The Death Of The Sitcom Theme Song

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by jehobden

Rules of Engagement, which tends to be a midseason replacement yearly on CBS, has a theme song play during which the actors are actually all identified, which is very rare in sitcoms now. Even though Two and a Half Men has a theme song, the actors names always appear over the action. Someone else here had mentioned sitcom show lengths growing shorter over the years, and I've observed this myself w/ some of my sitcom DVDs. Half-hour sitcoms up through the 80s (Three's Company for example) run 25-26 minutes uncut, but a 90s sitcom like Seinfeld only runs 22-23 minutes per show uncut. A friend of mine has all the Two and a Half Men eps on DVD, and they're down to 20-21 minutes uncut.

The Office has as opening too, very short, but atleast it has one, with music!

[browneyes106]

I do sort of miss theme songs and scenes during the credits.

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I would say it started with Frasier, but as anyone who grew up watching sitcoms from the fifties to the nineties knows, all the classic shows had memorable theme songs and opening sequences.

Am I the only one who misses those?

I realize they're gone because most shows are down to around twenty minutes because the almighty dollar rules and more commercials must be squeezed in, but a great golden era of TV theme music is gone forever.

I was just thinking about this. I miss them too. Today so many tv shows are getting cancelled after a season or 2, or some just after a few episodes.
I thing the opening theme drew attention to a show, especially in the '60's when they told a story what the show is about (Gilligan's Island, Beverly Hillbillies, Brady Bunch to name a few) . Now it takes more attention to get interested in a show. I can't believe somebody doesn't realize this. I bet a clever theme song would have saved a show like Samantha Who?

I tuned in to the updated version of Melrose Place, anticipating hearing the old theme song, and being introduced to the new cast. I thought surely they would have it. I was disappointed, and it took so much effort to figure out who was who. Guess what , I lost interest!

BRING BACK OUR TV THEME SONG OPENINGS! I suggest they have short ones for the network airing, and have longer versions to show occasionally and for dvd releases.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by markway895

I was just thinking about this. I miss them too. Today so many tv shows are getting cancelled after a season or 2, or some just after a few episodes.
I thing the opening theme drew attention to a show, especially in the '60's when they told a story what the show is about (Gilligan's Island, Beverly Hillbillies, Brady Bunch to name a few) . Now it takes more attention to get interested in a show. I can't believe somebody doesn't realize this. I bet a clever theme song would have saved a show like Samantha Who?

I tuned in to the updated version of Melrose Place, anticipating hearing the old theme song, and being introduced to the new cast. I thought surely they would have it. I was disappointed, and it took so much effort to figure out who was who. Guess what , I lost interest!

BRING BACK OUR TV THEME SONG OPENINGS! I suggest they have short ones for the network airing, and have longer versions to show occasionally and for dvd releases.

That is another reason why theme songs are important. I have no idea who these actors are on the new shows. Even on some shows I watch, I know the characters but I couldn't tell you who played some of them.

[catlover79]

I liked the opening title sequence and tune for Back To You (which should still be on the air, by the way ).

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by catlover79

I liked the opening title sequence and tune for Back To You (which should still be on the air, by the way ).

I agree, Monika. Both Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton are now starring in just so-so shows. Back To You was just starting to gel creatively towards the end of its one-season run. It could have had a good long run, thanks FOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I agree, Monika. Both Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton are now starring in just so-so shows. Back To You was just starting to gel creatively towards the end of its one-season run. It could have had a good long run, thanks FOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I remember before they announced its cancellation, Fox said they didn't have room for both Back to You and 'Til Death and one of them was getting the ax. I think the wrong show got axed. 'Til Death is not doing well in the ratings now!

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by markway895

I remember before they announced its cancellation, Fox said they didn't have room for both Back to You and 'Til Death and one of them was getting the ax. I think the wrong show got axed. 'Til Death is not doing well in the ratings now!

Fox hasn't launched a long running sitcom since Malcolm in the Middle. I think they forgot how to. BTY was a great show that should have been given a chance to grow, The writers strike didn't help it either.

[megamanj2004]

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

Fox hasn't launched a long running sitcom since Malcolm in the Middle. I think they forgot how to. BTY was a great show that should have been given a chance to grow, The writers strike didn't help it either.

Speaking of Malcolm in the Middle, IMO I thought this show and American Dad! were my last two new shows I ever watched where they had theme songs.

Nowadays, it's just hooey.

I can barely get into most of the new shows, b/c of lack of creativity in theme songs or most shows just plain lack theme songs period.

IMO, a show with a good theme song usually sets the mood to watch the show.

[Mr. Television]

I hate NBC but it is the only network where most of the shows still have theme songs.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by markway895

I remember before they announced its cancellation, Fox said they didn't have room for both Back to You and 'Til Death and one of them was getting the ax. I think the wrong show got axed. 'Til Death is not doing well in the ratings now!

Plus, it plain sucks! I couldn't believe that show got beyond a few airings.

Just watched an old All In The Family on DVD. Complete opening and closing theme music and let's face it -- at the risk of sounding like an old fart, which I am -- they don't make shows like that anymore.

I think Monika at the very least would agree with that.

[Will and Grace Fanatic]

it's so sad that shows have lost that many minutes off there shows. They just don't have much time for the actual show so they had to cut off the theme songs.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Plus, it plain sucks! I couldn't believe that show got beyond a few airings.

Just watched an old All In The Family on DVD. Complete opening and closing theme music and let's face it -- at the risk of sounding like an old fart, which I am -- they don't make shows like that anymore.

I think Monika at the very least would agree with that.

Of course!!

[Retro4Life]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Just watched an old All In The Family on DVD. Complete opening and closing theme music and let's face it -- at the risk of sounding like an old fart, which I am -- they don't make shows like that anymore.

Boy, you got that right, Doc!

[ABC1]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

And the networks too -- don't let them off the hook, Monika!!

When I watch old seventies shows on DVD, I realize that some of them were a full 26 minutes long, including theme sequences and closing credits.

What's the standard today? 22 minutes, maybe? Definitely no more than that, to be sure.

Sad, sad, sad.

I agree. I really do enjoy the theme songs from tv shows, and miss them. What I also don't like is the way the networks sqaush the end credits so much that now you can no longer read them. I hate that.