It’s quite amazing that the original intro was a minute long, almost like the a closing credits version used as an intro.
Nowadays if it was on network it would be lucky to get the first 20 seconds. Luckily despite falling out of favour on network shows title sequences seem to survive on streamers and cable.
Title sequences have been falling out of favour for quite some time. The Simpsons (which is of the same vintage as SBTB, starting in 1989) has a minute long titles, but there's a lot of episodes where they go from Lisa's sax solo to the driveway scene, or even straight from the blackboard gag to the driveway scene.
Title sequences have been falling out of favour for quite some time. The Simpsons (which is of the same vintage as SBTB, starting in 1989) has a minute long titles, but there's a lot of episodes where they go from Lisa's sax solo to the driveway scene, or even straight from the blackboard gag to the driveway scene.
You still get long title sequences for some shows like His Dark Materials but they're increasingly rare.
The Simpsons is one where if they use the full titles, it's usually because an episode is running a bit short.
Title sequences have been falling out of favour for quite some time. The Simpsons (which is of the same vintage as SBTB, starting in 1989) has a minute long titles, but there's a lot of episodes where they go from Lisa's sax solo to the driveway scene, or even straight from the blackboard gag to the driveway scene.
They did fall out of favour for a long time, but have actually been slowly making a comeback thanks in large part to streaming services as Brekkie says. They’re not a minute long of course, but there does seem to be a whole new art form developing in creating elaborate, longer animated opening title sequences these days - a trend which roughly started (I think) with Mad Men. See The Serpent on BBC One for a recent example. I think show creators are rediscovering the benefits of having a bespoke and familiar opening sequence to set the mood for a series after years and years of relatively boring short title cards. I’m finding it’s happening more and more regularly across a load of different programming.
I guess when it came to broadcast TV with more and more adverts the producers don't want to take up more of the shrinking time available with a long title sequence- something which isn't an issue with streaming services.
I guess this ties in with my feelings that there are no memorable theme tunes anymore, other than very samey, dramatic game show themes that all sound like each other.
The long title sequences were starting to fall out of favour by the 90s, Dallas and Dynasty for example were 90 seconds to 2 minutes long but in comparison you had Friends which had a 40 seconds long intro and ER which was 50 seconds long.
It depends on the show but a short and snappy intro can be just as effective as a long title sequence.
The long title sequences were starting to fall out of favour by the 90s, Dallas and Dynasty for example were 90 seconds to 2 minutes long but in comparison you had Friends which had a 40 seconds long intro and ER which was 50 seconds long.
It depends on the show but a short and snappy intro can be just as effective as a long title sequence.
Home Improvement's first three seasons had a 70 second introduction sequence (at full length anyway). Those titles (season 1 and seasons 2 and 3) were all hacked away at in a relatively lacklustre fashion (season 1's trim wasn't too bad, season 2/3 was a right bodge job) when syndication came calling. Seasons 4-6 and season 7 onwards were closer to 40 seconds. Indeed a 70 second opening sequence as late as 1994 (as Home Improvement's third season ran September 1993-May 1994) was probably relatively rare by that point.
The long title sequences were starting to fall out of favour by the 90s, Dallas and Dynasty for example were 90 seconds to 2 minutes long but in comparison you had Friends which had a 40 seconds long intro and ER which was 50 seconds long.
It depends on the show but a short and snappy intro can be just as effective as a long title sequence.
Home Improvement's first three seasons had a 70 second introduction sequence (at full length anyway). Those titles (season 1 and seasons 2 and 3) were all hacked away at in a relatively lacklustre fashion (season 1's trim wasn't too bad, season 2/3 was a right bodge job) when syndication came calling. Seasons 4-6 and season 7 onwards were closer to 40 seconds. Indeed a 70 second opening sequence as late as 1994 (as Home Improvement's third season ran September 1993-May 1994) was probably relatively rare by that point.
The Brittas Empire had 10 seconds shaved off its title sequence come the final few series, but that was probably more down to the writers who were featured on Brittas' gym clothing leaving and they had no way of editing the existing text.
Last edited by Worzel on 5 February 2021 9:53pm - 2 times in total
I guess this ties in with my feelings that there are no memorable theme tunes anymore, other than very samey, dramatic game show themes that all sound like each other.
It depends where you’re watching your TV - as has been said here, US network TV has essentially abandoned the long title sequence over the last twenty years but the same certainly isn’t true of Netflix, Prime Video or indeed US premium channels like HBO or Showtime. Have a look at recent shows like His Dark Materials, Star Trek: Picard or to go back a bit further but still 21st century, Game of Thrones for some great title sequences.