Recently, I posted a portion of an OPEN ALL NIGHT script my partner, David and I wrote. You can find it here. That led to a discussion on the opening theme. Here it is in all its goofiness. Bring back opening titles! And for that matter, bring back OPEN ALL NIGHT!
Opening titles can be overrated...
ReplyDeleteWell, in actuality, they are.
EXCEPTION
Anything written by that genius, Vic Mizzy!
It's actually kind of hard to date the show from that opening sequence. The style seems to be closer to the earlier "Odd Couple" inexpensive variant, pics-all-in-a-row, in the shows first year, before they actually had enough clips to make a (I assume more expensive) montage with film clips and movement.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, up until the 90s and graphics packaging entering into the scene a bit more (think Home Improvement, Third Rock, etc...) there is that feeling with tv that they never had anything other than some simple title generator and a day to put some clips together, for even the most expensive shows.
Still - got the idea from the title song, which is more than I can say from "Friends".
That little tune is so catchy. I also love theme songs that explain the premise of the show. It's corny but it's also a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteI hope the show wasn't that cheesy.
ReplyDeleteI loved that danged show. Nothing else like it before or since. Some of us still talk about it.
ReplyDeleteLast night, after a bit too much red wine, I found myself on the couch at 1:30 am watching CBS. And what to my wonderous eyes should appear, but. . . the brilliant 'Frasier' episode where Sam Malone comes to Seattle (and guest-starring a dark-haired Tea Leoni.) Written the by the marvelous Ken Levine & David Isaacs. Despite keeping me up until 2:07 am, brilliant job, sir.
ReplyDeleteThere's no way a show would be allowed 60 seconds for the opening credits these days. Actually, it seems as if 15 seconds is more accurate (Scrubs, etc.)
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that every teevee show insists on being set in NY or LA?
Even this show, focusing on working class folks, is set in LA.
I used to want to be Sam Whipple (R.I.P.), or at least the way he'd rest his hand in the armpit of the same arm.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that an image of Royce Hall at UCLA is used in the opening, that's a trademarked image, I hope somebody paid the University for it's use.
ReplyDeleteMatt
What caught my eye was a young, standing Sam Whipple. My only exposure to him was 7 Days and I always liked him a lot. It was neat seeing him so young.
ReplyDeleterobinz
I had the privilege of knowing Sam. He was supremely talented as well being genuinely cool. His stint in "The Doors" is a standout. In fact, everything he popped up in was stellar.
ReplyDeleteI really miss him.