Last person in opening credits - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Sean12 · 09-26-2003, 12:43 AM

Why when at the beginning of most shows when they play the theme music, for the last actor they put "and *actor name* as *character*" They don't say what the other actor's characters' names are, so why do they do that?

Penny Lane · 09-26-2003, 10:37 AM

That's a very good question! I always thought that maybe it was to bring certain attention to a particular actor? Or sometimes it is a well known person who gets special recognition? I wonder?

*PinkLady* · 09-26-2003, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Penny Lane
That's a very good question! I always thought that maybe it was to bring certain attention to a particular actor? Or sometimes it is a well known person who gets special recognition? I wonder?

I think that's it. It usually seems like the last actor listed is either the star of a show or a big star in their own right.

Janice · 09-26-2003, 11:26 AM

There's a lot of thought and dynamics behind credits. There are egos at work in credits, especially in movies.
I've noticed that a special star often gets last billing, but with that....and John Doe....or with John Doe....or as you said, naming the character they play.
Martin Sheen gets the last credit on The West Wing. The opening theme music is a buildup to his name.
I think George Wendt gets the....and...at the end of Cheers.
Doesn't John Mahoney get something similar on Frasier?

Small Wonderian · 09-26-2003, 11:57 AM

The only show I can think of where the opening credits for every main cast member shows the following format: *actor name* as *character name* is Small Wonder.

Sean Snow · 09-26-2003, 07:23 PM

It's probably because there are two or three 'big/main' stars who want special crediting. In the case of there being two big stars, one of them would get 'starring' and the other 'and'. In the case of three big stars, they could have it so that one would have 'starring', one would be second billed, and the third would be the 'and'

One case that I can think of is Dynasty. The 'starring' credit was for John Forsythe, then Linda Evans would be second billed, and Bo Hopkins/Joan Collins would get the 'and' credit.

musicradio77 · 09-26-2003, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sean12
Why when at the beginning of most shows when they play the theme music, for the last actor they put "and *actor name* as *character*" They don't say what the other actor's characters' names are, so why do they do that?

In the "Full House" opening, the actresses names appeared in the last opening credits are Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. In the first through seventh seasons, the names in credits are "Mary Kate/Ashley Olsen". They forgot to add "and" or "&" in the name between Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen including a hyphen between Mary and Kate, because the credits for "Full House" had only one correction. In the final season, the credits was replaced with "and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen as Michelle". What's wrong with these mistakes in the opening credits for "Full House"? Here's a picture.

Sitcomwriter · 09-26-2003, 10:54 PM

The opening credits for "Miss Match" credit Ryan O'Neal as "And Ryan O'Neal" but there's no as.

James · 09-27-2003, 03:23 PM

During the opening to The Brady Bunch, towards the end, we see the words STARRING FLORENCE HENDERSON, a blank, ROBERT REED (even on the finale on which he refused to appear!), another blank, and AND ANN B. DAVIS AS ALICE superimposed on the 3x3 "grid." I guess they would have had to have a long song to include the kids in the opening sequence!

Sitcomwriter · 09-27-2003, 09:41 PM

I was just watching "Romeo" and it says "And Victoria Jackson as Mrs.Rogers".

Adamantium · 09-27-2003, 11:11 PM

In "NewsRadio", Phil Hartman was listed last with the "&" however, they didn't say "As Bill McNeal". But to me, Dave Foley was the star. So his name was first. Phil Hartman was the big name of the show. So, I guess instead of giving him second billing, they figured last is just as good as first billing.

Nanny Fine · 09-28-2003, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BrooklynGuy78
In the "Full House" opening, the actresses names appeared in the last opening credits are Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. In the first through seventh seasons, the names in credits are "Mary Kate/Ashley Olsen". They forgot to add "and" or "&" in the name between Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen including a hyphen between Mary and Kate, because the credits for "Full House" had only one correction. In the final season, the credits was replaced with "and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen as Michelle". What's wrong with these mistakes in the opening credits for "Full House"? Here's a picture.

I think it's how twins are billed on opening credits.

The twins who played Carrie Ingalls on LIttle House On The Prairie were always billed as Lindsey Sydney Greenbush instead of Lindsey and Sidney.

BLT · 10-06-2003, 10:43 AM

It's probably because there are two or three 'big/main' stars who want special crediting. In the case of there being two big stars, one of them would get 'starring' and the other 'and'. In the case of three big stars, they could have it so that one would have 'starring', one would be second billed, and the third would be the 'and'

Three stars: starring, and, with. Case in Point Spin City: Charlie Sheen /Heather Locklear/Barry Bostwick or Less than Perfect: Sara Rue/Eric Roberts/Andy Dick.

robyrob · 10-10-2003, 10:14 AM

Definately an ego thing - for the entire run of Happy Days the credits finished with "and starring Tom Bosley" and in later seasons added "as Howard Cunningham", and when Ted McGinley signed on after Ron Howard left, they started with "Ted McGinley as Roger Phillips"

It was kind of confusing because it was so inconsistent; there were times when it would list the stars as "starring, also starring, co-starring, "name", "name", "name", "and starring as". Its a wonder how some shows even got done at all with all of these egos to contend with

Toukee · 10-10-2003, 10:55 AM

no, it's not an ego thing - well, not really an ego thing.

Billing (how the cast is credited) is linked into the payscale on any movie, tv show, professional stage show, etc.

when Janice said:

"There's a lot of thought and dynamics behind credits."

-that was absolutely correct, but it isn't really there just to satisfy the actor or actresses ego. When the star or stars of a movie have their name before you see the title, they have been paid a higher then "average" salary for that particular project. The billing also determines in which category that actor will be allowed to compete in whatever awards cover that particular medium (I mean like they cant go for a "best lead actor in a drama" emmy if they are not credited and paid for playing a lead role in the show. )

that AND WHOEVER AS WHOEVER billing at the end of the credits goes to the "Lead Character Role" in any production, and it is considered to be a "Starring" Role. I don't know if John Mahoney has that role on Frasier or not, because he competes in the "Best Supporting Actor on a comedy" category at the emmy's, doesn't he? Martin Sheen definitely has that billing on The West Wing and he competes in the "Best Actor" category, not best supporting actor.

If John Mahoney does have that billing, that would also mean that he makes more money then David Hyde Pierce...which is interesting.

09-26-2003, 12:43 AM	#1
Sean12 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 26, 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 77	Last person in opening credits Why when at the beginning of most shows when they play the theme music, for the last actor they put "and actor name as character" They don't say what the other actor's characters' names are, so why do they do that?

09-26-2003, 10:37 AM	#2
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 50,983	That's a very good question! I always thought that maybe it was to bring certain attention to a particular actor? Or sometimes it is a well known person who gets special recognition? I wonder?
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

09-26-2003, 11:57 AM	#5
Small Wonderian Back From a Long Hiatus Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2003 Location: in Redskin Country!!!!!!! Posts: 20,316	The only show I can think of where the opening credits for every main cast member shows the following format: actor name as character name is Small Wonder.
	__________________

10-06-2003, 10:43 AM	#13
BLT Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 06, 2003 Posts: 496	It's probably because there are two or three 'big/main' stars who want special crediting. In the case of there being two big stars, one of them would get 'starring' and the other 'and'. In the case of three big stars, they could have it so that one would have 'starring', one would be second billed, and the third would be the 'and' Three stars: starring, and, with. Case in Point Spin City: Charlie Sheen /Heather Locklear/Barry Bostwick or Less than Perfect: Sara Rue/Eric Roberts/Andy Dick.
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10-10-2003, 10:14 AM	#14
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,168	Definately an ego thing - for the entire run of Happy Days the credits finished with "and starring Tom Bosley" and in later seasons added "as Howard Cunningham", and when Ted McGinley signed on after Ron Howard left, they started with "Ted McGinley as Roger Phillips" It was kind of confusing because it was so inconsistent; there were times when it would list the stars as "starring, also starring, co-starring, "name", "name", "name", "and starring as". Its a wonder how some shows even got done at all with all of these egos to contend with
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09-26-2003, 11:26 AM	#4
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	There's a lot of thought and dynamics behind credits. There are egos at work in credits, especially in movies. I've noticed that a special star often gets last billing, but with that....and John Doe....or with John Doe....or as you said, naming the character they play. Martin Sheen gets the last credit on The West Wing. The opening theme music is a buildup to his name. I think George Wendt gets the....and...at the end of Cheers. Doesn't John Mahoney get something similar on Frasier?

09-26-2003, 07:23 PM	#6
Sean Snow moo Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,407	It's probably because there are two or three 'big/main' stars who want special crediting. In the case of there being two big stars, one of them would get 'starring' and the other 'and'. In the case of three big stars, they could have it so that one would have 'starring', one would be second billed, and the third would be the 'and' One case that I can think of is Dynasty. The 'starring' credit was for John Forsythe, then Linda Evans would be second billed, and Bo Hopkins/Joan Collins would get the 'and' credit.

09-26-2003, 10:54 PM	#8
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,354	The opening credits for "Miss Match" credit Ryan O'Neal as "And Ryan O'Neal" but there's no as.

09-27-2003, 03:23 PM	#9
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	During the opening to The Brady Bunch, towards the end, we see the words STARRING FLORENCE HENDERSON, a blank, ROBERT REED (even on the finale on which he refused to appear!), another blank, and AND ANN B. DAVIS AS ALICE superimposed on the 3x3 "grid." I guess they would have had to have a long song to include the kids in the opening sequence!

09-27-2003, 09:41 PM	#10
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,354	I was just watching "Romeo" and it says "And Victoria Jackson as Mrs.Rogers".

09-27-2003, 11:11 PM	#11
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,820	In "NewsRadio", Phil Hartman was listed last with the "&" however, they didn't say "As Bill McNeal". But to me, Dave Foley was the star. So his name was first. Phil Hartman was the big name of the show. So, I guess instead of giving him second billing, they figured last is just as good as first billing.

10-10-2003, 10:55 AM	#15
Toukee Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 10, 2003 Posts: 16	no, it's not an ego thing - well, not really an ego thing. Billing (how the cast is credited) is linked into the payscale on any movie, tv show, professional stage show, etc. when Janice said: "There's a lot of thought and dynamics behind credits." -that was absolutely correct, but it isn't really there just to satisfy the actor or actresses ego. When the star or stars of a movie have their name before you see the title, they have been paid a higher then "average" salary for that particular project. The billing also determines in which category that actor will be allowed to compete in whatever awards cover that particular medium (I mean like they cant go for a "best lead actor in a drama" emmy if they are not credited and paid for playing a lead role in the show. ) that AND WHOEVER AS WHOEVER billing at the end of the credits goes to the "Lead Character Role" in any production, and it is considered to be a "Starring" Role. I don't know if John Mahoney has that role on Frasier or not, because he competes in the "Best Supporting Actor on a comedy" category at the emmy's, doesn't he? Martin Sheen definitely has that billing on The West Wing and he competes in the "Best Actor" category, not best supporting actor. If John Mahoney does have that billing, that would also mean that he makes more money then David Hyde Pierce...which is interesting.