Theme Tune Roll Call: Difference between revisions

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An [[Expository Theme Tune]] for a series that includes a rundown of the main characters, usually with a line or two about each one's role in the show. Especially common in kids' shows. Note that not all examples contain the characters names in the lyrics. Some examples have songs that only describe them. May also occur in [[Opening Narration]]s, and even in shows that have instrumentals (e.g., 1990s ''[[X-Men (animation)|X-Men]]'').
An [[Expository Theme Tune]] for a series that includes a rundown of the main characters, usually with a line or two about each one's role in the show. Especially common in kids' shows. Note that not all examples contain the characters names in the lyrics. Some examples have songs that only describe them. May also occur in [[Opening Narration]]s, and even in shows that have instrumentals (e.g., 1990s ''[[X-Men (animation)|X-Men]]'').

Lists of all the characters not in musical form are called [[Dramatis Personae]].


{{examples}}
{{examples}}
== [[Anime]] ==
== [[Anime]] ==
* ''[[Sailor Moon]]'''s dub theme song
* ''[[Sailor Moon]]''{{'}}s dub theme song
** But it was only accurate for the first season. Pluto isn't mentioned once she shows up in R, nor are Any of the Outer Senshi in S, or Chibi Moon in either S or SuperS. Not a very good roll call if you forget half the heroes.
** But it was only accurate for the first season. Pluto isn't mentioned once she shows up in R, nor are Any of the Outer Senshi in S, or Chibi Moon in either S or SuperS. Not a very good roll call if you forget half the heroes.
** It probably sounds worse on American DVDs of the third season. The English versions include the American theme song synced with a Japanese opening, causing a part meant to show off the new Sailor Senshi to have singers exclaiming the Inner Senshi's names for no apparent reason.
** It probably sounds worse on American DVDs of the third season. The English versions include the American theme song synced with a Japanese opening, causing a part meant to show off the new Sailor Senshi to have singers exclaiming the Inner Senshi's names for no apparent reason.
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* The opening to ''[[Ronin Warriors]]'', American version.
* The opening to ''[[Ronin Warriors]]'', American version.
* The second series of ''[[Science Ninja Team Gatchaman]]'' calls the five heroes in numbered order by their civilian names.
* The second series of ''[[Science Ninja Team Gatchaman]]'' calls the five heroes in numbered order by their civilian names.
* The original ending theme to ''[[Getter Robo]]'', ''[[Combining Mecha|Gattai]] Getter Robo'' had this.
* The original ending theme to ''[[Getter Robo]]'', "[[Combining Mecha|Gattai]] Getter Robo" had this.
* The long version of the first ''[[K-On!]]'' opening theme "Cagayake!GIRLS", never broadcast but available on CD when the show was in production, has a roll call of the main characters in the bridge. (Yui, Mugi, Mio, and Ritsu, in that order.)
* The theme song to the English dub of ''[[Adventures of the Little Koala]]''.


== [[Comic Books]] ==
== [[Comic Books]] ==
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* ''[[Animal House]]'' has about 18 characters named in its theme song.
* ''[[Animal House]]'' has about 18 characters named in its theme song.


== [[Live Action TV]] ==
== [[Live-Action TV]] ==
* ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'' ("[[Robot Roll Call]]!")
* ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'' ("[[Robot Roll Call]]!")
* ''[[Imagination Movers]]''
* ''[[Imagination Movers]]''
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* ''[[Gilligan's Island]]'' ("...with Gilligan, the Skipper too, the Millionaire, and his wife...")
* ''[[Gilligan's Island]]'' ("...with Gilligan, the Skipper too, the Millionaire, and his wife...")
** Note that it originally left off the Professor and Mary Ann, who were referred to as "and the rest", until Bob Denver (Gilligan) forced the studio to change it.
** Note that it originally left off the Professor and Mary Ann, who were referred to as "and the rest", until Bob Denver (Gilligan) forced the studio to change it.
⚫
* ''[[Thomas the Tank Engine]]'' has examples of this, but technically not as intros:
⚫
** The earliest series, between episodes, had the main theme play over a montage of characters with names on boards beside them.
⚫
** More recent series have the song 'Engine Roll Call' - although not an intro, it plays at the end of every episode.
* The 1970s kids' show ''[[Zoom (TV series)|Zoom]]'' had one, preserved in the show's later 1999-2005 incarnation.
* The 1970s kids' show ''[[Zoom (TV series)|Zoom]]'' had one, preserved in the show's later 1999-2005 incarnation.
* ''[[Animorphs (TV series)|Animorphs]]''
* ''[[Animorphs (TV series)|Animorphs]]''
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* ''Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp''
* ''Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp''
* 1970s kids' show ''[[New Zoo Revue]]''
* 1970s kids' show ''[[New Zoo Revue]]''
* The theme song of Colombian [[Soap Opera]] ''Las Juanas'' mixes this with [[Expository Theme Tune]] begginning with a brief explanation of the plot, before doing a role call with the names and personalities of the titular characters.
* ''[[Oobi]]''
* ''[[Zoobilee Zoo]]''
* ''[[LazyTown]]''
* ''[[Down to Earth (TV series)|Down to Earth]]''
* ''[[Family Reunion]]''
* ''[[Wilbur]]''
* ''[[Life with Derek]]''
* ''[[Teletubbies]]''
* ''[[The Puzzle Place]]''
* ''[[Jack's Big Music Show]]''
* ''[[Yo Gabba Gabba!]]''
*''[[Cake (2006 TV series)|Cake]]''


== [[Theatre]] ==
== [[Theatre]] ==
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== [[Western Animation]] ==
== [[Western Animation]] ==
* ''[[Muppet Babies]]'' has one in which the characters describe themselves, without saying their names.
* ''[[Muppet Babies]]'' has one in which the characters describe themselves, without saying their names.
**''[[Muppet Babies (2018)]]''
* ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'': both series.
* ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'': both series.
* ''[[Captain Planet]]'' is an example of an [[Opening Narration]] doing this.
* ''[[Captain Planet]]'' is an example of an [[Opening Narration]] doing this.
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* The theme song for ''[[My Little Pony]]'''s [[My Little Pony G 3|G3 and G3.5 cartoons]] was one of these. It became [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwyIR598a_s the subject of much ridicule] (well, [[They Changed It, Now It Sucks|moreso than usual]]) when several characters in the G4 cartoon ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' shared names with the G3/G3.5 ponies, but had wildly different personalities (the linked video contrasts [[The Fashionista|Rainbow Dash]] and [[Tomboy|Rainbow Dash]], for example).
* The theme song for ''[[My Little Pony]]'''s [[My Little Pony G 3|G3 and G3.5 cartoons]] was one of these. It became [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwyIR598a_s the subject of much ridicule] (well, [[They Changed It, Now It Sucks|moreso than usual]]) when several characters in the G4 cartoon ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' shared names with the G3/G3.5 ponies, but had wildly different personalities (the linked video contrasts [[The Fashionista|Rainbow Dash]] and [[Tomboy|Rainbow Dash]], for example).
** ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' has one too, though not by name (except in the [[Theme Tune Extended]] and in [http://vimeo.com/28529797 one toy commercial]{{Dead link}}).
** ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' has one too, though not by name (except in the [[Theme Tune Extended]] and in [http://vimeo.com/28529797 one toy commercial]{{Dead link}}).
** And once again subverted in ''[[My Little Pony: Pony Life]]'', where they are described by their personalities and attributes instead of their elements; Fluttershy being sweet, Rainbow Dash being fast, Rarity being posh, Applejack being fun, and Pinkie Pie being cute... all except Twilight, who is still described as being "magic".
* There's one for Dethklok in the opening of ''[[Metalocalypse]]''.
* There's one for Dethklok in the opening of ''[[Metalocalypse]]''.
* The ending theme to ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]''.
* The ending theme to ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]''.
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* ''[[A Pup Named Scooby-Doo]]''
* ''[[A Pup Named Scooby-Doo]]''
** ''[[Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated|Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated]]'' has a roll call in which the characters' names appear onscreen.
** ''[[Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated|Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated]]'' has a roll call in which the characters' names appear onscreen.
** ''[[The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries]]''
* ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes|Avengers Earths Mightiest Heroes]]'' has a theme song containing subtle references to the four presumably most popular Avengers. Deleted lyrics reference four more superheroes, who also became Avengers during the first season.
* ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes|Avengers Earths Mightiest Heroes]]'' has a theme song containing subtle references to the four presumably most popular Avengers. Deleted lyrics reference four more superheroes, who also became Avengers during the first season.
* ''[[Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!]]'' lists off the names of the 5 titular monkeys and Chiro.
* ''[[Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!]]'' lists off the names of the 5 titular monkeys and Chiro.
* ''[[Zula Patrol]]''
* ''[[Zula Patrol]]''
* ''[[Transformers Cybertron]]''
* ''[[Transformers Cybertron]]''
* ''[[Taz-Mania]]''
* ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]''
* ''[[The Nutshack]]''
* ''[[D'Myna Leauges]]''
* ''[[Station Zero]]''
* ''[[Steven Universe]]'' has one with the show's core cast.
* ''[[Kuu Kuu Harajuku]]''
* ''[[Shirt Tales]]''
* ''[[Little Clowns Of Happytown]]''
* ''[[Baydog]]''
* ''[[Stunt Dawgs]]''
* ''[[Galaxy High]]''
* ''[[Hero Elementary]]''
* ''[[Girlstuff/Boystuff]]''
* ''[[Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!]]''
* ''[[Da Möb]]''
* ''[[Hero: 108|Hero 108]]''
* ''[[The Save-Ums!]]''
* ''[[Animal Mechanicals]]''
* ''[[Pet Alien]]''
⚫
* ''[[Thomas the Tank Engine]]'' has examples of this, but technically not as intros:
⚫
** The earliest series, between episodes, had the main theme play over a montage of characters with names on boards beside them.
⚫
** More recent series have the song 'Engine Roll Call' - although not an intro, it plays at the end of every episode.
* ''[[Bob the Builder]]''
* ''[[Da Jammies]]''
* The Season 6 theme song of ''[[Totally Spies!]]'' does this.
* ''[[The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show]]''
* ''[[Chip and Potato]]''
* ''[[Kung Fu Dino Posse]]''
* ''[[Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum]]''
* ''[[Go, Diego, Go!]]''
* ''[[Dinosaur Train]]''
* ''[[Seven Little Monsters]]''
* ''[[Word World]]''
* ''[[Little Charmers]]''
* ''[[Tiny Toons Looniversity]]''
* ''[[SheZow]]''
* ''[[Da Boom Crew]]''
* ''[[Super Mario World (animation)|Super Mario World]]''
* ''[[Yo Yogi!]]''
* ''[[Tom and Jerry Kids]]''
* ''[[Jungle Junction]]''
* ''[[The Barkleys]]''
* ''[[Auto-B-Good]]''
* ''[[Mecha Builders]]''
* ''[[Bigfoot Presents: Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks]]''
* ''[[Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese]]''
* ''[[Pocket Dragon Adventures]]''
* ''[[Pro Stars|ProStars]]''


== Parodies ==
== Parodies ==
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Theme Tune]]
[[Category:Theme Tune]]
[[Category:Theme Tune Roll Call]]

Latest revision as of 18:39, 6 May 2024
"Geez, not only do you ignore the original song, but you rewrite it, and you get it to tell me what I'm about to watch right now! Well, what are you gonna do next? Tell me the names of all the characters that are in the show?!"
—Marz Gurl in her Top 10 List of Animated Shows That Tell the Whole Story in Their Theme Song

An Expository Theme Tune for a series that includes a rundown of the main characters, usually with a line or two about each one's role in the show. Especially common in kids' shows. Note that not all examples contain the characters names in the lyrics. Some examples have songs that only describe them. May also occur in Opening Narrations, and even in shows that have instrumentals (e.g., 1990s X-Men).

Lists of all the characters not in musical form are called Dramatis Personae.

Examples of Theme Tune Roll Call include:

Anime

  • Sailor Moon‍'‍s dub theme song
    • But it was only accurate for the first season. Pluto isn't mentioned once she shows up in R, nor are Any of the Outer Senshi in S, or Chibi Moon in either S or SuperS. Not a very good roll call if you forget half the heroes.
    • It probably sounds worse on American DVDs of the third season. The English versions include the American theme song synced with a Japanese opening, causing a part meant to show off the new Sailor Senshi to have singers exclaiming the Inner Senshi's names for no apparent reason.
  • The 4Kids One Piece dub Theme Tune Rap. They didn't make it any longer, so each addition to the cast made the song more cluttered.
    • The eleventh Japanese theme, Share the World, has a variation of this, in which each Straw Hat gets a title card with their name at the start. Also in the background is Gratuitous English writing describing them.
  • The theme song to the English dub of Hamtaro.
  • The opening to Ronin Warriors, American version.
  • The second series of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman calls the five heroes in numbered order by their civilian names.
  • The original ending theme to Getter Robo, "Gattai Getter Robo" had this.
  • The long version of the first K-On! opening theme "Cagayake!GIRLS", never broadcast but available on CD when the show was in production, has a roll call of the main characters in the bridge. (Yui, Mugi, Mio, and Ritsu, in that order.)
  • The theme song to the English dub of Adventures of the Little Koala.

Comic Books

  • The Nextwave comic book actually had a theme song that gave a short blurb about each team member and the Big Bad. "Give us the Nextwave roll call!"

MONICA - Is gonna microwave your ---
TABBY - Is gonna steal all your stuff
AARON - Is gonna organize your sock drawer
ELSA - Is gonna speak with an accent
THE CAPTAIN - His name is The Captain

Film

  • Animal House has about 18 characters named in its theme song.

Live-Action TV

Theatre

  • "It's A Typical Day," the opening number of the musical Li'l Abner, has all the best-known denizens of Dogpatch introduce themselves.
  • Spoofed in the opening number of The Drowsy Chaperone, "Fancy Dress," where all the main characters and their motivations are revealed in song, even a character who only shows up for one scene at the very end of the show.
  • The Corny Collins Council gets one in "The Nicest Kids in Town" from Hairspray.

Video Games

Web Comics

  • Happens in The Non-Adventures of Wonderella here. Not an intro, though.
  • Andy Weir did once write a cast song for his webcomic Casey and Andy, which was then performed by the band Moosebutter. Albeit only two minutes long, it mentions every character who had appeared in the comic so far, and even one who didn't yet at that point: The Conquistador.

Web Original

  • In Teen Girl Squad: "Cheerleader! So and So! What's Her Face! The Ugly One!"
    • Though not actually used anywhere else, Strong Bad envisions such a song in the Strong Bad Email "theme song", which mentions Strong Bad, Strong Sad, Strong Mad, The Cheat, and Homestar Runner. In his own words:

Strong Bad: I'm sure viewership would triple if I had one of those crappy cartoon theme songs that bludgeons you over the head with the blunt end of the show's premise.

  • In Monster High Season 2 the theme song has changed into a mix of Theme Tune Rap and this
  • I Made America opens each episode by listing the Founding Fathers kidnapped from the past and brought to 2012 Chicago: "Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, Washington, and John Adams!"

Western Animation

Parodies

  1. ↑ For the record, this version leaves out a lot of the roster at the time.
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