I've never understood why the closing theme music on the O & H shows you see on TV now was changed. When originally shown, the show concluded with the same basic theme as the opening. In the re-runs seen in recent years, there is a jazz-like instrumental with a base-like lead at the end with the credits. In fact, the credits at the end of some of the shows do not match the episode just viewed. I have always liked the O & H original theme and wonder why it was taken off of the closing credits in the re-runs.

The episodes are not in the best of shape. Perhaps end credits are just attached at random so that the show has an ending theme if it as missing or in too bad of shape. I have seen this with other shows from time to time. I have O & H episodes with the original commercials that have various ending themes that are not the same as the opening theme. I particularly like the ending theme used during some of the last season episodes. It had a catchy melody and I liked the guitar sound.

The episodes are not in the best of shape. Perhaps end credits are just attached at random so that the show has an ending theme if it as missing or in too bad of shape. I have seen this with other shows from time to time. I have O & H episodes with the original commercials that have various ending themes that are not the same as the opening theme. I particularly like the ending theme used during some of the last season episodes. It had a catchy melody and I liked the guitar sound.
That guitar is played by none other than James Burton.

I like the jazzy ending credits. It's very catchy and timeless. I would love to know the name of it. Also can be heard on the episode list of the Best Of Ricky & Dave shout dvd set.

They started using the jazzy theme sometimes in the early 1960s; the original theme music, if I'm not mistaken, dates back to the old radio show from the 1940s.

I have also noticed that some of the background music in the early and mid-50s sounds like the background music used in Hanna-Barbera cartoons from 1957 to 1959. Is it just me -- or did Buzz Adlam compose music that was used on many other TV shows -- or do I have an "ear" for that sort of thing? :confused:

They started using the jazzy theme sometimes in the early 1960s; the original theme music, if I'm not mistaken, dates back to the old radio show from the 1940s.

I have also noticed that some of the background music in the early and mid-50s sounds like the background music used in Hanna-Barbera cartoons from 1957 to 1959. Is it just me -- or did Buzz Adlam compose music that was used on many other TV shows -- or do I have an "ear" for that sort of thing? :confused:

I'm not familiar with Adlam's work but my ears did pick up the Donna Reed Show theme and My Three Sons used occasionally an O&H background music for their early B&W episodes.