandiego''". [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuzc4jgwlT Here is the live version.]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vPywpcyUQg And the CD version.]] The theme song to the spin-off series, ''Series/WhereInTimeIsCarmenSandiego'', was also [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4rR0p8SUsw pretty damn epic]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6MYPbq5jbc in its own right]].

* '''''DO IT, ROCKAPELLA!!''''' "Tell me, ''Series/WhereInTheWorldIsCarmenSandiego''". [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuzc4jgwlT Here is the live version.]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vPywpcyUQg And the CD version.]]
** The theme song to the spin-off series, ''Series/WhereInTimeIsCarmenSandiego'', was also [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4rR0p8SUsw pretty damn epic]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6MYPbq5jbc in its own right]].

** The theme song to the spin-off series, ''Series/WhereInTimeIsCarmenSandiego'', was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9vCvFQQsOg pretty damn epic]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6MYPbq5jbc in its own right]].

* '''''DO IT, ROCKAPELLA!!''''' "Tell me, ''Series/WhereInTheWorldIsCarmenSandiego''". [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuzc4jgwlT Here is the live version.]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vPywpcyUQg And the CD version.]] The theme song to the spin-off series, ''Series/WhereInTimeIsCarmenSandiego'', was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9vCvFQQsOg pretty damn epic]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6MYPbq5jbc in its own right]].

** There are lots and ''lots'' of GameShow ThemeTunes that fall under this. [[http://web.archive.org/web/20120106075042/http://www.gameshowthemesongs.net/themes_library.htm For proof, go here]]. The main themes to ''The Series/{{Pyramid}}'', ''Card Sharks'', and any incarnation of ''To Tell The Truth''. The theme to ''The Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour'' too--there was a reason that the Eubanks/Rafferty editions of ''Series/CardSharks'' as well as ''Series/ThePriceIsRight'' saved it for the times they had a car as the main prize (as well as "Super Ball!" for "TPIR" before its retirement).

* '''''DO IT, ROCKAPELLA!!''''' "Tell me, ''Series/WhereInTheWorldIsCarmenSandiego''". [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuzc4jgwlT Here is the live version.]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vPywpcyUQg And the CD version.]]
** The theme song to the spin-off series, ''Series/WhereInTimeIsCarmenSandiego'', was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9vCvFQQsOg pretty damn epic]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6MYPbq5jbc in its own right]].

** ''Series/AmericasGotTalent'' has its own great musical acts, from singing ventriloquist [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzok8OFA9m8 Terry Fator]] to insurance salesman turned opera singer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-7zYPT-jpA Neal Boyd]] to chicken farmer turned country singer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYtDEFDtIc4 Kevin Skinner]].
* The Music used for the Eliminator in the UK version (which was reused in the Australian version) of ''Series/{{Gladiators}}''. Listen to the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1a4jqkEw1Q soundtrack version]], which has additional lyrics that make it even more awesome.

* The ''Series/{{Survivor}}'' theme song, "Ancient Voices", which gets more epic every season.
** The ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhGLW0jQkso China]]'' has an oriental Chinese feel to it.

* Not a traditional soundtrack, but a lot of the songs from ''Series/WhoseLineIsItAnyway'', especially if Wayne Brady is involved. Like his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2otQnXXeI0Q opera]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzbmPEjr0Z4 songs.]]
** The opera song at the end of "Songs of The Western" in particular, for Wayne's ultrahigh note at the end, as well as the most epic gargling ever. Brad even manages to gargle ''in tune''.

* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFuGfwIhv14 theme music]] for ''Series/UnsolvedMysteries'' is haunting and chilling.
** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZQNX5kK6VM 2020 Netflix theme]] makes it even DarkerAndEdgier than the original.

* The different themes for the Tom Bergeron run of ''Series/TheHollywoodSquares''- "I Love Hollywood" for the Whoopi era, and "Hollywood Square Biz" for the ''H2'' era.

* In the second season of ''Series/RobotWars'' the Plunderbird team brough along their own theme song, [[http://youtu,be/pfN4NLq-3Eo Robots Revenge]].
** The ''Series/RobotWars'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjnNt1tgzC4 theme]]. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KWBkWM8b90 ending theme]] also closes it out with a bang.

* The ''Series/{{Survivor}}'' theme song, "Ancient Voices", which gets more epic every season. ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAOzVGV-SBM Borneo]]'''s is good, but ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neDN5k32dOw Samoa]]'' and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHJ2ANCbiIM Heroes vs. Villains]]'' have amazing rhythms.
** Add ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGfFMIcNR0w All-Stars]]'' to the list.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcEPqIBrSlk Freebird]], from [[Creator/ConanOBrien Coco's]] last episode of ''Series/TheTonightShow''.

* How about the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugIsL8luD6o theme song]] for ''Series/TheAmazingRace''?
* From 1988-2002 Creator/TheBBC had a policital program called ''On The Record''; [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZqOpchn2Uw this]] was its opening. Not only is the music cool, it has Victoria Tower (a.k.a Big Ben, though that's the name of the bell) transformed into a crocodile in it.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9IvlHOg-Gs "Force Field",]] the theme tune to ''The Crystal Maze''.

* Say whatever you want about the [[Creator/JimmySavile creator of the show himself]], but when separating an "artist" (for lack of a better term) from their work, you have to admit that the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neCP_xu18k8 theme song]] for ''Jim'll Fix It'' is actually very beautiful in itself.

* The theme music from the original version of ''Series/CardSharks''. [[http://www.gameshowthemesongs.net/sounds/Card%20Sharks/CARDSHARKS78.mp3 Listen here.]]

* The soundtrack for the first two seasons of the U.S version of ''Series/TheMole'' is outstanding.
* If you like good chilling tunes, try out the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFuGfwIhv14 theme music]] for ''Series/UnsolvedMysteries''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMHrCzJs85I The real reason]] for ''Series/TheSingOff''.

** The ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhGLW0jQkso China]]'' theme's legitimately beautiful.
** And [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RURbrGXBSag Africa]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybn70xhBWz4 Marquesas]] for their sheer epic quality.