Question: What was the name ...

Question: What was the name of the song that Ed danced to at the prom? I thought it was "At Last," but I can't seem to find it. Thanks.

Televisionary: The titular Ed Stevens (Thomas Cavanagh) and dream-girl Carol Vessey (Julie Bowen) did indeed dance to the Etta James recording of "At Last" in the show's season finale. However, Ed is just the latest in a long line of shows and movies that have called on that tune to lend some emotional oomph to a moment.

Written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the 1942 film Orchestra Wives, the song was first recorded by singer Ray Eberle and the Glenn Miller Orchestra shortly before Miller was killed in a plane crash. But it's the James rendition, which first appeared as the title cut on her 1961 album, that's really caught fire, appearing in a Jaguar commercial and in such movies and TV shows as Pleasantville, Rain Man, Mad About You and Northern Exposure.

It's funny you asked about that song since I was just arguing with co-workers about my tolerance for a high corny quotient. One said "At Last" has been done to death, while another attacked Ed in general for being manipulative and sappy. Me, I don't care. I love the song and as long as it's used well, that's fine by me. And I must admit that while Ed initially had my "quirky" alarm set to sound, I really enjoy that show. It's well-written, Cavanagh and Bowen are perfect (and backed by a capable supporting cast) and I thought the finale was first rate. Now if only they've learned enough TV history to avoid letting those two ever get together. (Yeah, I know — my inner mush-head is rooting for them, too, but my inner cynic knows the show's done if they hook up.)