3-2-1's credits aren't that bad. They're a hell of a lot better than the show itself.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away... bla bla bla... the galactic senate... bla bla bla... trade dispute bla bla bla... republic movement bla bla bla...

Tubby Isaacs wrote:

QUOTE:
People say "Wagnerian opera" as though it's different to the rest, don't they?

Well, it is.

Ah, sorry, I was scooped by AdC.

But, I mean, yeah, there's a vast gulf between Wagnerian opera and everyone else. Incredible to think Wagner and Verdi were born in the same year: they sound like they're from different planets.

I used to love the 3-2-1 credits! YTV logos as fireworks! Come on!

Look how mortified Dusty Bin is until he gets his lid as well...

No, no, no. Won't work. 3-2-1's opening titles as a delightful stroll through a perky, animated world of colour and vibrancy. Piffle. It's rubbish. Stop this at once, do you hear? I'm right, I tell you, I'm right.

"OK, team - listen, I've got some really exciting news for you. I've been through the series' budget, made a thorough note of where the money's being spent, cut a few corners on one or two of the more expensive model and effects shots, and get this... I reckon we've now got enough left over to do the title sequence with computer animation! Yeah, I know! Just like The Last Starfighter! It'll be the first ever computer animated title sequence for a BBC programme, and you know what, I think it's going to send the ratings through the fucking roof. We've got Brian in the new Computer Animated Titles Department at Shepherd's Bush working on them right now, and I tell you, they are going to be stunning."

You don't think it was deliberate mininalism? Your sort are always quick to offer reductive explanations for art of genius. You're be telling me that the black and white bits in "If..." were down to lack of cash next.

The only 'deliberate mininalism' being worked on Tripods was the merciful act of keeping it down to two series.

If Wikipedia is to be believed those titles were regular animation made to look like computer animation (like the animation in the TV version of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy).

I loved The Tripods as a kid (as well as the books) but looking at clips of it on youtube now it really doesn't hold up well. It being cancelled after two series may have something to do with Michael Grade's general hatred of TV Sci-fi.

Always hated the contrived opening title sequences from Friends, especially the earlier ones where they would stick a shot of someone clapping in sync with the god awful handclapping segment of the god-awful theme tune. They should have just kept it short and sweet like Scrubs.

Also not keen on the earlier series of Location Location Location where Kirsty & Phil cast their beady eye what looks like some Georgian Townhouse as if to illustrate that what they do is something of a science. It isn’t. And the theme tune particularly grates, as does the theme from Property Ladder (what the fuck does it say at the end anyway) and the crappy synthesised harp and choir combo that is the theme from Grand Designs.

As if you didn’t guess, I watch a lot of E4/More4; too much, in fact.

The opening titles for Something for the Weekend are also quite shit; I’m not sure what is supposed to be achieved by having this multi colour background throw up the presenters who for reasons unknown come out black & white, and the music also annoys. I have been reduced to cooking breakfast with my walkman in a vain attempt to get that theme tune out of my head. So far it hasn’t worked.

Not to reverse the thread topic but one of the best opening credit sequences was Sanford and Son.

Yeah, Scrubs has to be up there as one of the best sitcom credits sequences. Gets the job done, catchy tune, but doesn't drag on at all. More time for gags.

Agree with Friends. That song is so vile that I have to mute the Tv for the duration of the credits.

Blimey I've never heard the full version of the S&S theme before Bruno.

That is some seriously groooooooovy bass playing.

You don't turn over, Etienne? My tv turns over automatically when it senses "teams of writers".