And this had been driving me crazy, too, I thought I really was the only one who remembered this show. The theme is mainly what I remembered. Probably my first ever exposure to Beach Boys. I was barely out of kindergarten when this first aired. There was another show we watched, too, called "Hank", around the same time.
Debbie Watson was one of my very first crushes ever (along with Donna Loren, the "Dr. Pepper" girl). She had a history of failed TV series, however - "Tammy" which came right after "Karen" was cancelled, and she was also in "The Mothers-In-Law" (with Kaye Ballard, Roger Carmel & Eve Arden) a couple of years later.
The show "Karen" was probably an attempt at covering another network's (ABC) concept (similar to the way "The Addams Family" & "The Munsters" did, in the same season even). It seems like a knock-off of "Gidget" and they both premiered in the same season (1964). Both shows had themes sung by pop acts ("Gidget" 's theme was sung by Johnny Tillotson). "Gidget", however, lasted into the 1965 - 66 season.
@elc1960 Actually, "Gidget" only aired in the 1965-66 season (and in COLOR too!) I wonder if anyone has more of these "90 Bristle Court" series around someplace.
@kresblain You're correct - after I made that original post, I discovered that both were only on one season, and not in the same season. BTW - that Tee Vee Toons "TV's Greatest Hits" album is the only place you can get this song, unless it's available through a music download service (ITunes, Rhapsody and the like).
Hey, vintageboobtube, you've given us a real gift here. I love this song, and it always gives my day a lift when I hear it. I was in the 5th grade when the series premiered, and I remember the song like it was yesterday. "Karen" had its brief run during a time of some great youth-oriented music showcases on TV such as "Hulabaloo" and "Shindig." The Beatles and Stones had first come to the States just months before and, of course, we loved the Beach Boys. What a time!
Where did this come from? It looks as thought it was filmed right off of the TV and I am sure this was never re-run, was it? So that means that someone must have had a film camera to do this?
I liked it, I was about twelve. I remember the plot of one episode was Karen trying to get a petition to save a bunch of Jacaranda trees. She called them jack-o-lantern trees. Cute show, and the other two were entertaining as well, in 1964 context.
This show was one of three 30-minute sitcoms broadcast Monday nights under the umbrella title 90 Bristol Court (the other two were Harris Against the World and Tom, Dick and Mary) during the 1964-65 TV season-
I saw that episode of the munsters which is called "Herman's Sorority Caper" Ken osmond from "Leave It To Beaver also starred. He and his friend went in to the Munster house and took a sleeping Herman to the sorority house.
Karen was my mom's old friend. as well as barb's sister's name. Karen Corbus was the administrator at tahoma house. karen downey was old program director there before miss eve and lin. i have it on my CD and cassette Television's Greatest Hits Volume 4 Black & White Classics.
I like that theme song! What a shame that it's forgotten today, along with this show and so many other one-season wonders. However, I'm too young to remember the series - I was born two years after it was cancelled, and normally short-lived shows don't go into syndication.
I've often wondered whether or not this theme song was also written by the Beach Boys (it certainly sounds like a typical Brian Wilson/Mike Love composition of the period), but if this credit crawl is to be believed, I guess it was the work of some guy named Jack Marshall.
It's arranged like a Beach Boys song, but I wouldn't say it's written like one. Another good example of this is their performance of The Monkey's Uncle with Anette Funicello.
Marshall would have written this. He wrote the surfin' style Munsters theme and it looks like he was a music guy of choice for Kayro-Vue. I love the way the end credit crawl is just like The Munsters, with the same typeface with a house in the background, and opening with the supporting cast.
I've never heard of this show (it's not something I would have watched as a kid) so thanks to whoever posted it.
I Like The Theme Song With The Kayro-Vue Logo With Revue Jingle At The End Of The Munsters Then The NBC Snake With Jingle And Announcer Intoning Produced In Association With The NBC Television Network
I'm speechless. I thought I was the only person alive who remembered that TV show. When I was a teenager, I used to watch this show just to hear the song. Years later I would find a copy of the song by the Safaris, but the Beach Boys version is better.
Hi tworegon.First off Thanks very much for your comment posting,I truly appreciate it.I obtained an original 16mm tv film print of this series,which to my knowledge is not available commercially on VHS or DVD.The episode of Karen with those closing credits was called "Karen's Ski Vacation".I will upload the entire show on YouTube soon for you and all others to see.Thanks again for viewing and for your comment.vintageboobtube
And this had been driving me crazy, too, I thought I really was the only one who remembered this show. The theme is mainly what I remembered. Probably my first ever exposure to Beach Boys. I was barely out of kindergarten when this first aired. There was another show we watched, too, called "Hank", around the same time.
watchingallthetime 5 months ago
wow dude...yhis was bitchin....lol
darrylhaynes 1 year ago
Here's a question ... Does anybody know what happened to Debby Watson ??? where is she now ??? who did she marry ??? OK that a few questions ...
MrDaffymann 1 year ago
@MrDaffymann Have you checked IMDB? I know she was "Marilyn" in the Munsters movie "Munster Go Home." That's all I know.
Dietpepsivanilla 1 year ago
Here's a question ... Does anybody know what happened to Debby watson ??? where is she now ??? who did she marry ??? OK that a few questions ...
MrDaffymann 1 year ago
Does anyone have the episode with Richard Dreyfuss? I believe it is his earliest recorded appearance.
louisa1832 1 year ago
In those closing credits, I saw the name of Bonnie Franklin, who went on to star in CBS' "One Day at a Time" (1975-1984).
1985OldSkool 1 year ago
Debbie Watson was one of my very first crushes ever (along with Donna Loren, the "Dr. Pepper" girl). She had a history of failed TV series, however - "Tammy" which came right after "Karen" was cancelled, and she was also in "The Mothers-In-Law" (with Kaye Ballard, Roger Carmel & Eve Arden) a couple of years later.
elc1960 1 year ago
The show "Karen" was probably an attempt at covering another network's (ABC) concept (similar to the way "The Addams Family" & "The Munsters" did, in the same season even). It seems like a knock-off of "Gidget" and they both premiered in the same season (1964). Both shows had themes sung by pop acts ("Gidget" 's theme was sung by Johnny Tillotson). "Gidget", however, lasted into the 1965 - 66 season.
elc1960 1 year ago
@elc1960 Actually, "Gidget" only aired in the 1965-66 season (and in COLOR too!) I wonder if anyone has more of these "90 Bristle Court" series around someplace.
kresblain 1 year ago
@kresblain You're correct - after I made that original post, I discovered that both were only on one season, and not in the same season. BTW - that Tee Vee Toons "TV's Greatest Hits" album is the only place you can get this song, unless it's available through a music download service (ITunes, Rhapsody and the like).
elc1960 1 year ago
Hey, vintageboobtube, you've given us a real gift here. I love this song, and it always gives my day a lift when I hear it. I was in the 5th grade when the series premiered, and I remember the song like it was yesterday. "Karen" had its brief run during a time of some great youth-oriented music showcases on TV such as "Hulabaloo" and "Shindig." The Beatles and Stones had first come to the States just months before and, of course, we loved the Beach Boys. What a time!
Tacitus3000 1 year ago
How long did Karen stay on? Was it good? Was it funny? What night did it come on?
Sheri451 1 year ago
@Sheri451 From 1964 to August 1965 on NBC-TV and produced by Kayro-Vue/Universal Television
Chicago10281 1 year ago
Where did this come from? It looks as thought it was filmed right off of the TV and I am sure this was never re-run, was it? So that means that someone must have had a film camera to do this?
lambchopxoxo 2 years ago
Anybody know where you can buy episodes of this show?
1JAYHAWKFAN 2 years ago
I liked it, I was about twelve. I remember the plot of one episode was Karen trying to get a petition to save a bunch of Jacaranda trees. She called them jack-o-lantern trees. Cute show, and the other two were entertaining as well, in 1964 context.
64098 2 years ago
The theme WAS written by Jack Marshall, with lyrics by co-producer Bob Mosher.
fromthesidelines 2 years ago
Karen was my Mom's name, and she was a teenage back then.
snoops71 2 years ago 2
In the opening there's a top-down camera view of an phonograph playing an album with the same Karen by the Beach Boys theme. Shame it was in B & W
taaek555 2 years ago
I dont think this theme was ever released on a record .
spacepatrolman 2 years ago
This show was one of three 30-minute sitcoms broadcast Monday nights under the umbrella title 90 Bristol Court (the other two were Harris Against the World and Tom, Dick and Mary) during the 1964-65 TV season-
christheone8773 2 years ago
That's awesome! Must be really rare! Thanks a ton for posting this! I'd love to have this song!
bloofan06 2 years ago 2
what the hell i never heard of this how cool is this and RARE?
mrbob424 2 years ago 4
I watched it the short while it was on and liked it. But what did I know at 14 or so?
ronaldt491 3 years ago
Are you sure this isn't the Surfaris?
hancock64 3 years ago
That's why it says, "Theme Song Sung by the BEACH BOIYS"
tripjet999 3 years ago
That's unquestionably Mike Love singing the theme, with the rest of the Beach Boys providing the backing harmonies.
At about 0:30, the credits even say "Karen Theme Sung by The Beach Boys"
bd001217 3 years ago
IN the ending credits, it even says the theme song is sung by the Beach Boys-
christheone8773 2 years ago 2
Jack Marshall did write the theme (and score, and was probably lead guitarist) for "KAREN", 'jg'. Bob Mosher wrote the lyrics...
fromthesidelines 3 years ago
I see that Bonnie Franklin (later of "One Day At A Time" fame) appeared in this episode...probably as one of Karen's friends.
For the record, Franklin also appeared in a few episodes of the "Gidget" show, which starred Sally Field.
Franklin had brown hair back in those days... She also appeared in at least one (black and white) episode of "The Munsters"
bd001217 3 years ago
I saw that episode of the munsters which is called "Herman's Sorority Caper" Ken osmond from "Leave It To Beaver also starred. He and his friend went in to the Munster house and took a sleeping Herman to the sorority house.
britfrenir 3 years ago
didnt know that lol
retroguy1976 3 years ago
Karen was my mom's old friend. as well as barb's sister's name. Karen Corbus was the administrator at tahoma house. karen downey was old program director there before miss eve and lin. i have it on my CD and cassette Television's Greatest Hits Volume 4 Black & White Classics.
GOOSEYGOOSE9 2 years ago 5
Yep, that was Fred, 'wm'. He did a color variation as well- "This has been a color presentation of the NBC Television Network".
fromthesidelines 3 years ago
@fromthesidelines Fred Collins Is Really The Announcer From 1959 To 1965 When NBC Had The Snake In 1959.
GOOSEYGOOSE9 10 months ago
I presume the "Produced in association with the NBC Television Network" V/O was Fred Collins?
wmbrown6 3 years ago
I like that theme song! What a shame that it's forgotten today, along with this show and so many other one-season wonders. However, I'm too young to remember the series - I was born two years after it was cancelled, and normally short-lived shows don't go into syndication.
markojameow 3 years ago
Gotta love the NBC snakey logo and bumper, even in beautiful black-and-white. Bring it back - that 1980s NBC peacock is boring.
markojameow 3 years ago
the Surfaris also performed the theme on a Decca single in 1965 and a hit with it in Japan.
bonneville73 3 years ago
I've often wondered whether or not this theme song was also written by the Beach Boys (it certainly sounds like a typical Brian Wilson/Mike Love composition of the period), but if this credit crawl is to be believed, I guess it was the work of some guy named Jack Marshall.
IDLERACER 3 years ago
It's arranged like a Beach Boys song, but I wouldn't say it's written like one. Another good example of this is their performance of The Monkey's Uncle with Anette Funicello.
whotookaegir 3 years ago
The Monkey's Uncle was written by the perrenial disney favorite the Sherman Brothers.
Renshen1957 3 years ago
Marshall would have written this. He wrote the surfin' style Munsters theme and it looks like he was a music guy of choice for Kayro-Vue. I love the way the end credit crawl is just like The Munsters, with the same typeface with a house in the background, and opening with the supporting cast.
I've never heard of this show (it's not something I would have watched as a kid) so thanks to whoever posted it.
jgbennie 3 years ago
This was from the episode "Holiday in Ski Valley" as telecast on NBC February 22, 1965.
gladasya10 4 years ago
The Universal Emblem Theme was composed by Esquivel. He lived off the royalties generated from that for over 40 years.
brcleve 4 years ago
Who knew Esquivel, the creative musical genius of the 1960's was behind the most horror-inducing melody in TV history! Shame!!
TimelordR 3 years ago
The Beach Boys Sing This Song With The Kayro-Vue,Universal Zooming Globe With Revue Jingle And NBC Snake Logo
GOOSEYGOOSE9 4 years ago 7
Notice Bonnie Franklins name on the credits. She's the one who played Ann Romano on the 70's T.V. show: "One Day At A Time."
Mike Love on lead...of course. Debbie Watson was cute...Yeah!!!
cmf1965 4 years ago 2
Michael Blodgett too, who later starred in that infamous Russ Meyer flick "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls."
Dietpepsivanilla 4 years ago
This Was Before My Time On December 12,1965
GOOSEYGOOSE9 4 years ago 5
Comment removed
GOOSEYGOOSE9 4 years ago 5
I was only in the second grade when this show was on.
nanlisa 4 years ago
I Like The Theme Song With The Kayro-Vue Logo With Revue Jingle At The End Of The Munsters Then The NBC Snake With Jingle And Announcer Intoning Produced In Association With The NBC Television Network
GOOSEYGOOSE9 4 years ago 5
Filmed at the studios of Universal City; MCA TV Exclusive Distributer
kennyjohnson94 4 years ago 2
I always wanted to see what this show looked like! Thanks for sharing ;)
Mark Q¿Q
Markieo 4 years ago
NBC and Universal have had good relationships many years before the companies officially merged. Logos these days are much more bland.
pannoni1 4 years ago 2
Yep! along with those scary Kayro-Vue logo with short Revue music used at the end of "The Munsters" and of course the famous NBC Snake.
HomeoftheGoodGuys 4 years ago
After doing some research, I managed to find this song on the CD "Television's Greatest Hits, Vol. 4"
I do look forward to seeing the episode as I don't recall this show ever being shown on reruns.
tworegon 4 years ago
I'm speechless. I thought I was the only person alive who remembered that TV show. When I was a teenager, I used to watch this show just to hear the song. Years later I would find a copy of the song by the Safaris, but the Beach Boys version is better.
tworegon 4 years ago 2
Hi tworegon.First off Thanks very much for your comment posting,I truly appreciate it.I obtained an original 16mm tv film print of this series,which to my knowledge is not available commercially on VHS or DVD.The episode of Karen with those closing credits was called "Karen's Ski Vacation".I will upload the entire show on YouTube soon for you and all others to see.Thanks again for viewing and for your comment.vintageboobtube
vintageboobtube 4 years ago
Please post the TV episode if you can! Thanks for the song!
wftjet 4 years ago
The Saturn V from San Francisco have recorded an excellent modern cover of the complete song on their Having A Twist Party CD. Google them.
novapup2001 4 years ago
I have found The Beach Boys version of Karen on Television's Greatest Hits CD Volume 4 (TVT Records 1996). Where else is it available publically?
novapup2001 4 years ago