The Simpsons opening sequence
The Simpsons opening sequence is one of the most memorable hallmarks of the American TV show The Simpsons. Almost every episode opens with the camera zooming in on the show's title while moving forwards through cumulus clouds. It continues to zoom in on the town and then through a window of Springfield Elementary, where we see Bart writing lines on the class chalkboard, presumably set as a punishment by one of his teachers for some mischievous deed or wayward comment. The next shot shows Homer leaving the power plant. Mr. Burns and Mr. Smithers are seen in the background looking at a layout plan when the end-of-shift whistle blows. Burns puts his watch up to his ear and shakes it, as if he believes it has stopped. During the first season opening sequence, an employee eating a sandwich is seen in the place of Burns and Smithers (it may be Homers supervisor). The next shot has Marge and Maggie checking out at a supermarket with Maggie inadvertently being scanned along with the groceries. The cashier rings her up at $847.63, widely believed to be the monthly cost of raising a baby, but in reality just a random number. The sequence then introduces Lisa, who leaves a band rehearsal while playing her saxophone. The family is shown on their way to their house at 742 Evergreen Terrace. The members of the family weave dangerously through traffic and in between fellow Springfield denizens. The Simpsons all miraculously reach home at the exact same time. Upon entering their house, they speed towards the family room couch where, in comedic parallel with the audience, they settle down to watch their "must-see" TV show.
For each episode, the sequence includes a number of variations:
- Bart writes something different on the chalkboard (see chalkboard gag).
- Lisa may play a different solo on her baritone[1] saxophone (see Lisa's sax solo gags ).
- The family attempts to sit on the couch as something goes awry in an often surreal manner (see Couch gag).
The couch gag sequence is frequently used to help show staff make the show longer or shorter, depending on the length of the episode itself. Most couch gags last only about five seconds, but the longest one on record lasted 46 seconds. There are several kinds of opening; as of season 17, the show frequently just uses the clouds, driveway and couch gag. Homer leaving work, the chalkboard, Lisa's sax solo, etc. are not used so much, albeit they are not entirely gone.
In the syndicated version, part or all of the opening sequence is usually cut in order to include more commercials in the show's allotted timeslot. The first season opening sequence featured a number of differences from the later seasons, including a scene in which in place of Mr. Burns and Smithers at the Power Plant was a co-worker eating a sandwich with tongs. In addition, Bart snatched a bus stop sign, forcing several dazed Springfieldians to chase the bus, which was replaced from the second season by a sequence showing Bart weaving his skateboard between a group of characters, and a shot of Lisa riding her bike on the way home, which was changed to a camera whip pan across a crowd of characters towards the Simpsons' house.
Also in the syndication version, the simpsons promo begin in the fall of 1994. this promo begins with blue sky clouds smiliar to the simpsons opening and switches to a Kaliedoscope effect using five simpsons characters:
1. Bart and skateboard
2. Marge
3. Lisa and book
4. Maggie and pollow
5. Homer and dount.
this promo is 30 seconds long, with 5 second length of this promo that begins with blue sky clouds briefy and homer and dount. the 15 second length begins with blue skies and switches to a kaledoscope effect using marge and homer with dount. the 20 second version begins with blue sky clouds and a kaliedoscope using bart and skateboard, marge and homer with dount.
the 2 min. version begins with blue sky clouds for 9 seconds and switches to a kaliedoscope effect using 12 simpsons characters:
1. Bart and skateboard
2. Milhouse
3. Nelson
4. Ralph
5. Marge
6. Maude
7. Edna
8. Patty
9. Selma
10. Lisa and book
11. Maggie and pollow
12. Homer and dount
13. Barney and root beer
13. Ned
The series' distinctive theme tune was composed by musician Danny Elfman in 1989, when Groening approached him wanting a "retro" style piece. Taking two days to create, it is perhaps the most recognizable music piece of his career. In a 1999 L.A. Times article, Elfman joked that the theme earns him $11.50 every time it is played.[2]
The current arrangement, which dates back to the third season, is orchestrated by Alf Clausen. In Episode 1F11 — "Bart Gets Famous", Bart is whistling the tune and Marge tells him "not to whistle that annoying tune."
During five episodes, the opening sequence was parodied:
- Once as "The Thompsons" in the episode "Cape Feare".
- Once with an overweight Bart who cracks the pavement when he leaves the school, runs over pedestrians, is hit by Marge's car, and crushes the roof of Homer's car.
- Once as "The Hurricane" in the episode "Hurricane Neddy".
- Also in one Treehouse of Horror opening as many elements of the sequence are seen with more gruesome results. Bart breaks his neck skateboarding off of the car, Homer is run over by Marge, etc.
- Most recently in live action format.
Live action version
In 2006, Sky One in the United Kingdom began advertising The Simpsons using a live action recreation of the series' opening sequence. [3]
It was the second time they had done so, the first being in September 2000 as part of a night celebrating the 10th anniversary of the show premiering in the UK. Except for the very first shot in which the logo appears out of the clouds, every piece of the opening is present in this version, with even multiple chalkboard and couch gags filmed. Attached to the end of this sequence is the message, "Come home to The Simpsons on Sky One." A version was also made for cinema distribution.
Because the live action sequence was made in the UK, there are some slight cultural differences, such as the side of the road in which Homer and Marge drive, or how the actor playing Chief Wiggum is wearing a British police uniform. It is sometimes erroneously stated to have tied in with the UK premiere of the 17th season of the show, but that started in November 2005, several months before the advert was first shown in March 2006. The video was also posted numerous times on YouTube and became an internet meme.
The sequence was used instead of the regular opening titles on the episode "Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife", first broadcast in the U.S. on 26 March 2006 with the images during the driving scenes mirrored so that the cars appeared to be driving on the right side of the road with the steering wheel on the left side of the car.
References
- ^ Simpsons Archieve: The Simpson Family
- ^ Danny Elfman in the L.A. Times
- ^ Vince Soodin and Veronica Lorraine, The Simpsons come to life, The Sun
