Every Blockbusters Opening

Every opening title sequence and theme tune to the UK quiz show Blockbusters.
This replaces a previous version with some better quality clips.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

RIP bob holness you will be sadly missed by millions of fans who have tune in to watch u host blockbusters

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I love the way it starts with central promo opening up before the titles of blockbusters runs

[@cameronc393]

A lot of shows of this era blended the ident in to the intro - some stations weren't keen on promoting others and would try to crash into the programme bypassing the producing station's ident, can't do that with intros like this. Yorkshire's 3-2-1 integrated the 'Y' right the way through some versions of its intro.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Yeah

[@manslikeaqeelsonicadvances8566]

Yeah

[@uwalakab]

Thank you very much for posting this. Neat compilation. The Favourite intro is #2 - 1986 - The Classic. Certainly brings back memories from way back then. (Nice touch keeping in the "Central" intro logo and music too 👍👍👍)

[@wutangpaul]

An absolute banger of a theme tune that has never been surpassed.

[@SanFran51]

Ed Welch also did the theme tune to Knightmare.

[@97channel]

- The original theme tune... Epic. One of the greatest pieces of music, ever. - The BBC imposter... Oh, the humanity. - The Sky One Bob Holness version... For one bloke with a £20 Argos keyboard, it's a decent job. - The Lisa Tarbuck era... Interesting. Fairly nice reinterpretation, but the tempo alterations take a bit of getting used to. - The Challenge reboot... Rock and roll, brother. Fantastic. - The Comedy Central reproduction... Groovy, but not a masterpiece.

[@cupcakefairy87]

I didn't realize Blockbusters had been rebooted so many times with different presenters. Original theme music and Bob Holness are the best though. Hated themes four and five. They were the worst out of all of them.

[@danhetch1927]

I totally agree

[@rajnirvan3336]

Bob was the best host

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

Blockbusters is one of my favourite quiz shows. Of course Bob is the best host. I dont remember the first titles or the 1st sky one series or the bbc 2 version. I didn't mind the 2000 Liza Tarbuck version

[@RoqueFortStu]

I never cared much for the show, but the music was bloody cool and those futuristic-yet-80s intros are damn awesome! congrats to baker for compiling this!

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

I love how the 1980s ones look like Blade Runner, the 2000s ones look like The Matrix and 2010s ones look like Tron.

[@Dim4323]

The 90s one its like your flying in a world

[@johnamos]

bbc version was awful

[@keda1981]

0:30 that's clever synching, there.

[@simu31]

There is only one host of Blockbusters that matters, and that's Bob Holness! The second ttile sequence is the one I have definite memories of.

[@cameronc393]

I think you'd struggle to find another show that has been bounced between five different networks!

[@anonUK]

I thought it had just been a cancelled ITV game show in the 80s. I didn't know it had been revived, by Sky or even the Beeb.

[@paddynevs5885]

@@anonUKsky challenge Comedy Central Simon mayo Lisa tarbuck and dara o brien

[@SanFran51]

Because it's easy schedule filler and doesn't cost very much.

[@oninineone]

The 2019 one is the Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing version of Blockbusters.

[@kevinprior3549]

Bob Holmes was the king of Blockbusters

[@horse5407]

Who was he?

[@danielwilliamson6180]

Trivia: The 2nd intro sequence was inspired by Blade Runner. 4:21 The 2019 Blockbusters theme is epic.

[@nord1486]

Notice how the music goes “de-de-de-duuuuuh” when Beethoven appears

[@ajs41]

I like it, although I wonder whether it was deliberate. Probably.

[@625tvroom]

@@ajs41 Deliberate and perfectly timed for the appearance of Beethoven's image in the first set of titles (which coincides with Beethoven's entry in the encyclopaedia in the lower half of the screen)

[@BoudicaJ]

@@ajs41 of course it was.

[@MrKpsuk84]

0:31

[@ABCEasyas--]

The 1994 theme sounds like what a knockoff of the Ed Welch theme would sounds like.

[@garymcewan868]

Ed Welch actually created the 1994 theme as rumour as has it the master tapes for the original theme got lost at Central somewhere along the years.

[@Scripture-Man]

@@garymcewan868 Oooh that is sad. This man's work needs to be preserved! He's one of my two favourite TV composers (the other is Shuki Levy).

[@BobBarnes2005]

@@garymcewan868 legend has it, they were never found

[@mrb3097]

The theme was re-recorded in stereo in 1991 for the penultimate 1992 series, as the original had worn out and had not been copied (and subsequently 'lost' or 'destroyed'). The 1994 Central series for Sky One was recorded by Ed Welch because the original master tapes had been destroyed but they had in fact been removed from a skip when Central were decanting from Broad Street - they do exist including the game stings and the extended outro used in the earlier series. The 1983-1993 theme was recorded by musicians for Central and not Ed himself. His version was released as a single in 1988, with his 'New Faces' theme on the B-side, and was actually quite poor.

[@Scripture-Man]

For me, the 1986 intro is the greatest British title sequence ever, with one of the greatest theme tunes ever, by the amazing Ed Welch! His 90s remix was great too. All the 2000s remixes by other people were dreadful (especially the 2012 one with wrong chords). Though the 2019 one was pretty decent, if a bit short.

[@ajs41]

I may be wrong but I think the music for the 1986 titles is pretty much identical to the 1983 version. Can you tell any differences?

[@nottmjas]

​@@ajs41 It has a slightly quicker tempo.

[@acesfn7316]

The one i remember most was the second one. I don't recognise any of the others except the one call all new Blockbusters. The earlier seasons theme was more powerful than the later ones even if the tune was similar

[@petejefferson1350]

Why try to improve on perfection that the earlier theme and presenter delivered?

[@EightThreeEight]

Because showing 1990s animation before a TV show recorded with modern-day cameras and sound equipment may be a bit jarring.

[@trellis4361]

@@EightThreeEight I can see a reason to change the graphics, but I see no reason for the lacklustre remakes of the music. The original is one of my favourite TV themes of all time.

[@Scripture-Man]

Ed Welch is just a brilliant composter and they ruined his tune with remixes. They did the same thing to his classic Catchphrase tune, replacing it with inferior versions. They also scrapped all his brilliant in-show tunes for the catchphrases and replaced them with crap. It's annoying!

[@petejefferson1350]

The 1994 abomination is a total disgrace. Recycled graphics and the music recomposed in to absolute shit. To further add insult, an insecure and infuriating "whoop" was added. So sad.

[@donnabarker1905]

Great as it takes me back to when i watched it as a kid

[@labradormcgraw]

There was always something very comforting about Blockbusters. I miss it.

[@SanFran51]

Don't worry it has more resurrections than Freddy Krueger.

[@treguard1982]

That last one has some weird Tron Legacy shit going on, but sounds bloody awful

[@Scripture-Man]

I like the last one!

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

I think the music is okay, although the dance-backbeat thing really pulls it down a bit.

[@Hgames_RBLX]

Am I the only one who thinks intro 5 is underrated? Also I love all the intros (except intro 4). This show actually made the hexagon my fave shape. Althogh my faves would be the 2nd intro and the 7th intro.

[@lv-ag6129]

3:49 has to be my favourite

[@haynes01623]

i would have to agree with you their dude

[@Scripture-Man]

I find that version irritating as they changed the chords to stupid ones.

[@Redrally]

Comedy Central had the best one. But damn the 1986 intro is amazing to watch - brings back memories...

[@yabeenbamboozled5067]

Can I have a P please Bob

[@mallguy8970]

What “P” is a term for a word that reads the same backwards and forwards?

[@Cpr1234]

@@mallguy8970 Palindrome

[@jennywyatt7221]

There was also an Australian version of Blockbusters with Michael Pope. Maybe you should've added that, too.

[@wecantfightgravity]

I wish Blockbusters came back with the 2019 theme and the 2012 board and podiums.

[@twgkofi329]

I'm sorry but that 4th one made me laugh! 🤣

[@ABCEasyas--]

The 1997 theme sounds like a knock off theme use by a sketch comedy show or sitcom.

[@romeov3838]

Man, it's beautiful how we see the future back then as a laser-tech, Tron-y neon world compared to what the movies are portraying now as dystopian. It was beautiful.

[@ajs41]

More to the point, how on earth did they film that sequence?

[@acesfn7316]

You can really see how time constraints cut the opening by quite a bit on later seasons

[@MrKpsuk84]

4:14 Getting 80s 'Tron' vibes at the beginning of the 2019 version (love it) 🤓

[@lukeosullivan8174]

There is one more version that was on KZbin for a bit, but disappeared. The titles to 'Champion Blockbusters' used the Blade Runner titles, but added faces of past champions to the flashing board during the middle and I think in place of the polysterene scuptures as the flying hexagons flew through the studio. Be great to see this one again!

[@Tomsonic41]

The one I remember most vividly is the 1986 theme, although my mother said that I was very interested in the original 1983 intro as a toddler!

[@kerry3355]

Liza tarbuck 🤢 who's idea was that

[@EightThreeEight]

What makes you say that?

[@Summer21.]

Not mad keen on Dara O’Briain as a host either in the most recent Blockbusters.

[@donnafairburn9877]

This brings a tear to my eyes as i remember watching blockbusters since it started in 1983 until Bob 2012, as it reminds me of my teenage years that i can't get back

[@jasonlee273]

Results 🥈 2019 🥇 1983 🥉 1994

[@Enk64]

1:06 If it ain't broke don't fix it. 😂 That last one was alright though....

[@christopherwadden-holmes2073]

The third version from Sky sounded more like the theme to Connections

[@dazh1295]

Simon Mayo was awful, no rapport with the contestants, also when asking the questions on the Gold Run he took so long, watching the re-re-re runs on Challenge at the moment we are shouting at the TV 😂

[@fnhlgn]

Glad I'm not the only one, Liza Tarbuck was the only host I actually liked other than Bob

[@manslikeaqeelsonicadvances8566]

3:49 - All New Blockbusters 2012 Intro

[@F2SOnYouTube]

WHY DO I FIND THE 1994 AND THE 2012 ONE A BANGER

[@craigburton4447]

Head injury? 😀

[@unohoncho7727]

Nope - 83 intro all the way, the best...

[@jamesh9033]

How were Sky able to take the opening sequence from 86 Central?

[@baker000202]

Central were still making the show for Sky…

[@rajnirvan3336]

Intros 1 and 2 were the best

[@DeclanSkinner]

IMO: 🥇 1986 🥈 2019 🥉 2012 ❌ 1997

[@ajs41]

I think the music for the first two titles is either 100% the same or maybe just a few tiny differences. Not sure.

[@williamsheets9539]

A LOT fancier that the openings for the US Blockbusters

[@aaronmread]

How come The Imposter has a "you can make it sound like the Welch version but can't use it" type of feel to it?

[@Dim4323]

1: riveting 2: Best intro ever 3: same 4 its ok 5: its alright 6: return to form 7 love it.

[@MrKpsuk84]

The 1997 theme is basically a generic version of Ed Welch's theme

[@studiomix123]

Well and Lisa Tarbuck although in their own right are great presenters, but not on this show.

[@industrialme]

Liza Tarbuck version theme sounds like something Gary Numan would have used as a B-side back in 1979 😂

[@DankerTVTimeCapsule]

Never noticed the challenge easter egged filled intro.

[@danwoodhouse9290]

As usual the first one was the best......... Why change things

[@driverproffitt896]

The second version but in Nicam rather than this mono version.

[@TheREALwymario]

Those 90s versions sound like what someone would make for an N64 Blockbusters game

[@michaelbond7652]

You only forgot the updated Classic music.

[@jaggass]

The 1997 theme was terrible. I can smell the MIDI from here.

[@mallguy8970]

It is a totally different year in England than it is in the US.

[@aaronmcintosh6740]

I was a kid in 1994 so I watched it on sky one. I like the 1986 version it's a incredible intro.

[@barrybritcher]

Lol the imposter one is terrible

[@jamesfish18]

1986 has to be the classic one for me

[@Firthy2002]

Of the revival attempts, the 2019 theme is the only one that comes close to the standard of the original.

[@Scripture-Man]

AGREED! :-)

[@TheMarrification]

Definitely

[@petef7323]

Can I have P please Bob? 🤭

[@jasonlee273]

It's Blockbusters.

[@jasonlee273]

I got on Challenge TV.

[@dih9788]

:-)

[@abbafan1972]

I only remember the 1st one!

[@basohbas]

Great memories

[@mattleo3253]

Brings back memories, I thought Bob warman did a version for sky

[@baker000202]

Are you thinking of The Price Is Right?

[@DankerTVTimeCapsule]

Comedy central should of did a strategy where they repeated a month or so later on Channel 5. What they did is essentially buried the success.

[@madmurdock100]

,,,should HAVE,,,,

[@Summer21.]

“Should have done” as well.

[@wrexham1983]

1:21 best remix ever

[@mikeomoran9256]

Cullen theme is the best

[@Gallowaywind]

Second Version is from 1987.,... NOT 1986.

[@ABCEasyas--]

What about the US original versions? The show originated in the US, and we can thank Mark Goodson and Bill Toddman.

[@twocvbloke]

They may have created it over there, but we made it a legend over here, even foreign versions ended up using the ITV-style version because it was so damned iconic... :D

[@Scripture-Man]

Meh, the show was nothing until Ed Welch and Bob Holness came along! :-)

[@christopherflowers6583]

@@twocvbloke shots fired!

[@jamesklatt]

@@Scripture-Manyes it was bill Cullen is a game show legend in the US and his hosting it was why.

[@ABCEasyas--]

@@christopherflowers6583the 1994 theme is full of MIDI goodness.

[@OfficialTomMason]

Could I credit you and re upload this to one of my own channels with a few tweaks

[@Thornandmoleyarelife]

3:49