JA
Then go straight from the credits into the titles of the next show without a chance to breathe.
AN
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.
Looking back at the clip, the writers names were physically written in the soles of Brittas’s shoes, so they would have to have filmed that bit again if they’d have wanted to continue that device. If they’d have access to the original filmed footage I’m sure there would have been some exercise footage that wasn’t used, that could have filled the gap, it seems like they took the easiest way out.
Andrew
Founding member
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.
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.
Looking back at the clip, the writers names were physically written in the soles of Brittas’s shoes, so they would have to have filmed that bit again if they’d have wanted to continue that device. If they’d have access to the original filmed footage I’m sure there would have been some exercise footage that wasn’t used, that could have filled the gap, it seems like they took the easiest way out.
MS
As i recall, the sporadic more synthy version was actually the actual theme song for the first couple of series on original broadcast. It's only in syndication where it's been muddled. I've actually got the first season on PAL DVD in the UK, and they are definitely the syndicated versions. On the odd couple of episodes the original synth theme song and titles are left in, with clips from that season and that season alone, but for the most part it uses the more recognised theme with clips from several series later in the titles.
A lot of shows tend to me muddled like that in syndication. Quantum Leap was terrible for it.
Here is the broadcast series 1 intro:
I wonder if they have to use that original version of the titles in syndication if Ed Alonzo appeared in the episode, as he obviously was only a billed star for the first season.
Before I saw the link I assumed you were discussing the version of the theme tune that was used sporadically in the original series with a different singer and slight differences in the music. But that new theme tune made me feel quite ill.
As i recall, the sporadic more synthy version was actually the actual theme song for the first couple of series on original broadcast. It's only in syndication where it's been muddled. I've actually got the first season on PAL DVD in the UK, and they are definitely the syndicated versions. On the odd couple of episodes the original synth theme song and titles are left in, with clips from that season and that season alone, but for the most part it uses the more recognised theme with clips from several series later in the titles.
A lot of shows tend to me muddled like that in syndication. Quantum Leap was terrible for it.
Here is the broadcast series 1 intro:
I wonder if they have to use that original version of the titles in syndication if Ed Alonzo appeared in the episode, as he obviously was only a billed star for the first season.
Last edited by Mr-Stabby on 6 February 2021 11:49am
WO
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.
Looking back at the clip, the writers names were physically written in the soles of Brittas’s shoes, so they would have to have filmed that bit again if they’d have wanted to continue that device. If they’d have access to the original filmed footage I’m sure there would have been some exercise footage that wasn’t used, that could have filled the gap, it seems like they took the easiest way out.
They also cut the clip short of Brittas on the rowing machine so we didn't see 'Written by' anymore on the back of his t-shirt.
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.
Looking back at the clip, the writers names were physically written in the soles of Brittas’s shoes, so they would have to have filmed that bit again if they’d have wanted to continue that device. If they’d have access to the original filmed footage I’m sure there would have been some exercise footage that wasn’t used, that could have filled the gap, it seems like they took the easiest way out.
They also cut the clip short of Brittas on the rowing machine so we didn't see 'Written by' anymore on the back of his t-shirt.
WO
As i recall, the sporadic more synthy version was actually the actual theme song for the first couple of series on original broadcast. It's only in syndication where it's been muddled. I've actually got the first season on PAL DVD in the UK, and they are definitely the syndicated versions. On the odd couple of episodes the original synth theme song and titles are left in, with clips from that season and that season alone, but for the most part it uses the more recognised theme with clips from several series later in the titles.
A lot of shows tend to me muddled like that in syndication. Quantum Leap was terrible for it.
Here is the broadcast series 1 intro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70UhB_bXcuQ
I wonder if they have to use that original version of the titles in syndication if Ed Alonzo appeared in the episode, as he obviously was only a billed star for the first season.
I thought that was the later theme tune on that clip?
Before I saw the link I assumed you were discussing the version of the theme tune that was used sporadically in the original series with a different singer and slight differences in the music. But that new theme tune made me feel quite ill.
As i recall, the sporadic more synthy version was actually the actual theme song for the first couple of series on original broadcast. It's only in syndication where it's been muddled. I've actually got the first season on PAL DVD in the UK, and they are definitely the syndicated versions. On the odd couple of episodes the original synth theme song and titles are left in, with clips from that season and that season alone, but for the most part it uses the more recognised theme with clips from several series later in the titles.
A lot of shows tend to me muddled like that in syndication. Quantum Leap was terrible for it.
Here is the broadcast series 1 intro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70UhB_bXcuQ
I wonder if they have to use that original version of the titles in syndication if Ed Alonzo appeared in the episode, as he obviously was only a billed star for the first season.
I thought that was the later theme tune on that clip?
DJ
One thing I found odd about US broadcast TV when I was there a few years ago is how they
oftenstick an ad break in between the end of a show and the credits of said show!
They still do that. An episode of a popular primetime drama like NCIS would end with a main character announcing (as a voice over a snippet of the opening titles) "Stay tuned for scenes from our next episode!" followed by an ad-break, then a mini-trailer of the next episode appears above the end credits. That what they do on CBS ... I assume the other main networks do something similar.
One thing I found odd about US broadcast TV when I was there a few years ago is how they
oftenstick an ad break in between the end of a show and the credits of said show!
They still do that. An episode of a popular primetime drama like NCIS would end with a main character announcing (as a voice over a snippet of the opening titles) "Stay tuned for scenes from our next episode!" followed by an ad-break, then a mini-trailer of the next episode appears above the end credits. That what they do on CBS ... I assume the other main networks do something similar.
IN
As i recall, the sporadic more synthy version was actually the actual theme song for the first couple of series on original broadcast. It's only in syndication where it's been muddled. I've actually got the first season on PAL DVD in the UK, and they are definitely the syndicated versions. On the odd couple of episodes the original synth theme song and titles are left in, with clips from that season and that season alone, but for the most part it uses the more recognised theme with clips from several series later in the titles.
A lot of shows tend to me muddled like that in syndication. Quantum Leap was terrible for it.
Here is the broadcast series 1 intro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70UhB_bXcuQ
I wonder if they have to use that original version of the titles in syndication if Ed Alonzo appeared in the episode, as he obviously was only a billed star for the first season.
Clarissa Explains It All had a similar treatment, except in that case the music remained the same but the visuals were changed to match those from later series. It always seemed weird that the child actors looked quite a bit older on the titles than on the programmes.
Before I saw the link I assumed you were discussing the version of the theme tune that was used sporadically in the original series with a different singer and slight differences in the music. But that new theme tune made me feel quite ill.
As i recall, the sporadic more synthy version was actually the actual theme song for the first couple of series on original broadcast. It's only in syndication where it's been muddled. I've actually got the first season on PAL DVD in the UK, and they are definitely the syndicated versions. On the odd couple of episodes the original synth theme song and titles are left in, with clips from that season and that season alone, but for the most part it uses the more recognised theme with clips from several series later in the titles.
A lot of shows tend to me muddled like that in syndication. Quantum Leap was terrible for it.
Here is the broadcast series 1 intro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70UhB_bXcuQ
I wonder if they have to use that original version of the titles in syndication if Ed Alonzo appeared in the episode, as he obviously was only a billed star for the first season.
Clarissa Explains It All had a similar treatment, except in that case the music remained the same but the visuals were changed to match those from later series. It always seemed weird that the child actors looked quite a bit older on the titles than on the programmes.
BR
It's quite common (unfortunately) to update titles for reruns where a later more familar version became strongly identified with the show - Only Fools and Horses the noteable example here, and Happy Days another noteable example in the US, which for it's first two series used Rock Around the Clock as the intro.
RD
rdd
Founding member
Saved by the Bell has an interesting history of course, as a retool of the Hayley Mills vehicle Good Morning, Miss Bliss which - despite Saved by the Bell itself being repeated about 1,000
times on TCC and other stations in the 1990s - I don’t think ever aired on this side of the Atlantic (but it would be good to hear otherwise), and which had an altogether different theme song and titles when it aired first.
times on TCC and other stations in the 1990s - I don’t think ever aired on this side of the Atlantic (but it would be good to hear otherwise), and which had an altogether different theme song and titles when it aired first.
JA
When GOLD showed Happy Days a few years ago, they did keep Rock Around The Clock on season 1, but replaced it on season 2.
Going off topic, but at the time it did seem like GOLD would start showing some classic US sitcoms amongst the UK stuff, we got Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Police Squad and Cheers at the same time, but then they never showed any others. A bit of a shame as it was a refreshing change from the usual routine of Summer Wine, OFAH, Gavin & Stacy etc.
It's quite common (unfortunately) to update titles for reruns where a later more familar version became strongly identified with the show - Only Fools and Horses the noteable example here, and Happy Days another noteable example in the US, which for it's first two series used Rock Around the Clock as the intro.
When GOLD showed Happy Days a few years ago, they did keep Rock Around The Clock on season 1, but replaced it on season 2.
Going off topic, but at the time it did seem like GOLD would start showing some classic US sitcoms amongst the UK stuff, we got Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Police Squad and Cheers at the same time, but then they never showed any others. A bit of a shame as it was a refreshing change from the usual routine of Summer Wine, OFAH, Gavin & Stacy etc.
Last edited by james-2001 on 7 February 2021 12:55am - 2 times in total
SO
Also interestingly I'm sure I watched some of these in syndication the late 90s in the States, by which point they were reversioned as eps of Saved by the Bell with a slightly older Zac doing a Rene from Allo Allo-style intro at the start, before we flashed-back to the past
Saved by the Bell has an interesting history of course, as a retool of the Hayley Mills vehicle Good Morning, Miss Bliss which - despite Saved by the Bell itself being repeated about 1,000
times on TCC and other stations in the 1990s - I don’t think ever aired on this side of the Atlantic (but it would be good to hear otherwise), and which had an altogether different theme song and titles when it aired first.
times on TCC and other stations in the 1990s - I don’t think ever aired on this side of the Atlantic (but it would be good to hear otherwise), and which had an altogether different theme song and titles when it aired first.
Also interestingly I'm sure I watched some of these in syndication the late 90s in the States, by which point they were reversioned as eps of Saved by the Bell with a slightly older Zac doing a Rene from Allo Allo-style intro at the start, before we flashed-back to the past