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| MacGyver Online Forums > General Reboot Discussions > Should the classic theme song return |
| Posted by: Macgyver12186 21 April 2016 - 04:08 AM |
| I figure while we wait for more news on Macgyver we could discuss if the classic theme should come back and if so what should it sound like. For me the answer is yes and while part of me want to go for a harder rock sound I am honestly thinking maybe more orchestral. (Think season 7's version) However I would also be happy if they replaced the synth with a guitar (there are a few YouTube versions of the more rock and roll Macgyver theme any of them would describe what I am hoping for.) |
| Posted by: denizen 21 April 2016 - 04:36 AM |
| I think we are all routing for the same thing. As to whether we are gong to get it remains to be seen. Orchestral compositions with modern synths can still work quite nicely. They do for many movies and shows of today. However the themes we associated with Mac will now be gone. Edelman & the gang will not return for this. So what we are going to be left with might be something new. |
| Posted by: Barry Rowland 21 April 2016 - 06:29 AM |
| I'd like the same basic theme for continuity but perhaps with some updates. |
| Posted by: Mr Duct Tape 21 April 2016 - 01:55 PM |
| An updated version of the original theme is probably what we're going to get in the end, a la Hawaii Five 0. Just a guess , of course. |
| Posted by: KiwiTek 21 April 2016 - 07:33 PM |
| I think it needs to stay. Theme music is a BIG identifying part of a show. Updating it is fine, but it needs to still be identifiable. My personal feeling is if they drop the theme music they've pretty much thrown the shows ancestry out the window and God only knows what we're going to end up with. |
| Posted by: RDoyletv 24 April 2016 - 12:28 AM |
| The MacGyver title sequence will in no way resemble the 80s show. Just throwing that out there now. Don't expect it will, because it ain't going to happen. I can only assume that CBS will follow the same formula as most of there shows. First off, they will keep the theme tune but highly modify it, in the same vein as Hawaii 5.O. The new theme tune will be reduced to 30seconds. The title sequence will be devoted mostly to the actors who feature in the series, with the actors' names very prominent. The rest of the sequence will be a mash up of disassembling and making things, in the style of CSI, mixed with a few action shots thrown in somewhere for good measure, (probably using a mix of transparency). This title sequence will start or end with the title of the show MacGyver, and finish with development credits for James Wan and Henry Wrinkler and a Creator credit for Lee Zlottoff. Just putting this out there - so y'all can adjust to this before the pilot airs. |
| Posted by: MacsJeep 24 April 2016 - 10:39 AM |
Don't you mean "if" it airs   I personally would like the theme back, I missed it on the Mac movies they made. I don't expect it to be the same, but it needs to be kind of recognizable. For instance, I liked the new Knight Rider theme, and there really wasn't a lot of the original in it, but just a little nod was enough. I think the Mac theme should be a bit more recognizable than that was, but I don't mind it being "modernized." |
| Posted by: RDoyletv 24 April 2016 - 11:31 AM |
| Nope MacsJeep, I think we can safely say that this pilot will air. It just a matter of time. CBS have invested too much time and effort into making this. It would be a travesty if they didn't air it now. You don't put the invest - good cast & crew, great writing and directing, printed director chairs etc, if you think that by the end it will remain on the cutting room floor. No chance ! I also think that this has series commitment. Obviously they won't say that until seeing the first cut of the pilot. But based on reading the script I say CBS are quitely confident. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 24 April 2016 - 11:48 AM | ||
You read the script?  |
| Posted by: RDoyletv 24 April 2016 - 11:58 AM |
| No, what I actually said was - based on CBS having read the script, I'm sure that they are quitely confident. Sorry to disappoint. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 24 April 2016 - 01:34 PM |
| I wouldn't mind the old theme back or a variation of it. But I don't think this will happen; I think they will go with something new... |
| Posted by: Joe SAKic 24 April 2016 - 04:26 PM |
| Well, I think that first & foremost it should compliment & match the energy/feel of the intro clips selected. The original intro was visually, musically - a high energy/high anxiety package, and we were handed the impression that things were going to be very high tempo & tight time-wise in the hour ahead. |
| Posted by: KiwiTek 24 April 2016 - 05:33 PM | ||
If history is anything to go by with other reboots and remakes, the theme will be a recognizable reincarnation. Hawaii Five-0, Knight Rider, The A-Team, Mission Impossible, Get Smart all kept the theme in some form as a nod to the original. Let's hope they do it with this as well. |
| Posted by: Jediferret 24 April 2016 - 06:20 PM |
| Depending on the talent behind the music... a modernized, or more "hardcore", version of the song can be possible. Though, I've heard several metal versions of it and it's still a very positive, upbeat theme. Honestly, I'd like for the theme to remain, in at least some fashion. |
| Posted by: KiwiTek 25 April 2016 - 01:30 AM | ||||
Ummm... Nooooo.....what you actually said was....
May not have been how you meant to word it, but it is what you said.  I think the 30 second idea is probably close to the money. Today's viewing audience doesn't have the attention span to watch a minute of opening credits. I wouldn't be surprised if the theme starts where we see the exploding title in the original, so it just kinda kicks in with high energy for the 30 second sequence. |
| Posted by: RDoyletv 25 April 2016 - 02:35 AM |
| I refuse to get into an argument about this, kiwitech. I know what I wrote, the sentence is perfectly valid as I was speaking from the point of view of CBS at the time. Your just splitting hairs, and I have already apologised for you misunderstanding the context in which it was written. The End. |
| Posted by: KiwiTek 25 April 2016 - 02:53 AM | ||
I'm not arguing either... simply showing where DashboardOnFire's question came from and also that other's may have misinterpreted the sentence as well. Hence my comment "May not have been how you meant to word it, but it is what you said."   |
| Posted by: MacGyverGod 25 April 2016 - 03:33 AM |
| Yeah, it should come back. Done by who? They may always call Randy or Dennis or Ken or William. Other than that I'm a little low on my knowledge of tv-composers. The one I respect the most now is Brian Tyler but I think he'll be far too busy. Alan Silvestri... perhaps if it was a movie and he's busy right now too for Zemeckis' new movie. Other than that... It'll probably be new blood. |
| Posted by: Mr Duct Tape 25 April 2016 - 04:52 AM | ||||
That's exactly what I think will happen with the new MacGyver series. the Macgyver theme song is very recognizable, and I'm sure they'll use it in some way or another. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 25 April 2016 - 11:37 AM | ||
I've also seen new TV Shows without any theme song music at all; e.g. "Saving Hope" - the logo with some tunes and then right into the opening credits. This makes more time for the actual show, but I don't think this works for an action show like MacGyver. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 25 April 2016 - 11:39 AM | ||
Hm. I gave it some more thought and I guess, after seeing the new logo being so similar to the old one, who knows.... they might do something similar with the theme song, after all. |
| Posted by: KiwiTek 25 April 2016 - 08:10 PM | ||
Don't you mean more time for commercials?  |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 25 April 2016 - 09:12 PM | ||
Probably The 45-50min-long TV-Shows in my childhood used to have one commercial break in the middle - so, e.g. in "MacGyver" they never fit in with the intended commercial breaks when filming. I'm also curious about the music in the show itself. I know that modern TV-Shows don't have a score anymore, but a soundtrack of already existing radio songs... I hope that's won't be the case here. |
| Posted by: KiwiTek 25 April 2016 - 10:43 PM | ||
remember they're making this TV show for a modern audience, not us old farts who grew up on the real MacGyver. Can't say I''ve taken much notice of soundtracks on any modern shows to be honest, but if it makes the show work then I'm OK with it. |
| Posted by: denizen 25 April 2016 - 11:08 PM |
| Coincidentally, a few years ago the TV series, Human Target featured an incredible soundtrack composed by Bear McCreary. It was like a Bond soundtrack. Very very suave. The first season was a superb start to the show and reminded me of Mission Impossible meets MacGyver. With opening gambits. And then they messed it up with season 2. Change of composer, theme music, pace and story and it got cancelled. If you ever get a chance watch the first season and you will see what i mean. Point is, if they wanted to, they could get someone like McCreary to compose a score for MacGyver and it would be phenomenal. |
| Posted by: Macgyver12186 17 June 2016 - 04:27 AM | ||
I agree ten fold. With Peter at the helm I can gaurentee the theme will be used and brought back as he did the same thing with 5.0 |
| Posted by: Mr Duct Tape 17 June 2016 - 04:39 AM |
| Bear McCreary's work on Outlander is really good. He makes the series even better with his music,love those scottish tunes. |
| Posted by: RDoyletv 17 June 2016 - 04:45 AM |
| I urge you to watch the old opening title sequence to H.50, and then watch the new version. Peter has lovely subtle nods to the past in the updated title sequence. It was very refreshing to see. And the shortened version has all the necessary components that the original had. I reckon he will do the same thing with MacGyver, the theme will be updated but recognisable and including lovely nods to the past. I'm guessing already but Mac hands over his Passport, abseiling down cliff, "Mac eating an Ice Cream", and "Him out of breath" spring to mind as possible nods to the past. Either way, the 1minute 12 second opening title sequence will be dramatically reduced to a 30sec version, mainly comprising of the featured cast. That is guaranteed ! |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 17 June 2016 - 09:09 AM | ||
I'm sorry to barge in, but is "abseiling" a proper English term? Because it's "abseilen" in German and I'm pretty befuddled right now *lol* |
| Posted by: RDoyletv 17 June 2016 - 09:19 AM |
| You better believe it is - Dash ! Why? What does "abseilen" mean in German ? |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 17 June 2016 - 09:49 AM |
| Yes, "abseilen" in German means "to abseil" in English - and the dictionary even states it's German origin. I never knew that; I only know some wide-known terms like "Kindergarten" or "Zeitgeist". Well, the German language steals so many English terms it's only fair it also goes in the other direction every now and then... |
| Posted by: RDoyletv 20 June 2016 - 04:31 AM |
| It is an extremely sad day... When someone posts something like this... about MACGYVER. I'm so glad CBS, are doing something about it. MacGyver deserves to live on! |
| Posted by: Widowmaker 27 June 2016 - 10:04 PM |
| I'd love it if the Randy Edelman theme returned, which is a sentiment I'm sure most people here share. But I don't want there to be some major change in the tune(think the Ghostbusters theme in the 90s Extreme Ghostbusters cartoon or the Fuller House theme where the lyrics are the same but there's an obvious difference in the structure of the melody). If you hum it, it should sound exactly like you're humming the 80s theme. Do it with modern synthesizers, so it sounds up to date but also still has a bit of a retro, technical sound to it. |
| Posted by: RDoyletv 28 June 2016 - 12:43 AM |
| Me thinks.... that the most recent (13 second) promo, features the new theme music for the series (albeit in a shortened version). I must say it's growing on me. |
| Posted by: manueloooord 28 June 2016 - 01:10 AM |
| Speaking of the intro theme, I'll be stemming a bit into a kinda related topic---and it's about the intro, like...how an episode starts. I think we will eventually get to hear the theme again, be it for opening credits or ending credits. But I can't help but wonder if the very intro for the show is like the Flash's or Arrow's intro....yknow, with the lead character doing a little voice over about himself and what the show's about  I recently watched an episode of Scorpion, too and I saw the same kind of intro voice over. Given that it's a CBS show too, and on the net there are a lot of people that compare it to MacGyver for some reason, do you guys think they might go down this path too with MacGyver?If they do this, they probably won't have time for opening credits anymore, so they might just put the theme on the ending credits. But the idea of the voiceover intro interests me, because MacGyver was known for voiceovers in the first few seasons, right? It would kinda be like a modern nod to the old show. I just hope that if they do that, they still have time for the opening intro. But I doubt that they will if they do this. |
| Posted by: RDoyletv 28 June 2016 - 01:38 AM |
| I can see your logic, and you make a very interesting case for this. But my guess is that they won't steer too much from the original - I'm basing this on how Peter Lenkov went about reviving H.50. Plus, the original opening said it all. It showcased the character and his ingenuity perfectly. It will of course be modernized and updated (and cutdown to 30sec) but it will encapsulate everything that was great about the original title sequence. I've studied the old and new H.50 title sequence and the similarity and differences have been very impressive, and how Peter Lenkov stayed true to the original. It's worth doing yourself on YouTube. I have my own theories as to how they'll go about the new MacGyver theme, and how they might adapt it to fit a similar path. But hope to be pleasantly surprised when the show airs in September. |
| Posted by: Miasma 28 June 2016 - 06:30 AM | ||
I agree. For a while, I had serious doubts that they'd bring back the familiar opening, but after I FINALY watched the opening of the new Hawaii 5-0 recently, I now think we'll almost definitely be getting an updated version of the classic opening. I'm just a bit nervous about HOW they'll update the sound of it. I don't want it to be too techno, or too hard-rock, or anything else that will make it seem like they're trying too hard to be hip & trendy. Stuff like that gets outdated very quickly. But again, the updated Hawaii 5-0 theme gives me hope that they'll do it right. |
| Posted by: manueloooord 28 June 2016 - 06:58 AM |
| I'm guessing Peter Lenkov would never let them make the new MacGyver theme too modernized. He may have learned from the past already. I read somewhere online a few years back that there was a version of the Hawaii Five-0 reboot theme that was supposed to be the one to use but then there was fan backlash and then they changed it and just updated the theme not steering too far away from the original. I recently did a little research again about the Hawaii Five-0 reboot because of it having Peter Lenkov too, so I recently heard the version that received backlash. Here's the one that received backlash, in case you guys haven't heard of this verson yet. Also, here's a short clip about how they rebooted the theme they did eventually use. I guess the process will be the same for MacGyver. |
| Posted by: Joe SAKic 28 June 2016 - 07:36 AM |
If Ghostbusters is any indication, then a resounding YES!  |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 12 September 2016 - 09:16 PM |
| I guess we can hear the new Theme-Song in this BtS-Video: |
| Posted by: Widowmaker 12 September 2016 - 11:23 PM | ||
That's not something produced for the reboot. In fact, it's probably as old as the internet. I'm not sure where it originated, maybe some CD compilation of TV show themes, or it could have been fan-made. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 13 September 2016 - 07:59 AM |
| If that's true, it makes no sense that they posted it on the official MacGyver-on-CBS-Facebook-Account Guess that's why they deleted it - violation of copyrights? *lol* |
| Posted by: Widowmaker 15 September 2016 - 02:44 PM |
| Possibly, though I don't know whose copyrights it could possibly be. Like I said, it's just one of those theme remakes you can find here and all over the internet that have been around for years and years. |
| Posted by: RadiantRose 16 September 2016 - 01:00 AM | ||
I like to think of it as a compilation of ways in which scheming/homicidal writers were trying to kill off RDA and/or stunt double. Plus the bit with the ice cream. |
| Posted by: RadiantRose 16 September 2016 - 01:02 AM | ||||
I'm pretty sure I once abseiled - okay, it was in Wales, but the instructor was speaking English to us. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 18 September 2016 - 10:34 AM |
| Peter Lenkov posted a short video with sound of the orchestra playing the new theme song: https://www.instagram.com/p/BKe9jUTAnqO/?taken-by=plenkov |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 18 September 2016 - 10:36 AM |
| It sounds like the song that CBS posted on FB, deleted and reuploaded on the same day: |
| Posted by: manueloooord 18 September 2016 - 12:27 PM |
| Anyone else here think they messed the theme up? Why can't the theme be given the same level of respect as the H50 theme? This is actually a big letdown for me the whole time I waited and followed news for the reboot. Mostly, I was all for the decisions but I can't say the same for going with a new theme. I hope it will sound more like the original in the legit episode. I hate it, I just hate it. It made me less excited. But, analyzing the theme technically, it seems to have backing harmonies similar to that of the original...not that evident in the original theme except for the first few seconds, but more so in the show's soundtrack especially in the first season whenever Mac would start to think and tinker. It's nice as a piece itself, I guess, but it's not a piece I would like to hear as the main theme music for a show that already has an iconic theme. Besides, the classic theme is much more energetic and one could even say that it really captures what and who MacGyver is. It was unique. I have friends whom I have been recommending this show to. I'm too disappointed to know that they won't enjoy the reboot now as much as I enjoyed the original, knowing that they won't feel the same vibe of excitement I felt for the old theme...and probably they wouldn't even know what they're missing. I really hope that in the end, it will sound more like the old theme. I'm sure a lot of you here are waiting and still hoping for the return of *cue explotion, titles, and music* "DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DAAAAAA! DA DA DAAAAA!" I'd already be happy if they leave that in, actually. It's better than having a theme with no similarities at all to the original one. |
| Posted by: Miasma 18 September 2016 - 04:36 PM |
| I love the new theme! Orchestras definitely beat synthesizers in terms of emotional impact. I have to admit, the nostalgic side of me had hoped that they'd bring back the original, but this sounds great, so I have no complaints. Very cinematic and grand. |
| Posted by: denizen 18 September 2016 - 08:32 PM |
| It sounds meh to me. At least it aint a hip hop theme |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 18 September 2016 - 09:19 PM |
| It doesn't affect me in the same way as the original theme, but I can accept this. Initially, I had expected the worst, so it actually makes me almost happy. Most modern TV show don't even have a theme or scores anymore; they just use some songs that are playing on the radio at the moment. So CBS allowing to use an actual orchestra to play the theme and score the episodes is great! Other changes in the reboot (e.g. using the name of Jack Dalton for a total new character) are much more difficult for me than this take on the theme. |
| Posted by: Miasma 19 September 2016 - 04:12 AM | ||
Yeah, it's definitely a different feel. The original had a feeling of "Yay! We're going on an adventure!"-- very upbeat, feel-good music. This new theme goes for more of a dramatic feel, I think, and feels larger in scale. So it makes me wonder if the show itself will be more large scale and dramatic than the original. If so, it makes sense that they changed the theme. Maybe the original theme just didn't fit the tone of the new show? Anyway, after all the promos, I was starting to worry that the new theme song might be hip-hop music, so I am very relieved that they went with a cinematic orchestral score instead. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 19 September 2016 - 10:46 AM | ||
me too *lol* They do promote it as the new "drama" on CBS, so I guess it fits? To me, MacGyver was always an "action" show (even though it turned more drama in later season)... But I don't know much about TV shows labels in the US... |
| Posted by: Widowmaker 19 September 2016 - 09:04 PM |
| I didn't watch the whole video that had the new theme, so sorry for misunderstanding. I heard the cover of the original theme at the start and figured that was the background music for the whole video. I guess I should have watched the whole thing. Anyway, the new theme is alright, but bear in mind, they have said that they are using part of the original theme in the new theme, so they're probably saving the full theme reveal for the premiere. Edit: Wow. I can't believe that's actually part of the real theme. They used what appears to be a piece of a cheap knockoff version of the theme found on the internet rather than one of the official versions. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 23 September 2016 - 09:29 AM |
| In this Interview (done before the panel to the Television Critics Association in Summer), Lenkov and Wan also talk about the theme: http://www.slashfilm.com/macgyver-producers-interview-james-wan-peter-lenkov/ I guess we should be happy we got any theme-opening-credits-combo at all! Are you able to use the theme song in an age where they’ve cut theme songs out of shows entirely? Lenkov: One of the big things in television these days is there’s no main title sequence anymore. One of the things that I was really adamant about doing the show, and they signed off on it, was doing a main title sequence and actually having a theme song. Incorporate some of the original theme from the original show and a little bit of a new theme. So it’s a combination of the two but I didn’t want to do the show without a main title sequence. I feel like this show needs that. Very much like that original show. On Hawaii Five-0 you got the theme song down to 30 seconds. Similar thing for MacGyver? Lenkov: I think right now it’s 21 seconds. It keeps getting shorter every time we do a redo, but I’ll tell you one thing. That’s a big battle to win, to be able to do a main title sequence and a theme song these days. That’s not something network television does anymore. Wan: Because it eats up ad space? Lenkov: Yeah and they feel like maybe it’s a little retro but I like that. Wan: It sets the tone. |
| Posted by: Widowmaker 23 September 2016 - 04:14 PM |
| They changed the opening seconds, thank God. It sounds so much better. |
| Posted by: DXS 23 September 2016 - 06:32 PM |
| SPOILER: * * * * * * * * * * ** Well, they used the same theme song, but changed instrumentation and shortened it. |
| Posted by: Widowmaker 24 September 2016 - 05:43 AM |
| It sounds like it was mainly the original theme portion that changed. Before, it was a temp track which they must have found on the internet, but on the actual show, it sounds like they performed that portion themselves. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 28 September 2016 - 01:33 PM |
| Picturemill working on the title sequence: https://www.facebook.com/Picture.Mill.Hollywood/photos/a.520822994651560.1073741825.103414333059097/1170531259680727/?type=3&theater |
| Posted by: denizen 28 September 2016 - 07:58 PM |
| A rather bland one too. |
| Posted by: Walter 28 September 2016 - 08:13 PM |
All that hard work for such a crap result.  |
| Posted by: welty69 3 October 2016 - 04:33 PM |
| the original theme is almost over a min.... this new one is quick and done. NOT GOOD the 80 theme is pumped full of adrenaline .... it sreams watch me!!! and it shows a few adventure clips of Mac doing adventures thins........... this new one has to label a paper clip and gunpowder for us like we are a 5 yr old |
| Posted by: denizen 3 October 2016 - 10:06 PM |
| Welcome to the forums welty69. Yup, i know how you feel. At the same time however most shos of today have a short opening title. The 80's were renowned for much longer ones. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 5 October 2016 - 11:03 AM |
| There's a new video with Keith Power talking about the new opening theme. Sadly, I can't watch it due to geoblocking (even when I'm usinjg ProxFree). But maybe people in the US can enjoy it and tell us about it  http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/videoplay.cfm?colid=1441746 |
| Posted by: InVader 5 October 2016 - 04:13 PM |
| So..you're not missing a whole lot. He talks about the studio they recorded in and its history. Then he says they came up with an orchestrated theme that he describes as being big, having adventure and romance. Then you hear and watch the musicians playing the new theme. And then it ends with him saying the first few seconds are Randy Edelman's work and then the new theme of his bridges the old with the new. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 6 October 2016 - 12:17 AM |
| Thanks for the info. Thought it might be something more informative. |
| Posted by: Macgyver1985 6 October 2016 - 01:35 AM |
| Agreed, I totally disliked the new theme song, it was just too short and dull. |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 10 October 2016 - 02:36 PM |
| I forgot to post it, but Keith Power had uploaded a short video of the "Phoenix Foundation Theme" at the end of September: https://www.instagram.com/p/BLARpOThBFg/?taken-by=keithpowermusic I think it sounds great, so I don't get why I can't remember any music from the episodes... I guess they just "drown" in the loud music tracks and unnecessary babbling... |
| Posted by: DashboardOnFire 27 August 2017 - 06:12 AM |
| Does anyone think they will tweak the theme a bit for Season 2? They did it for the Original as well. Not many, but some subtle changes for every season (or sometimes several adjustments for the same season). |