Open Mike Productions

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

Open Mike Productions is a television production company founded in 1991 that mainly produces comedy-related programmes, specifically stand-up specials and talk shows.



1st Logo (February 26, 1992-November 9, 1998)

Visuals: On a black background with a dim spotlight, a ribbon microphone is on the right whereas the text "An OPEN MIKE PRODUCTION" is on the left. Underneath is the copyright notice.

Variant: Starting in 1996, the logo was reduced to simple text.

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: None or the ending theme of the programme.

Audio Variant: On Jack and Jeremy's Police 4, a male voice says "You're nicked".

Availability:

  • Can be seen on early programmes starring Jack Dee such as The Jack Dee Show, Jack and Jeremy's Real Life, and Jack Dee: Live and Uncut.
  • It was last seen on the pilot to That Peter Kay Thing.

2nd Logo (April 1, 1997-1999)

Visuals: An explosion transitions the end credits to a golden ribbon microphone zooming out and rotating. Afterwards, the text "An OPEN MIKE Production for CHANNEL 5" fades in alongside the copyright notice underneath.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Audio: The ending theme of the programme.

Availability: Only seen on early series of The Comedy Store.

3rd Logo (June 3, 1999-June 5, 2009)

Visuals: The microphone from the 1st logo is a lot smaller and positioned in the center with the text "An OPEN MIKE Production" on top of it.

Variants:

  • In the logo's early years, the microphone had a slight blue tint.
  • On That Peter Kay Thing, the microphone is darker.
  • On the Friday Night with Jonathan Ross episode featuring David Bowie, "OPEN MIKE" was replaced with three pieces of paper containing the words "fat old ziggy".

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: The ending theme of the programme.

Availability:

  • Like the 1st logo, programmes from this period starring Jack Dee featured this logo such as Jack Dee: Live at the Apollo and Jack Dee: Live Again.
  • It also appeared on most series of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Lead Balloon, That Peter Kay Thing (excluding the pilot), among others.
  • DVD releases and streaming prints should also have this logo intact.

4th Logo (June 6, 2009-)

Visuals: The spotlight was removed and the microphone has a blue glow all over. The top text remains the same as last time.

Variants:

  • A variant exists for both their Manchester and Scotland divisions, adding the former underneath "OPEN MIKE" and the latter next to it.
  • On The Last Leg episode featuring Sara Pascoe and Stephen Mangan, "THE CAMERAMAN" was added next to the company name.
  • On The Last Leg Down Under, only "OPEN MIKE" appears above the microphone.
  • On Rich Hall's Presidential Grudge Match, the inside of the microphone is dark.

Technique: A still, digital graphic.

Audio: The ending theme of the programme.

Availability:

  • It first appeared on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow and was seen on every episode of The Last Lie, the last few series of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, and Bad Move, among others.
  • Like before, they are available on DVD and on-demand, whether through their channel's websites or streaming sites.
  • The Manchester variant was mainly used on BBC co-produced programmes, most notably Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow.
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