If you've watched Leave it to Beaver from the first season to its sixth and final season, after five years of the familiar Toy Parade theme, Paul Smith and Pete Rugolo scored an uptempo version of the familiar theme music we all know and love.

Why did Universal, who owned the show decided to upgrade the theme song in what would be the show's last season because Jerry Mathers wanted to move on from acting?

This is only a guess, but probably it had nothing to do with Mathers.

Probably it was the fact the the music cues were old had had been used for a couple of seasons, and they brought in Rugolo and Smith to update them--to give the show a more modern vibe. So they did, and included the main theme.

This is only a guess, but probably it had nothing to do with Mathers.

Probably it was the fact the the music cues were old had had been used for a couple of seasons, and they brought in Rugolo and Smith to update them--to give the show a more modern vibe. So they did, and included the main theme.

I agree. In fact, it's my favorite version of the theme song. My least favorite would be the whistled version...iconic though it is.

Of course we have the "dip-a-dap-a-doodely-doo" of some of the remakes from the 80s. For that, nothing works but plugging one's ears with one's fingers and saying "Lalalalala" aloud.

:)

Have you been a moderator for a long time and I am just now noticing?

Quite awhile. Moderating theses old sitcoms isn't really any problem at all!

I agree. In fact, it's my favorite version of the theme song. My least favorite would be the whistled version...iconic though it is.

Of course we have the "dip-a-dap-a-doodely-doo" of some of the remakes from the 80s. For that, nothing works but plugging one's ears with one's fingers and saying "Lalalalala" aloud.

I also dislike the whistled version. And, yes, that later NLITB version is horrible. THey should have gone back to the season 6 version.

I also like the uptempo/jazzy version of the theme song for season 6, it's my favorite version.