Chuck Lorre Productions: Difference between revisions
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{{PageButtons|Chuck Lorre Productions|Logo Variations=1}} |
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{{PageCredits|description=Michael David Bass and BenIsRandom|capture=Michael David Bass and BenIsRandom}} |
{{PageCredits|description=Michael David Bass and BenIsRandom|capture=Michael David Bass and BenIsRandom}} |
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{{Guidance|reason=language}} |
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{{Infobox company |
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|image=File:Chuck Lorre Productions Logo.svg |
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|founded=January 10, 2000 ({{age|2000|1|10}} years ago) |
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|founder={{W|Chuck Lorre}} |
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|country=[[:Category:United States|United States]] |
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}} |
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===Background=== |
===Background=== |
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This is the production company of '''Chuck Lorre''', founded in the 1990s, but incorporated on January 10, 2000 in Los Angeles, California, responsible for producing Lorre's television shows. Lorre's earliest shows were produced by [[The Carsey-Werner Company]], which Lorre had an overall deal with from 1994 to 1995, while ''Dharma & Greg'' was produced by [[20th Century Fox Television (1994-2020)|20th Century Fox Television]] through a four-year overall deal from 1995 to 1999 (the show ran until 2002); all of his shows from ''Two and a Half Men'' onward have been produced by [[Warner Bros. Television Studios]] through an overall deal since 1999. |
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This is '''Chuck Lorre'''<nowiki/>'s vanity card. He is best known for his work on ''Dharma & Greg'', ''Two and a Half Men'', ''The Big Bang Theory'', ''Mike & Molly'' and ''Mom''. |
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{{ImageTOC |
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|ChuckLorre.jpg|1st Logo (January 2-December 17, 1995, November 10, 2011) |
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|Chuck Lorre Productions logo (1995).PNG|2nd Logo (March 13, 1995-1998) |
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|Chuck Lorre Productions logo (The Kominsky Method).PNG|3rd Logo (September 24, 1997-) |
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|Chuck Lorre Productions 2017.png|4th Logo (August 25, 2017-January 12, 2018) |
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}} |
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===1st Logo (January 2-December 17, 1995, November 10, 2011)=== |
===1st Logo (January 2-December 17, 1995, November 10, 2011)=== |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="170"> |
<gallery mode="packed" heights="170"> |
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ChuckLorre.jpg |
ChuckLorre.jpg|Arial font |
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ChuckLorre2.jpg |
ChuckLorre2.jpg|Peignot font |
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tumblr_ly45ykb54I1rngmbzo1_400.jpg |
tumblr_ly45ykb54I1rngmbzo1_400.jpg|Macintosh Classic variant |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions logo (The Ornithophobia Diffusion).PNG|Essay variant |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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''' |
'''Visuals:''' There is an Apple Macintosh SE (specifically the less-common dual disk model) on a desk with lots of office supplies surrounding it, including a keyboard, mouse, pencils and a floppy disk, as well as a drink. The company name, in a white Peignot font is written on the monitor against a {{color|darkblue|dark blue}} background. The logo is still. |
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'''Variants''' |
'''Variants:''' |
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* The Macintosh SE (1987) is replaced with a later Compact Macintosh, either a Macintosh Classic (1990) or Classic II (1992), but it cannot be determined exactly which because both use the same case, and the name was removed from the computer in the logo. |
* The Macintosh SE (1987) is replaced with a later <u>Compact Macintosh</u>, either a Macintosh Classic (1990) or Classic II (1992), but it cannot be determined exactly which because both use the same case, and the name was removed from the computer in the logo. The camera angle is also different. |
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* The font is changed from Peignot to a standard sans-serif font (i.e. Arial). This version also has a decanter on the desk. |
* The font is changed from Peignot to a <u>standard sans-serif font (i.e. Arial)</u>. This version also has a decanter on the desk. |
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'''Technique:''' A still, live-action image. |
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'''FX/SFX''': None. |
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''' |
'''Audio:''' The closing theme or a CBS generic theme on original airings. |
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'''Availability''' |
'''Availability:''' Originally seen on season 1 and early season 2 episodes of ''Cybill'' when originally aired on CBS. It later reappeared on the ''Big Bang Theory'' episode "The Ornithophobia Diffusion" as part of that episode's essay. |
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===2nd Logo (March 13, 1995-1998)=== |
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'''Editor's Note''': Not as well known as the card below (see the 3rd logo). |
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===2nd Logo (March 13, 1995)=== |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> |
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> |
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Chuck Lorre Productions logo (1995).PNG |
Chuck Lorre Productions logo (1995).PNG |
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Chuck Lorre (1995).jpeg |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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'''Visuals:''' The white company name text with a black shadow is seen at the bottom. Behind is a random photograph. |
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'''Logo''': We see a photograph of a man holding a bag of cheese puffs and waving his hand. The text "Chuck Lorre Productions" is seen at the bottom. |
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'''Variants:''' |
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'''FX/SFX''': The film scratches moving. |
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* One photograph has a man holding a bag of cheese puffs and waving his hand. This appears on the ''Cybill'' episode "The Replacements". |
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* Another photograph shows a man and a woman. The man is seen without his pants, but it's censored by a black rectangle. |
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'''Technique:''' Film scratch effects. |
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'''Music/Sounds''': The closing theme of ''Cybill''. |
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'''Audio:''' The closing theme or a CBS generic theme on original airings. |
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'''Availability''': Seen only on the ''Cybill'' episode "The Replacements". |
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'''Availability:''' Can be seen on at least two ''Cybill'' episodes. |
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'''Editor's Note''': None. |
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===3rd Logo (September 24, 1997-)=== |
===3rd Logo (September 24, 1997-)=== |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="150"> |
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150"> |
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File:Chuck_Lorre_Productions_(1997).png |
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File:EPS3CEjBJlTaE8C5KTYN7w22680.jpeg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions logo (The Kominsky Method).PNG |
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File:Jo2AIxpZ3L2radJiBUxkCg22679.jpeg |
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File:Vlcsnap-2022-03-12-17h47m45s131.png |
File:Vlcsnap-2022-03-12-17h47m45s131.png |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Variant).jpg |
File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Variant).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Sideways Smiley Face).png |
File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Sideways Smiley Face).png |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Censored!) 4.png |
File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Censored!) 4.png |
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File:Young_Sheldon_Absent_in_Cold_Open_2.jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Happy Holidays from the Lorres).jpg |
File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Happy Holidays from the Lorres).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Censored!) 2.jpg |
File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Censored!) 2.jpg |
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File:Vlcsnap-2022-03-12-17h45m06s674.png |
File:Vlcsnap-2022-03-12-17h45m06s674.png |
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File:Food Petting and Playing Productions.jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions logo (The Ornithophobia Diffusion).PNG |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Censored!) 5.jpg |
File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Censored!) 5.jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Gone fishin').jpg |
File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Gone fishin').jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Holiday 2013 Variant).webp |
File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Holiday 2013 Variant).webp |
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File:Holiday_Greetings_from_Chuck_Lorre.jpg |
File:Holiday_Greetings_from_Chuck_Lorre.jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (2015).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Apple Animoji).jpg |
File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Apple Animoji).jpg |
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File:Connie Tucker's classified ad in Chuck Lorre's Vanity Card.jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (2017).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Unraveling The Mystery).jpg |
File:Chuck Lorre Productions (Unraveling The Mystery).jpg |
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File:Young_Sheldon_Absent_in_Cold_Open_2.jpg |
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File:I6TA6SdM7M8mPfg_OrDOKA16519.jpeg |
File:I6TA6SdM7M8mPfg_OrDOKA16519.jpeg |
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File:E8ab9e750fc239eb38118be32040b4d2.jpeg |
File:E8ab9e750fc239eb38118be32040b4d2.jpeg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (April 13-17, 2023).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (April 27-May 1, 2023).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (May 4-15, 2023).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (May 8, 2023).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (May 18-22, 2023).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (November 30-December 21, 2023).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (December 21, 2023).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (February 12-19, 2024).jpeg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (February 22-26, 2024).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (February 29-March 4, 2024).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (March 7-11, 2024).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (March 14-18, 2024).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (April 4-15, 2024).jpg |
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File:Chuck Lorre Productions (April 11-22, 2024).jpg |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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{{YouTube|id=qQ3Kz1XMSHA|id2=2wSdPKmX3Ok|id3=KmmbpBdEB-0|id4=IW6eDcTS_NA|id5=clJSIqJ5JOM|id6=ypRelTb9LIo}} |
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'''Visuals:''' Over a white background is the company name at the top of the screen all caps in a black typewriter font, with a number next to it that groups how many variants of the logo there have been (for example: CHUCK LORE PRODUCTIONS #20). Below it is a short, humorous (and often cynical and at times, political) essay in a very small font which must have the viewer pause or screenshot to read it. The logo is still in most cases. |
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{{YouTube|id=qQ3Kz1XMSHA|id2=2wSdPKmX3Ok|id3=IW6eDcTS_NA}} |
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'''Essay Descriptions:''' [[Chuck Lorre Productions/Logo Variations|Click here]]. |
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'''Nickname''': "The Essays" |
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'''Trivia:''' |
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'''Logo''': On a white background, we see "CHUCK LORRE PRODUCTIONS" at the top of the screen in a black typewriter font, with a number next to it that groups how many of the logos there have been. Below it is a short, humorous (and often cynical and at times, political) essay in a very small font which must be paused to read it. |
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'''Trivia''': |
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* The logo was briefly retired due to the media taking the essays too seriously during the Charlie Sheen controversy that went on season 8 of ''Two and a Half Men''. |
* The logo was briefly retired due to the media taking the essays too seriously during the Charlie Sheen controversy that went on season 8 of ''Two and a Half Men''. |
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* There are currently more than |
* There are currently more than 700 different essays. |
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* This logo was parodied in MAD magazine when it spoofed ''The Big Bang Theory''. |
* This logo was parodied in ''MAD'' magazine when it spoofed ''The Big Bang Theory''. |
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* A special coffee-table book was printed in 2012 called What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Bitter, which features artsy arrangements of hundreds of Chuck's essays. |
* A special coffee-table book was printed in 2012 called ''What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Bitter'', which features artsy arrangements of hundreds of Chuck's essays. |
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* This logo has been used as vanity cards with tags of numbers since September 1997. |
* This logo has been used as vanity cards with tags of numbers since September 1997. |
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'''Variants''' |
'''Variants:''' |
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* When this logo first appeared, it featured a black background with white text |
* When this logo <u>first appeared</u>, it featured a black background with white text. |
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** Starting on <u>September 28, 1999</u> with essay #37, it was inverted so it could be easier to read, especially after VHS got retired. This is pointed out by Lorre in the aforementioned essay #37. |
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* On some episodes of ''Two and a Half Men'', photos replace the normal text. |
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* On some occasions, <u>photos, symbols and drawings</u> replace the normal text. The card may also look different, too. |
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* On one episode of ''Two and a Half Men'', "Chuck Lorre" is replaced with the symbol for the musician Prince. |
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* In some cases, a card numbered "111" is used when Lorre has "nothing worth writing about". It has only been seen on <u>two occasions</u>. |
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* On the ''Dharma & Greg'' episode, "Yes, We Have No Bananas (or Anything Else for That Matter)", the name "Chuck Lorre" is replaced with a bunch of symbols. |
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*The <u>very first essay</u>, as well as all essays on <u>''The Kominsky Method''</u> and <u>''Bookie''</u>, don't list the number of the specific essay. |
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* On the ''Dharma & Greg'' episode "Dharma and the Horse She Rode In On", it has a sketch of a man laying with some birds fly above him at the middle of the essay. |
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* On the <u>''Two and a Half Men'' season 7 episode "Warning, It's Dirty"</u>, there is another logo reading "A MARTY PEPPER Production". "A" and "Production" are in a script font, while "MARTY PEPPER" is in an black font with white lines. This is all set on a {{color|gray}}, old-school Broadway background. A different version of this variant with the company name can be seen at Lorre's website; it is labeled there as essay #271. |
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* On the ''Two and a Half Men'' episode "Thank You for the Intercourse", the company name is replaced with "FOOD, PETTING AND PLAYING PRODUCTIONS". |
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* Special <u>"Censored" cards</u> have been used when the networks (usually CBS) reject a certain essay. The cards have the word "Censored", sometimes with exclamation points at the end, and usually also have a message telling viewers that the rejected essays in question are available to be read if viewers "know where to look" (i.e. Lorre's website) and sometimes why the specific essay was rejected. Examples of "censored" essays are #171, #217, #255, #287, #333 and #375. |
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* On the ''Two and a Half Men'' episode, "That Voodoo That I Do Do", the white background is replaced with a picture of producer Mark Roberts, who was auditioned at a kids' theatre in 1969. |
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**The <u>"censored" version of essay #287</u> specifically mentions that "the offending material is available to be read" on Lorre's website. |
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* On the ''Two and a Half Men'' episode "The Pot-Smoking Monkey", there's a card featuring an ovular photo of Chuck Lorre with Brian Lowry and Andy Wallenstein. The company name appears in lowercase with the card number both in WordArt style instead of the uppercase style with the 20th century script font, while the essay is in a white box. |
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**On <u>two occasions</u>, Lorre deliberately censored essays that he knew would be rejected by network censors. These use the statement "Censored by me." The specific essays are #301 and #397. |
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* In some cases, a card numbered "111" is used when he has "nothing to write about". It has only been seen on two occasions. |
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* <u>Essay #570</u> features an Apple Animoji pig voiced by Lorre himself who says "Believe me!". |
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* On the season 2 episode of ''Two and a Half Men'', "Does This Smell Funny to You?", the text is replaced with the words "Gone fishin'", and the background is a picture of Chuck Lorre underwater in a scuba suit giving the "OK" signal to the camera. The vanity card number for this one is #138. |
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* On essay #366, which appears on the <u>''Big Bang Theory'' episode "The Ornithophobia Diffusion"</u>, there is an image of the 1st logo (the later Peignot variant). The essay is merely what Lorre remembers about his first vanity card when he was working on ''Grace Under Fire'' and ''Cybill''. |
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* On the ''Young Sheldon'' episode, "A Pineapple and the Bosom of Male Friendship", the essay is in a different font. |
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* On the <u>''Big Bang Theory'' episode "The Colonization Application"</u>, the essay is replaced with a memorial card to Leonard Nimoy, who died that week. It's a picture of Nimoy with the text "The impact you had on our show and our lives is everlasting." The company name doesn't appear. On Lorre's website, this is labeled essay #493. |
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* On December 13, 2012, the essay is replaced with a picture of Chuck Lorre dressed as a ballet dancer along with the other dancers, while the text reads "Happy Holidays". |
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* On the season 7 episode of ''Two and a Half Men'', "Warning, It's Dirty", "CHUCK LORRE" is replaced with another logo called "A Marty Pepper Production" in an old-school Broadway background with a funny voice saying "It's a Pepper!", followed by a cuckoo sound. |
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* On the ''Big Bang Theory'' episode "The Electric Can Opener Fluctuation", the essay is replaced with an image of people at Comic-Con, who say thanks to a convention. |
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* Special "Censored" cards have been used when the networks reject a certain essay. |
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* On the ''Big Bang Theory'' episode "The Pants Alternative", as well as the ''Two and a Half Men'' episode "Ixnay on the Oggie Day", a "sideways smiley face" is seen at the top of the essay, which reads out like a memorial epitaph to it. |
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* On the ''Big Bang Theory'' episode "The Colonization Application", the essay is replaced with a memorial card to Leonard Nimoy, who died that week. It's a picture of Nimoy with the text "The impact you had on our show and our lives is everlasting." |
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* Essay #513 (seen on ''The Big Bang Theory'' episode "The Opening Night Excitation") has the company name is replaced with the text "HOLIDAY GREETINGS FROM CHUCK LORRE". |
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* On the ''Big Bang Theory'' episode "The Table Polarization", the essay is replaced with an image of Chuck Lorre dressed as Santa in Holiday 2014. |
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* Essay #570 (seen on the ''Mom'' episode "Fish Town and Too Many Thank You's", ''The Big Bang Theory'' episode "The Geology Methodology" and the ''Young Sheldon'' episode "Poker, Faith, and Eggs") features an Apple Animoji pig who says "Believe me!". |
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* On ''Unraveling the Mystery: A Big Bang Farewell'', the essay is replaced with the cast from ''The Big Bang Theory'', who are sit down to say goodbye to the show. |
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''' |
'''Technique:''' A digital graphic. |
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''' |
'''Audio:''' A brief sound clip of a heavenly choir singing, none, or the closing theme of the series. ABC and CBS airings used their generic themes. |
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''' |
'''Audio Variants:''' |
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* On the <u>''Two and a Half Men'' series finale "Of Course He's Dead"</u>, the choir is rearranged. |
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*The <u>"Marty Pepper" variant</u> has a funny voice saying "It's a pepper!", followed by a cuckoo sound. |
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* On the <u>''Big Bang Theory'' episode "The Bon Voyage Reaction"</u>, Rajesh Koothrappali (played by Kunal Nayyar) is still talking about Lucy throughout the show's closing theme before his jabbering (he says over the logo "So, you know a silver lining...") is cut off by the 2003 Warner Bros. Television logo's music. |
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'''Availability:''' Seen on ''Dharma & Greg'', ''Two and a Half Men'', ''Mike & Molly'', ''The Big Bang Theory'', ''Mom'', ''Young Sheldon'', ''The Kominsky Method'', ''B Positive'', ''United States of Al'', ''Bob Hearts Abishola'' and ''Bookie''. |
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* On the ''Two and a Half Men'' episode "Of Course He's Dead", the choir is rearranged. |
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* On the ''Big Bang Theory'' episode "The Bon Voyage Reaction", Rajesh Koothrappali (played by Kunal Nayyar) is still talking about Lucy throughout the show's closing theme before his jabbering (including he says "So, you know a silver lining...") is cut off by the 2003 [[Warner Bros. Television]] logo's music. |
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'''Legacy:''' Thanks to its unique concept and funny essays, it's a very popular logo and is well-liked by many. |
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'''Availability''': Common. Seen on shows such as ''Dharma & Greg'', ''Two and a Half Men'', ''Mike & Molly'', ''The Big Bang Theory'', ''Mom'', ''Young Sheldon'', ''The Kominsky Method'', ''B Positive'', and ''Bob Hearts Abishola''. |
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'''Archives:''' There is a complete collection (which is updated every time a new episode airs) of the vanity cards at [http://chucklorre.com/ Chuck Lorre's website]. |
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'''Editor's Note''': Overall, thanks to its unique concept and funny essays, it's a very popular logo and is well-liked by many. |
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'''Archives''': There is a complete collection (which is updated every time a new episode airs) of the vanity cards at [http://chucklorre.com/ Chuck Lorre's website]. |
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===4th Logo (August 25, 2017-January 12, 2018)=== |
===4th Logo (August 25, 2017-January 12, 2018)=== |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> |
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[[File:4be77774790d19aeda2d15d1a4470bfb.png|center|350px]] |
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Chuck Lorre Productions 2017.png |
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</gallery> |
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'''Logo''': On a black background, we see a white shield also resembling that of a coat-of-arms. Surrounding it is some Lorem Ipsum-like text (which has four words that read "HUMILITAS FICTA", "UN-FOCUSED RAGE", "NEUROTIC ANXIETY" and "SELF-OBSESSION") with a crown and the stacked words "Chuck Lorre Productions" in a medieval font inside. |
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'''Visuals:''' On a black background is a white shield also resembling that of a coat-of-arms. Surrounding it is some Lorem Ipsum-like text (which has four words that read "HUMILITAS FICTA", "UN-FOCUSED RAGE", "NEUROTIC ANXIETY" and "SELF-OBSESSION") with a crown and the stacked company name in a medieval font inside. |
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'''Trivia''': There are two parts of the shield that represent Chuck Lorre's two long-running CBS sitcoms: an atom represents ''The Big Bang Theory'', and a symbol of Charlie, Alan and Jake Harper represents ''Two and a Half Men''. |
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'''Trivia:''' There are two parts of the shield that represent Chuck Lorre's two long-running CBS sitcoms: the atom represents ''The Big Bang Theory'', and the symbol of two men and a kid represents ''Two and a Half Men''. |
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'''FX/SFX''': None. |
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'''Technique:''' A digital graphic. |
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'''Music/Sounds''': The end theme of the show or none. |
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'''Audio:''' The end theme of the show or none. |
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'''Availability''': Seen only on ''Disjointed''. |
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'''Availability:''' Seen on ''Disjointed''. |
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'''Editor's Note''': None. |
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[[Category:American television logos]] |
[[Category:American television logos]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:United States]] |
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[[Category:Television logos]] |
[[Category:Television logos]] |
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[[Category:Vanity cards]] |
[[Category:Vanity cards]] |
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[[Category:Logos that vary depending on the source]] |
Revision as of 04:09, 10 June 2024
Michael David Bass and BenIsRandom
Captures by
Michael David Bass and BenIsRandom
![]() | This article covers logos that contain strong language. They are hidden behind spoilers. |
Background
This is the production company of Chuck Lorre, founded in the 1990s, but incorporated on January 10, 2000 in Los Angeles, California, responsible for producing Lorre's television shows. Lorre's earliest shows were produced by The Carsey-Werner Company, which Lorre had an overall deal with from 1994 to 1995, while Dharma & Greg was produced by 20th Century Fox Television through a four-year overall deal from 1995 to 1999 (the show ran until 2002); all of his shows from Two and a Half Men onward have been produced by Warner Bros. Television Studios through an overall deal since 1999.
Contents | |||
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![]() |
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1st Logo (January 2-December 17, 1995, November 10, 2011) | 2nd Logo (March 13, 1995-1998) | 3rd Logo (September 24, 1997-) | 4th Logo (August 25, 2017-January 12, 2018) |
1st Logo (January 2-December 17, 1995, November 10, 2011)
-
Arial font
-
Peignot font
-
Macintosh Classic variant
-
Essay variant
Visuals: There is an Apple Macintosh SE (specifically the less-common dual disk model) on a desk with lots of office supplies surrounding it, including a keyboard, mouse, pencils and a floppy disk, as well as a drink. The company name, in a white Peignot font is written on the monitor against a dark blue background. The logo is still.
Variants:
- The Macintosh SE (1987) is replaced with a later Compact Macintosh, either a Macintosh Classic (1990) or Classic II (1992), but it cannot be determined exactly which because both use the same case, and the name was removed from the computer in the logo. The camera angle is also different.
- The font is changed from Peignot to a standard sans-serif font (i.e. Arial). This version also has a decanter on the desk.
Technique: A still, live-action image.
Audio: The closing theme or a CBS generic theme on original airings.
Availability: Originally seen on season 1 and early season 2 episodes of Cybill when originally aired on CBS. It later reappeared on the Big Bang Theory episode "The Ornithophobia Diffusion" as part of that episode's essay.
2nd Logo (March 13, 1995-1998)
Visuals: The white company name text with a black shadow is seen at the bottom. Behind is a random photograph.
Variants:
- One photograph has a man holding a bag of cheese puffs and waving his hand. This appears on the Cybill episode "The Replacements".
- Another photograph shows a man and a woman. The man is seen without his pants, but it's censored by a black rectangle.
Technique: Film scratch effects.
Audio: The closing theme or a CBS generic theme on original airings.
Availability: Can be seen on at least two Cybill episodes.
3rd Logo (September 24, 1997-)
Visuals: Over a white background is the company name at the top of the screen all caps in a black typewriter font, with a number next to it that groups how many variants of the logo there have been (for example: CHUCK LORE PRODUCTIONS #20). Below it is a short, humorous (and often cynical and at times, political) essay in a very small font which must have the viewer pause or screenshot to read it. The logo is still in most cases.
Essay Descriptions: Click here.
Trivia:
- The logo was briefly retired due to the media taking the essays too seriously during the Charlie Sheen controversy that went on season 8 of Two and a Half Men.
- There are currently more than 700 different essays.
- This logo was parodied in MAD magazine when it spoofed The Big Bang Theory.
- A special coffee-table book was printed in 2012 called What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Bitter, which features artsy arrangements of hundreds of Chuck's essays.
- This logo has been used as vanity cards with tags of numbers since September 1997.
Variants:
- When this logo first appeared, it featured a black background with white text.
- Starting on September 28, 1999 with essay #37, it was inverted so it could be easier to read, especially after VHS got retired. This is pointed out by Lorre in the aforementioned essay #37.
- On some occasions, photos, symbols and drawings replace the normal text. The card may also look different, too.
- In some cases, a card numbered "111" is used when Lorre has "nothing worth writing about". It has only been seen on two occasions.
- The very first essay, as well as all essays on The Kominsky Method and Bookie, don't list the number of the specific essay.
- On the Two and a Half Men season 7 episode "Warning, It's Dirty", there is another logo reading "A MARTY PEPPER Production". "A" and "Production" are in a script font, while "MARTY PEPPER" is in an black font with white lines. This is all set on a gray, old-school Broadway background. A different version of this variant with the company name can be seen at Lorre's website; it is labeled there as essay #271.
- Special "Censored" cards have been used when the networks (usually CBS) reject a certain essay. The cards have the word "Censored", sometimes with exclamation points at the end, and usually also have a message telling viewers that the rejected essays in question are available to be read if viewers "know where to look" (i.e. Lorre's website) and sometimes why the specific essay was rejected. Examples of "censored" essays are #171, #217, #255, #287, #333 and #375.
- The "censored" version of essay #287 specifically mentions that "the offending material is available to be read" on Lorre's website.
- On two occasions, Lorre deliberately censored essays that he knew would be rejected by network censors. These use the statement "Censored by me." The specific essays are #301 and #397.
- Essay #570 features an Apple Animoji pig voiced by Lorre himself who says "Believe me!".
- On essay #366, which appears on the Big Bang Theory episode "The Ornithophobia Diffusion", there is an image of the 1st logo (the later Peignot variant). The essay is merely what Lorre remembers about his first vanity card when he was working on Grace Under Fire and Cybill.
- On the Big Bang Theory episode "The Colonization Application", the essay is replaced with a memorial card to Leonard Nimoy, who died that week. It's a picture of Nimoy with the text "The impact you had on our show and our lives is everlasting." The company name doesn't appear. On Lorre's website, this is labeled essay #493.
Technique: A digital graphic.
Audio: A brief sound clip of a heavenly choir singing, none, or the closing theme of the series. ABC and CBS airings used their generic themes.
Audio Variants:
- On the Two and a Half Men series finale "Of Course He's Dead", the choir is rearranged.
- The "Marty Pepper" variant has a funny voice saying "It's a pepper!", followed by a cuckoo sound.
- On the Big Bang Theory episode "The Bon Voyage Reaction", Rajesh Koothrappali (played by Kunal Nayyar) is still talking about Lucy throughout the show's closing theme before his jabbering (he says over the logo "So, you know a silver lining...") is cut off by the 2003 Warner Bros. Television logo's music.
Availability: Seen on Dharma & Greg, Two and a Half Men, Mike & Molly, The Big Bang Theory, Mom, Young Sheldon, The Kominsky Method, B Positive, United States of Al, Bob Hearts Abishola and Bookie.
Legacy: Thanks to its unique concept and funny essays, it's a very popular logo and is well-liked by many.
Archives: There is a complete collection (which is updated every time a new episode airs) of the vanity cards at Chuck Lorre's website.
4th Logo (August 25, 2017-January 12, 2018)
Visuals: On a black background is a white shield also resembling that of a coat-of-arms. Surrounding it is some Lorem Ipsum-like text (which has four words that read "HUMILITAS FICTA", "UN-FOCUSED RAGE", "NEUROTIC ANXIETY" and "SELF-OBSESSION") with a crown and the stacked company name in a medieval font inside.
Trivia: There are two parts of the shield that represent Chuck Lorre's two long-running CBS sitcoms: the atom represents The Big Bang Theory, and the symbol of two men and a kid represents Two and a Half Men.
Technique: A digital graphic.
Audio: The end theme of the show or none.
Availability: Seen on Disjointed.