Down to Earth (1984–1987)
Fond memories – & where to find the theme song download
23 May 2002
Rather than rehash the lyrics again, words that stuck with me into adulthood, I figure it's worth mentioning that the audio is available to download at www.sitcomsonline.com under the "D" section (I uploaded several different versions of the opening credits in mpg that may be on that site by the time you read this). A few episodes actually exist amongst TV tape-traders, so if you're inclined to track them down, try the message boards on sitcomsonline.

As the theme song states, Ethel McDoogan was "struck down by a trolley (golly)" and died in 1925. After spending more than 50 years waiting to earn her angelic wings, she's sent "down to earth" to help out the Preston family deal with problems of life in the '80s. Youngest son Jay Jay knew she was dead (she was "the answer to his prayers") and she would often use her magical powers to help the family whenever a situation arose. Rip Taylor popped in during the later years as Ethel's boss angel. Like many sitcoms of the '80s, the show was cute, squeaky-clean, and family oriented – perhaps that's the reason it hasn't been shown much in the past 15 years -- though it DID air briefly on the Goodlife-TV Network, but it was abruptly yanked when it was pointed out that the actors weren't getting their residual payments (according to David Kaufman on his message board)....

It's so nice to know that there are other sickos like me that remember this show – and apparently everyone that saw it when they were young carry fond memories of this cute-com. Honestly, what other show ever boasted obnoxious queen Rip Taylor as an angel! Also, this was the second time that Dick Sargent only played a character for half of the series' run (he replaced Stephen Johnson). Lovely Kyle Richards (Halloween, Watcher in the Woods, The Car) seemed to have a promising career until this show went off and she abruptly disappeared from film – it's only been recently that she showed up again in a recurring role on ER. And then there's poor David Kaufman , a hard-working guy who's appeared in TONS of commercials and TV/film roles since the show went off. Every time I see him (which has been often over the years), it always brings back memories of this show. The show was cute, campy, and sorely missed...
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