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What is a Cold Open?

Michael Pollick
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Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 37,618
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One of the most important challenges for producers of television shows and motion pictures is to keep the audience interested from the very first minutes of the broadcast. This is often accomplished through the use of a dramatic device known as a cold open, sometimes called a teaser. It is a snippet of action shown before the actual beginning of a show or movie's opening credits. Sometimes, this opening segment is a quick reprise of previous plotlines, or it may be an attention-grabbing cliffhanger that hooks the viewer into the rest of the show.

Soap operas often use a cold open to bring viewers up to speed on the plotlines the new episode will explore. A crime show might show details of the actual crime, then run the opening credits several minutes later. Action/adventure movies, such as the James Bond spy series, often show the hero making a dramatic escape from enemies who may or may not have anything to do with the actual plot. The point is to discourage viewers from changing the channel during the opening credits or to set the pace for the rest of the film.

Some television shows, such as most late night talk shows, do not use this technique. The opening credits run precisely at the beginning and an announcer or graphics introduce the guest line-up. A sketch comedy show may use a cold open, however, such as a short skit based on a current event. The actual credits do not run until a character has delivered a catchphrase or excitement-generating stunt.

The use of this element can be traced back to at least the 1960s, as network producers noticed that viewers were often switching channels during the opening credits of familiar shows without waiting for the first scene. To counteract this, many shows were restructured to include a teaser sequence. At the start of a sitcom, for example, the main characters might be shown receiving a mysterious package and showing shock at the unseen contents. This scene would hook curious viewers who wanted to know what was in that box and what might happen next.

A cold open for a drama might show the end of an episode with a voice-over explaining how the characters wound up in their predicament. Curious viewers would naturally want to see the beginning of the story once they have become hooked on the teaser ending. The open might also end on a curious or cryptic piece of dialogue, which would naturally induce curiosity in many viewers. A good one is all about making sure the audience wants to return to the show after the first commercial break or opening credits.

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Michael Pollick
By Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to Musical Expert, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range of topics. His curiosity drives him to study subjects in-depth, resulting in informative and engaging articles. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael honed his skills as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

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Discussion Comments
By anon973110 — On Oct 08, 2014

I remember the show "Hee Haw" used to have a cold open for a season or two. There would be a sketch involving a few cast members, usually in a hurry to find a television so they could watch their favorite show, "Hee Haw". I'd call it more of a teaser than a cold open, but it did hook people into watching the rest of the show.

By GigaGold — On Dec 03, 2010

I find it infuriating when shows end on a heart-pounding cliffhanger that make me feel connected to the characters in the story and compel me to watch the next episode. It is very much the same effect as that of a book you just can't put down, and it seems that screenwriters are very well trained to get a large audience hooked on their shows.

By FitzMaurice — On Dec 01, 2010

@anon128704

Interesting point. Do you have some examples of how the French step outside of Television norms and what others could learn from them? It would be interesting to learn how entertainers and producers keep the attention of the audience in different nations and cultures.

By anon128704 — On Nov 20, 2010

I, like, I think anyone who as been subjected to these fatuous gimmicks over enough time, has become so adept at dealing with them that the whole idea, like many media worn out conventions has become largely counter productive. If the program gets straight into the main theme I will stick with it.

Any of this kind of time-wasting nonsense and I immediately change channels. Life is too short. There are always other, more interesting programs running. TV people are always years behind in their thinking of what most viewers are actually doing.

When they take surveys their questions are always too simplistic to give them any really useful information.

Basically they are terrified of stepping outside of the current fashions. – With the exception of the French.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to Musical Expert, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide...
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