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Logos[]

1st logo (1957-1960)[]

On a dark (or gray) background, we see a brown (or drawn) statue of the MGM logo, as seen on movies from 1924-1983, sitting on a pedestal. There is a text seen over the statue saying "AN MGM-TV PRODUCTION" (or "AN MGM-TV PRESENTATION"). The name of the Executive Producer is seen below.

2nd logo (1960-1973)[]

We see Leo, the infamous MGM lion, inside a black circle border, which reads "METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER TELEVISION". The lion roars once. The background has wallpapered images of a lion's face (as a matter of fact, the same image was used as the print logo of MGM Records until 1968).

Variants[]

These are the main are color variations of this logo:

  • 1960-1962: Live-action backing. On National Velvet, the logo is placed on the background of the credits. Then the logo disappears in an iris out effect while the show's title (in quote marks) is appears in an iris in effect.
  • 1962-May 16, 1966: Gray wallpaper backing (on black & white shows).
  • 1965-1973: Red wallpaper backing.
  • 1965-1973: Pink/Butter Yellow wallpaper backing.
  • 1966: Brown wallpaper backing. Appeared only on Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

3rd logo (1973-1991)[]

A disc the size of a cold cream jar with the Stylized MGM lion's face on top and the words "MGM Television" on its side (more on that later) features in this logo. It began with this "jar" standing on its edge - the N in TELEVISION would be on the bottom - and we're looking at the Stylized Lion which is on the "lid". One roar is heard over the final strains of the special's closing theme, then this jar falls backwards and sideways simultaneously - quickly and fluidly - to reveal this legend on the side. Background drawing(s) or decoration was possible but unconfirmed. "MGM" is on its side as if rotated 90 degrees, and in the blocky font from the trademark on the record labels. "Television" was in a font that may be not unlike the Bobbi The Hippie font (also similar to the "mod" logo to the game show To Tell The Truth).

4th logo (1975)[]

It's the standard MGM logo, which has its origins starting in 1953. A live-action lion named Leo is in a circle of a ribbon-like filmstrip which flows out on the bottom sides in twos. Underneath the circle is a red drama mask. The circle has the phrase "ARS GRATIA ARTIS" (Latin for "Art for the Art's Sake") written on the top, and above it are the words "Metro Goldwyn Mayer." On the left side is "TRADE," and the right "MARK", and on the bottom is the word "TELEVISION". Leo roars once.

Variants[]

First here are the little differences in the logo, along with dates in which they were used:

  • 1973-1979: A short version of movie logo of the era.
  • 1979-1983: The word "TELEVISION" appears during this era. Almost similar to the 1960 MGM theatrical cartoon logo, which looks very tacked/chyroned on, and very unprofessional.
  • 1983-1991: Referred to as "MGM/UA Entertainment Co. TELEVISION". Kids Incorporated used this one until 1991.
  • May 10, 1986-April 20, 1987: Another short variant of the movie logo, with the word "TELEVISION" in white cheaply tacked in below.

5th logo (1980-1984)[]

Just a scrolling in-credit variant with the then-current MGM print logo (the "modernized Leo") in yellow, the name "MGM" in a yellow Optima medium font below said logo, and "TELEVISION" in Melior italic font directly below that.

6th logo (1984-present)[]

Same as the 1970 logo, but this time, the ribboning is gold and Leo is in a golden color.

Variants[]

  • 1982-1983: A variation around this era exists of the logo where it is a still picture of the then-current MGM/UA Entertainment Co. corporate logo. Referred to as "(FROM) MGM/UA Entertainment Co. Television Distribution".
  • 1984-1985: Company identified as MGM/UA Entertainment Co. Television. "DIAMOND JUBILEE (in an arc above the ribbon) SIXTY YEARS OF GREAT ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION" (all in silver) is used in the 1984-85 season.
  • 1986-1987: Another variation existed having the 1979 MGM Television logo all in gold. Used during the MGM Entertainment Co. era.
  • 1987-1993: The company is identified as "MGM/UA Television Productions, An MGM/UA Communications Company". The ribboning is now gold from this point on. At least one episode of thirtysomething has a still version of the logo.
  • April 27, 1987-1993: The syndication division is now billed as MGM/UA Telecommunications. The words "Distributed by" appear above the logo and the MGM/UA byline appears below.
  • 1991-2009: A short version of the movie design without anything below. Appears in either black & white or color in 1996.
  • 1992: A version reads "MGM/UA" and no byline below. Seen on the final season of The Young Riders and several network made-for-TV movies.
  • 1993-1996: The company is reverted back to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, along with the byline "MGM Worldwide Television Group" or "MGM/UA Telecommunications Group" underneath the logo. For In the Heat of the Night, there is a byline that says ""In The Heat Of The Night" Property Of United Artists".
  • 1996-2005: The syndication division is referred to as "MGM Domestic Television Distribution", along with the 1995 lion roar track (finally). Global arm referred to as "MGM Worldwide Television Group". A widescreen versions was introduced in 2002. •
  • [[1]]: The logo was shifted up some for television distribution without anything underneath the logo. Appears in either black & white or color.
  • 1997-2004: Network arm referred to as "MGM Television Entertainment". •1999-2009: Referred to as "MGM International Television Distribution" for global distribution.
  • 2001-2009: A short version of the current movie logo with the URL, "www.mgm.com" below the logo using only part one of the lion roar.
  • 2005-present: Referred to as "MGM Worldwide Television Distribution" for US.

7th logo (2009-2012)[]

It's only the short version of the 2008 closing theatrical logo, reading below has, "MGM Worldwide Television Distribution" for United States, "MGM International Television Distribution" for global distribution, the MGM website, or none, just like the last logo except the company name below the logo is in a different font. Again, Leo roars once.

Later Variant[]

Starting in 2010, it's the November 2008 MGM logo with the name "MGM WORLDWIDE TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION" in all capital letters.

8th logo (2012-)[]

We start with the MGM logo fully revealed and zooming out, but with the words "MGM TELEVISION" in Trajan Pro, zooming out below along with the logo. the whole animation zooms out fast. Sometimes the words below are exempt.

9th logo (2021-)[]

A shortened version of MGM's 2021 logo, starting when Leo the Lion appears, and with the golden text "TELEVISION" in a font similar to the third logo appearing below the logo. Leo roars once.

Music/Sounds[]

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The closing theme of the show.

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  • 1960-1962?: A three note drum sound followed by dramatic fanfare played by a trumpet, synched to the footage of the lion roaring: the audio of the roar is replaced by a loud vibration of a muted trumpet as part of the fanfare. On National Velvet, this is followed by a 3-note loud trumpet theme when the show's title is wiped on-screen.
  • The ending music to the show plays throughout on some series; on others there is silence while Leo is roaring.

Music/Sounds Variant[]

On a re-run of The Asphalt Jungle, a voice-over said: "The Asphalt Jungle, a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television production".

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The closing theme of the show, with a single roar.

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Just the Lion's roar.

Music/Sounds Variants[]

On 1970s reruns of Northwest Passage, the first two roars from the 1957 logo are used. Over the 2nd lion roar, a male voice-over says, "From the MGM Studios in Hollywood".

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Just the closing theme of The Montefuscos, with the audience applauding (most likely canned) as the theme plays.

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There are different sound bites of the lion's roar:

  • 1982-1996: The last lion roar from the 1957-1982 lion roar.
  • 1982-1983: The MGM/UA Entertainment Co. Television Distribution logo either had the show's closing music (such as on the cartoon series Pandamonium and Meatballs and Spaghetti), or the 1982 United Artists Television logo theme followed by the last roar sound bite from 1957-1982.
  • 1991-1992, 1996-2009, January 10, 2011-2012: The first lion roar sound from the 1982 or 1995 lion roar.
  • 1991-1999: The last lion roar sound from the 1985 lion roar or the 1957 lion roar.
  • A long version exists on cable broadcasts of Holiday Heart, Rocky V, The Terminator, and At Close Range. MGM Domestic Television Distribution only.
  • There is also a silent version on Soul Plane. MGM Domestic Television Distribution only.
  • Half of Leo's first roar is used for the warped version.
  • On the still version, a shortened version of the 1957 roar is used.

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The same first half of the 1995 lion roar or the 2008 roar. First season episodes of Teen Wolf (2011) have the first half of the first roar of the 1995 roar track.

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The same first half of the 1995 lion roar.

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Same as the previous logo.

Scare Factor[]

1st logo[]

None, though the scare factor raises with the next logo...

2nd logo[]

Minimal to high with the roar, depends on your opinion of the pause between fade-in and the lion's roar. Medium to nightmare with the dramatic theme. More than a few of unsuspecting people will get startled if they're caught off-guard.

3rd logo[]

None to low, the roar might catch some off-guard.

4th logo[]

Low to medium. It's one of the best-known logos, but higher on the scare factor for people who don't like roaring lions.

5th logo[]

None.

6th logo[]

Same as the last logo.

7th logo[]

Same as above.

8th logo[]

Low. The roar and fast zooming might surprise you the first time you see it, but it's mostly harmless.

9th logo[]

Low.

Trivia[]

  • The reason the Lion is scary for some people is because it was a predator for our ancestors.

Video[]

MGM_Television_(1960)

MGM Television (1960)

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