Author Description

This meticulously researched and anecdote-filled chronicle is the first serious examination of the history of original music for television in America (and a number of programs that originated in England but became hits in the US). Drawing on hundreds of interviews with composers, producers, music editors, and music supervisors, it follows the history of this unique musical form - both themes and dramatic scores - from the earliest days of the medium until today. Each chapter focuses on a different TV genre (dramas, comedies, action-adventure, science-fiction and fantasy, animation, news and documentaries, TV-movies and miniseries, etc.) and, largely through the words of the songwriters and composers themselves, traces the evolution of television music, from the earliest days of the medium through today's cable and streaming offerings. Rare and, in some cases, previously unseen photographs and illustrations, help to tell the story. Rare musical examples, in the original composer's hands, from "Peter Gunn" to "Twilight Zone," are also included. Interviews with every major composer (and many minor ones) in TV music history are included, from Henry Mancini and John Williams to Jerry Goldsmith and Lalo Schifrin; the contributions of such leading contemporary film composers as Thomas Newman, James Newton Howard, and Michael Giacchino are included.