Steven Bochco Productions

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

This is Steven Bochco's production company. It is currently run by his son Jesse and widow Dayna after Bochco died on April 1, 2018.

Logo (September 19, 1989-March 31, 2023)


Visuals: On a black background, there is almost to the left a picture of a man (Bochco's father) playing the violin, contained within a orange square outline. The violin's bow moves across it rapidly, and the man shakes a little bit as it plays a loud and fast-paced tune. While that happens, Steven Bochco's signature is written in orange slightly over the picture, and "PRODUCTIONS" wipes in below that.

Variants:

  • Two HD versions, both of which are merely enhanced versions of the logo, exist.
    • The first version, which debuted in 2001, has everything orange in more yellowish colors. The signature is also different.
    • The second version, which debuted in 2005, has more goldish colors and a more sepia-toned version of the picture. The original signature is used.
  • On Capitol Critters, an animated mouse plays the violin and the box is a bit smaller. The animation was provided by Hanna-Barbera.
  • On Murder in the First, after the text appears, the logo freezes.
  • On Doogie Kameāloha, M.D., the logo is still. Also, the name is placed below the picture rather than to the right of it, and the "P" in "PRODUCTIONS" is contained in the "S" in Bochco's signature, which is the 2001 version. The original photograph is used, which is faded and his right hand is visible.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A dramatic and fast-paced violin tune (which is a piece of "The Four Seasons: Summer" by Antonio Vivaldi), which would carry on to the logos that follow it.

Audio Variants:

  • On Capitol Critters, the music is faster and higher-pitched.
  • Sometimes, the theme is shortened.
  • On Commander in Chief, the music is slightly slowed down.
  • The Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. variant is silent.
  • CBS and ABC airings would have a voice over, with the former's voice over for Letterman promos.

Availability:

  • It's intact on all of Bochco's series, such as Doogie Howser, M.D. (the first show this logo was used on), NYPD Blue on H&I, Capitol Critters, Raising the Bar, Commander in Chief, Brooklyn South, Cop Rock, Blind Justice, and Murder in the First, among others.
  • This logo was also revived for Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. on Disney+.
  • It also appears on the failed pilots of Hollis & Rae and NYPD 2069.
  • This does not appear on L.A. Law or Hooperman, as those shows predated the logo.