Mod Squad closing credits - Pilot episode (1968)

[luvfinger]

I remember how I would love the ending piece of music so much that I would literally throw myself in front of the TV to block my parents from turning the dial  to some other channel. It was so short a piece and always wanted to last longer, so I would run out of the room right after it was over so I could retain the music in my head for as long as possible without the interference of other noises.

[TheCatgirl6]

Right there, at 1:45--that soft guitar leading into the sweet sad melody as Julie, Linc and Pete would turn and walk off into the sunset... oh, God, that would just tear at me! Does anyone know where to find a clip of the end theme from a regular episode? I appreciate what's posted here but as this is the pilot the theme plays out slightly differently.

[lawsonlilley]

I've never forgotten this end theme. This was always one of my favorites. For some reason, I thought it was by Quincy Jones. I've looked for it before. Thanks for sharing!

[Seashell2277]

FYI - Peegy Lipton wrote a book...breathon out, Clarence Williams III is well and Michael Cole still lives in LA and is doing well.. Tige Andrews passed away a few years ago. He was a painter, I didn't know he was an artist. I loved the show - it helped me get thru a hard childhood. Keep the faith, baby!!!

[lorimneal]

Linc could emote anything w/out a word! solid.

[Jorge1959]

is this scence taken at the Santa Monica Pier?

Thanks

Jorge

[saxmankid]

I remember watching this show when I was a kid. I loved the music at the closing scene. It was so sad and also wonderful. The orchestration was always different but it was always that same beautiful haunting melody with the descending chromatic chords. I would watch the show and couldnt wait till the end lol

[JohnLRice]

Wow, so good to get a taste again of this music, I totally agree with you saxmankid!!! I've remembered one in particular, even though i couldn't hear it in my head, but it was done with like a Rhodes electric piano and maybe a Hammond organ too and it was at the end of a very solom/sad episode and it kinda just blew my mind how powerful it was! I've been looking for years for The Mod Squad on DVD, just to find that minute of music again! ;-)

[TheCatgirl6]

Loved Linc and his soulful faraway gazes... :-)

[saml760]

RIP Tige Andrews!

[beautykilledbeast]

Wow, no stupid pop music, no overwrought editing, just terse screenwriting, quality acting, elegant non-verbal moments which compliment well-crafted cinematography. In which episoder did Pete's cool car bite the dust? I remember it does but he shows up with a new one in the last scene and everybody's happy.

[loisplane]

Linc don't want.

[recordman64]

That long shot of them walking down the pier at the end...those long shots became a trademark of the show. You'll notice it in many of the series' episodes.

[TheCatgirl6]

Yep. The long shot walk (and the accompanying melancholy end theme) always said something to me about the youth alienation of the era. I was just a kid at the time, but that's how I read it.

[thefirefighter2011]

later that season untill the series end, the real upbeat closing theme of that show added in the credits.

[vkoo32]

This was like OC or One Tree Hill for that time. I was born in 1975 and never saw on air, but saw some on VHS. This show is more meaningful then One Tree Hill. It focuses less on emotional egos and more on civil rights and a lot of issues that occured bacj then.

[Mandi7882]

I agree with you about the Mod Squad focusing on issues of social commentary, civil unrest, urban struggles of the 60's but please do not also compare this to the OC or One Tree Hill, et al. While each generation needs programs to help them understand the world that they will inherit, The Hills, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, etc. is all about sex, not helping your fellow man with the only resources you have - guts, motivation and brains and not just fake beauty and genitalia.

[sabaurae]

True, those shows are truly a sign of the times

and sad to say that lensey lohan wil and paris hilton and gangsta rap will be all we have to show.

[lindenprof]

Amen Mandi7882!! Finally, some frank truth!

[onemoregod]

Is that the OB pier?

[FriendofRamblinJack]

I'm going to guess this is the Ventura or Oxnard pier? It isn't anything down in OC. I grew up in HB in 60's/70's/80's. I surfed Zuma in 80's so I don't think this is Malibu/Zuma... anybody know for sure?

This was a fantastic well-written show. Dana from Hank Fonda's "Mr. Roberts" was PERFECT as the Captain. This was an intelligent show, not like that crap they have 24/7 now. I feel sorry for people born after 1960 - they never got to experience good writing with class, taste.

[gotch09]

I know I'm responding on a comment from 6 months ago. But it's so true. Kids now a days are clueless on what good tv is.

[Scarletspeedster68]

Btw, the name of this pilot episode was titled, "Teeth Of The Barracuda".

[tomloft2000]

definitely a series for it's time.they were all attractive,and i thought Michael Cole would be the next Steve McQueen.

[jdmack80]

I don't think the movie was any where near as cool as the TV show. I was 9 when it first aired. I think it was on ABC. Channel 7 in New Jersey.

[isleyrundgren]

what a cool trio they were, i was 11 when this series piloted, a time when there was so much going on in the way of unrest, marches etc around the world. I always loved the way the 3 of them would walk into the distance at the end of each episode, the poignant music, and then freeze frame, then id get a bit teary eyed thinking ive gotta wait a week before seeing my heroes again. Id love to get a poster of them, anyone got any info. Ive surfed the net high and low but to no avail. Great Memories.

[boneshakers]

Genius TV!

Solid man!

[joycefdehart]

I was 10 when that show started. A few kids on my block use to play Mod Squad. We thought it was the coolest show ever. Of course all the girls always fought over who'd get to play Julie. She was so beautiful. I had a huge crush on Pete. The music was great too! Thanks for the memories!

[harmoney3333]

wow jupitr2 thats so cool you live in california,i want to go back again someday, i was there in 1990 i was a teen, i watch this scene alot because of the sound of the ocean, and the music, thanks again jupitr2 they dont make shows like mod squad anymore

[harmoney3333]

i think so too, music is kinda sad isnt it? at the end? jefp1 they play that music at the end of every episode.

[jupitr2]

I always loved this closing theme too. Shorty Rogers penned some of the best music. I guess it made me want to tune in every week to see what kind of thugs they'd be up against next. The waves and pier scene also made me want to see the west coast for myself so I eventually moved out here. Love the Mod Squad, one of the best shows ever.

[jsbach15]

Actually, it was Earle Hagen who wrote the music; Shorty Rogers was the "horn" jazz musician! Earle Hagen died last week :( Bless him for all the beautiful music he gave us! I often come here to listen to the ending music of the MOD SQUAD...one of my all time favorites!

[jupitr2]

Thanks for the info. I always felt that the music for this show was some of the best ever written for TV. This is also the reason that the video on this is a little trashed... I wore it out replaying the closing theme!

[jsbach15]

My pleasure!

[TheCatgirl6]

This shot--and the music--bring back so many memories. Thanks for posting!

I was 10 when this show debuted and fell in love with it instantly--it was appointment television for me (Star Trek for my younger brother Joey) and the music was a huge draw, especially the melancholy closing melody as the three walked in long shot. I completely agree with you about the music--that closing theme is haunting!

[sabaurae]

i thought i was the only one feeling that

it reminds me of arthurlee and love

just cant find that same sentiment in music anymore

peace brother...

[jefp1]

That music ath the end is great!!!

[gaae2000]

love that car w/double headlights...

[harmoney3333]

you can get the entire series i did its great 31 cd s and 117 episodes buy it online they have the whole thing why wait??? i love my mod squad collection, dvdplanet>

[FriendofRamblinJack]

EXCELLENT. Did not know they had it available! - now if they will just release ALL the Night Gallery! Does anybody remember those EXCELLENT well-written ABC Movie of the Week (channel 7 in LA/OC-CALIF) - I'd pay ANYTHING for that collection. Mod Squad was an intelligent, interesting, issue-addressing/ confronting legitimate reason to own a TV. We 2 thought Mike would be next McQueen. Cast had class. Music excellent. Now TV is crap. never watch it. Anybody remember last epi of THE FUGITIVE!?!

[Scarletspeedster68]

Thank goodness this series is now on DVD (Well, at least the first season) courtesy of CBS Paramount Home Video! Now I can watch all my favorite episodes which I haven't seen in over thirty years! Solid!

[harmoney3333]

puckpeoria are you from california?? i loved california, i went there in 1991 saw the sharon tate house scary!!!! did you ever see it?? (harmony)thats my real name, my mom liked it ahahaha

[puckpeoria]

looks like paradise cove to me????????????

[IDLERACER]

Definitely. Countless stuff was filmed there in the 60s and 70s. It's where Jim Rockford parked his trailer, and the cover of the Beach Boys first album was shot.

[jellybellys69]

i didnt see my cousin's name in the ending credits, i'm gonna have to ask him about that!

[harmoney3333]

i wonder if thats ventura highway??the pier is off of

[harmoney3333]

jupitr2 thanks excellent show the mod squad!!

[skyetiger]

Cool vid jupitr2

[luvmichaelcole4eva]

i have all 5 seasons on dvd 31 dvds 117 episodes mod squad collection, i waited a month to get it but it came, i saw this episode it was the first one, i remember the show loved it, but never knew this was the first episode till i got my collection

[skyetiger]

All five seasons cool=D WoW 1968 a really long time ago and aaron Spelling produced it Awesome!! I was a big 90210 fan when I was little=D

[MrPurrfect68]

I have the firsst season on DVD now and this one was aptly titled "The Return of the Barracuda from September 1968, can't believe this was on before I was born, I came into the world on November of 1968.

[jupitr2]

That's great! It's never too late to enjoy it all. I actually envy you because you will be seeing it for the 'first' time. I think you'll find that the show was ahead of its time. I'll be getting my DVD set soon. Enjoy!

[MrPurrfect68]

Now I'm waiting for March 11, 2008 for the second volume to come out, and I'm sure that it will be just as good as the first one.

[Joannec95]

@MrPurrfect68I am still looking for my first and second seasons of this show.

[wjv4me]

What a great show...thanks for this upload, please post more!

[luvmichaelcole4eva]

you can tell clarence was the oldest of the three, when we were 21 and 22 we were concidered kids, why no? jupitr2, some comments on the show say they dont look like kids, when in fact they are, except for linc

[MrPurrfect68]

Actually when you get to be 20, 21, or 28 like Linc, Pete and Julie were they were considered to be young adults, not teenagers. If that was the case then the producers would have hired teenagers to portray the roles that Capt. Greer were looking to fulfill.

[luvmichaelcole4eva]

micheal cole is only 22 years old in this episode, what a hunk he was omg, sexy man to this day

[luvmichaelcole4eva]

i noticed at the end credits, it says 1967 at paramount so these 3 were real young when they syarted filming

[jupitr2]

Yeah, they all were just in their 20's. Peggy - 21, Michael - 22 and Clarence was the eldest at 28. I actually thought they were all about the same age, they sure looked it. I saw Peggy Lipton in an episode of 'The Invaders' from 1967. Too bad her character was killed off in the first 4-minutes. :(

[Joannec950]

Hello Does anyone has the open credits for the pilot?

[jupitr2]

The opening credits for the pilot is the same one you see used in the later episodes. You can't beat perfection! It is a good one.

[luvmichaelcole4eva]

yea you get the weekend off ahahahahaha, i never knew undercover cops got the weekend off

[luvmichaelcole4eva]

common now you gotta give it to the mod squad, really now starsky and hutch two idiots, its like they were in love ahahahahahaha miami vice, common now, what a joke, dressed to kill, this show was real. beats them all

[luvmichaelcole4eva]

i couldnt work so close with michael cole and not want to do him ahahahaha, i know she was married to quincy, makes you wonder if she liked linc or pete, i dont think pete liked julie in that way, never seemed like he did

[luvmichaelcole4eva]

does anyone have the very first episode of mod squad?? i dont remember was this it? ide love to see the first one.

[luvmichaelcole4eva]

is that benedict canyon? in the background, looks like it, where sharon tate lived. i wonder what happened to the shows ratings when those murders happened in 69? i know everyones attention was on that trial, i remember it well. i know the show was still on till 72 or 73. someone said peggy lipton could compare to sharon tate with her looks?????? NOT! NO WAY MAN, SHARON TATE WAS DROP DEAD GEORGOUS, PEGGY WAS FAIR

[luvmichaelcole4eva]

i loved the music, this was a great show. brings back good memories, as a kid, this scene especially, the music is sad.

[gonzogaijin007]

MOD SQUAD

[luvmichaelcole4eva]

i love this show, great job. lets see more, i mean i loved it as a kid. i want it back on tv. great music, especially the sceen in the tunnel, i think its a tunnel

[USAGiant]

This show is a landmark for several reasons.

The biggest one is that a then young TV Producer named Aaron Spelling who would later become a TV Legend as a TV producer/Executive.

Not to mention Clerence Williams III became the 2nd Black Actor to co-star in a drama series.(after Bill Cosby with "I Spy")

And Peggy Lipton as one of the first woman to reguarly play a cop in a drama.

[ACLTony]

I really enjoyed this show as a kid. What used to crack me up was seeing "Linc" jumping off of roofs on top of the bad guys! That was cool! BTW, is Tige Andrews still around? Did a great job as Captain Adam Greer. He appeared once in the original Star Trek as a Klingon.

[jupitr2]

Yeah! Linc was one bad dude! His 'no fear' demeanor was the reason why you'd never want to mess with him, 'cuz he'd smash your face into the next time zone and make you wish you never lived. LOL Loved it! Unfortunately, we lost Tige Andrews just this past January at 87-years. he lived a great life and acted into his 70's , what more could you want as an actor.

[portbalto]

Fantastic memories of when I was just a wee lad watching this show. Love the theme song intro.Great post jupitr!

[dwe1963]

pppssssssstttttt hey my friend maybe you could play the whole pilot episode huh could you would you what a groovey party that would be Ty for posting this clip from a true classic tv show

[jupitr2]

Just f y i - This location was also used in the filming of the pilot for the early 70's TV series 'Harry O'. You will see David Janssen jog under this pier and then see the same tree-lined bluffs off to the right. It's posted here on YouTube.

[MrPurrfect68]

Here's my only thought on the show: why did they call them kids when you see that they were clearly adults? They certainly didn't have the look of being 5 or 10 years of age, so come on here!!! Let's give them the respect of being adults!!!!

[jupitr2]

Ya know... you're absolutely right, I have corrected the description. They are now, "unsuspecting young adults." I guess I slightly confused these guys with their cartoon counterparts with that large Great Dane. "Those meddling kids!"

[ClassicTVFan82]

Looks like you've been watching too much Scooby-Doo...

[bribabytt]

Thanks for posting!

I love TV shows from this era...they weren't so frenetic; they weren't afraid to take their time telling a story. It was more about mood rather than action.

[jupitr2]

Exactly! Much of the stuff on TV today is so... mono-toned and stale and the stories are all copied

from yesterdays news. Hmmmm... THAT's original!

Can't wait to get the DVDs of this if and when they come out.

[drummerbraves]

I read on TVShowsOnDVD's site that The Mod Squad was coming to DVD this year but I haven't heard anything else since and I read everyday on their site to see if any of my favorite shows are coming to DVD. It will be great to see The Mod Squad's 1st season on DVD completely restored and digitally remastered.

[ClassicTVFan82]

Season 1 volume 1 is expected to be due out this October or November.

[60sThru80s]

You got it! Likewise with the actors. In this era they each had distinct differences, whereas today they all look like they've come out of the same cookie-cutter.

[dezertdog6]

I'm with you on this! This show was a predecessor for so many more after it--La Femme Nikita, Alias; troubled kids (back then we WERE kids if we were under 30) who go into crime-fighting...it had a whole mood to it that can't be re-captured! AND look at that beach! 100% clean compared to the sewer it is now! Those were the best of times, man...solid! That's heavy, groovy & psychodelic!

[FriendofRamblinJack]

R U old enough to remember Burke's Law? I think it was '65..

Hawaiian Eye -- Route 66 -- 77 Sunset Strip -- very cool shows...