Jump to content

Best Soap Opera Opening


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 207
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Members

Knots Landing (Cote Ouest) version... it's catchy and seems a mismatch for the credits... but it works better during the scrolling credits era as opposed to the first two seasons..imho.

 

Please register in order to view this content

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I find the inverse relationship between SFT's ratings and the number of new openings amusing.  In the final years they changed openings with every new EP.  My vote for campiest image was the McClarey brother doing a soft shoe with a cigarette in his mouth; very disco/Fosse/soap.  It's the best example of the trope that a new opening theme will bring in new viewers which I don't think has ever actually worked.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

When all the ABC soaps got new Frons opens (of course GH’s JFP one debuted months later than the rest and looked more expensive), I thought the AMC one was the best of the bunch.  It really did seem like a modern take but you still got the photo theme that matched the album idea.

 

I especially loved Livia, Adam, Kendall and Babe’s shots (even if I didn’t love the character of Babe, she has a perfect soapy shot in the open).  Plus that theme music can do no wrong in my book.  Different versions, different images from early 1990’s to being brought back in the 2000’s, it was the best music.

 

Please register in order to view this content

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

The first theme for "Another Life" has an EON-like feel to it...while the second one reminds me of the GL "disco opening," in sequence, if not in music.

 

Not only did the 1981-87 AW theme sound too much like a game show, but it also reminds me of the RH theme from the Charles Paul years.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members


When was Charles Paul at RH?

I think a long time ago, I referred to the second Another Life theme as the "HBCU theme," and I still feel it's appropriate. I've never seen a single episode, so I have no clue if it even matched the tone of the show, but I feel as though it probably didn't.

I also call this GL theme the "Boyz II Men theme." I have no idea why.

Please register in order to view this content

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

1981-83.  Here's the revamped opening from the same period -- from the original, with all the Ryans and Coleridges frolicking in Central Park, to this...

 

Please register in order to view this content

 

And here's a closing:

 

 

Edited by Khan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members


Oh, wow, thanks. I didn't know he was responsible for that arrangement. It's a real testament to his talent that he could produce something upbeat and very modern (for the time) while also being known as the master organist on soaps for decades. This had to have been one of his last assignments.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

As Dwayne Schneider would say, "De nada."

 

Arthur Schmidt, whose name is featured upthread in one of the "Crossroads" clips, also wrote for AMC during the 1987-88 season.  I learned that when I saw his name appear at the end of several AMC episodes along with (I presume) the other scriptwriters.

Edited by Khan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



  • Recent Posts

    • I’m glad we’ve spent enough time with the character to know how shed Brooke Logan her way through this.
    • Felicia becomes more layered/balanced in the early 90s (circa 1991/1992/1993).   She leans more into the more down to earth element that you like, while still being Felicia of the 80s.  The process starts in 1989.. but doesn't really become apparent until the early 90s.   Iris was the rare connector character with her having a role at the hospital (I think she's on the board), working at Cory Publishing, and having romantic flirtations/connections with a lot of the male characters between 1988 and 1994.  Which resulted in her having interactions with the other female contemporaries (Donna, Felicia, Rachel) even if the three didn't always interact with one another. Writing her off in the fall of 1994 severed one of the main connections/bridges with the different orbits.  Irony that the show didn't see her value.
    • Which is why I feel that when they do introduce that family it will more than likely be Jacob's family. Otherwise why establish them slowly but surely?
    • ROFL.  priceless.   There are also countless mentions how wonderful Claire is, but I could not stomach watching a compilation of that!
    • The air...is looooooooooong gone.  
    • From what I remeber reading, it seemed as if it all completely falls apart post-Labine and Mayer around a year later when Ben is sent to prison around June 1976. Ben's departure undoes one of the major story threads that had carried the show for many months. Without a catalyst of Ben's ilk in the wings, there wasn't much to carry either story for the two women (Betsy and Arlene). Arlene was briefly paired in a one-sided attraction with Ray before becoming involved with Ian Russell. I believe the Schneiders introduced Ian as a suave businessman interested in Arlene who was also considering a dalliance with Meg. That would have been delightful but Upton arrives and quickly shifts the narrative to Arlene as a kept woman / prostitute (though I only think she was sleeping with Ian, but maybe I'm wrong).  I think it is Upton who transitioned Ben from complicated heel with a romantic appeal to a tortured, brooding romantic lead with a complicated past. I'm not sure that was the smartest move. Upton must have believed that Ben's near rape was his redemption arc, but I don't think it was enough. There is something deliciously wicked about Ben becoming involved with Mia after the death of Mia's stepson Jim Marriott, who had confessed his love for Mia before racing off on his motorbike and being hit by Ben's car. I could see the appeal, but I don't think it completely worked.  There should have been an angle involving Betsy (who had been a reporter I think when she first appeared) investigating Jim Marriott's accident, possibly with Jamie Rolins who was I believe district attorney. Betsy and Ben growing closer as Betsy grows closer to the truth. Ben confiding in Mia as Andrew continues to make Ben his surrogate son setting in motion the same dramatic situation with Andew's second wife being in love with his son/surrogate son.  I think Betsy and Jamie Rollins were together while Ben was in prison, but I don't think they had much to do. I may be wrong. Meg should have gone after custody making it seem like Jamie and/or Betsy were unfit leading to a case with social services which would have brought Diana Lamont back into the mix causing emotional angst for Diana as she works with Jamie to provide him the child she couldn't.  The Felicia / Eddie / Charles stuff seems rather generic once you get to Charles' paralysis and sexual dysfunction. Felicia's pregnancy and her death seemed to bring an end to a story that really wasn't strong enough to be frontburner. The Lynn Henderson stuff always seems rather movie of the week rather than developed for an ongoing story.  In the past, I agreed that it might have been possible that the story had become so disjointed that they needed to freshen up and add new story elements as Upton did but others have suggested that the elements themselves should have just been considered.   For example, I'm not a huge proponent of Rick and Cal as a couple, but I do think there was some mileage of actually reintroducing Barbara into the mix trying to reconnect with Hank, carrying a torch for Rick, causing conflict in the Sterlings marriage with Bruce and Van taking sides over Barbara vs. Cal, and Barbara maneuvering her way into the Beaver Ridge Complex making her business partners with Rick and Meg, which would give her a new rival.  When Ben returned, there should have been a question of how true his redemption was rather than just jumping in head first to a new role.  I think the Schneiders might have been script writers for Ann Marcus on "Search for Tomorrow," but I may be wrong on that.  Upton introduced the Marriotts in Janaury, 1977. Christian Marlowe's Andy Marriott seemed to be in the mold of Ben. I don't know if the story was any good, but I think Upton towards the end hinted an Andrew / Meg / Andy storyline which I thought would have been interesting. I think Upton had some interesting concepts, but from my understand, the execution was awful. 
    • Is there a new drinking game I don't know about?
    • But... the air of mystery and intrigue as they say it...
    • Chelsea wore this Episode #39, April 21, 2025, to watch the family karaoke. https://wornontv.net/508945/ https://shopafrm.com/products/shailene-dress-pink-petal

      Please register in order to view this content

      Preview of the upcoming May 10, 2025 Saturday Night Live: Régine Chassagne of "Arcade Fire" will wear the  same pink petal sheer mesh print but a top instead of a dress (Editorialist link) or (Nordstrom link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHUNjOYjBOg screengrab of youtube:
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy