Theme Song Or No Theme Song - What's Better? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

bigd · 02-24-2005, 04:33 PM

What do you think is better, having a sitcom with a theme song at the beginning or having a couple second opener or even no theme whatsoever at the beginning? Personally, I would rather have nothing than a theme song unless it's a halfway decent theme like Sanford & Son. Some theme songs just sound so lame like Full House, Small Wonder and others. Personally, I like the way Frasier does it, a couple second musical opening and then straight to the show. If there's no theme, you can get up to an extra minute of jokes.

Brent88 · 02-24-2005, 04:35 PM

Well... on longer sitcoms(back in the day when the standard was 24 minutes or greater), I like them, but now, when the show is only 21 minutes long to begin with, I do not. In fact, I also like the fact that on most shows, the closing credits roll while a scene is still happening.

Mr. Television · 02-24-2005, 06:20 PM

Theme song all the way.

gidgetgrape · 02-24-2005, 07:20 PM

I like theme songs too.

Karen* · 02-24-2005, 08:30 PM

I like my sitcoms better with a theme song.

Number 9 Dream · 02-24-2005, 08:34 PM

I think I like it better with a theme song.

slackermonkey · 02-24-2005, 09:54 PM

I'm on the fence.

On one hand, I like how some shows have a short opening sequence, like Will & Grace. You get into the show faster, and theme songs are getting chopped up in syndication anyway.

But with a theme song, there's a lot of nostalgia there. It brightens your day, and a really good theme song captures the mood and tone of the show perfectly.

dandelion wine · 02-24-2005, 09:58 PM

With the theme song.

TJL · 02-24-2005, 10:14 PM

As Brent88 pointed out, TV sitcoms are getting shorter, and even shorter when chopped up in syndication, the more time you devote to the episode, the better. Just flash the opening title and start the show.

I Love John Ritter · 02-24-2005, 10:21 PM

I prefer the theme song.

CarJackSnyder · 02-24-2005, 10:51 PM

Theme Song!!

musicradio77 · 02-24-2005, 10:53 PM

TV themes songs are just for fun. And it was great!

barwars · 02-24-2005, 11:02 PM

I'd rather have a short themesong with a longer episode than vice-versa.

02-24-2005, 04:33 PM	#1
bigd Member First Time Poster Join Date: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 1	Theme Song Or No Theme Song - What's Better? What do you think is better, having a sitcom with a theme song at the beginning or having a couple second opener or even no theme whatsoever at the beginning? Personally, I would rather have nothing than a theme song unless it's a halfway decent theme like Sanford & Son. Some theme songs just sound so lame like Full House, Small Wonder and others. Personally, I like the way Frasier does it, a couple second musical opening and then straight to the show. If there's no theme, you can get up to an extra minute of jokes.

02-24-2005, 04:35 PM	#2
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	Well... on longer sitcoms(back in the day when the standard was 24 minutes or greater), I like them, but now, when the show is only 21 minutes long to begin with, I do not. In fact, I also like the fact that on most shows, the closing credits roll while a scene is still happening.
	__________________ Brent

02-24-2005, 06:20 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Theme song all the way.
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02-24-2005, 08:30 PM	#5
Karen* paradox. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 28,365	I like my sitcoms better with a theme song.
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02-24-2005, 08:34 PM	#6
Number 9 Dream That '70s Girl Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 5,875	I think I like it better with a theme song.
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02-24-2005, 07:20 PM	#4
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,504	I like theme songs too.

02-24-2005, 09:54 PM	#7
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	I'm on the fence. On one hand, I like how some shows have a short opening sequence, like Will & Grace. You get into the show faster, and theme songs are getting chopped up in syndication anyway. But with a theme song, there's a lot of nostalgia there. It brightens your day, and a really good theme song captures the mood and tone of the show perfectly.
	__________________ ...Derek TV on DVD Checklist: 05/09 - Scrubs: The Complete Third Season 05/30 - Joey: The Complete First Season 06/13 - Cheers: The Complete Eighth Season 06/13 - Frasier: The Complete Eighth Season 06/20 - Justice League: Season 2 07/25 - Animaniacs: Volume 1 10/?? - Scrubs: The Complete Fourth Season 12/06 - Animaniacs: Volume 2 Last edited by slackermonkey; 02-24-2005 at 10:16 PM.

02-24-2005, 09:58 PM	#8
dandelion wine ~ Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,967	With the theme song.
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02-24-2005, 10:14 PM	#9
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	As Brent88 pointed out, TV sitcoms are getting shorter, and even shorter when chopped up in syndication, the more time you devote to the episode, the better. Just flash the opening title and start the show.
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02-24-2005, 10:21 PM	#10
I Love John Ritter Miss ya, John Senior Member Join Date: Apr 06, 2004 Location: In John Ritter's arms Posts: 2,687	I prefer the theme song.
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02-24-2005, 10:51 PM	#11
CarJackSnyder Maura West & Michael Park<3 Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 05, 2003 Location: Milltown; Oakdale- where everybody knows your name. Posts: 6,971	Theme Song!!
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02-24-2005, 10:53 PM	#12
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	TV themes songs are just for fun. And it was great!
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02-24-2005, 11:02 PM	#13
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	I'd rather have a short themesong with a longer episode than vice-versa.