Buzz
The production logos that appear at the end of a TV series do more than just credit the creators—they offer a glimpse into the unique humor and personality of the show's masterminds. Explore the intriguing backstories of some of the most iconic logos you’ve likely seen.
1. Bad Robot Productions
Long before J.J. Abrams took the helm of Star Wars: Episode VII for Disney and Lucasfilm, he was the creative force behind groundbreaking TV series like Alias, Lost, and Fringe. Each episode concluded with the distinctive logo of his production company, Bad Robot Productions, making its mark on the screen.
Although Abrams established Bad Robot in 1998, the now-iconic production logo didn’t make its debut until 2001. While some fans speculate that Bad Robot is a nod to Brad Bird’s animated classic The Iron Giant, the inspiration for the logo struck J.J. Abrams during a writers’ meeting for Alias.
He captured his children Henry and Gracie saying the words and combined everything using his laptop. ''That day in the office while editing,'' Abrams recalls, ''I added sound effects on my computer, created a QuickTime movie, burned it onto a CD, handed it to postproduction, and within three days, it was airing on national television.''
2. Mutant Enemy Productions
Joss Whedon launched Mutant Enemy Productions in 1996 to produce the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. The name Mutant Enemy is a tribute to the song “And You and I” by the progressive rock band Yes, a favorite of Whedon’s. He also affectionately refers to his typewriter as “Mutant Enemy.” Whedon personally drew and voiced the production logo, which has been humorously referenced in episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
3. Ubu Productions
During the '80s, every episode of Family Ties concluded with the familiar phrase, “Sit, Ubu, Sit. Good dog,” accompanied by a single bark. Ubu Productions was the brainchild of the late Gary David Goldberg. In addition to Family Ties, Goldberg was behind the creation of Brooklyn Bridge and Spin City.
The mascot of the production company was Ubu Roi, a black Labrador Retriever, named after Alfred Jarry’s 1896 play Ubu Roi. Goldberg had Ubu during his college years and, along with his wife Diana, traveled extensively with the dog. The iconic photo of Ubu Roi in the logo was captured in the Tuileries Garden near the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Ubu passed away in 1984.
4. Steven Bochco Productions
Renowned television producer Steven Bochco brought audiences legendary series like Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, Doogie Howser, M.D., and NYPD Blue. His company’s logo honors his father, Rudolph Bochco, a Russian immigrant and accomplished concert violinist. The music used is the 3rd movement of Vivaldi’s “Summer (Presto)” from The Four Seasons—a piece cherished by Bochco’s father.
5. Stephen J. Cannell Productions
Stephen J. Cannell Productions brought audiences beloved TV series such as The Rockford Files, The A-Team, and 21 Jump Street. The company’s iconic “Guy on Typewriter” logo featured Cannell smoking a pipe, typing furiously, and tossing a sheet of paper into the air. The animated logo transformed the floating paper into a growing stack, symbolizing his prolific output. Over time, the logo evolved to showcase Cannell in his office surrounded by accolades. When he quit smoking, the logo was updated to reflect this change.
6. Bad Hat Harry Productions
While primarily known for feature films like The Usual Suspects, Superman Returns, and the first two X-Men movies, Bryan Singer’s production company, Bad Hat Harry, also ventured into television with the popular Fox series House, M.D.
The name Bad Hat Harry is a nod to a memorable moment in Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic Jaws, where Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) remarks to an elderly swimmer named Harry, “That’s some bad hat, Harry,” referring to his unappealing swim cap. The production logo playfully animates this scene.
7. Fuzzy Door Productions
Seth MacFarlane’s production company is behind hit animated series like Family Guy, American Dad!, and the short-lived The Cleveland Show. Fuzzy Door Productions also played a key role in MacFarlane’s first live-action film, Ted, released in 2012.
The name Fuzzy Door Productions originates from a faux leopard fur-covered door at the house MacFarlane lived in during his time at the Rhode Island School of Design. The logo was designed by Cory Brookes, a housemate at the Fuzzy Door residence.
8. Deedle-Dee Productions
Deedle-Dee Productions, founded by writer and producer Greg Daniels, is known for the American adaptation of The Office starring Steve Carell, the comedy Parks and Recreation, and the animated series King of the Hill. As revealed in the Parks and Recreation DVD commentary, the current versions of the logo (there are two!) were illustrated by his son, Owen, after Daniels had moved on from King of the Hill.
9. MTM Enterprises, Inc.
Mary Tyler Moore co-founded her television production company, MTM Enterprises, Inc., with her then-husband Grant Tinker in 1969 to create The Mary Tyler Moore Show for CBS. The company’s name was derived from Moore’s initials, and its logo showcased Mimsie the Cat—a playful parody of MGM’s iconic Leo the Lion.
The MTM Enterprises logo was adapted for various TV shows. For St. Elsewhere, Mimsie appeared wearing a surgical mask, while the comedy Newhart included Bob Newhart humorously saying “Meow” over footage of the cat. Mimsie, rescued from a local animal shelter, lived to the age of 20 at the home of an MTM staff member.
