Since the beginning of network television, many shows have been
preceded by an announcement or theme song that served various
purposes. In the 1950s and ’60s, it was common for announcers to
declare that a program had been “brought to you by” a sponsor who
paid for the privilege of introducing a show. Other programs, such as
The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, and The Odd Couple,provided a brief
encapsulation of the show’s subject matter, a practice that has
continued for recent shows like Alias, Battlestar Galactica, Person of
Interest, and the various editions of Law & Order.
In Television Introductions: Narrated TV Program Openings since 1949,
Vincent Terrace has assembled openings for more than nine hundred
television shows from the past seven decades. The only documented
history of narrated television program introductions, this volume is
arranged by type of programming, such as comedy, drama, Western, game
show, soap opera, and children’s show. In addition to quoting the
opening material, entries provide information about each show’s
network history and years of broadcast. Many entries include
descriptions of the show, the names of announcers, and a list of main
cast members, as well as a sponsor pitch exactly as spoken. Openings
for programs with multiple introductions like The Adventures of Ozzie
and Harriet and Charlie’s Angels are also included.
For programs that featured new guest stars every episode—such as
game shows and variety programs—Terrace has selected a
representative introduction. In addition to the theme song credits
found in the main text, there are also appendixes of theme songs and
their composers and/or singers, as well as a listing of commercial
releases (on DVD, VHS, CD, and LP) of shows and their soundtracks. A
comprehensive resource for researchers and pop culture aficionados
alike, Television Introductions provides a fascinating look at this
neglected part of TV history.
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Narrated TV Program Openings since 1949
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9780810892507
Publisert
2015
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Bloomsbury USA
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter