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* ''WesternAnimation/Classof3000'' has the first episode completely skip the opening, rather than having the show's logo superimposed over a black background before it starts.
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* ''WesternAnimation/Classof3000'' ''WesternAnimation/ClassOf3000'' has the first episode completely skip the opening, rather than having the show's logo superimposed over a black background before it starts.
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* ''WesternAnimation/Classof3000'' has the first episode completely skip the opening, rather than having the show's logo superimposed over a black background before it starts.
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobMovieSpongeOnTheRun'' doesn't use the opening theme to ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'', although the last quarter of the show's theme song is heard over the InMemoriam card of Stephen Hillenburg, which then segues into the first end credits song, "Agua".
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* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': The half-hour episodes "[[ChristmasEpisode Arnold's Christmas]]", "[[ThanksgivingEpisode Arnold's Thanksgiving]]", "SchoolPlay", "[[TearJerker Parents Day]]", and "Dino Checks Out", as well as the [MultiPartEpisode two-parter]] produced GrandFinale "The Journal" have the show's logo and opening credits appear over the first shots of the said episodes.
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': The half-hour episodes "[[ChristmasEpisode Arnold's Christmas]]", "[[ThanksgivingEpisode Arnold's Thanksgiving]]", "SchoolPlay", "[[TearJerker Parents Day]]", and "Dino Checks Out", as well as the [MultiPartEpisode [[MultiPartEpisode two-parter]] produced GrandFinale "The Journal" have the show's logo and opening credits appear over the first shots of the said episodes.
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* The pilot episode of ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'' has not opening song.
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* The pilot episode of ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'' has not no opening song.
Changed line(s) 62 (click to see context) from:
* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': The half-hour episodes "[[ChristmasEpisode Arnold's Christmas]]", "[[ThanksgivingEpisode Arnold's Thanksgiving]]", "SchoolPlay", "[[TearJerker ParentsDay]]", and "Dino Checks Out", as well as the [MultiPartEpisode two-parter]] produced SeriesFauxnale "The Journal" had the show's logo and opening credits appear over the first shots of the said episodes.
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': The half-hour episodes "[[ChristmasEpisode Arnold's Christmas]]", "[[ThanksgivingEpisode Arnold's Thanksgiving]]", "SchoolPlay", "[[TearJerker ParentsDay]]", Parents Day]]", and "Dino Checks Out", as well as the [MultiPartEpisode two-parter]] produced SeriesFauxnale GrandFinale "The Journal" had have the show's logo and opening credits appear over the first shots of the said episodes.
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobMovieSpongeOnTheRun'' doesn't use the opening theme to ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'', although the last quarter of the show's theme song is heard over the InMemoriam card of Stephen Hillenburg, which then segues into the first end credits song, "Agua".
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* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': The half-hour episodes "[[ChristmasEpisode Arnold's Christmas]]", "[[ThanksgivingEpisode Arnold's Thanksgiving]]", "SchoolPlay", "[[TearJerker ParentsDay]]", and "Dino Checks Out", as well as the [MultiPartEpisode two-parter]] produced SeriesFauxnale "The Journal" had the show's logo and opening credits appear over the first shots of the said episodes.
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* The pilot episode of ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'' has not opening song.
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** Similar to ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'', "Elsewhere and Elsewhen" introduces a TitleOnlyOpening created to extend an episode's runtime after the series was CutShort. As the last six episodes of the second season are all {{Wham Episode}}s, they all use this opening.
to:
** Similar to ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'', "Elsewhere and Elsewhen" introduces a TitleOnlyOpening created to extend an a particularly important episode's runtime after the series was CutShort. As the last six episodes of the second season are all {{Wham Episode}}s, they all use this opening.
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': The first episode completely skips the opening theme and the title does not appear until right before the end credits.
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'':
** The first episode "A Lying Witch and a Warden" completely skips the opening theme and the title does not appear until right before the endcredits.credits.
** The first season finale "Young Blood, Old Souls" completely skips the opening theme.
** Similar to ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'', "Elsewhere and Elsewhen" introduces a TitleOnlyOpening created to extend an episode's runtime after the series was CutShort. As the last six episodes of the second season are all {{Wham Episode}}s, they all use this opening.
** The first episode "A Lying Witch and a Warden" completely skips the opening theme and the title does not appear until right before the end
** The first season finale "Young Blood, Old Souls" completely skips the opening theme.
** Similar to ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'', "Elsewhere and Elsewhen" introduces a TitleOnlyOpening created to extend an episode's runtime after the series was CutShort. As the last six episodes of the second season are all {{Wham Episode}}s, they all use this opening.
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* ''Series/AdamTwelve'': The VerySpecialEpisode "Elegy For a Pig" forgoes the opening theme for narration by its creator Jack Webb.
to:
* ''Series/AdamTwelve'': ''Series/Adam12'': The VerySpecialEpisode "Elegy For a Pig" forgoes the opening theme for narration by its creator Jack Webb.
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* The first episode of ''Series/DoctorWho'' Series 11, "The Woman Who Fell to Earth", had no opening theme or credit sequence.
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* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
** In keeping with the FoundFootage theme, the episode "Sleep No More" foregoes the usual title sequence in favor of a brief flash of the show's title.
** The first episode of''Series/DoctorWho'' Series 11, "The Woman Who Fell to Earth", had no opening theme or credit sequence.
** In keeping with the FoundFootage theme, the episode "Sleep No More" foregoes the usual title sequence in favor of a brief flash of the show's title.
** The first episode of
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** Although [[OpeningShoutOut imagery from the theme song shows up in the movie]], the theme song to ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'' doesn't appear in ''WesternAnimation/TheBobsBurgersMovie''.
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** "Springfield Up" opens with a documentary film maker talking to the viewers, with the credits appearing later and in a different font.
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** Due to the airing of a trailer for ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsonsMovie'', the original American airing of "Springfield Up" opens opened with a documentary film maker talking to the viewers, with the credits appearing later and in a different font.
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** ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndTheMagicRailroad'' doesn't use the opening themes of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' or ''Series/ShiningTimeStation''.
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** ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndTheMagicRailroad'' doesn't use the opening themes of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'' or ''Series/ShiningTimeStation''.
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* ''Franchise/PrettyCure'':
to:
* ''Franchise/PrettyCure'':''Anime/PrettyCure'':
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[[Film - In general]]
to:
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[[Film - In general]]
* This is a common practice for movies that adapt TV shows:
** ''Film/BarneysGreatAdventure'' doesn't use the traditional ''Series/BarneyAndFriends'' theme tune. Instead, it used a Bernadette Peters song called "Barney".
** Both ''WesternAnimation/VeggieTales'' movies lack the traditional theme song.
** ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndTheMagicRailroad'' doesn't use the opening themes of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' or ''Series/ShiningTimeStation''.
** Both ''Series/SesameStreet'' movies lack the theme song, but it plays in ''Film/FollowThatBird'' as an instrumental during a chase scene.
[[/folder]]
* This is a common practice for movies that adapt TV shows:
** ''Film/BarneysGreatAdventure'' doesn't use the traditional ''Series/BarneyAndFriends'' theme tune. Instead, it used a Bernadette Peters song called "Barney".
** Both ''WesternAnimation/VeggieTales'' movies lack the traditional theme song.
** ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndTheMagicRailroad'' doesn't use the opening themes of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' or ''Series/ShiningTimeStation''.
** Both ''Series/SesameStreet'' movies lack the theme song, but it plays in ''Film/FollowThatBird'' as an instrumental during a chase scene.
[[/folder]]
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': The first episode completely skips the opening theme and the title does not appear until right before the end credits.
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* ''WesternAnimation/PennZeroPartTimeHero'': The episode "The Pirates, the Parrot, the puzzle and the Talking Boats" is the only episode to not open with the theme song, rather than having the show's title appear for a few seconds before cutting to the episode's title.
* ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'':
** "Werewolf vs. Unicorn" and "Fight Club Paradise" do not open with the opening sequence, as the first began with the show's title card leading into the PreviouslyOn sequence and the second was a MilestoneCelebration of 100 episodes as the Robot Chicken was finally freed.
** Also, the episode "Hey I Found Another Sock" skips the opening sequence and immediately heads straight into the first segment (with the opening credits rolling over it).
* ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'':
** "Werewolf vs. Unicorn" and "Fight Club Paradise" do not open with the opening sequence, as the first began with the show's title card leading into the PreviouslyOn sequence and the second was a MilestoneCelebration of 100 episodes as the Robot Chicken was finally freed.
** Also, the episode "Hey I Found Another Sock" skips the opening sequence and immediately heads straight into the first segment (with the opening credits rolling over it).
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* Certain episodes of ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'' ("Toad Tax"/"Prison Break", "Reunion", "The First Temple") do not play the theme song and instead show five seconds of the title accompanied by a riff of "Anne's Theme".
to:
* Certain episodes of ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'' ("Toad Tax"/"Prison Break", "Reunion", "The First Temple") do not play has its mid-season and season finales forego playing the theme song and song, opting instead to show five seconds of the show's title card accompanied by a riff of the main character's {{leitmotif}}, "Anne's Theme".
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* In ''Series/{{Red Dwarf}}'', the opening theme for both Ouroboros and Duct Soup are absent in the broadcast versions but available on the DVD 'X-tended' versions of the episodes, due to the episodes overrunning their time slot. Duct Soup retains the title card whilst Ouroboros doesn't, however, it does open with the last note of the theme tune.
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There are a number of reasons this happens. The most common reason for this occuring is that the episode in question is considered to be a special one by the creators. This is especially common with the ChristmasEpisode of a show. Another reason is that the show's episode is either the first or last in the series. A case where it's for the first episode is likely because the creators are trying to avoid a SpoilerOpening, while for a finale episode, they're trying to avoid MoodWhiplash by playing the song before or after a crucial moment in the show. It might also happen on a VerySpecialEpisode or UnexpectedlyDarkEpisode.
to:
There are a number of reasons this happens. The most common reason for this occuring is that the episode in question is considered to be a special one by the creators. This is especially common with the ChristmasEpisode of a show. Another reason is that the show's episode is either the first or last in the series. A case where it's for the first episode is likely because the creators are trying to avoid a SpoilerOpening, while for a finale episode, they're trying to avoid MoodWhiplash by playing the song before or after a crucial moment in the show. Another reason is that the episode would be too long if the theme tune was left in. It might also happen on a VerySpecialEpisode or UnexpectedlyDarkEpisode.
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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'': "The Warners' 65th Anniversary Special" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock" do not open with the ''Animaniacs'' theme song, as the first was presented as a special event InUniverse and the second was a PoorlyDisguisedPilot for a ''Skippy and Scrappy'' spin-off.
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'': "The Warners' 65th Anniversary Special" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock" do not open with the ''Animaniacs'' theme song, as the first was presented as a special event InUniverse and the second was a PoorlyDisguisedPilot for a ''Skippy and Scrappy'' Slappy'' spin-off.
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[[AC:Anime]]
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[[folder:Anime]]
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[[AC:Live-Action TV]]
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[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
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[[AC:Web Video]]
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[[folder:Web Video]]
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[[AC:Western Animation]]
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[[folder:Western Animation]]
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* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': Both "[[Recap/SouthParkThePandemicSpecial The Pandemic Special]]" and "[[Recap/SouthParQVaccinationSpecial The Vaccination Special]]" abandon the ''South Park'' theme song in favor of a special title card.
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': Both "[[Recap/SouthParkThePandemicSpecial The Pandemic Special]]" and "[[Recap/SouthParQVaccinationSpecial The Vaccination Special]]" abandon the ''South Park'' theme song in favor of a special title card.card.
[[/folder]]
[[/folder]]
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* Subverted with the Season 8 premiere of ''Series/{{CSINY}}''. The show's format typically features a couple minutes' worth of scenes, followed by the opening credits, then the first commercial break. However, this episode cuts to commercial with just a quiet title card after the scenes, as it commemorates the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The regular credits ''do'' appear, however; they're just after the commercial break.
to:
* Subverted with the Season 8 premiere of ''Series/{{CSINY}}''. The show's format typically features a couple minutes' worth of scenes, followed by the opening credits, then the first commercial break. However, this episode episode cuts to commercial with just a quiet title card after the scenes, as it commemorates the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The regular credits ''do'' appear, however; they're just after the commercial break.
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* ''Series/KamenRiderKiva'': Like many Kamen Rider series, the final episode does not feature the opening credits, only a title card. The theme song does, however, play at the very end of the episode with credits rolling over the finale scene.
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* The two part episode "The Burning" that opened series 3 of ''Series/DempseyAndMakepeace'' forwent the normal opening theme as they dealt with Dempsey?s New York past coming back to haunt him.
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* The two part episode "The Burning" that opened series 3 of ''Series/DempseyAndMakepeace'' forwent the normal opening theme as they dealt with Dempsey?s New York past coming back to haunt him.
to:
* Subverted with the Season 8 premiere of ''Series/{{CSINY}}''. The two part episode "The Burning" that opened series 3 show's format typically features a couple minutes' worth of ''Series/DempseyAndMakepeace'' forwent scenes, followed by the normal opening theme as they dealt credits, then the first commercial break. However, this episode cuts to commercial with Dempsey?s New York past coming back to haunt him.just a quiet title card after the scenes, as it commemorates the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The regular credits ''do'' appear, however; they're just after the commercial break.
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** {{Downplayed|Trope}} with two Season 1 episodes: "Bart the General" and "Life on the Fast Lane" play the first few notes of the theme tune accompanied by an establishing shot, with the episodes beginning after that.
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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'': "The Warners' 65th Anniversary Special" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock" do not open with the ''Animaniacs'' theme song, as the first was presented as a special event InUniverse and the second was a PoorlyDisguisedPilot.
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'': "The Warners' 65th Anniversary Special" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock" do not open with the ''Animaniacs'' theme song, as the first was presented as a special event InUniverse and the second was a PoorlyDisguisedPilot.PoorlyDisguisedPilot for a ''Skippy and Scrappy'' spin-off.
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* The ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' episode "In a Mirror Darkly" takes place in a [[DarkWorld cynical, gritty alternate universe]], so there is a different opening montage and no theme tune at all.
to:
* The ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' episode "In a Mirror Darkly" takes place in a [[DarkWorld [[MirrorUniverse cynical, gritty alternate universe]], so there is a different opening montage and no with a darker, more militaristic theme tune at all.
tune.
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Created from YKTTW
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So you're getting ready to watch the next episode of your favorite show. You anticipate the theme song, as it is one of your favorite parts of the show. However, when the episode actually starts, it isn't there. You sit in confusion and try to comprehend what has happened.
There are a number of reasons this happens. The most common reason for this occuring is that the episode in question is considered to be a special one by the creators. This is especially common with the ChristmasEpisode of a show. Another reason is that the show's episode is either the first or last in the series. A case where it's for the first episode is likely because the creators are trying to avoid a SpoilerOpening, while for a finale episode, they're trying to avoid MoodWhiplash by playing the song before or after a crucial moment in the show. It might also happen on a VerySpecialEpisode or UnexpectedlyDarkEpisode.
In some cases, the theme might make a cameo, usually as an instrumental, despite it not being used in the actual episode.
If the theme tune is still there, but different, see VariationsOnAThemeSong. Compare to NoThemeTune, when every episode of a show has no theme song.
----
!!Examples:
[[AC:Anime]]
* ''Franchise/PrettyCure'':
** The final episode of ''Anime/HugttoPrettyCure'' lacks the usual opening. [[spoiler: However, the song used during that sequence does play over the final scene.]]
** Episode 48 of ''Anime/StarTwinklePrettyCure'' also lacks the show's usual theme tune, in this case indicating the DarkestHour by simply opening with the title on a black background.
* This is standard practice in the first episode of each installment of the ''Anime/LoveLive'' franchise, with the opening not being shown until the second episode.
* The final episode of ''Anime/DragonBallSuper'' lacked the show's typical intro, though the theme song played over the credits.
* Episode 10 of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' has no standard opening; the show's usual opening theme plays over the closing credits.
* The first two episodes of ''Anime/InazumaElevenAres'' make up a two-part premiere. As such, the first episode skips the outro, while the second skips the intro.
* The very first episode of ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' lacks the anime's opening theme, instead starting with an OpeningMonologue about [[SealedInsideAPersonShapedCan Naruto's backstory]] followed by the series' logo.
[[AC:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/AdamTwelve'': The VerySpecialEpisode "Elegy For a Pig" forgoes the opening theme for narration by its creator Jack Webb.
* An episode of ''Series/CrazyExGirlfriend'' didn't have the the theme song - until, at around forty-minutes in, two characters have a WaxingLyrical conversation that repeats the lyrics of the ExpositoryThemeTune, and the scene then ends with the title card appearing.
* The two part episode "The Burning" that opened series 3 of ''Series/DempseyAndMakepeace'' forwent the normal opening theme as they dealt with Dempsey?s New York past coming back to haunt him.
* The first episode of ''Series/DoctorWho'' Series 11, "The Woman Who Fell to Earth", had no opening theme or credit sequence.
* ''Series/OneTreeHill'' forewent the usual "I Don't Want to Be" opening for more serious episodes, such as one in the third season involving a school shooting, before ultimately dropping the theme altogether in season 5 due to the TimeSkip.
* Some episodes of ''Series/{{Portlandia}}'' abandon the show's SketchComedy format and instead focus on a single story. These episodes drop the ThemeTune opening in favor of a title card saying "Portlandia Presents: [Episode Name]".
* The ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' episode "In a Mirror Darkly" takes place in a [[DarkWorld cynical, gritty alternate universe]], so there is a different opening montage and no theme tune at all.
[[AC:Web Video]]
* Downplayed and justified in ''WebVideo/TheMirror''. In the last episode, the only remaining member of the cult is Curtis, and he lacks even the ability to use the usual episode intro. Instead he pulls out a radio and plays some of the theme song, then stops it to present the subject of the video.
[[AC:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'': The episodes "Haylias" and "Flirting with Disaster" don't open with the theme song.
* Certain episodes of ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'' ("Toad Tax"/"Prison Break", "Reunion", "The First Temple") do not play the theme song and instead show five seconds of the title accompanied by a riff of "Anne's Theme".
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'': "The Warners' 65th Anniversary Special" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock" do not open with the ''Animaniacs'' theme song, as the first was presented as a special event InUniverse and the second was a PoorlyDisguisedPilot.
* The ChristmasEpisode of ''WesternAnimation/BigCityGreens'' skips the theme song all together and has the title appear right after the opening number.
* ''WesternAnimation/BoJackHorseman'': Downplayed: the Season 6 premiere "A Horse Walks Into a Rehab" plays the first few notes of the theme song, but then the image burns away to immediately show the next scene, possibly to illustrate [=BoJack=]'s effort to break free of his unhealthy habits and bad memories.
* ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017'': The episodes "Woo-oo!" and "Whatever Happened to Della Duck?!" skip the theme song and instead have the show's logo superimposed over the opening scene. In the case of "Woo-oo!", when shown in it's original hour-long format, the theme song plays at the start of the second half.
* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'': The episode "Brian and Stewie" opens with the show's logo appearing silently over a black background.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'': Season 4's story arc focusing on the Santiago/Casagrande family only played a little bit of the theme tune before cutting to Ronnie Anne introducing her family.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** The first full-length episode, "Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire" does not open with the regular theme song.
** "Springfield Up" opens with a documentary film maker talking to the viewers, with the credits appearing later and in a different font.
* The ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'' episode "My Fair Hatey" is the only episode that does not play the theme song; instead, it begins with the show's logo in front of a curtain which rises and cuts to the actual show.
* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': Both "[[Recap/SouthParkThePandemicSpecial The Pandemic Special]]" and "[[Recap/SouthParQVaccinationSpecial The Vaccination Special]]" abandon the ''South Park'' theme song in favor of a special title card.
There are a number of reasons this happens. The most common reason for this occuring is that the episode in question is considered to be a special one by the creators. This is especially common with the ChristmasEpisode of a show. Another reason is that the show's episode is either the first or last in the series. A case where it's for the first episode is likely because the creators are trying to avoid a SpoilerOpening, while for a finale episode, they're trying to avoid MoodWhiplash by playing the song before or after a crucial moment in the show. It might also happen on a VerySpecialEpisode or UnexpectedlyDarkEpisode.
In some cases, the theme might make a cameo, usually as an instrumental, despite it not being used in the actual episode.
If the theme tune is still there, but different, see VariationsOnAThemeSong. Compare to NoThemeTune, when every episode of a show has no theme song.
----
!!Examples:
[[AC:Anime]]
* ''Franchise/PrettyCure'':
** The final episode of ''Anime/HugttoPrettyCure'' lacks the usual opening. [[spoiler: However, the song used during that sequence does play over the final scene.]]
** Episode 48 of ''Anime/StarTwinklePrettyCure'' also lacks the show's usual theme tune, in this case indicating the DarkestHour by simply opening with the title on a black background.
* This is standard practice in the first episode of each installment of the ''Anime/LoveLive'' franchise, with the opening not being shown until the second episode.
* The final episode of ''Anime/DragonBallSuper'' lacked the show's typical intro, though the theme song played over the credits.
* Episode 10 of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' has no standard opening; the show's usual opening theme plays over the closing credits.
* The first two episodes of ''Anime/InazumaElevenAres'' make up a two-part premiere. As such, the first episode skips the outro, while the second skips the intro.
* The very first episode of ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' lacks the anime's opening theme, instead starting with an OpeningMonologue about [[SealedInsideAPersonShapedCan Naruto's backstory]] followed by the series' logo.
[[AC:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/AdamTwelve'': The VerySpecialEpisode "Elegy For a Pig" forgoes the opening theme for narration by its creator Jack Webb.
* An episode of ''Series/CrazyExGirlfriend'' didn't have the the theme song - until, at around forty-minutes in, two characters have a WaxingLyrical conversation that repeats the lyrics of the ExpositoryThemeTune, and the scene then ends with the title card appearing.
* The two part episode "The Burning" that opened series 3 of ''Series/DempseyAndMakepeace'' forwent the normal opening theme as they dealt with Dempsey?s New York past coming back to haunt him.
* The first episode of ''Series/DoctorWho'' Series 11, "The Woman Who Fell to Earth", had no opening theme or credit sequence.
* ''Series/OneTreeHill'' forewent the usual "I Don't Want to Be" opening for more serious episodes, such as one in the third season involving a school shooting, before ultimately dropping the theme altogether in season 5 due to the TimeSkip.
* Some episodes of ''Series/{{Portlandia}}'' abandon the show's SketchComedy format and instead focus on a single story. These episodes drop the ThemeTune opening in favor of a title card saying "Portlandia Presents: [Episode Name]".
* The ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' episode "In a Mirror Darkly" takes place in a [[DarkWorld cynical, gritty alternate universe]], so there is a different opening montage and no theme tune at all.
[[AC:Web Video]]
* Downplayed and justified in ''WebVideo/TheMirror''. In the last episode, the only remaining member of the cult is Curtis, and he lacks even the ability to use the usual episode intro. Instead he pulls out a radio and plays some of the theme song, then stops it to present the subject of the video.
[[AC:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'': The episodes "Haylias" and "Flirting with Disaster" don't open with the theme song.
* Certain episodes of ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'' ("Toad Tax"/"Prison Break", "Reunion", "The First Temple") do not play the theme song and instead show five seconds of the title accompanied by a riff of "Anne's Theme".
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'': "The Warners' 65th Anniversary Special" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock" do not open with the ''Animaniacs'' theme song, as the first was presented as a special event InUniverse and the second was a PoorlyDisguisedPilot.
* The ChristmasEpisode of ''WesternAnimation/BigCityGreens'' skips the theme song all together and has the title appear right after the opening number.
* ''WesternAnimation/BoJackHorseman'': Downplayed: the Season 6 premiere "A Horse Walks Into a Rehab" plays the first few notes of the theme song, but then the image burns away to immediately show the next scene, possibly to illustrate [=BoJack=]'s effort to break free of his unhealthy habits and bad memories.
* ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017'': The episodes "Woo-oo!" and "Whatever Happened to Della Duck?!" skip the theme song and instead have the show's logo superimposed over the opening scene. In the case of "Woo-oo!", when shown in it's original hour-long format, the theme song plays at the start of the second half.
* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'': The episode "Brian and Stewie" opens with the show's logo appearing silently over a black background.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'': Season 4's story arc focusing on the Santiago/Casagrande family only played a little bit of the theme tune before cutting to Ronnie Anne introducing her family.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** The first full-length episode, "Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire" does not open with the regular theme song.
** "Springfield Up" opens with a documentary film maker talking to the viewers, with the credits appearing later and in a different font.
* The ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'' episode "My Fair Hatey" is the only episode that does not play the theme song; instead, it begins with the show's logo in front of a curtain which rises and cuts to the actual show.
* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': Both "[[Recap/SouthParkThePandemicSpecial The Pandemic Special]]" and "[[Recap/SouthParQVaccinationSpecial The Vaccination Special]]" abandon the ''South Park'' theme song in favor of a special title card.
