Episode titles on older shows - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

PhoenixAcres · 05-18-2017, 03:18 PM

When did titles for individual episodes become standard practice? If the title wasn't shown onscreen, the viewers would probably never even know what the title was since in the '50s there were no onscreen guides and episode lists readily available. So from a practical approach there'd be little reason for the writers to name specific episodes.

Did they really take the time to name each episode back then or are the titles we see today made more recently for syndication purposes?

stevea · 05-18-2017, 03:44 PM

I think the TV Guide gave the title, even back in the 50s.

Some titles are odd for older shows, looking at the on-scren TV Guide--looking at tomorrow's Burns and Allen, for instance: "Silky Thompson; Gracie Writes; My Life With George Burns." This odd title leads one to believe it wasn't originally titled.

05-18-2017, 03:18 PM	#1
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	Episode titles on older shows When did titles for individual episodes become standard practice? If the title wasn't shown onscreen, the viewers would probably never even know what the title was since in the '50s there were no onscreen guides and episode lists readily available. So from a practical approach there'd be little reason for the writers to name specific episodes. Did they really take the time to name each episode back then or are the titles we see today made more recently for syndication purposes?

05-18-2017, 03:44 PM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,829	I think the TV Guide gave the title, even back in the 50s. Some titles are odd for older shows, looking at the on-scren TV Guide--looking at tomorrow's Burns and Allen, for instance: "Silky Thompson; Gracie Writes; My Life With George Burns." This odd title leads one to believe it wasn't originally titled.