Robert N EmersonThe Best TV Show Names
August 23rd 2007 01:40
Names are important. In many respects, a name defines what you are; it leaves an impression, for better or for worse. A name can be mysterious and intriguing, compelling people to discover more (see: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). Others can be so ridiculous that they turn people off completely (see: Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts).
Pondering this, I began to wonder what the most intriguing television show names were. After much agonising, I realised that they were very few and far between. Much more so than movies, TV show names are just plain boring. They tend to be overly simplistic and very literal. Sitcoms in particular are the worst purveyors of this, with Friends, Two Guys and a Girl, and Married with Children being notable examples. However, dramas are not immune to this trend either, as ER, Lost and Heroes exemplify. The other great tendency of shows of any genre is to name the programme after the central character or location, which clearly outlines the main focus of the show, but does not really scintillate the viewer in any way.
There is nothing wrong with this method of naming per se, but it does little to alleviate the image that television is the dumb little brother of film. Despite this, there is the occasional show that breaks the naming mould. Some of them seem simplistic on the surface, but closer inspection reveals underlying cleverness.
Drawn Together
Drawn Together is a name that works on several levels. Firstly, being an animated show, a reference to drawn is quite fitting, although abnormally literal. Secondly, the characters within the show are self-aware and know that they are animated, which gives the title a Meta quality. Finally, the programme is a spoof of the reality format, so a reference to these mismatched souls being drawn together into a Big Brother style house results in a title that couldn’t be more apt.
Queer As Folk
This show derives its title from a Northern English saying, ‘There’s nought so queer as folk,’ which means there is nothing as strange as people. Queer, of course, is often used now in the gay community as a term of self-identification; ownership of a word used to label them as oddities. There’s nought so queer as folk – though the actions of both sides can seem equally strange to the other.
Spaced
Spaced works because of the word’s ambiguity, so it is not immediately clear to the viewer what the show is about. It actually is descriptive on two levels – firstly because it refers to the apartment space that Tim and Daisy share; secondly because it alludes to the stoner culture in which the pair belong. The writing of this programme was sharp, intelligent and witty, and in direct opposition to the sense of stupor invoked by the title.
Spin City
As far as sitcom names go, Spin City is certainly one of the superior ones. It manages to capture the nature of the show without being literally descriptive – ‘city’ encompasses the local government setting, while ‘spin’ covers the excuses and lies involved in the protagonist’s job. The two terms together manage to outline the pervasiveness of the spin culture within government.
Carnivàle
If this show had simply been called Carnival, I wouldn’t be writing this entry. The unusual spelling was perfect for this unusual show – it has a sense of mystery, and even an old-world magic and enchantment.
Japanese Anime
In general, the Japanese seem far more open to creativity when naming their anime shows. This can mean titles that verge on the absurd, such as Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040. However, it often results in interesting, evocative and attention-grabbing names, such as Cowboy Bebop, Ergo Proxy and Ghost in the Shell.
So this is my list of the best names of TV shows, although it is probably apparent that I have a fondness for titles that have double meanings. To the readers out there, what other TV show titles grab you? What is in a name?
*Images courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification, critical commentary, and to illustrate the subject in question.
Pondering this, I began to wonder what the most intriguing television show names were. After much agonising, I realised that they were very few and far between. Much more so than movies, TV show names are just plain boring. They tend to be overly simplistic and very literal. Sitcoms in particular are the worst purveyors of this, with Friends, Two Guys and a Girl, and Married with Children being notable examples. However, dramas are not immune to this trend either, as ER, Lost and Heroes exemplify. The other great tendency of shows of any genre is to name the programme after the central character or location, which clearly outlines the main focus of the show, but does not really scintillate the viewer in any way.
There is nothing wrong with this method of naming per se, but it does little to alleviate the image that television is the dumb little brother of film. Despite this, there is the occasional show that breaks the naming mould. Some of them seem simplistic on the surface, but closer inspection reveals underlying cleverness.
Drawn Together
Drawn Together*
Queer As Folk
Queer As Folk*
This show derives its title from a Northern English saying, ‘There’s nought so queer as folk,’ which means there is nothing as strange as people. Queer, of course, is often used now in the gay community as a term of self-identification; ownership of a word used to label them as oddities. There’s nought so queer as folk – though the actions of both sides can seem equally strange to the other.
Spaced
Spaced*
Spaced works because of the word’s ambiguity, so it is not immediately clear to the viewer what the show is about. It actually is descriptive on two levels – firstly because it refers to the apartment space that Tim and Daisy share; secondly because it alludes to the stoner culture in which the pair belong. The writing of this programme was sharp, intelligent and witty, and in direct opposition to the sense of stupor invoked by the title.
Spin City
Spin City*
As far as sitcom names go, Spin City is certainly one of the superior ones. It manages to capture the nature of the show without being literally descriptive – ‘city’ encompasses the local government setting, while ‘spin’ covers the excuses and lies involved in the protagonist’s job. The two terms together manage to outline the pervasiveness of the spin culture within government.
Carnivàle
Carnivale*
If this show had simply been called Carnival, I wouldn’t be writing this entry. The unusual spelling was perfect for this unusual show – it has a sense of mystery, and even an old-world magic and enchantment.
Japanese Anime
Cowboy Bebop*
In general, the Japanese seem far more open to creativity when naming their anime shows. This can mean titles that verge on the absurd, such as Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040. However, it often results in interesting, evocative and attention-grabbing names, such as Cowboy Bebop, Ergo Proxy and Ghost in the Shell.
So this is my list of the best names of TV shows, although it is probably apparent that I have a fondness for titles that have double meanings. To the readers out there, what other TV show titles grab you? What is in a name?
*Images courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification, critical commentary, and to illustrate the subject in question.
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