# TV shows that changed their beginning sequences **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 18, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917 "2010-05-18T17:59:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/21 "2010-05-18T20:14:32Z")
> [@melodyharmonius](#): > > Actually, the \*Angel \*theme music changed. It used to have a killer Viola part all the way through - but they later dropped it out of the full orchestration section. Still pisses me off. I agree totally! The viola (I thought it was a cello) was what gave you the gothic underworld feel that said “Here comes a darkness dwelling vampire to kick ass and chew bubble gum!” The full orchestra version said: “Here comes a super-hero!” I thought it was key to the character of Angel that he wrestled with his inner demon and redemption above and beyond was his goal. If he’s just a plain old super-hero, it’s not the same. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/22 "2010-05-18T20:24:07Z")
I liked how the narration of the Farscape opening (slightly) reflected what was going on with general development. There was an episode of Monk mildly spoofing cop shows–Mr. Monk was called to the set of one of them. I think Sarah Sliverman was in it, but I’m not sure I’m remembering that right. Anyway, someone was playing something of a stalker who was pretty pissed that her favorite show had changed the theme. Now, whenever we hear new themes to shows Mrs. Devil and I turn to each other and snark “now, why would they go and change a \*perfectly \*good thing?!” We’re not all that huge Monk fans (hence my poor recollection of the episode), but that stuck with us. Fun. (Any corrections to the above are welcome.) ETA: heh… just plunked a bit in and found it. Fun trivia from [IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0650652/trivia) > [@](#): > > Obsessed fan Marci Maven, played by Sarah Silverman, complains throughout the episode about her favorite TV show’s new theme song. This is a reference to the minor controversy that brewed among Monk fans over the introduction of the new theme song “It’s A Jungle Out There” written and performed by Randy Newman in the second season of Monk. Many fans have clamored for the return of the original theme song by Jeff Beal, even going so far as to organize letter writing campaigns and petitions to USA Network demanding its return. At the end of the episode Marci Maven asks Adrian Monk to promise that if he ever gets his own show, he won’t ever change the theme song. When Monk agrees to the promise, the original theme song by Jeff Beal begins to play as the scene fades to credits. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/23 "2010-05-18T20:24:19Z")
> [@](#): > > The Dick van Dyke Show had two openings – one where he trips over the hassock and another where he avoids it. Actually, it had _three_ openings. The first season or two the opening consisted of a series of still photos presented in sequence – no Rob entering a room, and no hassock at all. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/24 "2010-05-18T20:26:59Z")
When _Get Smart_ moved to a new network, they changed the beginning of the sequence, although the walk down the hallway with the doors was the same. Hey, thinking of doorways – the sequence of doorways in _Mystery Science Theater_ was filmed three different ways. (Four if you count the movie.) And they changed the entire opening (except the song, with minor changes) every time there was a change in venue or cast. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/25 "2010-05-18T20:27:57Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#): > > I agree totally! The viola (I thought it was a cello) was what gave you the gothic underworld feel that said “Here comes a darkness dwelling vampire to kick ass and chew bubble gum!” > > The full orchestra version said: “Here comes a super-hero!” I thought it was key to the character of Angel that he wrestled with his inner demon and redemption above and beyond was his goal. If he’s just a plain old super-hero, it’s not the same. And now I love you a little more! 🆒 You are probably right - it is a cello. All I know is that it was the best part of the theme music. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/26 "2010-05-18T20:39:32Z")
Numb3rs had at least 3 main titles. The original had Charlie talk about the use of numbers in everyday life over the groove of Talking Heads _Once in a Lifetime_. Now it’s basically a fade to black. I’m pretty sure that there was one other. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/27 "2010-05-18T20:46:54Z")
There was an episode of _Family Guy_ where they did the opening in [Law & Order style](http://www.genspot.com/Video/ShowVideo.aspx?video_id=204661). ---
**Author:** ![Foldup\_Rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Foldup\_Rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foldup_Rabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/28 "2010-05-18T20:54:04Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > After 9/11 the Sopranos cut out a shot of the twin towers. So did **Sex and the City**. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/29 "2010-05-18T20:55:25Z")
Any show that’s on long enough will change the opening – to account for cast changes, or just for variation. **M_A_S\*H** changed scenes with cast changes (in addition to changing the names). **the Simpsons** changed the opening recently, and every opening has differences in Bart’s chalkboard writing, the Couch Gag, and (I think) Lisa’s solo. They occasionally throw in other changes, too (like the live-action version, or the post-movuie version, or the recent one where all the band members are texting instead of playing their instruments.) **petticoat Junction** changed its opening in minor ways a couple of times, with Bea Benaderet’s death and with different numbers of dresses o the watertower. **the Life and Loves of Dobie Gillis** changed when it became **Dobie**. **That Girl!** changed, getting a new “logo” when Anne Marie got rid of her bangs. **All in the Family** re-recorded the opening to make the line “…Gee, our old La Salle Ran Great…” more comprehensible. [Yul Brynner] et cetera et cetera et cetera [/Yul Brynner] ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/30 "2010-05-18T20:58:59Z")
_Star Trek_ added DeForrest Kelley’s name to the opening credits in season 2 or 3. _Deep Space Nine_ had to rearrange names when Siddig el-Fadil started going by Alexander Siddig. I’ve heard he did it because he wanted his name to be next to Nana (Mrs. Alexander Siddig) Visitor’s in the credits. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/31 "2010-05-18T21:08:35Z")
Early episodes of _WKRP in Cincinnati_ have a intro where someone is tuning across the AM dial before “finding” the opening notes of the theme song. _Remington Steele_’s opening credits changed drastically from season 1 to season 2, then again in season 3, then much less noticeably in season 4. Season 1’s, with Laura’s voiceover, were the best. _Quantum Leap_’s credits changed slightly every season, with montage shots from different episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/32 "2010-05-18T21:11:49Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > _Buffy_ and _Angel_ both updated their opening credit sequences with each new season, although the I believe they always kept the same opening music. I think _Buffy_ ditched the opening narration from Giles after a couple seasons, but I might be misremembering. I believe the narration was dropped in the first season. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/33 "2010-05-18T21:18:55Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > When _Get Smart_ moved to a new network, they changed the beginning of the sequence, although the walk down the hallway with the doors was the same. And Max’s car got increasingly lamer - from a Sunbeam Tiger in Season 1, to an Opel GT in Season 2, to a Kharman Ghia in Season 3. Originally, _I Dream of Jeannie_ had a filmed opening with narration of how Tony found Jeannie’s bottle and they moved to a mythical place called Cocoa Beach. I think the animated opening began in Season 2. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/34 "2010-05-18T21:23:41Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > The Cosby Show did that too. My favorite was the Caribbean flavored one. Several used the same theme but updated the images a bit like _Dallas_ and _Friends_. The Bradys went from 60s shortcuts to man-perms for example. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/35 "2010-05-18T21:23:56Z")
Hmm, I bet a lot of these changes in opening themes are misremembered. We need a more accurate assessment method. Y’know… a thematic perception test. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/36 "2010-05-18T21:35:50Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Early episodes of _WKRP in Cincinnati_ have a intro where someone is tuning across the AM dial before “finding” the opening notes of the theme song. “…but the Senator, while insisting he was not intoxicated, could not explain his nudity…” ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/37 "2010-05-18T21:37:59Z")
Bewitched cartoon intro for York or Sargent ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/38 "2010-05-18T21:38:01Z")
I thought most shows did this. Anyhow, I’ll add **Lavergne and Shirley**. There’s a few differences in the first few seasons, but once they go off to Hollywood, it’s a totally different sequence. **Good Times** has a number of different openings. The early ones have prolonged footage of Cabrini Green in the opening, later ones have more cast member footage. **Facts of Life** also changed it up frequently. The first season’s opening song even had slightly different lyrics and was a different recording of the theme song we all know. Instead of “You take the good, you take the bad…” the lyrics started “There’s a place you gotta go for learning all you oughtta know…” [See here.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc20N7dfv_Q&feature=related) If you look to the right, you’ll see links for slews of different openings. Since the OP spoke of Gilligan’s Island, it may be interesting to note that the original theme song (only used for the pilot–I’m not sure if it aired or not) was [completely different](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIvslFMAaew). And there’s slews and slews more. I have a friend who collects various intro sequences for TV programs and I’d guess the majority of them change up their sequence from time to time. Some as often as every season. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/39 "2010-05-18T21:41:25Z")
If you want to tinkle with laughter. first check out the Season 1 version of [Baywatch Nights](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDDULr-XSPQ) with David Hasselhoff being as Magnum P.I./Miami Vice as possible… and then… Hoo-boy! The werewolf-ghost-chasy-monter-hunter-Hallowe’eny Season 2 “The nights will never be the same!” [Baywatch Nights](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmdJTYNRDSw&feature=related). ETA: Added bonus, Hasseloff sings the theme. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917/40 "2010-05-18T21:48:20Z")
The opening to **The X-Files** for season nine is completely different than the opening for seasons one through eight. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-changed-their-beginning-sequences/539917.md?page=3)