Opening title sequences were a huge thing in the 90s. Ask anyone who watched TV in that era, and it’s usually the theme tune and the imagery of their favourite show that pops into their heads and the conversation.
The Buffy and Angel opening credits are remembered for their tunes. The Buffy theme, recorded by Nerf Herder, has several different melodies. And the credits themselves are always freshened up each season, keeping the cast shots up to date – sometimes more than once a season.
So, ever wonder how many different sets of credits each show had? It’s surprisingly more than you think! For example, did you know that there is one episode of Buffy that has a set of credits unique to that episode – and I’m not talking about Superstar, Seeing Red or Once More, With Feeling!
Check them out below!
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Angel
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 1
Times Used: 1
Duration: Welcome to the Hellmouth
The first set of credits may look and feel exactly the same as the rest of the season, but there’s one slight difference! The opening screech at the beginning has an extra bar. Please note the season one/two arrangement of the theme and the old-school logo.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 2
Times Used: 11
Duration: The Harvest – Prophecy Girl
Exactly the same, but the extra bar disappears. The regular cast at the start of the show consisted of Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Nicholas Brendon as Xander, Alyson Hannigan as Willow, Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia andAnthony Stewart Head as Giles.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 3
Times Used: 22
Duration: When She Was Bad – Becoming (Part 2)
The musical arrangement stays the same, but this time David Boreanaz has been added to the opening as Angel.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 4
Times Used: 22
Duration: Anne – Graduation Day (Part 2)
The arrangement has been remixed with a heavier bass. The logo is the familiar one that we know and love. Seth Green has been added as Oz.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 5
Times Used: 6
Duration: The Freshman – Wild at Heart
David Boreanaz and Charisma Carpenter have both left the series for Angel.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 6
Times Used: 4
Duration: The Initiative – Hush
Seth Green has left the series. James Marsters has been added as Spike.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 7
Times Used: 11
Duration: Doomed – Restless
Marc Blucas joins the regular cast as Riley. For Superstar see below.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 8
Times Used: 1
Duration: Superstar
This sequence is the same as the rest of the season, just with Danny Strong‘s Jonathan interspersed throughout.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 9
Times Used: 1
Duration: Buffy Vs. Dracula
Used only once, Emma Caulfield has been added to the regulars as Anya.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 10
Times Used: 9
Duration: Real Me – Into the Woods
Michelle Trachtenberg has been added as Dawn. Note the different ‘M’ used for Sarah and James’s credits and then Emma’s and Michelle’s.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 11
Times Used: 12
Duration: Triangle – The Gift
Marc Blucas has left the series.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 12
Times Used: 20
Duration: Bargaining (Part 1) – Grave
Anthony Stewart Head has left the regular cast. Alyson Hannigan has been promoted to his spot on the credits. Again, note the font change for her name: the different ‘Y’.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 13
Times Used: 1
Duration: Once More, With Feeling
The opening credits were given a makeover, along with the rest of a show, for the musical episode Once More, With Feeling. The entire episode was the only one shot in Widescreen.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 14
Times Used: 1
Duration: Seeing Red
Amber Benson is added to the opening for her final appearance on the series.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Version 15
Times Used: 22
Duration: Lessons – Chosen
The final set for Buffy, used in the final season.
Angel
Angel may not have been on the air as long as it’s parent show, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t go through its fair amount of changes. Five of the ten regulars came from Buffy originally, but the show became a more ensemble piece, starting with the beginning of the second season. It has eight sets of opening sequences. The theme was specifically written for the show by the rock band Darling Violetta.
Angel
Version 1
Times Used: 10
Duration: City Of – Parting Gifts
The first set, starring David Boreanaz as Angel, Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia and Glenn Quinn as Doyle.
Angel
Version 2
Times Used: 12
Duration: Somnambulist – To Shanshu in L.A.
Alexis Denisof has joined the regular cast. Glenn Quinn has left the cast. Note that Glenn Quinn can still be seen behind Alexis Denisof’s credit until the end of season one.
Angel
Version 3
Times Used: 22
Duration: Judgement – There’s No Plrtz Glrb
The only set for Season 2. J. August Richards is added as a regular.
Angel
Version 4
Times Used: 22
Duration: Heartthrob – Tomorrow
The only set for Season 3. Amy Acker now stars as Fred.
Angel
Version 5
Times Used: 13
Duration: Deep Down – Salvage
Vincent Kartheiser joins the cast as Connor. Alexis Denisof is promoted to the end of the credits.
Angel
Version 6
Times Used: 9
Duration: Release – Home
Finally, after 45 episodes as a guest star, Andy Hallett is added to the regulars as Lorne.
Angel
Version 7
Times Used: 16
Duration: Conviction – Shells
Charisma Carpenter and Vincent Kartheiser have left the regular cast. James Marsters comes over following Buffy‘s ending, as Spike.
Angel
Version 8
Times Used: 6
Duration: Underneath – Not Fade Away
Mercedes McNab, after eight years of playing Harmony, has been promoted to series regular. Amy Acker‘s character shots are changed from Fred to Illyria.
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