Opening themes/credits on sitcoms - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

spunkygirl · 04-15-2004, 10:45 PM

Does anyone else hate it when a show goes into syndication that they change the opening theme, and just mostly slap on a theme that might be shorter and doesnt fit the show? I know some shows that might run 7 or 8 years can have a few different openings over the years.

Disney does that with Boy Meets World, I think it's mostly because of time constraints, but its still annoying

dawsongirl · 04-16-2004, 01:52 AM

I knew you were going to mention BMW...cuz that's the first one I thought of. I watched it one night and I saw that opening, and I was shocked. What the hell is Disney's problem?

But yes, I like my credits like they were on the network.

spunkygirl · 04-16-2004, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dawsongirl
I knew you were going to mention BMW...cuz that's the first one I thought of. I watched it one night and I saw that opening, and I was shocked. What the hell is Disney's problem?

But yes, I like my credits like they were on the network.

I am a BMW fanatic

Supposedly Disney uses the 4th season opener cause it's shorter, but it so doesn't suit the first season at all

AKA · 04-16-2004, 08:02 PM

Disney did that to the first three seasons when the show went into syndication in 1997, so it seems that what The Disney Channel shows is syndication edits, instead of the uncut network versions. That's a damn shame, especially considering the fact that The Disney Channel isn't advertiser-supported.

Adamantium · 04-18-2004, 08:40 PM

NewsRadio - Although A&E airs the original theme songs, my local syndicate took the late season 4 - 5 opening for the entire series. It was shorter than the first three and a half seasons, so that's probably why.

Boy Meets World - Seasons 1,2 and 3 have been replaced by the season 4 opener. I know this was mentioned, but since this is one of my favorite shows, I thought I'd put it in my list as well.

Grace Under Fire - I'm not a big fan of the show, but they've replaced the early theme song with the later one for syndication.

Family Matters - When the show first aired, the season 1 theme song was "What a Wonderful World." However, in reruns it's the season two music. I know this is different and maybe they couldn't get the rights to that song for reruns. If Family Matters ever comes to DVD I hope it's the original theme.

PZelda · 04-18-2004, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dawsongirl
I knew you were going to mention BMW...cuz that's the first one I thought of. I watched it one night and I saw that opening, and I was shocked. What the hell is Disney's problem?

But yes, I like my credits like they were on the network.

Yep...I remember the 1st and 2nd seasons of BMW when it was in its original run- I remember it was a lot longer and sillier. I miss it.

PZelda · 04-18-2004, 11:42 PM

They did the same to Mama's Family. Mama's Family was on NBC for the 1982-83 (debuted in January 1983) and 1983-84 seasons, and had a longer opening. They'd start with Harvey Korman in character, introducing the episode...then cut to the actual opening credits...but you don't see that now. They took out the Harvey Korman bit and changed the opening credits to look like the syndicated ones (1986-90)- it irks me.

You can see the original NBC opening here.

spunkygirl · 04-18-2004, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Miss Vicki
Yep...I remember the 1st and 2nd seasons of BMW when it was in its original run- I remember it was a lot longer and sillier. I miss it.

Season 1 had a great opening, but it's a little long, I would rather they cut it slightly than not show it at all, It's weird seeing season one but yet we get an opening from Season 4

*here's to hoping ABC Family shows the original credits*

PZelda · 04-18-2004, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Topanga
Season 1 had a great opening, but it's a little long, I would rather they cut it slightly than not show it at all, It's weird seeing season one but yet we get an opening from Season 4

*here's to hoping ABC Family shows the original credits*

I totally agree- plus, you never know which ep they will show because they always show the stupid season 4 opening.

Brent88 · 04-18-2004, 11:53 PM

ABC Family has been great about playing the extended theme... for "Family Matters", they played the ORIGINAL "What a Wonderful World" theme for the pilot then for the rest of seasons 1-3, played the extended over a minute long "As Days Go By" theme. Then From Season 4-6, they played the shortened, more common version.

"Step By Step", they also play the extended theme some.

"Full House" they have played the extended version of the theme a couple of times.

The biggest complaint about ABC Family is the split screen closing credits. If there was a scene that ran while the closing credits were on the screen, they won't show it.

spunkygirl · 04-18-2004, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brent88
ABC Family has been great about playing the extended theme... for "Family Matters", they played the ORIGINAL "What a Wonderful World" theme for the pilot then for the rest of seasons 1-3, played the extended over a minute long "As Days Go By" theme. Then From Season 4-6, they played the shortened, more common version.

"Step By Step", they also play the extended theme some.

"Full House" they have played the extended version of the theme a couple of times.

The biggest complaint about ABC Family is the split screen closing credits. If there was a scene that ran while the closing credits were on the screen, they won't show it.

Don't tell me that! There are lots of those in the later seasons of Boy Meets World

db108108 · 04-19-2004, 01:35 AM

Thank god that Roseanne isn't on ABC Family- it had some of the best closing credits ever. It would be an utter shame to miss them. My two favorite are the Cops parody from season 6, and the porn scene from season 6 or 7

Sitcomwriter · 04-19-2004, 02:41 PM

BMW is coming to DVD in July. I think that there's a 99.9% chance that it will have the original credits.

spunkygirl · 04-19-2004, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sitcomwriter
BMW is coming to DVD in July. I think that there's a 99.9% chance that it will have the original credits.

Actually it won't be out on DVD until late August

04-15-2004, 10:45 PM	#1
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	Opening themes/credits on sitcoms Does anyone else hate it when a show goes into syndication that they change the opening theme, and just mostly slap on a theme that might be shorter and doesnt fit the show? I know some shows that might run 7 or 8 years can have a few different openings over the years. Disney does that with Boy Meets World, I think it's mostly because of time constraints, but its still annoying

04-18-2004, 11:53 PM	#10
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	ABC Family has been great about playing the extended theme... for "Family Matters", they played the ORIGINAL "What a Wonderful World" theme for the pilot then for the rest of seasons 1-3, played the extended over a minute long "As Days Go By" theme. Then From Season 4-6, they played the shortened, more common version. "Step By Step", they also play the extended theme some. "Full House" they have played the extended version of the theme a couple of times. The biggest complaint about ABC Family is the split screen closing credits. If there was a scene that ran while the closing credits were on the screen, they won't show it.
	__________________ Brent

04-16-2004, 01:52 AM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	I knew you were going to mention BMW...cuz that's the first one I thought of. I watched it one night and I saw that opening, and I was shocked. What the hell is Disney's problem? But yes, I like my credits like they were on the network.

04-16-2004, 08:02 PM	#4
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Disney did that to the first three seasons when the show went into syndication in 1997, so it seems that what The Disney Channel shows is syndication edits, instead of the uncut network versions. That's a damn shame, especially considering the fact that The Disney Channel isn't advertiser-supported.

04-18-2004, 08:40 PM	#5
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	NewsRadio - Although A&E airs the original theme songs, my local syndicate took the late season 4 - 5 opening for the entire series. It was shorter than the first three and a half seasons, so that's probably why. Boy Meets World - Seasons 1,2 and 3 have been replaced by the season 4 opener. I know this was mentioned, but since this is one of my favorite shows, I thought I'd put it in my list as well. Grace Under Fire - I'm not a big fan of the show, but they've replaced the early theme song with the later one for syndication. Family Matters - When the show first aired, the season 1 theme song was "What a Wonderful World." However, in reruns it's the season two music. I know this is different and maybe they couldn't get the rights to that song for reruns. If Family Matters ever comes to DVD I hope it's the original theme.

04-18-2004, 11:42 PM	#7
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	They did the same to Mama's Family. Mama's Family was on NBC for the 1982-83 (debuted in January 1983) and 1983-84 seasons, and had a longer opening. They'd start with Harvey Korman in character, introducing the episode...then cut to the actual opening credits...but you don't see that now. They took out the Harvey Korman bit and changed the opening credits to look like the syndicated ones (1986-90)- it irks me. You can see the original NBC opening here.

04-19-2004, 01:35 AM	#12
db108108 Teacher (for now) Senior Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2003 Location: 2 hours north of Detroit, 2 hours south of Toronto Posts: 1,023	Thank god that Roseanne isn't on ABC Family- it had some of the best closing credits ever. It would be an utter shame to miss them. My two favorite are the Cops parody from season 6, and the porn scene from season 6 or 7

04-19-2004, 02:41 PM	#13
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,356	BMW is coming to DVD in July. I think that there's a 99.9% chance that it will have the original credits.