Favorite end titles of a TV series

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

This is just the best.

One of the greatest closing credits from the Lorimar Television series Dallas, the theme tune on this season is terrific too.

And this closing credits sequence of Dallas from 1981.

The last season to star Jim Davis as Jock Ewing.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

Saying goodbye to Tom Baker and welcoming Peter Davison as the new Fifth Doctor back in the 1980's.

I have such lovely memories of growing up with this show. Dallas & Doctor Who dominated my life as a kid and as an adult.

 

[bmasters9]

O-R Jack Lord Five-O end titles, second go (1969-70); this format lasted the remainder of the series until 1980, with various seasons' closing themes...

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

Sadly, I'm not in the group that think it's one of the best. I think a good end title sequence is more than just a theme tune but also the film that is shown with it. The Dallas ending was just a still shot of Southfork, it would have been more interesting had they used film of Southfork taken from a moving aircraft.

Doing that would've been too much like these ending credits and I don't think Aaron Spelling would've liked Dallas Producers copying their closing sequence style.

 

[Angela Channing]

O-R Jack Lord Five-O end titles, second go (1969-70); this format lasted the remainder of the series until 1980, with various seasons' closing themes...

Yes, I forgot about this one and it's awesome. Great tune and great visuals and totally different from the opening titles.

 

[Angela Channing]

Doing that would've been too much like these ending credits and I don't think Aaron Spelling would've liked Dallas Producers copying their closing sequence style.

Maybe but personally I think the Dynasty ending was visually more interesting than Dallas.

My view is that if this was just about the best theme tune then Dallas would be up there but for me a great end titles are a combination of sound and film.

 

[bmasters9]

My view is that if this was just about the best theme tune then Dallas would be up there but for me a great end titles are a combination of sound and film.

Since you apparently like it when closing credits have motion on film, how about some where there is a combination of that and still frames, like these shows from the late, great Stephen J. Cannell (from reruns on the Decades channel)?

First, Hardcastle and McCormick from 1985:

Then, Riptide from 1984:

 

[DallasFanForever]

Doing that would've been too much like these ending credits and I don't think Aaron Spelling would've liked Dallas Producers copying their closing sequence style.

I do see your point but I’m not so sure about that though. Copying styles of other shows was really nothing new, not even for back then. I don’t think it would’ve mattered that much in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

I do see your point but I’m not so sure about that though. Copying styles of other shows was really nothing new, not even for back then. I don’t think it would’ve mattered that much in the grand scheme of things.

Aaron Spelling could maybe have sued Lorimar if they'd copied his closing credit style on Dynasty.

This ending sequence is from the original mini series. before the show was picked up.

 

[DallasFanForever]

This ending sequence is from the original mini series. before the show was picked up.

Don’t think I’ve ever seen that one before. Pretty cool to see!

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

The great Return To Eden closing credits.

Please note this video contains the re-edited final scenes of the shows finale so if you haven't seen the series don't watch the video if you intend to buy the 1985 sequel series DVD or the big boxset of both the mini series & the series which was released last year. You have been warned! I promise not to put a crocodile in your swimming pool!

 

[darkshadows38]

Get Smart (1965-1970) has to be among one of the best of all time

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

I'm a very big fan of Dallas and these are my favourite closing credits using my favourite arrangement of the Dallas theme music.

This is the show's finale Conundrum and it uses a specially commissioned closing theme based on the season thirteen theme which itself is a variant of the original 1978 theme. Enjoy.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I'm a very big fan of Dallas and these are my favourite closing credits using my favourite arrangement of the Dallas theme music.

This is the show's finale Conundrum and it uses a specially commissioned closing theme based on the season thirteen theme which itself is a variant of the original 1978 theme. Enjoy.

That’s quite good! It’s very different than what we’re used to hearing on the closing credits and I think that’s what I like about it.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

Here's the actual season thirteen closing credits with it's theme arrangement.

The theme arrangement uses the traditional music layout unlike the Conundrum theme which has a completely different layout.

I love this arrangement of the theme too.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Gosh - I just had to double-check I hadn't stumbled into a Dallas forum thread about its theme music variations.

On the subject of end titles, I've always found those from The Incredible Hulk very effective and moving. I like the way each episode's titles are unique and there's a sense of a continuing journey with David hitchhiking away from the current story's location and moving onto another. There's also Joe Harnell's piano composition The Lonely Man Theme playing over the whole thing. It gets my throat tight every time.

While some episodes cheat with a still image, the best examples are those where the scene cinematically continues under the credits. Like this...

 

[DallasFanForever]

The Lonely Man Theme playing over the whole thing. It gets my throat tight every time.

I’m glad you said this cause I was afraid I was the only one. Over 40 years later and that theme still gets to me every single time I hear it.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I’m glad you said this cause I was afraid I was the only one. Over 40 years later and that theme still gets to me every single time I hear it.

I'm glad you like it too. I think the whole tone of the theme and titles is really unexpected for a series based on a comic book. It sets it apart and gets across that there's far more substance to the series than your average superhero TV show.

 

[DallasFanForever]

It sets it apart and gets across that there's far more substance to the series than your average superhero TV show.

My thoughts exactly! Without that theme in the closing credits and being used in certain scenes throughout the episodes the show just isn’t the same for me. That theme was such a huge part of it. I can’t picture the show without it quite honestly.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

I'm glad you like it too. I think the whole tone of the theme and titles is really unexpected for a series based on a comic book. It sets it apart and gets across that there's far more substance to the series than your average superhero TV show.

It's a good show, it terrified me as a kid more than Doctor Who did!

When Banner changed into the Hulk it used to freak me out!

The end credit theme is very iconic and I like the fact it was used throughout the actual episodes too. Great show.