The opening credits

[Ked]

My guess, 99.9 percent chance we won't get a 40-50 or more opening credit sequence. No cast names next to poses. No split screens, none of that. I want to wager 100% we won't get that. We'll just get the bells jingling and then the first few notes of: Da-da-da...Da...Da-da-da.... In syllables that sounds like saying "Dy-na-sty, oh, Dy-nasty" and then maybe a Da......daaaaaaaaa! To end the sequence. It will probably have just the show logo and "created by" and that's it.

That doesn't sound too unreasonable.

 

[MarkSinacori]

It's the CW...come on!

Everyone thought 90210 was gonna get an opening credit because it was coming back. All they got was like 10 second jingle.

Melrose Place, forget it! Just the stupid title on screen. That's it. The end theme is on the DVD, but it sounds nothing like the original theme. It's just this little ditty thing that sounds like crap.

Dallas was on TNT, and they skimped the first 2 seasons by just the names on screen to 40 or so seconds of theme music, then they finally got it right and did the split screen which is what fans wanted, for the 3rd and final season.


So it's clear we most likely won't be getting anything more than what 90210 did for their show logo. Melrose Place was ridiculous, they couldn't even throw in a few seconds of the original theme, updated, but they didn't care. The last 15 or so seconds from the Melrose Place theme they should have used, maybe sped it up a little to bring it down to 10 seconds or so.


So that's why I think with Dynasty, all we'll get is maybe those intro bells and at least 9 notes from the original theme. Something similar to that I think they'll do. Even if it's being done by the Shapiros, I am just guessing that CW won't want an opening credit. But since it's being done by them, that does indeed get me thinking that maybe if they want one, CW would agree.None of the other revivals were done by the original creators.

 

[Willie Oleson]

But since it's being done by them, that does indeed get me thinking that maybe if they want one, CW would agree

Aha! There's still hope!

 

[bmasters9]

I've seen some programs begin by giving up half the story with the intro, " Tonight on....", then the opening credits.

That's how it was on St. Elsewhere on NBC, at least in the first season's worth (1982-83). Ed Begley, Jr. would lead it off by saying, "Tonight on St. Elsewhere...," and at times, he would precede that with "Previously on St. Elsewhere...," showing scenes from the previous episode. The only one that did not have that was the pilot in Oct. 1982, as it was the first episode of the series.

 

[Gabriel Maxwell]

What about the opening segment with scenes from the previous episode? Will they say "Previously on Dynasty" like basically ALL shows say today or should the voiceover use the original series' signature expression: "Last time on Dynasty"?

I suppose the shows today prefer the expression "Previously" because they tend to include scenes from more than just the last episode, whatever pertains to the events in the episode ahead. Still, I'd love to hear the old "Last time on".

 

[Alexis]

What about the opening segment with scenes from the previous episode? Will they say "Previously on Dynasty" like basically ALL shows say today or should the voiceover use the original series' signature expression: "Last time on Dynasty"?

I suppose the shows today prefer the expression "Previously" because they tend to include scenes from more than just the last episode, whatever pertains to the events in the episode ahead. Still, I'd love to hear the old "Last time on".

Oh it has to be "Last time on Dynasty..."

The thing that I am slightly hopeful about is the fact that the Shapiros are in on it. As others have said that may give some clout with the CW. They cant make the show I'd imagine without total clearance from the original creators. Don't Richard and Esther own it all? The DYNASTY brand? I would imagine it all has to be cleared through them. So theoretically they could say you don't get to make it unless we agree on say, the opening credits.

 

[Matthew Blaisdel]

So theoretically they could say you don't get to make it unless we agree on say, the opening credits.

You know what? I think at this point they only care about the bucks ... nothing else.

 

[Gabriel Maxwell]

You know what? I think at this point they only care about the bucks ... nothing else.

Yes, given the merchandising deals and deteriorating scripts, the focus was on the money in the 1980s already, let alone now when they want to squeeze one last egg out of their golden goose.

 

[stevew]

Yes, given the merchandising deals and deteriorating scripts, the focus was on the money in the 1980s already, let alone now when they want to squeeze one last egg out of their golden goose.

But if done right the egg could be platinum. If don't wrong silver. Silver is better then nothing I suppose but why wouldn't they attempt it to be the best it can be thinking they're just squeezing money out of it? Look at Dallas TNT. They could have made so much more out of it if they'd just cared to do a good job. I'm sure many sit around blaming the brand and genre when in fact it was their execution.

 

[Gabriel Maxwell]

But if done right the egg could be platinum. If don't wrong silver. Silver is better then nothing I suppose but why wouldn't they attempt it to be the best it can be thinking they're just squeezing money out of it? Look at Dallas TNT. They could have made so much more out of it if they'd just cared to do a good job. I'm sure many sit around blaming the brand and genre when in fact it was their execution.

The problem is the Shapiros didn't really know how to come up with a platinum product back in 1991, just two years after the original series cancellation (hence the dreadful Reunion), and I fear things have not changed for the better 25 years later.

As for the opening credits specifically - the Shapiros have struggled to put the brand back on air for over 5 years, ever since they first announced that 1960s-set movie prequel in early 2011, at the time of the show's 30th anniversary.

If they themselves would even insist on having proper credits at all, I doubt they would make a big issue out of it, now that they're lucky enough to have finally come close to having (some kind of) the show back in production.

As a former member noted elsewhere, they'll probably just collect checks.

 

[Toni]

Interesting opinions by all...It´s true, the Shapiros are not getting any younger...If I were them, I´d sign a "one for you and another one for us" contract, like David Jacobs probably did when agreed to write the "Dallas" Miniseries. And, one year later, he had "Knots Landing" on the air too. I can see the Shappies getting excited by the idea of the "Mad Men"-style prequel and the thought of receiving the Emmys they never got at their prime. You know, once delusional, always delusional, or whatever.

PS: Has anyone checked their IMdb pages? I had to lol when saw that there is no mention of Richard in HER page but there is of her in HIS page. And the last movie she wrote was titled "The Motel" (like a "Dienasty" episode!!) and was coproduced with China. But justice to all (paraphrasing that John Forsythe movie title): it got a lot of awards including a humanitarian one in Sundance no less. That was in 2005...

 

[landofmakebelieve]

Would love an opening at least that pays homage to the original style in some way, have we heard what was used for the pilot episode at all?

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

Would love an opening at least that pays homage to the original style in some way, have we heard what was used for the pilot episode at all?

I want to see something which echoes the original Dynasty titles. The original Dynasty titles are so iconic, in much the same way the Dallas title sequence was iconic.

And they'd better use a new updated arrangement of the Dynasty theme music, preferably done by Bill Conti if he's still alive. Looking forward to watching the new Dynasty, I hope it's a success.

 

[Willie Oleson]

I also like TNT DALLAS' season 1 and 2 opening sequence (without the actor's pictures) because somehow I could focus more on the beautiful theme.
It's my favourite of all the Dallas opening themes.

 

[MarkSinacori]

The sound guy told me on twitter it will be a long theme he will compose. However, he may compose it but the CW will probably use like 5 seconds from it for the intro. We most likely will NOT see the cast names onscreen as the theme is going, much like they did with 90210. 90210 had a long enough theme that if doubled could have served as a good intro with names and the cast, even if at a fast pace. Melrose Place, forget it! They didn't even re-do that theme song! They just threw the stupid logo into a pool background. How dumb! Dynasty, I'm guessing we get at least 9 chords. The 7 basic ones that open the theme that everyone is familliar with (not the jingle part) but the part right after that...then maybe 2 more or so to end it. It will be so short. I doubt we will get a proper intro and opening credit since it's the CW. Think about it. Even if it's Dynasty. Had it been on ABC...maybe. But ABC has done away with intros as well! All 5 networks have!

 

[Soapwriter12]

It's done to make room for commercials.

 

[MarkSinacori]

Much as I would like for the titles of the new CW Dynasty to be in many respects like those of the original-recipe 1981-89 ABC John Forsythe series-- to wit, this, the fourth-season (1983-84) opening...

...I hate to say it, but I agree with those who say that it will probably be reduced to just a quick 8-second title display, with the players to be shown over the first scenes of the show. Now if they had a 30-40 sec. opening with some of the music, and some updated shots from the original-recipe series, like was done w/Dallas on TNT, that might make it somewhat better.

We know that's what it's gonna be! They won't do a traditional intro. Just a few jingles and the Dynasty logo created by whoever.

 

[MarkSinacori]

It's gonna be something like this...


Fade In:

Teaser scene 1, 2, 3...as many as they throw in. There's gonna be hip happening music playing in the BG in all these scenes for the teeny boppers and today's crowd. We won't hear the traditional "Dynasty" music that would introduce scenes.

Then cut to black. Not fade. CUT. Just look at how 90210 and MP were done. None faded out. CUT fast to black.


Dynasty logo shows up onscreen. Created by whoever. We get a few seconds of the new updated theme for today. Cut to black fast. Either that or no theme at all. But I'm guessing we get one. However, we didn't even hear any hint...NOT A HINT of it in the promos! HAVE We?

Then go right into the episode...



Act I, more hip hop music during scenes. As act 1 begins, we see the names of the cast onscreen. That's it. Then the guest cast. Then the high up crew. Cut to black as act 1 ends, repeat this for act 2, 3 and 4 as each 11-12 minute segment goes to a commercial break. IF we are lucky, when it's released online, we hear the updated new Dynasty theme for the 30 second or so end credits on a black screen. Either that or some crappy hip music.



Episode 2:



"Previously On Dynasty" (One of the cast members will announce it)





How much you wanna bet it will go like that. The same way 90210/MP went.

 

[Matthew Blaisdel]

Yeah, pretty much.

 

[Rove]

But ABC has done away with intros as well! All 5 networks have!

Pity really. Intro's are good in that they announce our favourite show is about to begin and time to get comfortable on the couch. A real shame networks have abandoned this concept because it adds to the overall feel of watching something eventful.