Just like March Madness only way more exciting!


CHCH TV is taking their retro shows and pitting them against each other in a March Madness-style tournament bracket setup where fans of the shows can vote for their favourite theme songs and see which series has the best theme from those that are currently in the daytime lineup. Two different shows will be matched up every day until a winner is chosen. You can make your vote at CHCH's Facebook page. The first battle is today: Cheers vs I Love Lucy. Remember, you're voting for the best theme song, not best show:

CHCH Retro Page and Contest Details (https://www.chch.com/shows/retro/)

Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CHCHTelevision/)

I'm shy of Facebook. I'd go with I Love Lucy because it scales up well for a full orchestra.


It's OK. You can vote here if you like.

I voted for Cheers which at this point has a very large lead over Lucy in the poll. Today's matchup for me looks like a mismatch. It's Mission Impossible with its iconic firecracker opening vs Who's The Boss with its idiotic star.

Today, we have The Monkees vs MASH. This seems like a no-brainer to me. The Monkees is one of my favorite series and the theme is one of the greatest themes to sing along to even when you're not watching the show. The MASH theme sounds like a song that you might hear in the background while Hawkeye or Trapper are operating on you while trying to administer anaesthetic. I voted for the Monkees but the poll has MASH ahead by a wide margin. That just baffles me!

Today marks the halfway mark of Round 1 of CHCH's Retro Madness TV Theme contest. (And so far, all but one of my picks are losing! :( ) Tomorrow another bracket begins. Today's matchup is Laverne & Shirley vs Sanford & Son. Two cool chicks vs two "big dummies". I vote for the girls. Their theme is one of my favourites.

The second half of Round 1 has begun with what I expect to be the biggest mismatch of the tournament: Happy Days vs Fantasy Island. Current vote total: 92% to 8% for Happy Days! I'm picking it as the favorite to win the overall title with my vote helping out.


To vote and follow the tournament from beginning to end, I have included these links for you:

CHCH Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CHCHTelevision/photos/a.120286914652514/2608022632545584/)

CHCH Home Page (https://www.chch.com/shows/retro/)

Today: the austere, sophisticated Barney Miller theme over Facts of Life.


Sorry Alan, I don't see an upset happening here. The Facts Of Life, which I voted for, is winning big here.

Round 1 ends today with a couple of interesting matchups that could both be very close:


1. The Jeffersons vs Hogan's Heroes

2. Mary Tyler Moore vs One Day At A Time

I may have to flip a coin for both of them.

Here are all of the Round 1 matchups:

Cheers vs I Love Lucy:

Mission Impossible vs Who's the Boss:

The Monkees vs M*A*S*H:

Laverne and Shirley vs Sanford and Son:

Happy Days vs Fantasy Island:

The Facts of Life vs Barney Miller:

The Jeffersons vs Hogan's Heroes:

Mary Tyler Moore vs One Day At A Time:

Alan, CHCH does have a few Canadian shows in primetime (like the new Tiny Talent Time) but overall they're not very good so I simply ignore them and stick with the good stuff during the day. Speaking of which, Round 1 is now over and the final results went like this:

Cheers 64% vs I Love Lucy 36%:

Mission Impossible 56% vs Who's the Boss 34%:

The Monkees 36% vs M*A*S*H 64%:

Laverne and Shirley 71% vs Sanford and Son 29%:

Happy Days 92% vs Fantasy Island 8%:

The Facts of Life 73% vs Barney Miller 27%:

The Jeffersons 68% vs Hogan's Heroes 32%:

Mary Tyler Moore 64% vs One Day At A Time 36%:


A couple of surrprises on there that I noticed. I thought Hogan's Heroes and One Day At A Time would do a little better but I still am not surprised they lost. What did stun me was The Monkees getting upset by MASH. I can't understand that one at all. And finally, watch out for Happy Days. They absolutely overwhelmed Fantasy Island and look to me to be the favorite to win the title. But first they will have to get by some tougher competition in Round 2 which begins today. Here are the matchups:

Cheers vs Mission: Impossible (which you can vote for today. I chose Cheers.)

Vote Here (https://www.facebook.com/CHCHTelevision/posts/2628777840470063)

MASH vs Laverne & Shirley (tomorrow)

Happy Days vs Facts Of Life (Mon.)

The Jeffersons vs Mary Tyler Moore (Tue.)

Round 2 Themes and Brackets (https://www.chch.com/shows/retro/)

Round 2 results:

Cheers 75% vs Mission: Impossible 25%

Happy Days 81% vs The Facts Of Life 19%

MASH 63% vs Laverne & Shirley 37&

The Jeffersons 58% vs Mary Tyler Moore 32%


So now the semi-finals are set. It will be Cheers vs MASH and Happy Days vs The Jeffersons.

Happy Days has been obliterating the competition so far. I can't wait to see what they do to Cheers or MASH. I'm hoping they will get to face Cheers in the finals because it would be worth it just to see a Boston team lose for once!

It's Cheers vs Happy Days in the finals with one more day left to vote. Happy Days currently has a big lead: 62% to 38% but there is still time to change it. I'll announce the winner on Monday.

And the winner is....

Was there ever any doubt?


HAPPY DAYS! (https://www.chch.com/shows/retro/)


62% to 38% over Cheers!

Thanks for playing, Alan!