03-09-2021, 08:07 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...eme-doomed
It has been two years since geeks, masochists and “narrative arc” experts across the world gathered to sing “Dun dun, dun-dun-dun dun, dun-dun-dunnnn …” for the last time as Game of Thrones finally ended. Now, due to the small matter of a global pandemic, “event TV” is mostly binged in seclusion, with the long gaps between government-mandated walks filled by inhaling as much telly as possible. Lockdown binge-watching has sparked an important realisation: TV themes – such as GoT’s epic 1 min 40 secs of title music – are becoming much rarer. Is the once-great TV theme tune doomed?
Once, shows had proper themes. My early years were soundtracked by The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s opening rap, The Simpsons’ jingle and Malcolm in the Middle’s angst-filled “You’re not the boss of me now!”
Things have changed, however. From Fleabag and Killing Eve to Normal People, I May Destroy You and It’s a Sin, a title card flashing across the screen seems to be the new norm.
Well, in a way, I can understand this. I think they're as relevant as ever for shows that are seen on an actual TV; however, in the faster-paced online world, 1 minute and 40 seconds feels like an awfully long time to spend on an intro (indeed, on YouTube, I consider 20 seconds to be a 'long' intro, and anything over 30 seconds to be 'too long'!). Then there's the phenomenon of binge-watching: there's not a lot of point in listening to the theme tune at the beginning of every episode after the first!
With that said, I think they're an important part of the identity of many classic shows - and, I think it'd be rather sad if they disappeared altogether . Certainly, something of value would be lost.
It has been two years since geeks, masochists and “narrative arc” experts across the world gathered to sing “Dun dun, dun-dun-dun dun, dun-dun-dunnnn …” for the last time as Game of Thrones finally ended. Now, due to the small matter of a global pandemic, “event TV” is mostly binged in seclusion, with the long gaps between government-mandated walks filled by inhaling as much telly as possible. Lockdown binge-watching has sparked an important realisation: TV themes – such as GoT’s epic 1 min 40 secs of title music – are becoming much rarer. Is the once-great TV theme tune doomed?
Once, shows had proper themes. My early years were soundtracked by The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s opening rap, The Simpsons’ jingle and Malcolm in the Middle’s angst-filled “You’re not the boss of me now!”
Things have changed, however. From Fleabag and Killing Eve to Normal People, I May Destroy You and It’s a Sin, a title card flashing across the screen seems to be the new norm.
Well, in a way, I can understand this. I think they're as relevant as ever for shows that are seen on an actual TV; however, in the faster-paced online world, 1 minute and 40 seconds feels like an awfully long time to spend on an intro (indeed, on YouTube, I consider 20 seconds to be a 'long' intro, and anything over 30 seconds to be 'too long'!). Then there's the phenomenon of binge-watching: there's not a lot of point in listening to the theme tune at the beginning of every episode after the first!
With that said, I think they're an important part of the identity of many classic shows - and, I think it'd be rather sad if they disappeared altogether . Certainly, something of value would be lost.
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