Singing Praises of a ‘Friends’ Sensation : Television: Fox hopes theme songs will mean the audience will be there for ‘The Crew’ and ‘Partners.’

Two new Fox comedy series will be flying the friendly skies--or, more exactly, the “Friends” sky--into catchy theme song territory.

“The Crew” and “Partners” are among a number of coming prime-time imitations of the hit NBC sitcom “Friends.” But the shows’ producers have taken a further step in trying to attract “Friends”-sized audiences: They have commissioned bouncy rock theme songs that they hope will turn into radio hits, just like the theme from you-know-what.

When tuning in “The Crew,” which revolves around a young airline flight crew, viewers will hear “Where the Day Takes You” by Wendy & Lisa, former members of Prince and the Revolution who have carved out a critically acclaimed career on their own.

For “Partners,” about two male friends and business associates who try to adapt when one of them becomes engaged, the producers tapped former members of Mary’s Danish to come up with a theme song that would draw in viewers. Julie Ritter, sister-in-law of the show’s co-creator, Jeff Greenstein, and another Mary’s Danish member, David King, wrote the as-yet-untitled song and perform it with series star Tate Donovan, who plays violin.

Fox executives say they are not afraid of comparisons to “I’ll Be There for You,” the theme song for “Friends” that was recorded by the Rembrandts. That song, aided by a frantic video in which members of the group cavort with “Friends” cast members, reached No. 1 on Billboard magazine’s radio airplay chart and sparked sales for the band’s third album, “LP.”

“Sure, you could say that it’s a deliberate attempt to re-create that magic,” said Matt Walden, senior vice president of Fox Music.

Wendy Melvoin, partner with Lisa Coleman in Wendy & Lisa, chimed in, jokingly: “Of course, having something like that happen scares us to death. We should be so lucky.”

There has been a move in recent years away from TV theme songs as network executives sought to take viewers right to the action before those with itchy trigger fingers hit the channel flipper.

“There was a trend away from even doing opening titles on shows, let alone songs, like on ‘Frasier’ and ‘Murphy Brown,’ ” says Greenstein, creator and executive producer of “Partners” with partner Jeff Strauss. “Jeff and I felt even before the success of ‘Friends’ that it wasn’t a good thing.”

Fox was reluctant to go with a song on “Partners,” but Greenstein and Strauss, bolstered by the success of “I’ll Be There for You,” were able to make their case.

“Theme songs are a great sales and promotion tool, but they can also be a creative part of the show,” Greenstein said. “I’m a big fan of shows that have a song. When Jeff and I were back writing spec scripts, we didn’t believe we were ready until we could sing the show’s song.”

Initially, only a 30-second version of the “Partners” song will be heard at the show’s outset. “But I want to be prepared with a full-length version so we can release it if it’s wanted, which is certainly my intention,” he said.

Wendy & Lisa earlier this month cut several versions of their song, which will be used both at the beginning of and during “The Crew” and in promotion spots. Still pending are plans for a video, possibly with the cast, and a longer version that would be included on Wendy & Lisa’s next album.

Coleman said she is happy to be part of a tradition she valued as a youngster: “It’s nostalgic for this generation now that had all these songs growing up like ‘The Brady Bunch.’ Also, it’s a great way for songs to be heard, since radio is so restricted.”

Braxton is a Times staff writer, Hochman a free-lance writer.