Why is the video game portion of the Home Improvement theme cut from TV nowadays? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MA · 11-16-2018, 08:37 PM

When I watch Home Improvement on UP, I notice it omits the video headshots of the three boys and want to know why that is.

Could it be due to time? Is it the prints they use? UP TV started doing this recently and never used to do it before.

MA · 11-16-2018, 09:29 PM

Wonder if Laff does the same thing.

stevea · 11-16-2018, 10:02 PM

Could it depend on season? I thought they weren't shown in the early season openers.

MA · 11-16-2018, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

Could it depend on season? I thought they weren't shown in the early season openers.

I believe that the intro with the video games started in Season 4. However, on Nick at Nite and TV Land airings, the video headshots of the three boys from the show are removed.

Maybe that's the same thing UP is doing.

stevea · 11-16-2018, 10:58 PM

I just checked the season 4 DVD. I don't ever recall seeing that longer opening in syndication--the boys are separately credited, starting with JTT, then ZTB, and then TNS. The whole opening seems way longer than syndication, so there may be other parts cut, too.

I've got several of these episodes on old VHS tapes, from the original ABC showings in the 1990s. As I've said before, even the DVDs cut out the clever animated bumpers showed on ABC.

I'm now watching the one where Tim is operating a crane. There's sure to be a disaster! (Edit: Oh, yeah--he wrecked Jill's car!)

MA · 11-17-2018, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

I just checked the season 4 DVD. I don't ever recall seeing that longer opening in syndication--the boys are separately credited, starting with JTT, then ZTB, and then TNS. The whole opening seems way longer than syndication, so there may be other parts cut, too.

I've got several of these episodes on old VHS tapes, from the original ABC showings in the 1990s. As I've said before, even the DVDs cut out the clever animated bumpers showed on ABC.

I'm now watching the one where Tim is operating a crane. There's sure to be a disaster! (Edit: Oh, yeah--he wrecked Jill's car!)

Maybe parts of the opening are indeed cut for time. Curious to know what episodes you have on your tapes though.

stevea · 11-17-2018, 09:31 AM

Holiday episodes--Christmas, Thanksgiving, maybe Halloween. I really need to put them on DVD.

stevea · 11-17-2018, 09:35 AM

I also just noticed last night that the actual final episode of the series (8-28, #204 "Backstage Pass") has not been in syndication, but it's on the season 8 DVD. It's the only episode where they show Wilson's entire face. I want to see this episode, so I guess I need to get the season 8 DVDs, which I don't have.

MA · 11-17-2018, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

Holiday episodes--Christmas, Thanksgiving, maybe Halloween. I really need to put them on DVD.

You should.

MA · 11-23-2018, 10:05 PM

Just watched the theme song and surprisingly, the video game portion wasn’t cut.

icecream · 11-24-2018, 09:31 PM

LAFF airs the complete theme song. UP's version is shorter.

MA · 11-25-2018, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

LAFF airs the complete theme song. UP's version is shorter.

Ah. I do wonder why UP’s version is shorter though.

stevea · 11-25-2018, 08:52 PM

My guess is that UP is using syndication edited copies, and maybe Laff is playing from updated copies that were struck when the commercial DVDs came out.

MA · 11-27-2018, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

My guess is that UP is using syndication edited copies, and maybe Laff is playing from updated copies that were struck when the commercial DVDs came out.

I’m assuming that’s what is happening.

tenter · 11-27-2018, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikaelaArsenault

I’m assuming that’s what is happening.

sorry for offtopic, did you see my message? i sent you a private message yesterday

11-16-2018, 08:37 PM	#1
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,556	Why is the video game portion of the Home Improvement theme cut from TV nowadays? When I watch Home Improvement on UP, I notice it omits the video headshots of the three boys and want to know why that is. Could it be due to time? Is it the prints they use? UP TV started doing this recently and never used to do it before.
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

11-16-2018, 10:58 PM	#5
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,678	I just checked the season 4 DVD. I don't ever recall seeing that longer opening in syndication--the boys are separately credited, starting with JTT, then ZTB, and then TNS. The whole opening seems way longer than syndication, so there may be other parts cut, too. I've got several of these episodes on old VHS tapes, from the original ABC showings in the 1990s. As I've said before, even the DVDs cut out the clever animated bumpers showed on ABC. I'm now watching the one where Tim is operating a crane. There's sure to be a disaster! (Edit: Oh, yeah--he wrecked Jill's car!)
	Last edited by stevea; 11-16-2018 at 11:00 PM. Reason: Add edit

11-24-2018, 09:31 PM	#11
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,762	LAFF airs the complete theme song. UP's version is shorter.
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11-16-2018, 09:29 PM	#2
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,556	Wonder if Laff does the same thing.

11-16-2018, 10:02 PM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,678	Could it depend on season? I thought they weren't shown in the early season openers.

11-17-2018, 09:31 AM	#7
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,678	Holiday episodes--Christmas, Thanksgiving, maybe Halloween. I really need to put them on DVD.

11-17-2018, 09:35 AM	#8
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,678	I also just noticed last night that the actual final episode of the series (8-28, #204 "Backstage Pass") has not been in syndication, but it's on the season 8 DVD. It's the only episode where they show Wilson's entire face. I want to see this episode, so I guess I need to get the season 8 DVDs, which I don't have.

11-23-2018, 10:05 PM	#10
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,556	Just watched the theme song and surprisingly, the video game portion wasn’t cut.

11-25-2018, 08:52 PM	#13
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,678	My guess is that UP is using syndication edited copies, and maybe Laff is playing from updated copies that were struck when the commercial DVDs came out.