The production stamp. The signature at the end of a 30 or 60 minute work of art.
Here are my favorite 5 of All Time:
Gracie Films
I don’t know why, but I’ve just always liked this one. There’s no fancy animation, no funny references, but I’d bet 80% of you can instantly name which show it appears after (outside of the context of this post).
Notable shows: The Simpsons, The Tracey Ullman Show
Bad Hat Harry
Started by Bryan Singer and inspired by a scene in Jaws.
Notable shows: House
Bad Robot
Owned by JJ Abrams.
Notable shows: Alias, LOST, Fringe, What about Brian, Alcatraz
Stephen J. Cannell
Watching Stephen J. “fake type” and try to contain his amusement before he demonstratively rips the sheet of paper out of the typewriter is still fun for me.
Notable shows: Greatest American Hero, The A-Team, Silk Stalkings, Hunter, 21 Jump Street
UBU Productions
So simple, yet so iconic. The fact that this stamp ran after some great shows in television history (see: Family Ties) didn’t hurt it’s stature in American pop culture. I remember going to school and reciting “Sit, UBU, sit” with my friends as if it was some hilarious joke.
Named for producer Gary David Goldberg’s dog Ubu Roi, this stamp has been referenced in Family Guy, Robot Chicken, Tosh.0 and Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
Notable shows: Family Ties, Spin City
Honorable mentions:
Ten Thirteen Productions (X-Files) “I made this.”
Mohawk Productions (Drew Carey, The Norm Show) The laughing ultrasound/sonogram baby.
Guntzelman Sullivan Marshall Productions (Growing Pains) The guy falling off the roof of a two-story building.
And of course, this one. Still awkward.
Howie Decker is the co-creator and editor of UnderScoopFIRE.com. He likes fantasy baseball & taco night. His family & friends’ support for & contributions to his personal blog The Upper Deck were his inspiration to assemble this site. You can read his “Letter from the Editor” here.
Awesome. These brought back some memories! I can’t tell you how many times I saw that Stephen J Cannell ending during the 80’s.
I can still hear the little tune going through my head. ESPECIALLY after seeking out the YouTube clip of it to embed.
Excellent timing, as Family Guy did the Cannell homage JUST last night! I actually bought Gary David Goldberg’s book, also called “Sit, Ubu, sit.” Never touched it after I bought it, but this has motivated me to think about cracking it open tonight.
Also, that’s a mighty fine Green Lantern Batman you’ve got there in that pic!
Did they? Nice! GDG was the man back then – I’d be interested in his book too. Probably would never find the time to actually read it, so I understand that course of action. If you end up opening it let me know how it is!
As for the GL Batman, he is one of my faves, and he will be discussed again on the upcoming EP21 of our podcast – thanks again for helping to provide good figures with loving homes!
Love these, Howie. These were in my long list of notes to add on RD80s.
Been some great ones over the years…here’s another, Filmation intro at the beginning of He-Man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9-FhELeX9M&feature=related
P.S. Props on the profile pic, too.
Ahh yes! Filmation! great call. I knew I’d miss some gems. Sorry for Bogarting your idea – great minds think alike I guess! I promise I didn’t sneak down to AL and peek at your RD80s notes!
I especially like that the Stephen J. Cannell production stamp co- stars a typewriter.
Any of our generation’s children, “That’s a wierd laptop he’s typing on!”
I always wondered why they would a little boy sleeping and then put, essentially, to anyone with half of an imagination, the word “dick.” Doesn’t matter that it’s spelled “DIC” and pronounced “week.” It’s creepy as shit!
I always felt a bit icky when they ran that stamp, and if my parents were in the room I’d try to change the channel or leave before it hit – it was just plain creepy. I’m sure they wondered “what the hell is my son watching?”
I would also humbly suggest Mutant Enemy Productions.
Ahh – Whedon’s company! – very good suggestion, certainly deserves a spot on this list
Very cool! I love stuff like this.
I nominate this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO6n8VxhAN0
For some reason a lot of people seem to have irrational fears of these things. I wonder what the phobia for it is called? lol
I love how many people speak of being terrified of this in the comments under the video. I remember it, don’t remember being scared of it, but I’ll admit the slow motion version is a touch creepy!