What's the deal with opening credits going on and on and on and on and on?

[pkbites]

I've noticed shows (Two & a Half Men, Greys Anatomy) where it's 15 minutes into the show and there are still credits popping up on the screen. WTF? It's annoying. Who thought this was a good idea?

[Stan Shmenge]

As a WAG, union contracts have expanded the number of people who they are required to credit up front.

[Superhal]

Maybe it's just perception? I watch House which has a 1-2 minute credit sequence that doesn't advance the story. However, in the shows you watch, I would guess that you see the same number of credits, but fewer of them at a time, and the episode's story is playing behind them.

[PrettyVacant]

They've got SOMETHING TO TELL YOU THATS SO IMPORTANT IT CANT WAIT.

When they've done that, they'll take a little breather in the storyline to tell you all the shit you're not really interested in.

[ftg]

I actually like credits. I read them and take note of anything interesting. E.g., so-and-so used to be credited as a writer and is now listed as a producer. Or one of my favorite lesser actors is going to be on. I can pick up that certain writers/directors tend to be associated with episodes that are better/worse than usual. Things like that.

My only issue is the phenomenal number of "producer" category people listed. There can easily be 15-20 given on long running shows. Clearly not all are significantly involved in a particular episode. Push the minor "producers" to the end. In addition, "supervising producer" and such is too vague. Say "show runner" for example.

Running the credits mixed with the show is okay with me. No need for significant openings other than a title card. If the initial act is particularly involved, then starting the credits late is fine as long as they don't make a habit of it. I.e., if it's plot driven rather than a poor stylistic choice.

[friedo]

I always like reading the opening credits for How I Met Your Mother because there's a dude in there named Stewart Halpern-Fingerhut. Every time I see that name, I'm more impressed at its sheer awesomeness.

[Markxxx]

My guess would be that the credited people know that if their names are run at the end of the show people will be less likely to read them or when they go into syndication the credits will get all scruntched up. So they negotiate to get them in the front of the show where they can't (or at least aren't likely to) be cut

[pkbites]

Maybe it's just perception? I watch House which has a 1-2 minute credit sequence that doesn't advance the story. However, in the shows you watch, I would guess that you see the same number of credits, but fewer of them at a time, and the episode's story is playing behind them.

Last night two & a Half Men was at minute 13 into the show and there were still credits popping up in the lower left hand corner. It's only a 30 minute show for cripes sake! It's distracting as hell. And those particular credits are irrelevant. I don't care who Charlie Sheens fluffer is.

[SurrenderDorothy]

I would guess it also has something to do with the fact that very short title screen seem to be in fashion these days. Where it used to be a little song and sequence (like House, The Office, 30 Rock), a lot of shows are just doing a title screen for a second, maybe with a sound effect, and then moving on and putting the credits over the action (Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Glee).

Or maybe it's because most of the time now, they squish the closing credits into a little box off to the side or bottom where they're unreadable and play a promo on the rest of the screen.

[TWDuke]

And then you have The Simpsons, with an elaborate opening sequence and still no credits, and then the producer credits over the beginning of the action.

I tried watching part of an episode of "Grey's Anatomy" online to understand what the OP was about, and I didn't see any credits at all in the first five minutes, just the title. Is that normal?

[Justin Credible]

I always noticed it on 24. The credits seemed to go on and on and on...

Remember the Simpsons episode that parodied 24? They made fun of that by having random credits popping up all through the show.

[ftg]

I watched a show last night that had 17 producer-ish credits given. One name per card of course. No one needs that. The people whose involvement is minor need to go in the closing credits. Also, since too many cooks spoil the broth, this means the series is going downhill (which it is very much doing).

Watched the 2nd episode of "The Good Guys" last night and the opening credits started about 10 minutes in. There were about 11 scenes before this. The timing of the credits just seemed random. Definitely not needed.

[MrSquishy]

I always like reading the opening credits for How I Met Your Mother because there's a dude in there named Stewart Halpern-Fingerhut. Every time I see that name, I'm more impressed at its sheer awesomeness.That's funny, I hate seeing the opening credits of that show because I always notice the name "Cobie Smulders" and then can't stop thinking about how awful it is.

Cobie Smulders. Ugh.

[Irishman]

There's a couple different patterns.

What I've noticed is they run an into segment without credits. Then hit the title card, maybe cast if they do that. Then probably a commercial break. Then when they come back from commercial, they overlay credits over the show, starting with cast if not done, then guest stars, then rest of staff credits.

If you're seeing credits at the 13 minute mark, did you see any in the first 5 minutes, and how many commercial breaks have occurred by that point?

I've also seen shows that normally run intro, title and cast, commercial, then rest of credits over the show, have an episode where they eliminate much of the title sequence, and run all the credits over the show. For instance, House has done that. Some shows do that standard, e.g. The Mentalist.

As long as the story is progressing and the credits are kept a minimal amount of screen space, I find I can tune them out fine. Much better than the animated promo ads that jump up in the corner, wave around, and have sound effects.

[Bob Ducca]

My favorite recent television credit was for the Parks & Rec epsisode near the end of the season that brought in Rob Lowe and Adam Scott as state auditors.

The credit said: "And introducing Rob Lowe"

It cracked me up.

[Czarcasm]

Last night two & a Half Men was at minute 13 into the show and there were still credits popping up in the lower left hand corner. It's only a 30 minute show for cripes sake! It's distracting as hell. And those particular credits are irrelevant. I don't care who Charlie Sheens fluffer is.I work my knees to the bone so that you can enjoy Mr. Charlie's antics, so the least you can do is tolerate my name on the screen for a second and a half, damn it!

[pkbites]

Thank you, everyone, for the replies.

I always noticed it on 24. The credits seemed to go on and on and on...

Remember the Simpsons episode that parodied 24? They made fun of that by having random credits popping up all through the show.

I watched a show last night that had 17 producer-ish credits given. One name per card of course. No one needs that. The people whose involvement is minor need to go in the closing credits. Also, since too many cooks spoil the broth, this means the series is going downhill (which it is very much doing).

Watched the 2nd episode of "The Good Guys" last night and the opening credits started about 10 minutes in. There were about 11 scenes before this. The timing of the credits just seemed random. Definitely not needed.

Thank you 2 twice. I was beginning to think I was the only one that noticed this. My wife notices it on 2 Men, but she's so mesmerized by the intricate plot (:rolleyes:) of Greys Anatomy that she doesn't notice it then.


I work my knees to the bone so that you can enjoy Mr. Charlie's antics, so the least you can do is tolerate my name on the screen for a second and a half, damn it!

Which is twice as long as most of his other relationships last.:p

[pkbites]

That's funny, I hate seeing the opening credits of that show because I always notice the name "Cobie Smulders" and then can't stop thinking about how awful it is.

Cobie Smulders. Ugh.

Not only that, she's hideous to look (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Cobie%20Smulders&um=1&uss=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iw) at, too. Just hideous! :p

[alphaboi867]

I always liked how on Green Acres the credits would either appear onscreen or be written on props and Lisa would actually notice them and try to tell Oliver. Obviously that approach only worked because the rest of the show was so into absurdism.

[TBG]

I don't care who Charlie Sheens fluffer is.

Neither does he!

[BigT]

I think a raw count, rather than just a time table, would be more useful for comparison. We could see if more people were getting credited, if the credits themselves were lasting longer, or if they were just being spaced out a lot.

[pkbites]

I think a raw count, rather than just a time table, would be more useful for comparison.

I disagree. Having credits still popping up half way into the program is distracting & annoying. Show the credits, quickly, at the beginning and/or end of the show, during the theme music, and be done with it.

[digs]

That's funny, I hate seeing the opening credits of that show because I always notice the name "Cobie Smulders" and then can't stop thinking about how awful it is.

Cobie Smulders. Ugh.

Don't worry. She's getting married, and changing her last name...

... to Halpern-Fingerhut-Smulders

[MovieMogul]

Neither does he!
For the win! :D