Comments on: Most Title Sequences In One Year?

By: Jon88

Jon88 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:23:24 +0000

“The Simpsons” always played with the blackboard and the couch gags, but in the new opening, there are other variables. Well, one, at least: the billboard outside the school.

By: Jaime Weinman

Jaime Weinman — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:51:06 +0000

The Office is another show like that; except for changing a clip or two, they’ve basically stuck with the original title sequence for years, even as it’s become out of date in several ways — most obviously, having Ryan as one of the five most important characters on the show. But I guess it’s a sign of the declining importance of title sequences: they no longer really define a show or the importance of an actor/character, so there’s not a lot of reason to change them.

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:40:28 +0000

I can’t stop myself from bringing up House, of course, but as an example of the opposite, which seems even more rare. I remember being surprised when season 2 came around and they hadn’t changed the title sequence at all, especially given that Hugh Laurie had become a breakout star and the credit sequence has no images of him (or of the show itself). It’s a cool sequence and it was nominated for … something … but it hasn’t changed in 5 years. Not even now that Chase and Cameron appear for 5 minutes every 2 episodes, and 3 new cast members are prominent. The new additions are listed post-title sequence, after all the producer credits, before the guest star credits. Seems weird that they haven’t altered the title sequence at all.

By: CAPS

CAPS — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:23:02 +0000

I found that the “And [Actor's Name] as [Character's Name]” to be a strange animal.

Sometimes it denoted what seemd like an afterthought and sometimes it seemd to serve the purpose of elevating the actor to a special prominence, seperate from all the other actors. I guess it depended on who the actor was and what role s/he played in the series.

By: Mike Tennant

Mike Tennant — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:03:41 +0000

Another example of changing just a clip or two in the title sequence from week to week was “The Addams Family,” something I didn’t notice until watching it on DVD. For the first several episodes they used different clips from that particular episode during “Their house is a museum/When people come to see ‘em” (at least I think it was that part of the song) before settling on Gomez and Morticia’s fencing, which they kept for the remainder of the run.

Also, “Mission: Impossible” did a completely new title sequence every week: the same basic format, but using clips from that episode rather than generic ones.

Question for Jaime: When did “And [Actor's Name] as [Character's Name]” for just the final cast member in the opening credits originate? “Get Smart” used it for Barbara Feldon alone in season one but retained it and added “Edward Platt as ‘Chief’” in later seasons (or maybe later in season one; I’m still working my way through that season on DVD). “The Brady Bunch” used it for Ann B. Davis. Can you think of any earlier examples? And what, exactly, is the purpose of that type of credit anyway? (To be honest, it’s always annoyed me for some reason, but that’s not why I’m asking.)

By: Lord Kitchener's Own

Lord Kitchener's Own — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:53:42 +0000

The re-imagined Battlestar Galactica has had a lot of changes to it’s title sequence, though I it definitely fits into your “selecting a few different clips for what is otherwise the same sequence”. In an age of short to non-existent title sequences though, it’s a legit sequence, with frequent changes. What’s great about Galactica (and again, I realize this is different than the wholly re-worked scenario you’re discussing here) is that almost every single week there was at least one change to the title sequence, as the title sequence always begins with setting up the story, and telling you how many survivors of humanity are left (a number which, as I said, changed almost every week… sometimes dramatically so!).

The BG sequence, to my eye, is basically divided into two sections, the beginning which sets up the premise (including “XX,XXX Survivors”) and a second half which shows clips of what’s going on in the show right now (I’m not sure, but sometimes I think I’ve even seen stuff in the title sequence that hasn’t happened yet, though it’s frenetic editing means you would give anything away from the quick jump clips!).

Anyway, sorry to go off topic, I just always thought the BG title sequence was cool.

By: CAPS

CAPS — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:52:49 +0000

One can definitely pick out the Big Man’s style.

By: Paul Wells

Paul Wells — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:40:01 +0000

The sax solo in the first title sequence is lifted from “You’re A Friend of Mine,” a tune that was a bit of a hit for E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons as a solo artist. Weirdly dark lyrics: “The one who always makes you laugh until you cry/ And you can count on me until the day you die.” The big problem with this sequence, it seems to me (and did at the time) is that it’s for a show called “My Two Dads” but there’s no evidence the, er, offspring of the Dads exists.

By: Jaime Weinman

Jaime Weinman — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:26:50 +0000

I think I had one of the title sequences up a while ago, but not all four. Also I’ve done this “trace a show through its title sequences” bit for other shows.

By: CAPS

CAPS — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:36 +0000

Didn’t you do something on this a while ago?