Shows That Frequently Changed Opening Title Sequences

[biffbronson]

Keep in mind when watching Bewitched that the openings of the earliest seasons were drastically redone for syndication to remove the sponsor. That's why you'll see a 1966 copyright on episodes older than that -- somewhere online you can find the original version.

Back to original openings:

Hazel had totally different openings for the seasons.

[comedyfreak]

Batman-changed for the 3rd season to introduce Yvonne Craig as Batgirl.

[tbb033]

Originally Posted by marriedaniac

Are there any shows that did not change its opening AT ALL during its entire run? I can only think of one right now -- The Nanny.

Originally Posted by Furienna

"Fresh Prince" too!

Fresh Prince actually had another, longer opening for the first episode. I think they used it on one other early episode as well (but not the 2nd ep). Instead of making it seem like Will takes a cab all the way from Philly to Bel Air it has footage of him on a plane, among other additions.

[Furienna]

That's true. But other than that, they didn't change anything. They never had a completely new intro.

[eng51squad51]

EMERGENCY change opening from squad respond to call to
what you see today of squad and engine coming out of the station

[megamanj2004]

ADAM-12:

The 1st 2 seasons' theme tune remained the same.

But almost every season after Season 2 it changed slightly.

Every new season had the squad car coming in from a different street, though for Season 5 or Season 6, the squad car was seen careening down the streets at nighttime.

HILL STREET BLUES:
The theme tune was slightly different for the 1st few seasons but remained the same from Season 4 onward.

The scenes of the cast members changed from Season 4 onward.

And cast members came and left as well.

[MacLeaper]

Quote:
Originally Posted by marriedaniac
Are there any shows that did not change its opening AT ALL during its entire run? I can only think of one right now -- The Nanny.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Furienna
"Fresh Prince" too!


Fresh Prince actually had another, longer opening for the first episode. I think they used it on one other early episode as well (but not the 2nd ep). Instead of making it seem like Will takes a cab all the way from Philly to Bel Air it has footage of him on a plane, among other additions.

I remember seeing that longer intro airing with some early episodes of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"- it also had additional lyrics about Will's beverage choices on the airplane... I'm sure someone on Youtube has that intro available to watch...

[MacLeaper]

"MacGyver" had the same basic theme song but its opening changed most seasons with some variations on the shots used. In some cases, in later seasons, earlier shots taken directly from episodes were reshot to be updated.
Also, there are some differences on how the music is performed and the length, etc.
You can see a breakdown for each season here- http://www.macgyveronline.com/pages/credits0.html

[MacLeaper]

"Laverne & Shirley" seemed to change its opening sequence quite a few times- I've been watching Season 6 on DVD lately and I've noticed some different shots being used for the opening on different episodes- sometimes certain actors and actresses are credited and sometimes not. I believe I've seen 2 or 3 different intros at least just during this season. And I know there are differences in other seasons too- for instance, the first season initially displayed the title with the characters full names- "Laverne DeFazio & Shirley Feeney".


"Early Edition" changed its intro most every season. There was a different narration for each one, I do believe. And the shots used in the credits were changed to reflect the current season as the show went along. The most drastic change was in the 4th. season when W.G. Snuffy Walden's original theme song was not used anymore and instead a portion of The Chamber Brothers' "Time Has Come Today" song was played. (This was seen in the original airings- syndicated reruns have not used it, probably due to music rights issues. I imagine this would be the case on a Season 4 DVD release as well- which would be a little disappointing in some regards, but I wouldn't really care- I regard Walden's theme as the classic theme song anyway that I prefer more- although I don't mind The Chamber Brothers song either.)

"Quantum Leap" had a couple of different theme song intros. The earliest episodes had Sam narrating how things had transpired to the point where he was- and that intro also was quite different visually, with dates and times and photos of people in history swirling around.
Later, the more traditional theme song, with both the "saga sell" and "opening theme song" were used, with Deborah Pratt narrating. (The voice of Ziggy). In the last season, the Mike Post theme was modified to have more of a rock sound- which is pretty cool, as far as I'm concerned. (Though some fans don't dig the change.)

"The A-Team" went through a similar deal when it had its theme amped up in the last season- again, it was quite cool with me, but some fans prefer the classic theme from earlier seasons.

[DJM77]

Originally Posted by MacLeaper

I remember seeing that longer intro airing with some early episodes of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"- it also had additional lyrics about Will's beverage choices on the airplane... I'm sure someone on Youtube has that intro available to watch...

Here's the extended intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOzZAV8Gt5E

Here's the even longer version (audio only): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAXx-K7Ct7w

[Mace Dolex]

KNIGHT RIDER
Had the same theme music but it's intros changed in all it's 4 seasons
- season 1 had the title under KITT and it's pilot episode didn't have the opening narration and each actor was introduced via KITT's video monitors also of note is that Patricia McPherson doesn't show up in the credits until the 2nd episode (or 3rd when aired in syndication)
- season 2 inroduces the actors in full format and Rebecca Holden replaces McPherson plus a few additions showing KITT in action
- season 3 removes Holden with McPherson returning and additional new shots of KITT in action.
- season 4 adds Peter Parros to the cast and new inserts of KITT in super pursuit mode.

[simmytbone]

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Every Season Changed with the openings and the theme

Season 2 & 3 had the same opening, but different themes except Season 2 had Co-Starring David McCallum and Leo G. Carroll and Season 3 had Co-Starring under Leo G. Carroll

It's Your Move had different openings during Season 1

Hang Time also had different openings as well as Full House

[MacLeaper]

Quote:
Originally Posted by MacLeaper
I remember seeing that longer intro airing with some early episodes of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"- it also had additional lyrics about Will's beverage choices on the airplane... I'm sure someone on Youtube has that intro available to watch...


Here's the extended intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOzZAV8Gt5E

Here's the even longer version (audio only): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAXx-K7Ct7w
__________________

See? Told you so.
Thanks for the link, man.

[Mace Dolex]

THREE'S COMPANY - I don't my DVD's so I'm going by memory

season 1, 2, and 3 all had the same opening theme song
season 1 - the same shot of John Ritter falling off bike in first 3 seasons, Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers sport their 1st season hairstyles, the Ropers intro has Audra Lindley on couch and Norman Fell holding a plunger (I think)

season 2 - same shot of Santa Monica beach, Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers sport new hairstyles, the Ropers intro varies with Audra in bed and Norman sitting in sofa, a few highlights from season 1

season 3 - same theme music, same intros for all actors with a few highlights from season 2

season 4 - theme music now jazzed up a bit, new opening at Santa Monica pier with John, Joyce and Suzanne all sporting new looks, Richard Kline and Don Knotts are added to the cast and Anne Wedgeworth's credit would disappear midway in the season.

season 5 - same theme and opening as S4, this time Suzanne Somer's would still be credited the entire season even thought her part was now reduced and Jenillee Harrison is credited in the end credits as guest star.

season 6 - third variation on theme song, new location is at the Los Angeles zoo with Priscilla Barnes added to the cast and Jenillee Harrison given her own credit now.

season 7 - same as S6 but this time re-filmed to remove Jenillee Harrsion from opening and closing credits (funny anecdote a few S7 intros would have S6 openings leading to believe the gang left Cindy at the zoo).

season 8 - no changes

[biffbronson]

Originally Posted by marriedaniac

Are there any shows that did not change its opening AT ALL during its entire run? I can only think of one right now -- The Nanny.

How about the sitcom Taxi? Any changes over the years, aside from billing of actors?