Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (Television)

By James Fabiano

1st (known) Logo
(1959-1973)

Nickname: "Red Lion Wallpaper"

Logo: We see Leo, the infamous MGM lion, inside a black circle border, which reads "METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER TELEVISION". The lion roars once. The background has drawn versions of the roaring lion ala the "blue MGM" logo seen on record labels.

SFX: Leo roaring

Music: The ending music to the show plays throughout; the roaring lion SFX is heard.

Availability: Extremely Rare,appeared on "Dr. Kildare", "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.", "The Courtship of Eddie's Father", and "Please Don't Eat The Daisies".  Survives on the Dr. Seuss cartoon special "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," and on reruns of "Tom & Jerry" cartoons on Boomerang.

Scare Factor: Median, due to the lion's roar.

2nd Logo
(1973-)

Nickname: "Leo The Lion"

Logo: It's the standard MGM logo, which has its origins in the 1950s. A live-action lion named Leo is in a circle of a ribbon-like filmstrip which flows out on the bottom sides in twos. Underneath the circle is a red clown's mask. The circle has the phrase "ARS GRATIA ARTIS" (Latin for "Art for the Art's Sake") written on the top, and above it are the words "Metro Goldwyn Mayer." On the left side is "TRADE," and the right "MARK" and on the bottom is the word "TELEVISION." Leo roars once.

Variations: First here are the little differences in the logo, along with dates in which they were used:

  • 1973-1981: A short version of the standard movie design.
  • 1981-1983: The word "TELEVISION" appears during this era. Which looks very tacked/chyroned on, very unprofessional.
  • 1984-1985: Company identified as MGM/UA Entertainment Co. Television. "Diamond Jubilee: Sixty Years of Great Entertainment" is used in the 1984-85 season. The ribboning was gold in the latter version.
  • Another variation around this era exists of the logo where it is a still picture of the then-current Home Video logo with "Entertainment Co." taking the place of "Home Video", this includes a sound bite of the Leo's roar.
  • 1986: The Company is identified as MGM/UA Television Productions, An MGM/UA Communications Company. The ribboning is now gold from this point on.
  • 1987: The syndication division is now ID'ed as MGM/UA Telecommunications. The words "Distributed by" appear above the logo and the MGM/UA byline appears below.
  • 1993: The Company is reverted back to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, along with the byline MGM/UA Worldwide Television Group underneath the logo.
  • 1996: The syndication division is referred to as "MGM Domestic Television Distribution", along with the new lion roar track (finally).

SFX: Leo roaring, as usual.

Music: Just the Lion's roar

Availability: Can still be seen on some shows such as "thirtysomething", "CHiPs" and "In The Heat of The Night" on Bravo, TBS and TNT respectively. When VH1 did a Fame marathon in 2001, all MGM logos were retained. Also on "Stargate: SG1" and "The Outer Limits".

Scare Factor: Median, one of the best-known logos, but high on the scary side for people who don't like roaring lions.

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