I've Noticed This About TV Show Credits... Do You Know?

[AKL_Megs]

On the starting credits of a TV show, it seems as though they list the "most important" actors first AND last... But the LAST mentioned actor is usually listed with an "and" before their name. So, is the most "important" actor listed first, and the most "famous" listed last with an "and"?

 

[DMass]

Sometimes it's "And So and So as This Character"

 

[NotUrsula]

What you're seeing is known in the industry as "billing", and it is usually negotiated into the person's contract as part of the compensation. "Top billing" (being first on the list) is usually considered most valuable, but it implies that the character that the person plays is the main character, the one with the most lines and the most screen time.

The kind of billing you are wondering about is "last billing", and it is most often offered to actors who would normally play lead roles, but who in this case are choosing to play secondary characters. The logic is that if you cannot be first on the list, being last but in a more noticeable way -- such as with different type, different colors, or with "and" before your name will make their inclusion in the cast list stand out and emphasize the person's prestige.

 

[AKL_Megs]

What you're seeing is known in the industry as "billing", and it is usually negotiated into the person's contract as part of the compensation. "Top billing" (being first on the list) is usually considered most valuable, but it implies that the character that the person plays is the main character, the one with the most lines and the most screen time.

The kind of billing you are wondering about is "last billing", and it is most often offered to actors who would normally play lead roles, but who in this case are choosing to play secondary characters. The logic is that if you cannot be first on the list, being last but in a more noticeable way -- such as with different type, different colors, or with "and" before your name will make their inclusion in the cast list stand out and emphasize the person's prestige.

so iteresting! Thank you so much fir sharing this!

 

[Acklander]

What you're seeing is known in the industry as "billing", and it is usually negotiated into the person's contract as part of the compensation. "Top billing" (being first on the list) is usually considered most valuable, but it implies that the character that the person plays is the main character, the one with the most lines and the most screen time.

The kind of billing you are wondering about is "last billing", and it is most often offered to actors who would normally play lead roles, but who in this case are choosing to play secondary characters. The logic is that if you cannot be first on the list, being last but in a more noticeable way -- such as with different type, different colors, or with "and" before your name will make their inclusion in the cast list stand out and emphasize the person's prestige.

Oh yeah, and then they get into the battle of who has the taller or fatter font vs. the short skinny font. LOL

 

[AKL_Megs]

What you're seeing is known in the industry as "billing", and it is usually negotiated into the person's contract as part of the compensation. "Top billing" (being first on the list) is usually considered most valuable, but it implies that the character that the person plays is the main character, the one with the most lines and the most screen time.

The kind of billing you are wondering about is "last billing", and it is most often offered to actors who would normally play lead roles, but who in this case are choosing to play secondary characters. The logic is that if you cannot be first on the list, being last but in a more noticeable way -- such as with different type, different colors, or with "and" before your name will make their inclusion in the cast list stand out and emphasize the person's prestige.

so iteresting! Thank you so much fir sharing this!

 

[Imzadi]

What you're seeing is known in the industry as "billing", and it is usually negotiated into the person's contract as part of the compensation. "Top billing" (being first on the list) is usually considered most valuable, but it implies that the character that the person plays is the main character, the one with the most lines and the most screen time.

The kind of billing you are wondering about is "last billing", and it is most often offered to actors who would normally play lead roles, but who in this case are choosing to play secondary characters. The logic is that if you cannot be first on the list, being last but in a more noticeable way -- such as with different type, different colors, or with "and" before your name will make their inclusion in the cast list stand out and emphasize the person's prestige.

Yes, it's like this with Criminal Minds. When the series first came out, Mandy Patinkin was the star with first billing. Thomas Gibson was listed second, following him.

When Mandy left the show, you'd think Thomas would naturally move up to the top spot. He actually did for a few episodes. But, Joe Mantegna was finally brought in to replace Mandy. Joe is the more established, veteran actor, but Thomas is more famous because of Dharma & Greg, plus he's the star continuing on the show, even as they replace the older actor role. Now, he gets last billing, with the "and" put in front of his name.


The one time I saw a problem with how to list two stars who equally should get first billing was for Towering Inferno. How the heck do you negotiate who gets first billing between Paul Newman or Steve McQueen? When they finally put the credits on the movie, (I *think*) Steve McQueen's name appeared to the top right. Paul Newman's name appeared at the bottom, but to the left.

Later in an interview, Newman, in his tongue in cheek way, said that's okay, because people read from left to right. So even though his name was lower, they'd read his name first.

 

[crashbb]

The one time I saw a problem with how to list two stars who equally should get first billing was for Towering Inferno. How the heck do you negotiate who gets first billing between Paul Newman or Steve McQueen? When they finally put the credits on the movie, (I *think*) Steve McQueen's name appeared to the top right. Paul Newman's name appeared at the bottom, but to the left.

Later in an interview, Newman, in his tongue in cheek way, said that's okay, because people read from left to right. So even though his name was lower, they'd read his name first.

I remember reading that Cheers did the same thing (Ted Danson and Shelley Long).

 

[Sparx]

What you're seeing is known in the industry as "billing", and it is usually negotiated into the person's contract as part of the compensation. "Top billing" (being first on the list) is usually considered most valuable, but it implies that the character that the person plays is the main character, the one with the most lines and the most screen time.

The kind of billing you are wondering about is "last billing", and it is most often offered to actors who would normally play lead roles, but who in this case are choosing to play secondary characters. The logic is that if you cannot be first on the list, being last but in a more noticeable way -- such as with different type, different colors, or with "and" before your name will make their inclusion in the cast list stand out and emphasize the person's prestige.

Exactly this.

Last billing usually comes with their title character. A good example was the opening to Buffy The Vampire Slayer with Anthony Stewart Head being the last named, but they listed him as, "And Anthony Stewart Head as Giles"

 

[Cinderella94]

This is interesting!

Question. On Gilmore Girls, Edward Herrmann was in practically every episode, but in the opening credits he was always listed last, as "with Edward Herrmann" or "with a special appearance by Edward Herrmann," can't remember which. Same idea?

 

[Sparx]

This is interesting!

Question. On Gilmore Girls, Edward Herrmann was in practically every episode, but in the opening credits he was always listed last, as "with Edward Herrmann" or "with a special appearance by Edward Herrmann," can't remember which. Same idea?

Pretty much the same thing. It all comes down to what their contract deal is.

 

[redlight]

This is interesting!

Question. On Gilmore Girls, Edward Herrmann was in practically every episode, but in the opening credits he was always listed last, as "with Edward Herrmann" or "with a special appearance by Edward Herrmann," can't remember which. Same idea?

Special appearance by...

same idea. Herrmann, who is much better known and has a long career than the rest of the cast, is taking a supporting role.

 

[r&kmommy]

Melrose Place ... and Heather Locklear.

 

[redlight]

I think Heather Locklear was always "special quest star".

 

[Imzadi]

I think Heather Locklear was always "special guest star".

Yes, that's another billing category. There's Guest Star, and Special Guest Star. They are listed after the First billed star & cast.

I think the order is:
First billed star & regular cast,
then AND regular cast star.
then Special Guest Star,
Guest Stars,
Co-star (minor roles,) (In movies these are called "Supporting roles")
then the WITH stars,
Last: AND (major GUEST star who needs to be last, because (s)he's more important than the Special Guest Star. )

So there are actually two AND billing categories: Cast and Extra-special Guest Stars.


There must be some Wikipedia order list that is really correct.


And you had better not be the agent/manager who screws up negotiating a star's billing.

 

[Handbag Lady]

The fun part is actually reading their contracts. You need a degree in logistics to figure it out, but there are all of these clauses that actually start to make sense.

My favorite parts of a contract are listing how the names appear on a movie poster, and what happens if the role is nominated for an Oscar or lesser award. Their perks for the award shows are listed even before they film a scene.

For the movie posters, it is exactly as a pp stated: it just depends on what the contract states. Sometimes, a big actor needs to be the largest item on a movie poster AND the first name on top at the left in the largest font.

But, if you do the above, the name of the big star isn't above his photo. So, it looks like, for example:


Denzel Washington Julia Roberts Joe Schmoe


(Photo of JR) (Photo of DW) (Photo of JS)


So, it looks like Denzel and Julia have changed names.