Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2008 April 18

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April 18

Any reason why the Jetsons theme song just says their names?

It always struck me as weird that the Jetsons' theme song only had the names, especially considering the *very* catchy Flintstones theme that many of us can still sing today if we're old enough. And, the cartoons were produced by the same company.

So, what's the story behidn this theme song? Did they just need a theme song in a *really* big hurry? Use a different company that just wasn't creative? the instrumental would almost seem better by itself than what they threw in, which sounds like someone itnroducing guests at a party.209.244.187.155 (talk) 14:05, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

At the time it came out (1962-1963), many sitcoms began by introducing the characters. It was not uncommon. With the Flintstones, the opening song was expanded in the third season (if I remember correctly) due to popularity. Since teh Jetsons didn't last very long, they never had a chance to have an extended theme song. -- kainaw™ 14:11, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

Ah, okay, thanks; I never realized the Flintstones didn't always have the long theme.Amazing what I missed being born when I did :-) 209.244.187.155 (talk) 19:45, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

And don't forget the word they changed in the later Flintstone series. Apparently they were worried that "We'll have a gay old time" might attract the wrong audience. StuRat (talk) 21:08, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

Wait, they changed that? What to? I grew up with only repeats (I'd guess from after the 3rd season), and I don't remember it ever not being "We'll have a gay old time". I do remember never really understanding what was going on in the opening titles; rewatching on youtube, it makes a lot more sense. 79.66.99.37 (talk) 15:19, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

Stu, could you provide a source for that? Our article makes no mention of the word "gay" and after several YouTube videos, I can't find a version of the opening credits with anything other than "gay old time" with the exception of the original opening which simply didn't have lyrics. Dismas|^(talk) 16:14, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

I'm referring to a sequel: The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show, which ran from 1971-1972. In the sequel Pebbles and Bam-Bam were teenagers and the song said "a great old time". Apparently, in the intervening years, the primary meaning of "gay" had changed. StuRat (talk) 02:15, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

What currently ongoing TV series could be considered 'cult'?

Do you think there are any 'cult' TV shows currently running, besides the ones mentioned in this TV guide list? Or do you not even agree with that list (regarding the 'current' shows in there)? I think LOST, Heroes, Battlestar Galactica, and Jericho are safe bets. But what about others? Thanks in advance. Kreachure (talk) 14:48, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

I disagree with the list when it calls Family Guy a cult show. I've often noticed that pretty much any sci-fi show gets the "cult" label attached to it. Star Trek was watching by millions (billions?) of people yet it's still on that list. But then, "cult" can be mildly subjective. Dismas|^(talk) 15:03, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

The original Star Trek wasn't all that popular, and was cancelled after a short run. It only gained popularity in reruns and with the movies and subsequent series. That's what I think of as a "cult show", although perhaps a "sleeper" would be a better term. StuRat (talk) 21:05, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

Doesn't LOST get pretty good ratings? I don't watch it, but I thought it was fairly popular and well known in mainstream culture. I'd agree with Jericho though. --AtTheAbyss (talk) 15:38, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

Spaced comes to mind as a show with a good cult following, though it's not ongoing. I suppose more recently Robot Chicken could be consider to have a a cult following as the show largely draws on video game and science fiction humor - and it lacks a broader mainstream appeal. AtaruMoroboshi (talk) 15:46, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

I dont think you should be lead by mainstream appeal or not. LOST is the perfect example: it may have many fans of the show itself, but also a cult following interested not only in the episodes, but also in its mythology, and all the stuff the producers have created for the fans as an extension of the show (like these ones). Kreachure (talk) 16:44, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

"Cult" seems to have 2 completely opposite meanings. A show that went out of production after one or two seasons because it wasn't very popular but it still has a small number of extremely devoted followers who recorded every last second and watch endless re-runs and form fan clubs and online chat networks etc - is one kind of cult show. A show that is enormously popular, at least for a while, is also called a cult show. Marketers regularly hype upcoming shows in words such as "destined to become a cult classic". When they say this, they surely don't mean it's destined to fail but retain a following by only a small group of dedicated people. They mean the opposite. But then, what marketing people say often bears little relationship to reality, the English language, life as we know it on planet Earth, or anything else really. -- JackofOz (talk) 22:54, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

Pushing Daisies may be approaching that status. Unfortunately, it only ran a few episodes this past season because of the strike, but its off-kilter presentation and outlook has made it tons of fans approaching fanaticism. The fans of Kristin Chenoweth and Lee Pace add to the cult-like status. Corvus cornix_talk 23:03, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

There is also Dead Like Me which garnered a nice small following. AtaruMoroboshi (talk) 23:07, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

Heroes might fit. It all depends on whether or not it can survive the incredibly long hiatus. It's probably too soon to call it, though. --Elliskev 23:14, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

CSI is definitely a cult show. Wrad (talk) 23:50, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

Excuse me, but the princess would like to know what a cult show is? I love Heroes, and I'm trying to see what it has to do with LOST and CSI and other things like that. Because, is a cult show like a show that everyone is following very carefully, and they talk nonstop about it? If that's the definition, then American Idol is the biggest cult show of all, lol.--Listen to your Princess, dear Wikipedians. (talk) 00:37, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

Supernatural seems to be a current cult show in that it has an incredibly dedicated fanbase that would follow it anywhere. 79.66.99.37 (talk) 15:13, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

new members

If a band starts with three members and then one of htem leaves and is replaced, and then the other two leave and replace, is it the same bnad? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Lilyfan87 (talk • contribs) 17:45, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

The answer lies in how you define the term "same band". Give a precise definition, and the answer will be clear. See Ship of Theseus. --Sean 18:38, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

I believe there have been several bands which have kept the same name after all the original members have left. StuRat (talk) 21:02, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

In my opinion, if the band still retains it's style, the thing that makes it unique, then it's still the same band.--Listen to your Princess, dear Wikipedians. (talk) 00:38, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

Like the Little River Band? It even takes a step towards the second part of Theseus' Paradox, since three of the founding members formed Birtles Shorrock Goble, performing many of LRB's hits (technically making them a cover band!). Confusing Manifestation(Say hi!) 05:36, 21 April 2008 (UTC)