With the return of Chris Matthews from Africa came new graphics and new music for Hardball. As mentioned on Inside Cable News, the change brings Hardball into the world of HD in Washington. Matthews commented that, “the 21st century hits Hardball tonight.”
The new open features major political players including Sarah Palin, Dick Cheney and Barack Obama along with a sea of cheering Hardball fans.
The new graphics were, no doubt, designed by NBC Artworks. Many of the elements were also borrowed from the NBC News Election graphics package, including the Capitol and Washington Memorial scenes.
NBC Artworks has done all of MSNBC’s current graphics, keeping the network unified across its various brands, but I for one miss the old Hardball graphics. The new graphics seem quickly thrown together with little 3D and mainly flipping images, a new trend for MSNBC. I also question why Sarah Palin is still in them… there are many other politicians that are more involved in today’s political sphere. Yes, Palin is still around, but in a year she may not be… making the graphics seem dated. The Rachel Maddow Show also does this with its open. Finally, it’s also worth noting that the picture of Chris Matthews that is five or so years old.
The open also includes a new logo for the show, set in a Copperplate Gothic-type font, signaling a shift from the previous use of Serpentine, a typeface that was also previously used in the NBC’s “Decision” logos.
The new music is also interesting, moving more in MSNBC’s new direction of European styling. While the last theme was used for over seven years, the new theme will probably not last that long. The one thing I do like about the new theme is its driving beat, but its main notes seem very muted compared to the underscore.
We will have more pictures of the new studio tomorrow along with a review. The new studio was designed by New York-based Clickspring Design, who also did the MSNBC main studios. The studio isn’t as fancy in some places compared to New York. Many of the walls have not been fully fleshed out and odd boxes fill the floor.
I know this story is old and probably will never be read by anyone in the designing of Chris Matthew’s show intro. But could you please bring back the old intro from -2008. That theme was golden and should have never been replaced. The new one is too dull.
Yeah the color scheme does remind me a lot of the Tucker intro. Then the new flipping images idea is in all of their newer opens.
Is anyone else reminded of the intro to “Tucker” (it too had a red/blue color scheme and fast-paced animation, though the theme music was softer).
“Don,” I’m sorry you do not agree with the write up, but it appear some of your comments are also full of guesswork unless you work for NBC.
While the show may discuss Palin as news merit, I believe there were better options for the intro. Palin is news now, but in a year or two she may not be, so then this intro will look outdated, but maybe they will update it. This was just my opinion…
Regarding the music, the seven year number came from Inside Cable News, a reputable blog. They may have been discussing the melody of the Hardball theme, and not this specific version. The Hardball theme was composed by Joel Beckerman of Man Made Music. Since its inception there have been a few slight variations, one by Non Stop Music.
To hit on your final point, at the end of the open a sea of cheering hands can be seen and heard. While this may not be a specific reference to the college tour or live audience days of Hardball, it reminds me of such… It reminds me of the “big event” this show has been in the past on the road, and the end of the open symbolized that.
I find this write up to be ill-informed and filled with guesswork. The current Hardball music is NOT “over seven years old” - it’s four years old. Also, those elements were not borrowed from NBC’s election coverage. Also, the show featured a segment with Palin… um… today — and she was on the cover of the NY Times today… so it seems she’s quite appropriate. Finally, saying the graphics “throw back” to the college tour is pretty silly.
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