I used to love how television shows used to have a Friday credit crawl that was extraordinarily long. This was especially true of soap operas. In the 1970s and 1980s this usually meant a full orchestral theme. Long gone are the days of pleasurable music to accompany a television series. Now we have ads and promos with text squeezed so far into the corner that you need a jeweler's eye with the recording on pause to make out any of what is there. It's just awful.
Yeah, I remember 3-2-1's closing credits on a Friday. I always thought it was like an extra treat for the weekend. Loved this show as a kid. And in Chicago, they used to run Dr. Who after it: weeknights at 5:30. Good times.
One of the credited Production Assistants is Dana Calderwood, who would go on to be the director of Double Dare, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
Heh...at the same point in my childhood that this aired, I occasionally hit up a "Nova" episode as well. Just to make things weird, CBS experimented (no pun intended) in primetime with "Universe" in 1982. OMG: Could the concept of the "power trio" of "3-2-1 Contact" have informed that of the "M7 Team" of the much-later "MythBusters"?
From 1:29 - 1:56: FAVORITE! I used to LOVE hearing the theme for this show, particularly the closing theme where you just hear the music - no voice overs. Sometimes I used to turn up the volume and blast it, the piano playing at the end was my favorite.
1:25 I wish there was a restored version of the CTW "Snake" logo from 1978 on DVD. Also, I think the CTW "Snake" logo from 1978 is the first regular logo for the Children's Television Workshop.
I would have expected some such "elite nerds" (thinking about that National Science Foundation connection) to figure into this series. Coloring that is my father's explanation that the sci-fi "Doctor Who" (same channel in the Chi-town market) was "a 'Ph. D.' doctor".
What is anyone doing to bring these shows in their ORIGINAL version back to television, even to PBS? Or at least to DVD? Let's stop talking about it and get it done! That black dude in the first season is o so cute.
This ending music is EXTREMELY similar to the Star Blazers / Yamato song "Argo Launches from Earth" AKA "Victory"... especially the Symphonic Suite version (check the torrents). I should post a comparison vid. Amazing music for both shows; you can never go wrong by mixing synth with wah guitar!
Hands down the 1980 season of this show was the best, music, content and all.
I used to love how television shows used to have a Friday credit crawl that was extraordinarily long. This was especially true of soap operas. In the 1970s and 1980s this usually meant a full orchestral theme. Long gone are the days of pleasurable music to accompany a television series. Now we have ads and promos with text squeezed so far into the corner that you need a jeweler's eye with the recording on pause to make out any of what is there. It's just awful.
I always loved the music.
Wow! My sister and use to jam to this when we were kids.
I love the music at the ending credits. It does sound like disco music. The music makes me think of flying.
Yes! Airshow music!
Heh, a couple of the clips used in the closing sequence - "surfing wipeout" and "spiraling rollercoaster" - had me thinking of aerobatics as well
IIRC, one of the early episodes involved a glider.
Yeah, I remember 3-2-1's closing credits on a Friday. I always thought it was like an extra treat for the weekend. Loved this show as a kid. And in Chicago, they used to run Dr. Who after it: weeknights at 5:30. Good times.
As a fellow WTTW viewer of that time, I tip my metaphorical hat to you.
Yep, I remember that! Fellow former Chicagoan here--and as a kid, I was a diehard Contact AND Dr. Who fan!
This was from Week 2 of Season 1 (1980). The topic that week was "Forces"; Rita Moreno (name in credits) did the opening bumpers for the week.
Those were the BEST times that we'll ever see...
One of the credited Production Assistants is Dana Calderwood, who would go on to be the director of Double Dare, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
When children's educational shows were cool!
Heh...at the same point in my childhood that this aired, I occasionally hit up a "Nova" episode as well. Just to make things weird, CBS experimented (no pun intended) in primetime with "Universe" in 1982.
OMG: Could the concept of the "power trio" of "3-2-1 Contact" have informed that of the "M7 Team" of the much-later "MythBusters"?
The nostalgia is killing me!!
These closing credits aired once a week during the first season. It was either at the end of a Wednesday episode or a Thursday episode.
1:24 3-2-1 Contact Is A Production Of The Children’s Television Workshop And Noggin.
THE best. Period. That is all.
xoxo The Clarences
I just love that show and Learn to Read!!
Thumbs up if you were hot for Trini
👍
👍🏾👍🏾🥰
From 1:29 - 1:56: FAVORITE!
I used to LOVE hearing the theme for this show, particularly the closing theme where you just hear the music - no voice overs.
Sometimes I used to turn up the volume and blast it, the piano playing at the end was my favorite.
This used to be THE SHIT back in the day on Channel 12 in South Jersey (Bridgeton & Quinton, New Jersey)
Same thing on WHYY Channel 12 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania too.
From a rerun dating back to 1988
BTW, the shorter version of the 1980 credits only uses the opening theme instrumental, rather than the reprise version.
1:25 I wish there was a restored version of the CTW "Snake" logo from 1978 on DVD. Also, I think the CTW "Snake" logo from 1978 is the first regular logo for the Children's Television Workshop.
The 1978 ctw logo is one of the scariest in the world.
According to CLG Wiki, the 1982 logo is even scarier.
Specifically, it's from Week 2 ("Forces"). I can tell because Rita Moreno was listed after the main cast.
I imagine you were tempted to start that comment with, "Hey you guys"
the original theme to 3-2-1 contact as aired in 1980 1981 1982
What program number contains the Friday closing credits with "I'll be seeing you" playing?
1:13 So many PHDs on the board of advisers.
Ph. D. (PHony Degree) [no longer limited to philosophy.]
I would have expected some such "elite nerds" (thinking about that National Science Foundation connection) to figure into this series. Coloring that is my father's explanation that the sci-fi "Doctor Who" (same channel in the Chi-town market) was "a 'Ph. D.' doctor".
I think this was an encore airing of an episode 8 years prior.
Awe-some!
Is there any way we can get a cleaned up version of the open/close theme songs, all included extended versions?
What is anyone doing to bring these shows in their ORIGINAL version back to television, even to PBS? Or at least to DVD? Let's stop talking about it and get it done! That black dude in the first season is o so cute.
Do you mean Marc?
Thanks for reposting this! CTW should've sued Ted Turner when he used part of that tune for "Headline News".
Well, perhaps it wasn't plagiarism. Perhaps Tom Anthony composed both tunes.
This ending music is EXTREMELY similar to the Star Blazers / Yamato song "Argo Launches from Earth" AKA "Victory"... especially the Symphonic Suite version (check the torrents). I should post a comparison vid. Amazing music for both shows; you can never go wrong by mixing synth with wah guitar!
Summer 1988
this shit is the bomb
Remember the old show " infinity factory," please upload.
There was a closing credits segment done entirely by that MicroMachines Guy... the one with the very fast speaking mouth.
His name is John Moschitta.
John Moschitta (also voiced "Blurr" in the 1986 season of "The Transformers") did a similar bit for CTW's "Square One Television"
@AnthonyGSSM His name was Mark. Seemed like a cool guy. I would have a beer with that guy.
@AnthonyGSSM
Never mind the black dude, the redheaded girl was absolutely hot!
Liz moses, who was 24 back then
It was repeated in 1988.
Where's your original one?
it says 1980 at the end of the show
Rerun broadcast.
Funky
i WONDER IF THERE IS A DVD BOX SET
+Darrin Griffin Unfortunately, no.
The closest you'll ever get to one is the "Classroom" version GPN put out circa 1991.
he said 1988 games it says 1980 hw that weild
This was a rerun the station aired.
I do not like that man talking briefly during the closing music.
What guy wasn't hot for that Brunette!? Both Brunettes actualy!