Compiled by James Fabiano, Sean Beard, Matt Williams, Matthew Anscher, and Mark Edward Heuek
Logo pictures by Eric S. and Shadeed A. Kelly
Editions by Shadeed A. Kelly and V of Doom


Background: Embassy Television was formed in 1982 as the former T.A.T. Communications Company (formed in 1975) founded by Norman Lear and Jerry Perenchio when Lear purchased Avco Embassy Films. Embassy also introduced Embassy Telecommunications (the former PITS Films) as the television distribution arm. In 1985, Lear sold Embassy Television (which included Tandem Productions) to Coca-Cola (former parent of Columbia Pictures). When Diff'rent Strokes was cancelled in 1986, Coca-Cola merged Embassy Television, Embassy Telecommunications, and Tandem Productions to become "Embassy Communications". In December 1987, Coke spun-off its Columbia Pictures shares by merging Columbia and Tri-Star Pictures theatrical banners and formed Columbia Pictures Entertainment and in January 1988, Embassy Communications was renamed to ELP Communications, but was under the production banner of Columbia Pictures Television. In 1998, after Beakman's World was cancelled, Sony Pictures Entertainment retired Embassy Television. However, the company remains as an in name only unit of Sony Pictures Television licensing and renewing it's series on DVD. ELP stands for Embassy Limited Partnership.


1st Logo
(1982-1983)

Logo: When Embassy started in 1982, they did not yet have a logo. Instead, this disclaimer was used:

An

Later that year, their corporate logo was unveiled, a boldface "E" extended to feature a star cut code-out. The same text as above was used, but "EMBASSY" was changed to boldface and "TELEVISION" was moved below that line of text. These words were positioned to the right of the "E" logo, and "AN" and "PRODUCTION" is featured above and below the logo. Except for the remaining early 1982 episodes of Silver Spoons, which doesn't feature "AN" and "PRODUCTION". That said version comes after the Lightkeeper in-credit disclaimer.

FX: None; it's a still in-credit logo.

Music/Sounds: The closing theme of the show.

Availability: It's on the end credits of almost all 1982 episodes of The Facts of Life, The Jeffersons, One Day at a Time and Silver Spoons. But Square Pegs used this until 1983. Being an in-credit logo, it is usually left alone. The all-text version can be seen on the pilot episodes of Square Pegs and Silver Spoons.

Scare Factor: None.



2nd Logo
(1982-1988)

Note: Then in 1982, Embassy had an actual logo separated from the credits.

Nicknames: "Rolling Star", "Spinning *E", "Rolling *E"

Logo: Over a blue background, we see 2 white parts of the Embassy logo (an E with a star cut code-out on the right). The 2 parts zoom out and spin counterclockwise until they match up in the center of the screen. Under it would read one of the following (as they appeared on screen):

• EMBASSY TELEVISION (network shows, 1982-1986)
• EMBASSY
  TELECOMMUNICATIONS (syndicated programs, 1983-1986)
• EMBASSY
  PAY TELEVISION (1985-1988)
• EMBASSY
  COMMUNICATIONS
  A unit of The Coca-Cola Company (network and syndication, 1986-1988)

Variants:

• Beginning in the 1984-85 season, there is a Registered trademark symbol that appears next to the name. This would last until 1986.
• From 1984-1987, the background of the Embassy Television and Embassy Communications logos would appear in either plain or dark blue.
• Movin' On Up Variant: On later-season episodes of The Jeffersons, the logo was added onto the show but in an interesting way. Instead of doing a straight fade/cut to the logo, the end credits faded to a shot of skyscrapers. Over this image, the "E" star logo appeared (and the music started), rolling in over this background. The background soon faded to blue, and "EMBASSY TELEVISION" appeared like normal over this image. This logo variation has been praised by those who've seen it as very professional and very cool; however, the sudden appearance of the logo and music are sure to scare a few people. Surprisingly, this version is/was in pretty good circulation out of 6 late season episodes aired on Nick At Nite, 4 of them have this logo. The shows 227 and Silver Spoons also had their effects, but without the skyscrapers and each episode of 227 and Silver Spoons had different images with the Embassy Television logo.

FX: The rolling E, text fading in.

Cheesy Factor: The "Rolling E" is 2D, and doesn't really have any inspiring animation, and the synthesizer music is cheap.

Music/Sounds: A high-pitched, 8-note, synthesized tune, the 7th note is rolled noticeably. In 1985, the first note was cut off by another re-arrangement. All themes were composed by Ray Colcord.

Availability: Uncommon for Embassy Television and Embassy Communications. Currently seen on 227 on TVOne (whenever they re-air it), The Jeffersons, as well as the early episodes of Married...With Children on FX. As for Embassy Telecommunications and Embassy Pay Television, they're extinct and have been replaced by distributor logos from Embassy Communications to Sony Pictures Television during the years.

Scare Factor: Low to medium; it's a pretty fast-paced logo, that won't give the viewer much warning to it's appearance. The dated, loud music can add to that surprise factor as well.