If UK Soaps had Americanized Openings... - Soaps

allanc · 22-08-2004, 17:02

...what would the order be? In most American soaps, the actor who is first and the actor who is last are considered the main stars of the shows. If UK soaps adopted this approach, who do you think would be where in the openings. I think (going by the way the producers would think) it would be...

EastEnders
Den
Chrissie
Sharon
Dennis
Vicki
Pauline
Derek
Martin
Sonia
Jim
Dot
Yolande
Patrick
Paul
Pat
Andy
Sam
Kate
Ian
Jane
Various Ferreiras
Sasha
Mickey
Gus
Juley
Billy
Little Mo
Zoe
Big Mo
Charlie
Nana Moon
Spencer
Kat
Alfie

Coronation Street (Version A)
Ken
Deirdre
Tracey
Blanche
Emily
Norris
Rita
Fred
Ashley
Claire
Shelly
Sunita
Dev
Penny
Mike
Danny
Frankie
Jamie
Warren
Candice
Maria
Audrey
Sarah
David
Gail

Coronation Street (Version B)
Karen
Steve
Liz
Hayley
Roy
Todd
Jason
Eileen
Tommy
Angela
Craig
Katy
Martin
Sally
Rosie/Sophie (shared)
Kevin
Tyrone
Kirk
Fiz
Chesney
Cilla
Les
Janice
Leanne

Emmerdale (Version A)
Tom
Charity
Sadie
Jimmy
Matthew
Carl
Chastity
Sid
Chloe
Scott
Viv
Bob
Val
Rodney
Diane
Jack

Emmerdale (Version B)
Zoe
Paddy
Emily
Debbie
Cain
Sam
Zak
Lisa
Shadrach
Edna
Betty
Seth
Laurel
Shelly
Turner
Steph
Eric

Hollyoaks
Tony
Mandy
Max
OB
Joe
Sophie
Mel
Justin
Liz
Richard
Darlene
Ali
Nicole (?)
Liam
Russell
Carrie (?)
Becca
Jake
Steph
Craig
Debbie
Johno
Frankie
Sally
Les
Ellie
Dan
Lee
Lisa
Natalie
Darren
Jack
Cameron
Zara
Abbie
Ben

Family Affairs
Yasmin
Cat
Doug
Justin
Kelly
Denise
Les
Brendan
Mel
Chloe
Gary
Chrissie
Tanya
Sean
Dave
Cheryl
Geri
Sam
Lucy
Eileen
Pete

River City
Eileen
Gina
Joanne
Cormac
Ruth
Vinnie
Zoe
Malcolm
Shirley
George
Alice
Deke
Raymond
Alana
Vader
Hazel
Kelly Marie
Stevie
Scarlett
Bob
Michelle
Della
Billy
McCabe
Heather
Scott
Shazia
Roisin

Nate Seinfeld · 22-08-2004, 17:41

Erm, they generally are credited in order of appearance here, I think thats fair plus this is the UK not America, we need to be different sometimes!

allanc · 22-08-2004, 18:04

No I mean in the opening sequence, like cast shots.

Rita's Kabin · 22-08-2004, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by allanc

No I mean in the opening sequence, like cast shots.

Can't really see that happening. Corrie has close to 60 cast members so it would be impractical to have the cast in the opening sequence in the same way that Neighbours / Hollyoaks / Dallas / Dynasty etc have done.

Dallas & Knots Landing both listed the cast members in alphabetical order whereas Dynasty, The Colbys and Falcon Crest never have. It would cause all sorts of problems if the cast were to be listed in any other order.

ray76709 · 22-08-2004, 18:51

LOL - if corrie did that in the opening credits we would be 20 minutes into the show before it got started.

Safra · 22-08-2004, 19:25

In the US its just usually the contract cast who are in the opening, recurring stars aren't.

So for our soaps, the main cast members could be in it but those who don't appear very often and aren't really main characters shouldn't.

WalfordWill · 22-08-2004, 20:24

Can you imagine if the soaps did that? we'd have about twenty minutes of opening credits! lol

Safra · 23-08-2004, 12:16

Corrie could do one like Sunset Beach. When it started it began from the pier and moved its way inland whilst showing cast pictures on screen 2 at a time. Corrie could do this by moving along the street and showing all the houses/places featured in the show whilst at the same time having pictures of the main cast members appear on screen over the faded background of the street, the finish up with the Rover's shot like they do now.

23-08-2004, 12:23

And tonight's special Guest Star (in a cameo appearance) - Shane Ritchie

Tonight, live from Weatherfield, it's the soap of the week, Coronation Street. And heeeeere's Ritaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

ray76709 · 23-08-2004, 19:33

I quite like Neighbours and H and A opening credits - there always changing - you never know whats going to be on next

Adam14 · 24-08-2004, 11:05

That's what I liked about Crossroads 2003. The way they had "Starring" at the start with Jane Asher etc. OK...it was really quick and everything but it still looked really good and then "Special Guest Starring" at the end.

Even the 2001 opening was brilliant on Crossroads. Very classy.

I think Crossroads 2003 would have been much better had they kept the theme tune and general Orangy glamour feel of the 2001 opening, but had "Starring" and all the cast.

sydneyfan · 24-08-2004, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Safra

Corrie could do one like Sunset Beach. When it started it began from the pier and moved its way inland whilst showing cast pictures on screen 2 at a time. Corrie could do this by moving along the street and showing all the houses/places featured in the show whilst at the same time having pictures of the main cast members appear on screen over the faded background of the street, the finish up with the Rover's shot like they do now.

In the early Corrie epsiodes the closing credits started at the shop and then the camera moved its way up the street( the real street in Salford) pausing at the houses of the characters who had appeared in that epsiode and passing by the others. The names of characters who didnt live in the street would then roll over a view of Weatherfield (Salford). But would be a bit difficult to do that now with houses on both sides and Victoria Street too!

manfrommars · 24-08-2004, 15:16

dont think it would look quite right here - if you look at the neighbours opening credits, theyre all looking cheesy, loved up and actually like spending time with each other! Can you imagine Les, Cilla, Chesney, Kirk, Fiz and Leanne on Corrie hugging and kissing over a barbecue in the back alleyway?!?!?! And, as for EE, nobody smiles or laughs for long enough to fill three measly seconds of opening credits!!!

Safra · 24-08-2004, 15:50

They don't have to be all happy and smiling and having fun, they could just be cast shots like on SB.

Seriously Andy · 24-08-2004, 16:51

The Neighbours credits are disgusting at the moment, hopefully they'll be revamped for 2005 because of the end of season disaster.

I don't think Corrie will ever change their titles or theme, unless the show became so unpopular that they were clutching at straws to make people watch.

I think Emmerdale could get away with having the characters on their titles sequence as the black and white "scenes" have eased viewers into the idea of having people on the titles.

Safra · 24-08-2004, 16:56

I don't mind the current Neighbours opening, but i preferred the early 2003 one, the one where the pictures actually changed with the music.

Adam14 · 24-08-2004, 17:32

I think it would be brilliant if you saw Les, Cilla, Chesney and co. having a barbeque and all smiling! LOL!

22-08-2004, 17:02	#1
allanc Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 648	If UK Soaps had Americanized Openings... ...what would the order be? In most American soaps, the actor who is first and the actor who is last are considered the main stars of the shows. If UK soaps adopted this approach, who do you think would be where in the openings. I think (going by the way the producers would think) it would be... EastEnders Den Chrissie Sharon Dennis Vicki Pauline Derek Martin Sonia Jim Dot Yolande Patrick Paul Pat Andy Sam Kate Ian Jane Various Ferreiras Sasha Mickey Gus Juley Billy Little Mo Zoe Big Mo Charlie Nana Moon Spencer Kat Alfie Coronation Street (Version A) Ken Deirdre Tracey Blanche Emily Norris Rita Fred Ashley Claire Shelly Sunita Dev Penny Mike Danny Frankie Jamie Warren Candice Maria Audrey Sarah David Gail Coronation Street (Version B) Karen Steve Liz Hayley Roy Todd Jason Eileen Tommy Angela Craig Katy Martin Sally Rosie/Sophie (shared) Kevin Tyrone Kirk Fiz Chesney Cilla Les Janice Leanne Emmerdale (Version A) Tom Charity Sadie Jimmy Matthew Carl Chastity Sid Chloe Scott Viv Bob Val Rodney Diane Jack Emmerdale (Version B) Zoe Paddy Emily Debbie Cain Sam Zak Lisa Shadrach Edna Betty Seth Laurel Shelly Turner Steph Eric Hollyoaks Tony Mandy Max OB Joe Sophie Mel Justin Liz Richard Darlene Ali Nicole (?) Liam Russell Carrie (?) Becca Jake Steph Craig Debbie Johno Frankie Sally Les Ellie Dan Lee Lisa Natalie Darren Jack Cameron Zara Abbie Ben Family Affairs Yasmin Cat Doug Justin Kelly Denise Les Brendan Mel Chloe Gary Chrissie Tanya Sean Dave Cheryl Geri Sam Lucy Eileen Pete River City Eileen Gina Joanne Cormac Ruth Vinnie Zoe Malcolm Shirley George Alice Deke Raymond Alana Vader Hazel Kelly Marie Stevie Scarlett Bob Michelle Della Billy McCabe Heather Scott Shazia Roisin

22-08-2004, 17:41	#2
Nate Seinfeld Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Greenock, Scotland Services: Sky+, Virgin Media, Freeview Posts: 2,068	Erm, they generally are credited in order of appearance here, I think thats fair plus this is the UK not America, we need to be different sometimes!

22-08-2004, 18:04	#3
allanc Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 648	No I mean in the opening sequence, like cast shots.

22-08-2004, 18:51	#5
ray76709 Banned User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,521	LOL - if corrie did that in the opening credits we would be 20 minutes into the show before it got started.

22-08-2004, 19:25	#6
Safra Forum Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester Posts: 7,700	In the US its just usually the contract cast who are in the opening, recurring stars aren't. So for our soaps, the main cast members could be in it but those who don't appear very often and aren't really main characters shouldn't.

22-08-2004, 20:24	#7
WalfordWill Banned User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Walford, E20 Posts: 6,561	Can you imagine if the soaps did that? we'd have about twenty minutes of opening credits! lol

23-08-2004, 12:16	#8
Safra Forum Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester Posts: 7,700	Corrie could do one like Sunset Beach. When it started it began from the pier and moved its way inland whilst showing cast pictures on screen 2 at a time. Corrie could do this by moving along the street and showing all the houses/places featured in the show whilst at the same time having pictures of the main cast members appear on screen over the faded background of the street, the finish up with the Rover's shot like they do now.

23-08-2004, 12:23	#9
rudi Posts: n/a	And tonight's special Guest Star (in a cameo appearance) - Shane Ritchie Tonight, live from Weatherfield, it's the soap of the week, Coronation Street. And heeeeere's Ritaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

23-08-2004, 19:33	#10
ray76709 Banned User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,521	I quite like Neighbours and H and A opening credits - there always changing - you never know whats going to be on next

24-08-2004, 11:05	#11
Adam14 Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,946	That's what I liked about Crossroads 2003. The way they had "Starring" at the start with Jane Asher etc. OK...it was really quick and everything but it still looked really good and then "Special Guest Starring" at the end. Even the 2001 opening was brilliant on Crossroads. Very classy. I think Crossroads 2003 would have been much better had they kept the theme tune and general Orangy glamour feel of the 2001 opening, but had "Starring" and all the cast.

24-08-2004, 15:16	#13
manfrommars Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,449	dont think it would look quite right here - if you look at the neighbours opening credits, theyre all looking cheesy, loved up and actually like spending time with each other! Can you imagine Les, Cilla, Chesney, Kirk, Fiz and Leanne on Corrie hugging and kissing over a barbecue in the back alleyway?!?!?! And, as for EE, nobody smiles or laughs for long enough to fill three measly seconds of opening credits!!!

24-08-2004, 15:50	#14
Safra Forum Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester Posts: 7,700	They don't have to be all happy and smiling and having fun, they could just be cast shots like on SB.

24-08-2004, 16:51	#15
Seriously Andy Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: U.K Services: Virgin TV (XL), Virgin Broadband (L), Virgin Telephone, Virgin Mobile Posts: 309	The Neighbours credits are disgusting at the moment, hopefully they'll be revamped for 2005 because of the end of season disaster. I don't think Corrie will ever change their titles or theme, unless the show became so unpopular that they were clutching at straws to make people watch. I think Emmerdale could get away with having the characters on their titles sequence as the black and white "scenes" have eased viewers into the idea of having people on the titles.

24-08-2004, 16:56	#16
Safra Forum Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester Posts: 7,700	I don't mind the current Neighbours opening, but i preferred the early 2003 one, the one where the pictures actually changed with the music.

24-08-2004, 17:32	#17
Adam14 Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,946	I think it would be brilliant if you saw Les, Cilla, Chesney and co. having a barbeque and all smiling! LOL!