Variations on a theme

It's surprising what you can run across on YouTube when you're not looking for it.  Take the opening credits and theme song for a series.  Nowadays, due to time constraints (i.e. the need for more commercial time), these are crunched beyond recognition (especially the closing credits, which as an art form have completely disappeared).  So I don't know that we'll be able to have as much fun in the future with items like the following.

Most of you are probably familiar with Alvin and the Chipmunks, and some of you (those my age or so) might even remember the original animated Alvin Show, which bears virtually no resemblance to the current chipmunks. Here's the theme.

Now, recalling our festival of Sammy Davis Jr. cover themes from a while back, here's one I would have had no inkling of: the Alvin theme by Nelson Riddle, of all people, better known for his Route 66 theme and his work with Sinatra. 

Well, that was different, wasn't it? But it turns out Nelson Riddle had an entire album of TV theme covers. Who knew? Here's his cover of the theme to The Andy Griffith Show:

There are a bunch more you can check out on YouTube if you want. But if you want the one that takes the cake, I think I have it. It's this faux Led Zeppelin version of the theme to the cartoon George of the Jungle. (For contrast, here's the original.)

You almost expect to see Sammy appear at the end, don't you? TV