Controversy regarding 7th season opening theme - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 03-08-2002, 04:25 AM

I vaguely remember this. They created a new opening sequence for the seventh season, which aired only two or three times because someone took offense to it. After the segment was yanked, they reverted back to the previous year's opening theme, albeit modified.

The following season, the offending opening sequence appeared again, but it was changed. Bill's spoken dialogue at the end being spliced out is the only change I noticed, but I could be wrong.

My question is this - does anyone remember what was said at the end of the opening and what was so offensive about it? I was only 10 at the time and didn't have access to a VCR to save it for posterity.

Thanks.

ThomasE · 03-08-2002, 08:54 AM

This a good topic becasue I noticed when younger that they reverted back to the old one myself and Lisa Bonet and Joseph C . Phillps were also dancing in that opening. Bill said something like:

"Don't put your face in the mud, Pallie."

I didn't see what was so offensinve about that.

cheers11 · 03-08-2002, 10:34 AM

I thought it was written somewhere that they could not use that opening because it was privae property to someone and they were suing? but then again i am probably wrong because they used it for the final season.

I think the cosby show openings were the best out of all the 80's shows. and that's why i liked the final because it had special of all the openings for the cast members who were still on.

My favorite was the one right before the fina outside onel. when they were all in black tie and even Sondra looked pretty OK.

Fanof227 · 03-08-2002, 12:33 PM

From what I remember is, that the background that they used the people wanted money from it. And Cosby said forget it. Something along that line. I didn't see anything offensive about it. Since there is a Cosby Show reunion coming up, if the cast do any talking at all. Maybe Cosby will bring that up. They usually talk about all the seasons of the show in these kinds of reunions where they sit and talk.

boechsner · 03-08-2002, 01:28 PM

I too remember that at the beginning of the 7th season (1990-1991) they did use that mural as the backdrop with a funky rap sounding version of the theme song, with Cosby saying that line. Then reverted back to the dance at the Apollo and cut out the line "That was the best elevator music I've ever heard!"

I remember seeing the season premiere (the one where Rudy is upset because she hadn't developed yet) in first run on NBC. From that episode, before the opening credits, they showed a scene where Olivia walks into Cliff and Clair's bedroom with a Bart Simpson mask on and said something to Cliff who was sitting at the desk. This was in response to having the Simpsons airing in the same timeslot on FOX.

AKA · 03-08-2002, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by boechsner
I remember seeing the season premiere (the one where Rudy is upset because she hadn't developed yet) in first run on NBC. From that episode, before the opening credits, they showed a scene where Olivia walks into Cliff and Clair's bedroom with a Bart Simpson mask on and said something to Cliff who was sitting at the desk. This was in response to having the Simpsons airing in the same timeslot on FOX.

Yes! I remember that, too! Thank you! They cut that out, as well, didn't they?

Wasn't there also a media frenzy because Sondra wore a Simpsons t-shirt at one point during the 1990-1991 season?

Samsgirl xo · 03-08-2002, 04:09 PM

kinda off topic.. but i like the cosby themes.. they changed each season

ThomasE · 03-08-2002, 08:16 PM

LOL. I forgot all about that. That was sooo funny. I wonder if I still have that segment on tape.

Superbatboy · 03-08-2002, 10:29 PM

I loved the themes too. I like the 5th season, where they're dancing in pastels, to some orchestral music. I also like the one where Bobby McFeron is singing in the 4th season.

rob2001 · 03-08-2002, 10:39 PM

Regarding Cosby making Simpsons references, of course The Simpsons made Cosby references too. Dr. Hibbert is patterned after Dr. Huxtable. He wears the bright sweaters, is a doctor, and laughs at everything.

RWCTV · 03-09-2002, 09:54 AM

That is true. In one Simpsons show, there was an episode where you meet Dr. Hibbert's family. The wife looked Just like Clare with the 1991-1992 haircut she had. The older son looked like Theo, and the 2 daughters looked like Rudy and Venessa. Need I say more (lol).

TV Guy · 03-20-2002, 12:19 AM

There's a scene on "The Simpsons" where we see the Hibbert family at home, and their kitchen is an exact duplicate of the Huxbtables' kitchen. Then, there's another episode where Homer is reading Bill Cosby's "Fatherhood", and he exclaims, "Thank you Bill Cosby -- you've saved the Simpsons!"

I remember when the original seventh season opening was pulled, and I also remember that it was because the owners of the mural wanted compensation. They did use a mural backdrop for the eighth season, but I can't remember if it was the same mural, or if they found another one they could use for free.

snowpeck · 04-04-2002, 03:24 AM

I remembered them changing the opening in season 7, but then later on I decided I must have dreamed it. Guess not lol. Well I was only 6 years old at the time. (The Cosby Show premiered when I was exactly 2 weeks old

) Does anyone know where I can see the original season 7 opening?

RWCTV · 04-04-2002, 10:35 AM

Did you all know that in part 1 of the final episode of "The Cosby Show" they show a few bits and pieces of all of the openings? This also includes parts of the controversial opening I would imagine because some of those shots were not used in the 7th season opening or was edited out.

Furienna · 02-04-2007, 01:06 PM

Try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w3koYQKeM0

03-08-2002, 04:25 AM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Controversy regarding 7th season opening theme I vaguely remember this. They created a new opening sequence for the seventh season, which aired only two or three times because someone took offense to it. After the segment was yanked, they reverted back to the previous year's opening theme, albeit modified. The following season, the offending opening sequence appeared again, but it was changed. Bill's spoken dialogue at the end being spliced out is the only change I noticed, but I could be wrong. My question is this - does anyone remember what was said at the end of the opening and what was so offensive about it? I was only 10 at the time and didn't have access to a VCR to save it for posterity. Thanks.

03-08-2002, 08:54 AM	#2
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	I have the 7th season opening on episodes I taped from 1990 when younger This a good topic becasue I noticed when younger that they reverted back to the old one myself and Lisa Bonet and Joseph C . Phillps were also dancing in that opening. Bill said something like: "Don't put your face in the mud, Pallie." I didn't see what was so offensinve about that.

03-08-2002, 12:33 PM	#4
Fanof227 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 08, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 140	Theme From what I remember is, that the background that they used the people wanted money from it. And Cosby said forget it. Something along that line. I didn't see anything offensive about it. Since there is a Cosby Show reunion coming up, if the cast do any talking at all. Maybe Cosby will bring that up. They usually talk about all the seasons of the show in these kinds of reunions where they sit and talk.

03-08-2002, 01:28 PM	#5
boechsner Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 2,212	I too remember that at the beginning of the 7th season (1990-1991) they did use that mural as the backdrop with a funky rap sounding version of the theme song, with Cosby saying that line. Then reverted back to the dance at the Apollo and cut out the line "That was the best elevator music I've ever heard!" I remember seeing the season premiere (the one where Rudy is upset because she hadn't developed yet) in first run on NBC. From that episode, before the opening credits, they showed a scene where Olivia walks into Cliff and Clair's bedroom with a Bart Simpson mask on and said something to Cliff who was sitting at the desk. This was in response to having the Simpsons airing in the same timeslot on FOX.
	Last edited by boechsner; 03-08-2002 at 01:29 PM.

03-08-2002, 08:16 PM	#8
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	The Mask LOL. I forgot all about that. That was sooo funny. I wonder if I still have that segment on tape.

03-08-2002, 10:34 AM	#3
cheers11 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 13, 2002 Posts: 13	I thought it was written somewhere that they could not use that opening because it was privae property to someone and they were suing? but then again i am probably wrong because they used it for the final season. I think the cosby show openings were the best out of all the 80's shows. and that's why i liked the final because it had special of all the openings for the cast members who were still on. My favorite was the one right before the fina outside onel. when they were all in black tie and even Sondra looked pretty OK.

03-08-2002, 04:09 PM	#7
Samsgirl xo I luv my hitachi vcr Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 14, 2002 Posts: 761	kinda off topic.. but i like the cosby themes.. they changed each season

03-08-2002, 10:29 PM	#9
Superbatboy The Brandon Show Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: California..USA Posts: 793	I loved the themes too. I like the 5th season, where they're dancing in pastels, to some orchestral music. I also like the one where Bobby McFeron is singing in the 4th season.
	__________________ "Marion, stop cackling I've been waiting 10 years for you to lay that egg" Last edited by Superbatboy; 03-09-2002 at 06:26 PM.

03-08-2002, 10:39 PM	#10
rob2001 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 04, 2001 Location: Lansing, MI USA Posts: 11	Simpsons/Cosby Regarding Cosby making Simpsons references, of course The Simpsons made Cosby references too. Dr. Hibbert is patterned after Dr. Huxtable. He wears the bright sweaters, is a doctor, and laughs at everything.
	__________________ The cutest female sitcom characters had to be Justine Bateman from Family Ties and Lydia Cornell from Too Close for Comfort!

03-09-2002, 09:54 AM	#11
RWCTV Making Sense Senior Member Join Date: Sep 21, 2001 Location: Lockport, IL USA Posts: 1,138	Simpsons doing Cosby That is true. In one Simpsons show, there was an episode where you meet Dr. Hibbert's family. The wife looked Just like Clare with the 1991-1992 haircut she had. The older son looked like Theo, and the 2 daughters looked like Rudy and Venessa. Need I say more (lol).
	__________________ Rob W. Case Do you desire to know about the topics that help you and hurt you in society? Whether it is Government, religious discussion, psychology, and health, we have it all! http://makingsense.proboards.com/ Stop in, get informed, or debate the issues. If you have something to say, this is the place. Hope that you'll join us! See you there!!!

03-20-2002, 12:19 AM	#12
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	There's a scene on "The Simpsons" where we see the Hibbert family at home, and their kitchen is an exact duplicate of the Huxbtables' kitchen. Then, there's another episode where Homer is reading Bill Cosby's "Fatherhood", and he exclaims, "Thank you Bill Cosby -- you've saved the Simpsons!" I remember when the original seventh season opening was pulled, and I also remember that it was because the owners of the mural wanted compensation. They did use a mural backdrop for the eighth season, but I can't remember if it was the same mural, or if they found another one they could use for free.

04-04-2002, 03:24 AM	#13
snowpeck Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 13, 2001 Location: Atlanta Posts: 759	I remembered them changing the opening in season 7, but then later on I decided I must have dreamed it. Guess not lol. Well I was only 6 years old at the time. (The Cosby Show premiered when I was exactly 2 weeks old ) Does anyone know where I can see the original season 7 opening?
	Last edited by snowpeck; 04-04-2002 at 03:27 AM.

04-04-2002, 10:35 AM	#14
RWCTV Making Sense Senior Member Join Date: Sep 21, 2001 Location: Lockport, IL USA Posts: 1,138	Did you all know that in part 1 of the final episode of "The Cosby Show" they show a few bits and pieces of all of the openings? This also includes parts of the controversial opening I would imagine because some of those shots were not used in the 7th season opening or was edited out.

02-04-2007, 01:06 PM	#15
Furienna Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 22, 2006 Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Posts: 6,277	Try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w3koYQKeM0