Program: Mr. Belvedere (1985-1990)
The Song: Who's singing this thing, Leon Redbone?
Oh, that's exactly who's singing Mr. Belvedere's theme song, "According to Our New Arrivals." What a title! Can you imagine the television show theme songs of today having titles like that? Can you imagine television shows of today even having theme songs? Networks don't want to ease you into anything with a nice song anymore. You'll have a quick little stab of music, like How I Met Your Mother (which, technically, is part of a longer song called "Hey, Beautiful"), or a catchy little instrumental theme, but gone are the verse-chorus-verse themes of yesteryear. This isn't to say I like "According to Our New Arrivals." It's weird. I admire it for its weirdness, but I can't say I enjoy it. It does, however, explain the show you are about to watch perfectly. Mr. Belvedere is here to not only dust your bookcases, answer your front door, and serve you tea, but to make you a better person. Mr. Belvedere is a butler for your soul. Or something.
The Opening Credit Sequence: I did watch Mr. Belvedere occasionally. However, I only remember the plot of one episode. It's the one where Wesley gets braces and is forced to wear headgear. I guess the Owens can afford to employ a British butler, but they can't provide their youngest child with anything but the most hideous headgear in the history of television. Anyway, Wesley's all depressed about it and he has a nightmare about being a monster of some kind. That's all I remember. I'm sure Mr. Belvedere makes it all better somehow. So, per usual, I'll have to glean what I can from the opening credit sequence to figure out exactly what Mr. Belvedere--the man and the sitcom--was all about.
First of all, how does a man who has been featured on the cover of World Focus magazine and lived a Forrest Gump-style existence, end up in Pittsburgh as Bob Uecker's butler? I mean, Belvedere really wants to get to Pittsburgh! So badly, in fact, that he hitchhikes! Maybe I should give Pittsburgh another chance.
Also, is Mr. Belvedere supposed to be a vampire or some other mythical creature who never ages? He's been portly, mustachioed, and besuited seemingly forever. Or for a long time anyway. Does he simply suck the life essence of those nearest to him as he buttles? Is he some sort of chunky, butlering incubus? Creepy.
The Song: Who's singing this thing, Leon Redbone?
Oh, that's exactly who's singing Mr. Belvedere's theme song, "According to Our New Arrivals." What a title! Can you imagine the television show theme songs of today having titles like that? Can you imagine television shows of today even having theme songs? Networks don't want to ease you into anything with a nice song anymore. You'll have a quick little stab of music, like How I Met Your Mother (which, technically, is part of a longer song called "Hey, Beautiful"), or a catchy little instrumental theme, but gone are the verse-chorus-verse themes of yesteryear. This isn't to say I like "According to Our New Arrivals." It's weird. I admire it for its weirdness, but I can't say I enjoy it. It does, however, explain the show you are about to watch perfectly. Mr. Belvedere is here to not only dust your bookcases, answer your front door, and serve you tea, but to make you a better person. Mr. Belvedere is a butler for your soul. Or something.
The Opening Credit Sequence: I did watch Mr. Belvedere occasionally. However, I only remember the plot of one episode. It's the one where Wesley gets braces and is forced to wear headgear. I guess the Owens can afford to employ a British butler, but they can't provide their youngest child with anything but the most hideous headgear in the history of television. Anyway, Wesley's all depressed about it and he has a nightmare about being a monster of some kind. That's all I remember. I'm sure Mr. Belvedere makes it all better somehow. So, per usual, I'll have to glean what I can from the opening credit sequence to figure out exactly what Mr. Belvedere--the man and the sitcom--was all about.
First of all, how does a man who has been featured on the cover of World Focus magazine and lived a Forrest Gump-style existence, end up in Pittsburgh as Bob Uecker's butler? I mean, Belvedere really wants to get to Pittsburgh! So badly, in fact, that he hitchhikes! Maybe I should give Pittsburgh another chance.
Also, is Mr. Belvedere supposed to be a vampire or some other mythical creature who never ages? He's been portly, mustachioed, and besuited seemingly forever. Or for a long time anyway. Does he simply suck the life essence of those nearest to him as he buttles? Is he some sort of chunky, butlering incubus? Creepy.
(Stay tuned after the theme for a creepy word from Jif. What's wrong with that little boy?)
