It's something that happens fairly often, and I never understand the reasoning behind it. A show is motoring right along and then a new season starts and someone has decided to redo the theme song. I remember it happening on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and That 70's Show, and I'm sure many others. Now, with season three, Veronica Mars has joined the club. For those scoring at home, season three was also when they made the change for Buffy. The Dandy Warhols song, "We Used To Be Friends", is still the theme song, but now it's been remixed into a stripped down, more ethereal track. It's not bad, but it's not better either. Personally, I prefer the original. Watch the new open after the jump and let us know what you think.
[ thanks Wilhem ]















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-27-2006 @ 10:16PM
Keith McDuffee said...
I did notice the changed music in the screeners I saw, but I just assumed they were unfinished, so I didn't make a big deal about it. Oh well.
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9-28-2006 @ 2:35PM
Thomas said...
I like the visuals more and more, they obviously needed updating to reflect the new regulars and that they're now at college. Not sure about the music since I know the original so well I'm always kind of ahead of it in my head. I have the same problem with live versions of songs. I'm expecting the album version then they go and change a verse, repeat chorus, slow it down or just add a guitar solo or something.
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9-28-2006 @ 10:35AM
the kookie said...
Wow, that was...not good. The new "look" changes the tone of the show a bit; a little more doom and gloom and a little less beach and sun. However, the show did take a fantastically dark turn last season, especially with the season finale. Literally every character will come back this season changed, haunted and believing in Santa Claus even less. Also, they're not in highschool anymore, so the notebook scribbles, much as I adored them, will be juvenile at this point. The music, though? That could have stayed the same. The first version was fun! Where's the fun in this new version?
On another note, I wasn't aware that Buffy's theme changed in the 3rd season! It was still Nerf Herder, or something like that, right?
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9-28-2006 @ 10:36AM
ooda said...
Other than the music being a bit quite and a bit too unassuming, I prefer this theme. Its got a darker tone (not just literally speaking), but also makes the show seem a whole lot more professional and slick. The old intro with the scribbles would have been good for a high school drama, which Veronica Mars partly was, but it just gave the show a somewhat childish persona.
This way, it's more CSI than Degrassi, and that's a good thing.
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9-28-2006 @ 10:38AM
Caleb said...
I don't think it's bad either, but there does seem to be a weird disconnect with the music and the imagery. It's like they want it to be all moody, but the song still has that upbeat quality to it. But it does make sense considering they are simplifying the show somewhat (as far as the season long arch thing is concerned) and trying to bring in new viewers.
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9-28-2006 @ 10:39AM
ooda said...
On a side note, The O.C. would have done well with an intro more like this (other than the music) instead of the incredibly amateurish one they have now. I've watched this intro a few more times, and really am a fan.
At least The CW is taking more of an interest in branding and design quality than The WB and UPN both did.
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9-28-2006 @ 10:43AM
KateG said...
I like it. It's more noir.
Plus there's more Logan.
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9-28-2006 @ 10:45AM
Maail said...
The song's ok. But the new intro gives a noir feel like to the show which is pretty cool.
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9-28-2006 @ 10:55AM
Brett said...
kookie, it was still nerf herder doing the buffy theme in season three. they just had them do an updated version.
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9-28-2006 @ 11:38AM
jason said...
no sir i dont like it
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9-28-2006 @ 11:38AM
jason said...
btw, anyone know where i can find the second ep of this season, i alreay saw the first on on msn. thanks in advance.
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9-28-2006 @ 11:58AM
Lampbane said...
It's absolutely dreadful. Too slow, feels wrong for the show.
And the theme for Buffy didn't change, they just rerecorded it, probably because of the expanded cast.
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9-28-2006 @ 12:12PM
Karen said...
I agree with KateG: more noir PLUS more Logan = happy me.
I'm also pleased to see Tina Majorino and Michael Muhney in the opening credits, where they belong.
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9-28-2006 @ 1:30PM
Mike McNamara said...
Love this version of the song -- and it seems significantly shorter, which might have been a network requirement -- but still conveys the mood of the show. However, the original was one of my favorites too -- even though it took me almost two full seasons of watching before I paid much attention to the awesome notebook doodles that accompanied every character -- which I will miss.
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9-28-2006 @ 1:31PM
Carissa said...
I've never been a fan of switching theme music or the beginning of the show. If it's been done well, it's almost like a character you look forward to seeing and hearing, and when it's changed, it takes something away from me.
There's a reason there are CDs of TV programming from the 50s-80s - they had great openings and sometimes entire songs that were memorable. When you hear those, you can remember how you felt to watch and when you were watching those shows.
So, it doesn't matter if it's better or worse, because it's different and spoils the "mood" of going into VMars.
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9-28-2006 @ 1:58PM
BGDC said...
Wow, that's ASS. Horrible. I'm 10 episodes into season 2 and it's soo much stronger than season 1. So many plot lines, so much happening and I'm loving it. I'm so sad to read that they're dumbing the show down to attract typical TV dullards. The new opening, I guess, is a harbinger for more of VM's for-the-worse changes.
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9-28-2006 @ 3:15PM
Jennifer said...
They needed to change visuals, yes. Slowing down the music, however, sucked.
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9-29-2006 @ 10:01AM
Josh said...
I love this intro so much more than the original. I always thought that one looked cheap. Plus, this one is just plain cool.
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9-29-2006 @ 10:56AM
OM said...
That was beyond awful. Ugh. I always loved when they finally got to the credits, I would let them roll and listen to the song. At least this one will make me want to fast forward to the show again.
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9-29-2006 @ 4:38AM
Tiago said...
That was actually pretty slick -- loved it. Just not sure if it's appropriate for the show's style and pace (unless they're changing that - which would be a huge mistake). Having said that I don't think the original intro nailed it either. One of the few things about the show I always thought was kinda "off".
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