Viacom Productions: Difference between revisions

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Within a decade, Viacom was bought by cinema chain [[National Amusements]], becoming part of the newly-reincorporated "Viacom, Inc." On January 1, 1990, as part of a restructuring, [[Viacom Pictures]] was formed. On March 11, 1994, Viacom acquired Paramount Communications, Inc. and Viacom Enterprises was folded into [[Paramount Television (1967-2006)|Paramount Domestic Television]] (later "CBS Television Distribution" and now "[[CBS Media Ventures]]"), by transferring the domestic rights of the Viacom library. Viacom International was later reorganised as the parent company of MTV Networks and [[Showtime Networks]]. Viacom transferred the international rights of the said library into Paramount International Television, while Viacom Productions was reincorporated as a production sub-division of Paramount Television. The Viacom Enterprises logo of the era was still used for "Viacom Productions" with an updated variant, and would remain until 1999, receiving another update to the logo to reflect the company's new status after merging with former parent company CBS. The 1999-2004 Viacom logo would be its last, as the final two series to end under the Viacom Productions name would be ''Ed'' and ''The Division''.

'''Logo:''' On a {{color|deepskyblue|sky blue}} (or {{color|mediumpurple|lavender}}) background, the text "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''A Viacom Presentation'''}}" in a Palatino-like typeface zooms in from the centre of the screen at a very fast pace, then stops abruptly (on the filmed variant) when it gets near to the screen. Then, a stylized {{color|navy|navy blue}} "{{color|navy|'''V'''}}" (a downward trapezoid with a curved line in the near centre) appears from the centre. At first it is small, but the "'''V'''" starts to move gradually closer and closer towards the screen, almost to the point where it takes up nearly the entire frame. The logo then suddenly cuts to black or fades to black (depending on the version of the logo).

* '''Opening:''' On a black background, we see the "'''V'''" rotating towards the centre of the screen in a {{color|red|r}}{{color|orange|a}}{{color|#FFD900|i}}{{color|limegreen|n}}{{color|blue|b}}{{color|magenta|o}}{{color|darkviolet|w}} trail. Then, the {{color|red|r}}{{color|orange|a}}{{color|#FFD900|i}}{{color|limegreen|n}}{{color|blue|b}}{{color|magenta|o}}{{color|darkviolet|w}} trail moves behind the logo, and the "'''V'''" flashes to {{color|deepskyblue|bright cerulean}} and the word "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{color|deepskyblue|'''Viacom'''}}}}" in the same colour flashes in with the word "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{color|deepskyblue|presents}}}}" below. As the opening theme starts, we slowly zoom up to the left corner of the "{{color|deepskyblue|'''V'''}}" until it engulfs the screen with blue.

'''Logo:''' We start off in outer space. The words "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''''Special'''''}}" and "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''''Delivery'''''}}" streak through the sun in the background, leaving a {{color|red|r}}{{color|orange|a}}{{color|#FFD900|i}}{{color|limegreen|n}}{{color|blue|b}}{{color|magenta|o}}{{color|darkviolet|w}} trail. Then on a {{color|blue}}/black gradient background, the two words fly towards a stylised {{color|gold}} ring with wings and the familiar "'''V'''" from the 2nd logo on its base. "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''''From'' Viacom'''}}" with "{{Font|Times New Roman|'''Viacom'''}}", bigger and set in its corporate font, also fly towards the ring, settling inside it. The logo then constantly shines, occasionally flashing. At the end, a firework flash effect emerges from the logo.

* '''Closing:''' Against a city skyline with a {{color|darkviolet|purple}} night sky with most of the building's lights switched on and twinkling stars (a colourised version of the city from the opening credits of ''The Honeymooners''), the metallic textured "{{color|grey|'''V'''}}" forms out of light particles. The word "{{Font|Times New Roman|{{color|grey|'''Viacom'''}}}}" forms in the same manner as in the opening variant. The logo shines once completed.

** It's also currently seen on most episodes of ''The Phil Silvers Show'' on Me-TV, Forces TV (United Kingdom) and occasionally seen on Decades, and it is preserved on the season 2 Shout! Factory DVD of the show, and on most episodes from seasons 3-4 of ''TPSS'' on DVD (season 1 on DVD and the British DVD releases use CTD instead), and was on most episodes of ''The Beverly Hillbillies'', as well as ''Gunsmoke'' (mostly colour reruns) on Me-TV before they were issued updated prints by CBS, although for ''The Beverly Hillbillies'', it can still be seen on some episodes (the earliest episode to have this is "Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch"), and as for ''Gunsmoke'', it can still appear on certain episodes from season 14 (the third colour season) onward.  

* Usually, a synthesised rock score is used, complete with drums, horns, and even a guitar. Telephone-like "wigga-wigga" sounds are heard as the line zig-zags. (That's "Block" from a Korg M1 synthesizer)

* For the (then-)newly-formed Viacom International, the same logo is accompanied by different music. A synthesised whoosh and timpani drum is heard first, leading into a jingle played on a flute sample (that's "HardFlute" taken from Program B on a Korg T1 synthesizer) being heard as the line uncurls. As the logo finishes, a faint choir is heard in the background. Synthesised "shining" sounds can be heard throughout the entire logo. The LaFontaine voice-over is still heard. Composed by Michael Rubin, known for his work on ''Blue's Clues''.

** It has been spotted on reruns of colour episodes of ''Gunsmoke'' on Me-TV and TV Land, albeit in split screen form on the latter channel, and was also spotted on ''The Alvin Show'' when rerun on Nickelodeon.

** However, recent prints of ''Gunsmoke'' episodes from Season 12 (the first colour season) and Season 13 and are now restored and now use CTD, though it can possibly still be spotted on almost all other episodes from Season 14 on (needs further confirmation).

** It was also seen when ''Have Gun-Will Travel'' aired on Encore Westerns in the early 2010s, as well as some episodes of ''Perry Mason'', ''Hogan's Heroes'' (these prints now air on UK television network Forces TV and Australian cable channel Fox Classics), and ''The Beverly Hillbillies'' on Me-TV and occasionally Decades before they both were issued updated prints by CBS (though it can be still be found in the majority of colour episodes of ''The Beverly Hillbillies'' (S05-S09) and formerly on select episodes of ''Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C.''; for the latter show, all episodes have been restored and use either CBS-Paramount or CTD.

* A descending crystallised wind chime-like sound effect culminating in a synth explosion, followed by a robotic voice saying the word "Viacom" faintly.