Which do you prefer? A show to have an opening scene and then the opening credits/theme music or the to see the opening credits/music and then begin the show. Since I sometimes record shows that have the same end/start times on different channels, I don't like shows that begin with an opening scene because I may be a tad late switching channels and imo it's better to miss part of the opening credits than the opening scene.

I think either way is fine :) You don't get anything like that anymore with today's sitcoms. Most of the time it just goes right into the show while the credits show on the bottom. And sometimes even a 2-second opening with crappy music. Then at the end you got the split screen with the credits whizing right through. To me, the theme music and opening/end credits are important to a show. It kinda gives a sense of finality. The opening credits and music means a show has OFFICIALLY started and the end credits and music means that a show has OFFICIALLY ended. I know that sounds pretty stupid because one should know when a show has began and ended, but...I dunno. I just think it's what gives a show it's substance and feel of it, I guess :)

Originally posted by DandR
Which do you prefer? A show to have an opening scene and then the opening credits/theme music or the to see the opening credits/music and then begin the show. Since I sometimes record shows that have the same end/start times on different channels, I don't like shows that begin with an opening scene because I may be a tad late switching channels and imo it's better to miss part of the opening credits than the opening scene.

I really like where they show a small part of the show then an opening then the show just like cheers.

Originally posted by Must See TV


I really like where they show a small part of the show then an opening then the show just like cheers.
I think Cheers had the best openers in sitcom history. As for dramatic shows, nothing beats the openers on HBO's Six Feet Under.

I like it better if the credits play first.

Well if you're taping the show it's better if it's credits 1st, because you can miss few seconds and it won't matter, coz they're mostly all the same, but if you miss the opener..it's irreversible.

Otherwise I like openers.

I love how "Raymond" has avoided the cliches of the show opening by going right to the show, and opening with the music signature.

If you don't know it's on and where it is by now, you're never going to know. Besides it squeezes at least 40 seconds of commercial time into the mix !

I feel this will be the new way of doing things for all shows.

Originally posted by Burke Snow Winters
I like it better if the credits play first.

Ditto.

I prefer the theme song first, or a 3-second opening and have the credits flash at the bottom of the screen as the show starts.

I prefer when they just get right into the show, maybe with the brief musical intro like they do on Frasier, with the creditis playing under the action. It's a chance to either set up the premise of the show, or get in a quick non sequiter.

Bonus points for using the word sequiter.

Well i like to tape some shows and i recalll, the last season of Married with children went into the show, then the credits, and it was hard for me to guess when to perfectly get the vcr to record before anything is said. i like a little warning that its coming on.

I like how Friends does it. 30 second intro, opening theme, commerial, then back to the show.

I have a question???

I don't know if this is true or not, but was Roseanne the first sitcom to have an opening scene FIRST then the opening theme song??? And then have a closing scene during the ending crediits???

Because I don't remember any other show doing that before them.

"Cheers" always had a little scene bit before they ran the credits. Usually that scene was a throw away gag, whereas "Roesanne" usually did a scene that had something to do with the plot of the episode, sort of a "teaser."
"Roseanne" wasn't the first to do this. It started a while back. I remember shows like "Odd Couple" and "Welcome BacK Kotter" having a teaser from time to time. "WKRP" did too.

As far as the closing credits scene, that has been used by a lot of shows but I don't know if they did it first.

I prefer opening sequences because they are a great chance for a joke that doesn't have to be plot-related. But, it doesn't REALLY matter one way or the other.