9 classic TV intros that were too damn long

[TMC]

http://www.agonybooth.com/9-classic-...amn-long-56690

If you’re a lifelong TV viewer like me, you know that TV show opening credits were much, much longer back in the day. The insane length of opening credits for classic sitcoms has since been endlessly satirized; MadTV once did a sketch about it, this parody from Upright Citizens’ Brigade was amusing (especially in the way it perfectly replicates the slow zoom-ins on actors holding uncomfortably long smiles), and of course, there’s the epic-length Adult Swim spoof Too Many Cooks that took the internet by storm a couple of years back.

TV show intros from 20 and 30 years ago seem particularly prolonged in these days of shows that give you, at most, a couple of seconds of the title being animated, along with a quick musical sting and (if you’re lucky) the name of the show’s creator, but at the time, these drawn-out intros had their benefits. They were often seen as a way to hook in new viewers, both through the use of voiceovers to explain convoluted premises, and also via clips of past episodes that basically said, Hey, look at how much insane action and/or zany fun we’ve had on this show before!

Alas, the TV landscape has changed a great deal since then, and viewers have a lot more options now, and broadcast networks are presently terrified that you’ll reach for the remote if forced to sit through long opening credits (or long closing credits, which have also been whittled down to almost nothing). Which makes some of those ridiculously long intros of TV shows past seem even more ridiculous, and long. Here’s a look at nine of the worst offenders.

[Mario500]

I would had not used the name of the article while posting this topic if I were the one who posted it due to its language being vulgar.

[tlc38tlc38]

Step by Step is one of my favorite theme songs.

[treky]

Originally Posted by Mario500

I would had not used the name of the article while posting this topic if I were the one who posted it due to its language being vulgar.

"damn" is not vulgar!

[Mario500]

Originally Posted by treky

"damn" is not vulgar!

Why not?

[stevea]

Family Ties intro was obviously too long, since it's been edited in syndication.

[Torgo]

Originally Posted by Mario500

I would had not used the name of the article while posting this topic if I were the one who posted it due to its language being vulgar.

I don't think TMC realized we were in church.

[BigManMike]

Originally Posted by stevea

Family Ties intro was obviously too long, since it's been edited in syndication.

I prefer the longer version. I'm glad I have it on dVD so I can see it that way.

[MA]

Did Growing Pains have a long intro that was edited?

[robyrob]

why don't you just post the list instead of your spammy clickbait link?

9. Highway to Heaven (never watched the show)
8. Cagney & Lacey (never seen it)
7. Hardcastle & McCormick (watched but don't remember intro being that long)
6. The Fall Guy (it was the FALL GUY - they had to do the WHOLE SONG)
5. Bosom Buddies (one of my all-time favorite shows - the them song and intro is a classic and I don't see how anyone could resist being in a great mood when it comes on)
4. Step By Step (they had a huge cast - of course it was a long intro)
3. Lidsville (no idea what this show is)
2. Knots Landing (popular primetime soap - of course it was over-the-top)
1. Dynasty (ditto - even moreso)


- most of these shows were back in the era where TV theme songs were actually considered an important part of the show and they put some time and effort into it.

[stevea]

Amen to posting the list. I had to delete a bunch of cache spam after hitting that site. It really junk up my mac.