-
Color variant
-
Black and white variant
Line 121:
** <u>Dark variants</u> of the Film-O-Vision version in color and B&W, due to film deterioration, exist.
** The first second is lopped off on the <u>1979 version of Magnetic Video's VHS release of ''Blue Hawaii''</u>.
** A "blacked-out" variant also exists, which can be found on <u>film prints of episodes of ''Greatest Heroes of the Bible''</u> on the Internet Archive, which has the "V of Doom" music on either the "END OF PART ONE" or "THE END" card, likely due to sloppy plastering.
** Similarly, one 16mm print of an episode of ''Speed Buggy'' stopped after the credits, but the logo's audio still
* '''Videotaped Variants:'''
Line 147:
'''Audio Variants:'''
* In some cases, the <u>closing theme of the show</u>
* The <u>turquoise variant</u> of the logo has two extra pounds of the timpani at the end.
* Sometimes, the "V of Doom" music cuts off right before the last timpani beat, removing the final echo in the process
* Sometimes on the <u>filmed variant</u>, the first note or two can be cut off. Often, the final bit of the show's closing theme will play over the logo briefly. This is caused by a bad splice on the film between the credits and the logo. An example of this would be the Season 11 finale to ''My Three Sons''.
* On <u>''The Beverly Hillbillies'' episode "Christmas with the Clampetts"</u>, and perhaps other episodes from the first two seasons, it has a generic theme (the show's theme couldn't be used due to it being copyrighted while episodes from the first two seasons have fallen into the public domain) playing over the filmed version of this logo.
Line 155:
* On the ''<u>Hot City</u>'' variant, the music starts playing over the last bit of the closing song.
* On a <u>1985 WTBS airing of ''Girls! Girls! Girls!''</u>'','' a split second of the "Pinball" music can be heard before the normal music starts, due to sloppy plastering.
* A print of the B&W filmed variant where the fanfare is badly warped also exists. It's rumored to be found on an Andy Griffith VHS release called ''Mayhem in Mayberry''.
'''Availability:''' Most shows that had this logo have been updated with either the "V of Steel" or "Wigga Wigga" logos, or those of Paramount Domestic Television, CBS Paramount Domestic/Network Television, or CBS Television Distribution. However, newer variants might be seen on local stations that show older Viacom shows, such as ''The Honeymooners'', ''I Love Lucy'', ''The Andy Griffith Show'', ''Rawhide'', ''Hogan's Heroes'', ''The Twilight Zone'', and ''Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C.'' All variants of the "V of Doom" (with the exception of the "V of Pinball" until evidence is found) can be seen on VHS tapes of ''The Andy Griffith Show'' released by various video outlets such as Premier Promotions and sometimes (though mostly the videotaped variant) by [[UAV Corporation]].
* '''''V of Pinball'':'''
** The B&W filmed variant with the "Pinball" theme
** This variant was also resurfaced on a 16mm print of ''The Phil Silvers Show''.
** Its color counterpart has been seen on the 1975 TV movie ''Eric'', and is also intact on the film's VHS release, the Magnetic Video release of ''Girls! Girls! Girls!'' (also on the 1985 Key Video re-release), the Australian Magnetic Video VHS release of ''All in a Night's Work'', and on one mid-1970s print of an early color episode of ''Gunsmoke'', which aired on Superstation WTBS back in 1986.
* '''''Filmed Variant'':'''
** It
** It is also
** The faster music variant is preserved on the 1985 [[Family Home Entertainment]] release of ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'' and its 1988 SLP reissue.
** The filmed variant can be seen on Cozi TV airings of episodes from the first two seasons of ''The Beverly Hillbillies'', due to said network using public domain prints of that show.
** It was also
** The B&W filmed variant was once spotted on an episode of ''Perry Mason'' on Me-TV before it was replaced with a later print sometime in 2015.
** It can also be spotted on almost every episode of ''The Millionaire'', which could occasionally be seen on Decades, prior to the network turning into Catchy Comedy in 2023.
** The color variant of the filmed variant was seen on some prints of ''The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse'' and currently on three episodes of ''Gunsmoke'' on Me-TV ("The Witness", "Eleven Dollars", and "Kitty's Love Affair") and one episode ("Like Old Times") on CBS Drama in the UK.
** The B&W filmed variant variant can also be spotted on DVD releases of ''The Beverly Hillbillies'' released by the [[Platinum Disc Corporation]], [[Madacy Lifestyle Marketing|Madacy Entertainment]], [[Mill Creek Entertainment]], and [[GoodTimes Entertainment]], among other companies.
** It is unknown if this
** Late 1970s-early 1980s broadcasts of ''The Alvin Show'' and international broadcasts of ''Wacky Races'', ''Dastardly & Muttley in Their Flying Machines'', ''The Perils of Penelope Pitstop'', ''Josie & The Pussycats'', ''Speed Buggy'', ''Wait Till Your Father Gets Home'', ''The Funky Phantom'', ''The Super Globetrotters'', and ''Help!... It's The Hair Bear Bunch!'' also ended with this logo; 16mm prints of at least the former two shows retain the logo. It is unknown whether it
** Older international prints of Charlie Brown specials from ''It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown'' to approximately ''You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown'' may also have this logo. Check 16mm prints if they turn up.
** As of 2024, this
** The low-tone variant was used from 1976 to 1978 on syndicated prints of shows such as ''The Millionare'' and ''Hawaii Five-O''. It decreased in usage through 1979 and the early '80s, but it was still used on ''Hawaii Five-O'' as late as 1981.
* '''''Videotaped Variant'':'''
** The videotaped version
** It is also
** Several of the "Classic 39" episodes of ''The Honeymooners'', as well as the "lost" episodes
** It was also seen on episodes of ''The (New) Price is Right'' from 1976-1980.
** The 1978 and 1983 variants were formerly seen on two episodes of ''The Twilight Zone'' on Syfy ("You Drive" and "One for the Angels"), until the channel acquired updated prints sometime in 2015.
** It was also seen on a 2012 airing of ''The Missiles of October'' on Me-TV, before the 1990 "Wigga Wigga" logo; however, newer prints, such as a Decades airing, used the 2007 CTD logo instead.
** The warp-speed variant was also resurfaced on a rerun of ''The Bob Newhart Show'' S5 episode "Making Up Is the Thing To Do" on Me-TV, Hallmark Channel, Decades (occasionally), Sundance, and FamNET, after the decorated [[MTM Enterprises]] logo and preceding the 2013 [[20th Television]] logo, and is also available on various season 5 and 6 episodes of that show on Shout Factory's 2014 complete series set, as well as solo releases of said seasons and Me-TV airings of most season 6 episodes, with the logo on a majority of those episodes being followed by the 2013 20th Television logo.
** It can also be seen on two season 3 episodes of ''Have Gun, Will Travel'' on Me-TV and H&I ("Fragile" and "The Black Handkerchief").
** It was also seen on some episodes of ''All in the Family'' before [[Columbia Pictures Television|Columbia Pictures Television Distribution]] (now [[Sony Pictures Television]]) acquired the syndication rights to that show.
** The videotaped variant was also resurfaced on two ''Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C.'' VHS releases released by [[Forum Home Video]] in 1989, as well as ''The Devil and Daniel Mouse'', which is included as an extra on the Blu-ray release of Nelvana's ''Rock & Rule''.
** It also makes an appearance at the start of the original VHS release of the 1980 film ''The Unseen'' (also intact on an '80s USA Network airing), while the filmed variant appears at the end.
** This logo was also
** This variant had also resurfaced on GSN and Buzzr airings of a 1980 episode of ''To Tell the Truth''.
**
** This also made appearances on Sky Go New Zealand prints of some episodes of ''All in the Family'' (such as season 1 episode 2).
* '''''Silent Variant'':'''
** It
** It is also retained on the 1985 Key Video re-issue of ''Fun in Acapulco''.
** It was also spotted on an '80s USA Network airing of the 1968 movie ''Mission Mars'' (it is unknown if it's intact on any VHS releases of the movie).
|
Viacom Enterprises was the television distribution division of the CBS Television Network, formed in 1952 as CBS Television Film Sales, later renamed to CBS Films in 1958, CBS Enterprises, Inc. in 1968, then to Viacom in 1970. In 1971, it was spun-off to comply with FCC regulations prohibiting television networks from distributing their programs under their own names. Subsequently, Viacom formed "Viacom Productions" to produce first-run television series airing on the major television networks.
The company was popular during the 1970s and 1980s, originally distributing CBS-produced shows such as I Love Lucy and The Andy Griffith Show. In later years, they've distributed shows from numerous other production companies, including MTM Enterprises, Filmways Television, Carsey/Werner, Lorimar Television, Rankin/Bass, and Hanna-Barbera (the latter mostly internationally). They also distributed several Four Star shows, and early Nelvana TV specials, as well as most movie releases from Romulus Films, Hallmark Hall of Fame, Tomorrow Entertainment, Regency Enterprises, New World Pictures (until 1984), Orion Pictures, New Line Cinema, EMI Films, Cannon Films, and the Terrytoons library, among others, until they formed their own syndication companies. In 1971, Viacom and its production division formed "Viacom International, Inc." as their new parent company for distributing programs overseas.
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 Domestic Television (later "CBS Television Distribution" and now "CBS Media Ventures"), by transferring the domestic rights of the Viacom library. Viacom International was later reorganized 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.
In light of serious financial troubles brought on to Viacom, the production unit was folded into Paramount Network Television (now "CBS Studios") in 2004. Paramount took control of the remaining Viacom-produced series in 2005. On December 31 of that year, Viacom was reincorporated as "CBS Corporation", ceasing to exist officially. A "new" Viacom was established on the same day, as the holding company for Paramount Pictures, the MTV Networks, BET Networks, and their non-television firms. By 2009, most Viacom-distributed TV productions were distributed under CBS Media Ventures (formerly "CBS Paramount Domestic Television" and "CBS Television Distribution") and outside the U.S. under Paramount Global Content Distribution (formerly "CBS Paramount International Television" and "CBS Studios International"), while the previous Viacom-distributed movies, and some Viacom Domestic Media Networks TV shows were distributed by Paramount with U.S. over-the-air rights licensed to Trifecta Entertainment and Media. On December 4, 2019, Viacom and CBS re-merged, forming ViacomCBS. On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS was renamed to Paramount Global, putting the Viacom name to rest after 51 years.
Before the Paramount purchase, Viacom titles were distributed on home video by Magnetic Video Corporation, CBS Video Enterprises (coincidental as Viacom would later own CBS), Warner Home Video, VidAmerica, Forum Home Video and U.S.A. Home Video, among others. A little known fact is that Viacom actually stands for "Visual Audio Communications".
Visuals: On a purple background, the letter "V" slides in from the right of the screen, settling in the left-hand side. Then the text "iA" slides in, settling beside the "V". When this happens, the color of the background changes to green. Then, the text "COM" slides in, settling beside "VIA" and changing the background to red. This forms the word "ViACOM". Finally, the word zooms out as the words "A" and "pRESENTATiON" fade in to the left and right of it, respectively, revealing the text in its entirety as the background changes to blue.
Trivia: The logo is actually in the same font as The Mary Tyler Moore Show logo, Peignot.
Variant: The logo is in B&W on early '70s prints of The Andy Griffith Show, Perry Mason, I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Our Miss Brooks, The Phil Silvers Show, The Twilight Zone, and The Beverly Hillbillies, among other classic shows. It also appears on a VHS of The Andy Griffith Show released by Premier Promotions, titled The Andy Griffith Show Double Feature Volume 33.
Technique: Camera-controlled/cel animation.
Audio: Four synthesized pinball-like chimes that ascend in pitch. The first 3 play as each part of "ViACOM" slides in, and the last, which plays over the zoom-out, has a "zap" sound that blends in with the last bell, combined with a synth chord and gurgling, telephone-like sounds.
Audio Variants:
Availability:
Legacy: This logo isn't anywhere close to being as well known (or feared) as its successors, not only because of its short lifespan but also because it was commonly plastered with newer logos. The pinball sounds in this logo gave it the nickname "Pinball".
Visuals: On a sky blue (or lavender) background, the text "A Viacom Presentation" in a Palatino-like typeface zooms in from the center of the screen at a very fast pace, then stops abruptly (on the filmed variant) when it gets near the screen. Then, a stylized navy blue "V" (a downward trapezoid with a curved line in the near center) appears from the center. 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).
Variants:
Technique:
Audio: Here are the main music variants used on this logo:
Audio Variants:
Availability: Most shows that had this logo have been updated with either the "V of Steel" or "Wigga Wigga" logos, or those of Paramount Domestic Television, CBS Paramount Domestic/Network Television, or CBS Television Distribution. However, newer variants might be seen on local stations that show older Viacom shows, such as The Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, Rawhide, Hogan's Heroes, The Twilight Zone, and Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C. All variants of the "V of Doom" (with the exception of the "V of Pinball" until evidence is found) can be seen on VHS tapes of The Andy Griffith Show released by various video outlets such as Premier Promotions and sometimes (though mostly the videotaped variant) by UAV Corporation.
Legacy: This logo gained a reputation as one of the scariest logos of all time when it was used, due to its animation and music, earning the unofficial nickname "V of Doom". Nonetheless, it has been known to be a memorable one for those who grew up with this logo, and has been a fan favorite in the community.
Visuals: On a sea green/dark blue background, a black "V" and the name "Viacom" zoom in together and stop smoothly once they take up most of the screen.
Variants:
Technique: Usually camera-controlled/cel animation, but for the still logo, a still, printed image.
Audio: Only the closing theme of the show or TV movie, or none.
Audio Variant: On some programs, a re-orchestrated/rearranged version of the previous logo's theme, punctuated by a steel-stringed guitar, is heard.
Availability: This logo was used for network television productions.
Visuals:
Technique: Motion-controlled animation.
Audio: The opening and closing themes of the syndie promo or none.
Availability: The only sighting that has come up is a sales tape for individual stations to purchase syndication rights for Viacom-owned shows. The tape used for the captures above is from a Hawaii Five-O sales tape.
Visuals: The logo starts in outer space. The words "Special" and "Delivery" streak through the sun in the background, leaving a rainbow trail. Then on a blue/black gradient background, the two words fly towards a stylized gold ring with wings and the familiar "V" from the 2nd logo on its base. "From Viacom" with "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.
Variants:
Technique: Motion-controlled animation.
Audio: After a drum roll at the start, a majestic 13-note fanfare plays, with the last note held out. The last half plays for the short version, while it's extended for the long version.
Availability: It was seen on the 1984 Twilight Zone Silver Anniversary special, as well as mid-'80s prints of classic Rankin/Bass TV specials (including Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town), and some TV movies from the era, among others.
Visuals: On a black background is a still image of the Viacom "V" logo in blue, and the name "Viacom" in white below.
Variant: On Really Weird Tales, the "V" and name are smaller and colored orange.
Technique: A still graphic.
Audio: The closing theme of the show/TV movie or none.
Availability: This logo was used for network television productions, replacing the 3rd logo.
Visuals:
Variant: An extended version of the closing variant exists on the sales tape for The Lost Honeymooners, where the logo shines multiple times after completing.
Technique: Backlit/slit-scan animation.
Audio: The closing theme of the show. Promotional reels featured Christopher Plummer saying "...Because Viacom (pronounced as "Vee-a-Com") presents, for the very first time in syndication...".
Audio Variants: On some occasions, Plummer's voice is not used. Sometimes, when the closing theme or when the Viacom "V of Doom" music plays over the logo, he instead says "From Viacom" (once again pronouncing it as "vee-a-com").
Availability:
Visuals: The logo starts out with a screen that's divided in two, with a black/purple gradient on top and silver on the bottom, with a bright light flare shining between. The silver part then rotates counter-clockwise (a la CBS/Fox Video), revealing it is a steel version of the "V" logo as the background changes to a black/blue/purple gradient. The word "Viacom" flies in from the upper-left of the screen and settles underneath the "V", with it reflecting the text. The finished logo shines.
Variants:
Technique: CGI.
Audio: A series of pindrop-like synth notes and a high synth drone, later joined by a descending synth chord, and a "glittery" noise for when the "V" shines. The entire theme is slightly warped.
Audio Variants:
Availability:
Legacy: Its CGI makes this logo a favorite among the logo community. It is known by the fan nickname "V of Steel".
Visuals: On a shaded blue background, a silver "V" flies in from the bottom, and moves towards the left. As it does so, a zig-zag line comes out of it to form the other letters in the word "VIACOM". The logo is seen shining throughout. The individual letters separate from the zig-zag line, with the "A" and "M" still having the form of zig-zags. The completed logo then shines.
Trivia:
Variants:
Technique: 2D motion-controlled animation. This logo was animated by Atlantic Motion Pictures.
Audio: Again, there have been several musical variations accompanied with a male voiceover saying "Viacom" near the end:
Audio Variants:
Availability: This logo is quite infamous for plastering the older Viacom logos. Many of the shows that had this logo have been updated with either the Paramount Domestic Television, the CBS Paramount Domestic or Network Television logos ("Eye in the Sky" or "Wallpaper") or CBS Television Distribution logos by now, especially on DVD releases, but it is still seen on some shows and TV movies.
Legacy: Another beloved logo by some for its CGI, music (especially on the International variant), and voice-over.
Visuals: On a smoky blue background, the letters of "VIACOM" in a clear glass font are stacked on top of each other, with the "V" in front and the "M" in back. The letters then shrink and spread out to form the word as normally read. The background is revealed to have the letters of the word rapidly fading and blurring in and out. After "VIACOM" settles in, the text "PRODUCTIONS" in Futura Extra Bold appears from the mist and moves up to settle below the text. The byline "a Paramount company" (in the Paramount Pictures logo's font) fades in below that, along with a line above that separates the two.
Variants:
Technique: CGI.
Audio:
Audio Variants:
Availability:
Legacy: It's not a well-known logo like the previous ones, but it's considered another well-made logo with some really cool effects.
|
Viacom Productions |
|
| |||||
| |||||
| |||||
| |||||
| |||||
| |||||
|