I know Disney was on the verge of purchasing ABC, I'm wondering if the new theme was a move made by Disney. If it was...sorry Mickey Mouse, but you were trying to replace a fixture of Philadelphia TV that nobody was willing to let die so easily, and considering how bad this update to the theme was, I can't say I blame them!
When my father heard that theme...i was going "What the--?" this is not the theme for WPVI! He called 6abc, and asked them to bring back the old version of the theme philadelphia knows and loves. And they did!
This does not sound like a newscast theme at all. The job of a newscast theme is to engage the viewer and get their attention, this version would put you to sleep. That is a major reason why MCTYW is such a popular theme, it engages the viewer, it is up beat in combination with the views of people out having fun in the community, it makes people want to watch...
@djwash5 Or, more importantly, where are the vocals at the end.
My clip doesn't have the full close, but the vocal part was replaced with a flute solo performing to the melody of the "Move Closer To Your World" lyrics before getting really thunderous, really fast.
No, that was John DuPont, who was involved (convicted?) in the murder of an amateur wrestler, Dave Schultz. I have a WCAU newscast that references this.
Also, I would like to see changed in the description the date and time of "5pm September 20th 2006" to "5pm September 20th 1996". Too excited with the keyboard, eh?
I thought this version of MCTYW debuted in 1997, not 1996, but I could be wrong! Viewer response WAS swift and severe - I thought it lasted five days.
Action News also changes their montages at the official beginning of every season, not every three years.
On the day of the spring equinox, for example, if spring arrives at 7:44 AM, the 5 AM broadcast will show the winter montage, but the 12 noon broadcast will show the spring montage.
Well, they do CHANGE the montage every season, but at this point they kept the montages for three years before completely revising them. Nowadays they do revise each open each year, adding new shots and switching old shots around.
I forgot - the range of anchors at 'PVI go from the once stern, stentorian image of Jim Gardner (who has let his hair down in recent years) to the "ACTION!" delivery of Rob Jennings - all the way down to the clowning of Matt O'Donnell to the horrible puns of Rick Williams.
You also have the straight, professional deliveries of Walter Pérez, Sarah Bloomquist and Lisa Thomas-Laury, as well as some of the other field reporters that fill in.
It doesn't sound too bad, its a good attempt to try something different, but yeah I agree that doesn't fit the fast-paced theme that Action News has always had.
Reminds me of the attempt of ABC to update the 1978 "World News Tonight" theme in 1996. It was one of the factors that lead to WNT's decline and they later debuted a more faithful version in 1998 if I recall.
Amazing what orchestration can do. Virtually same melody, but a far slower song. I liked the '96 theme, but have to agree by saying that it wasn't the proper fit for the fast paced opens.
I also seem to recall the theme's shelf life being something more like 6 or 7 days as opposed to 4, but don't hold me to it.
It IS the same melody. All of the cuts used were direct updates of the originals. The closing theme, of course, didn't have vocals - those parts were replaced with a flute melody.
I got the dates from the Inquirer article about the theme change. I thought it was five days myself, but I know the theme did not last a full week. I also remember that the original theme returned on the bumpers first, then to the opens a day or so later (they probably had to re-edit the opens)
Well yeah, the close was the reason why I said virtually the same melody. I liken the update in game show realm to the 1994 jazzy theme for Dawson's return to Family Feud in that both themes held the same melody but lacked punch.
Everybody in and outside of Philly would have to agree that the 1996 orchestracal version of "Move Closer to Your World" really sucked human grapefruits!
Not very good
Albanynyer84 1 month ago
This version doesn't sound all that bad but the original is supreme.
baconhead2008 7 months ago
rob jennings does rule..he is so totally underrated
DartsRme312 8 months ago
I know Disney was on the verge of purchasing ABC, I'm wondering if the new theme was a move made by Disney. If it was...sorry Mickey Mouse, but you were trying to replace a fixture of Philadelphia TV that nobody was willing to let die so easily, and considering how bad this update to the theme was, I can't say I blame them!
johnissoevil 8 months ago
@johnissoevil Disney had nothing to do with it.
jhshifris1 7 months ago
I love how every year they have a different montage of images. its amazing. I love philly and Action News
cowboyzsuk81 1 year ago
This would fit for a national newscast. But for a local one, no.
GuienGarma 1 year ago
When my father heard that theme...i was going "What the--?" this is not the theme for WPVI! He called 6abc, and asked them to bring back the old version of the theme philadelphia knows and loves. And they did!
GameShowNetwork 2 years ago 2
This does not sound like a newscast theme at all. The job of a newscast theme is to engage the viewer and get their attention, this version would put you to sleep. That is a major reason why MCTYW is such a popular theme, it engages the viewer, it is up beat in combination with the views of people out having fun in the community, it makes people want to watch...
jkminnich 2 years ago
@jkminnich Honestly, it sounds like the National News such as NBC/ABC. On a lighter note, I wish WPXI and PCNC kept their MCTYW themes.
DJTheC 1 year ago
Now I know why Philly don't like that
theme: Where are the bass line, the drums, and the bongos?!
djwash5 2 years ago 6
@djwash5 Or, more importantly, where are the vocals at the end.
My clip doesn't have the full close, but the vocal part was replaced with a flute solo performing to the melody of the "Move Closer To Your World" lyrics before getting really thunderous, really fast.
HulkieD 1 year ago
By the way, was that Ira Einhorn on the 'Big Story?. The nut job who fled to France after a late 1970s murder.
(And 1996..my God where does time go?!?)
scrapplecheesesteak 2 years ago
No, that was John DuPont, who was involved (convicted?) in the murder of an amateur wrestler, Dave Schultz. I have a WCAU newscast that references this.
HulkieD 2 years ago
@HulkieD and speaking of which John DuPont passed away today.
adamv2 1 year ago
Also, I would like to see changed in the description the date and time of "5pm September 20th 2006" to "5pm September 20th 1996". Too excited with the keyboard, eh?
hkfreak 2 years ago
I thought this version of MCTYW debuted in 1997, not 1996, but I could be wrong! Viewer response WAS swift and severe - I thought it lasted five days.
Action News also changes their montages at the official beginning of every season, not every three years.
On the day of the spring equinox, for example, if spring arrives at 7:44 AM, the 5 AM broadcast will show the winter montage, but the 12 noon broadcast will show the spring montage.
AshburnStadium 2 years ago 3
Well, they do CHANGE the montage every season, but at this point they kept the montages for three years before completely revising them. Nowadays they do revise each open each year, adding new shots and switching old shots around.
HulkieD 2 years ago
Rob has the best delivery of any newscaster in Philly. However, Jim Gardner has the credibility factor.
philaman1972 2 years ago
Rob's delivery screams "ACTION News!"
AshburnStadium 2 years ago 3
I forgot - the range of anchors at 'PVI go from the once stern, stentorian image of Jim Gardner (who has let his hair down in recent years) to the "ACTION!" delivery of Rob Jennings - all the way down to the clowning of Matt O'Donnell to the horrible puns of Rick Williams.
You also have the straight, professional deliveries of Walter Pérez, Sarah Bloomquist and Lisa Thomas-Laury, as well as some of the other field reporters that fill in.
Monica Malpass stays in the middle of the road.
AshburnStadium 2 years ago 6
It is a little city just how crazy the city went over the news music. But I think all Philadelphians knew that the original was best!
waltlantz 3 years ago 3
When I first heard this new version, I thought "What the...? This is terrible!"
Glad I wasn't the only one that felt that way.
scrapplecheesesteak 2 years ago
Here here!
djwash5 2 years ago
I don't mean to take away from the focus on the horrible music,but i thought the Eagles debuted the new/current look in '97,not '96.
faysal21adigun 3 years ago
the midnight green look was introduced for the 1995-96 season.
HulkieD 3 years ago
omg! rob jennings! with brown hair! i've gone into cardiac arrest.
xokateluvsyaox 3 years ago
It doesn't sound too bad, its a good attempt to try something different, but yeah I agree that doesn't fit the fast-paced theme that Action News has always had.
ToughGunner 3 years ago 3
WOW! So that's what it sounds like! At least they tried.....AND FAILED!
abwvu1 3 years ago
Reminds me of the attempt of ABC to update the 1978 "World News Tonight" theme in 1996. It was one of the factors that lead to WNT's decline and they later debuted a more faithful version in 1998 if I recall.
ASKconard 3 years ago
Amazing what orchestration can do. Virtually same melody, but a far slower song. I liked the '96 theme, but have to agree by saying that it wasn't the proper fit for the fast paced opens.
I also seem to recall the theme's shelf life being something more like 6 or 7 days as opposed to 4, but don't hold me to it.
FOXSportsFan 3 years ago
It IS the same melody. All of the cuts used were direct updates of the originals. The closing theme, of course, didn't have vocals - those parts were replaced with a flute melody.
I got the dates from the Inquirer article about the theme change. I thought it was five days myself, but I know the theme did not last a full week. I also remember that the original theme returned on the bumpers first, then to the opens a day or so later (they probably had to re-edit the opens)
HulkieD 3 years ago
Well yeah, the close was the reason why I said virtually the same melody. I liken the update in game show realm to the 1994 jazzy theme for Dawson's return to Family Feud in that both themes held the same melody but lacked punch.
FOXSportsFan 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I think it sounds a lot better than the current version
noname1555 3 years ago
Everybody in and outside of Philly would have to agree that the 1996 orchestracal version of "Move Closer to Your World" really sucked human grapefruits!
stevieboy247 3 years ago 12
I liked the theme. I didn't think it fit at all on the newscasts, but taken on its own merits I think it's pretty impressive.
HulkieD 3 years ago
Glad to see that 20k was well spent.
tazz765 3 years ago