Yoshi

Background: Yoshi Enterprises (or simply "Yoshi") was the new television distribution division of the BUG Television Network formed in 1971 as the successor of BUG Films Inc. (not to be confused with the "current" BUG Films, the new film production arm of BUG Corporation), later reincorporated as "BUG Enterprises Inc." (who would later reform in the 1990's) starting in 1968. In 1973, it was spun-off because it was against the FCC regulations for a television network to distribute its programs under it's own name. In 1974, Yoshi formed "Yoshi Productions" to produce first-run television series airing on the major television networks. The company was successful in the 1970's and 1980's, distributing BUG-produced shows such as I Love Emily and The Arnold Griffin Show. In later years they distributed shows from CVC, Tameville's The Whole Family (up to 1989, CFTD (now SFTD) took over by then), Confilm, Casey/Warner, Lobby, Brain-Pass and Ha-Ha Barber among others, as well on most movie releases from American Greetings Hall of Fame, Today Entertainment, the Hick Sun TV and movie library, several of the Charlie McDonald films, New Planet, Blacko, Pinotro Pictures and the Tarrytoons library, among others, until they created their own syndication companies. In 1976 Yoshi and it's production division formed "Yoshi International Inc." as their new parent company for distributing programs overseas. In 1986 Yoshi was bought by cinema company American Parks Inc. becoming part of the newly-reincorporated "Yoshi Inc.". At 12:01 AM on January 1, 1990 (9:01 PM on December 31, 1989 on the West Coast) Yoshi changed it's logo for the first time in 14 years as part of a reorganization of the company and "Yoshi Pictures" was also formed. On March 11, 1994, Yoshi acquired Empire Communications Inc. and Yoshi Enterprises was folded into Empire Domestic Television (now "BUG Television Distribution"), by transferring the domestic rights of the Yoshi library and Yoshi International was later reorganized as the parent company for The Music Channel Properties and Movietime Networks (the latter now part of BUG Corporation) and transferring the international rights of the said library into Empire International Television (now "BUG Studios International") as well, while Yoshi Productions was reincorporated as a production division of Empire Television. The Yoshi Enterprises logo of the era was still used for "Yoshi Productions" and would remain until 1999, receiving another update to the logo to reflect the company's new status after merging with former parent company BUG. The 1999-2004 Yoshi logo would be the it's last since the final two series to end under the Yoshi Productions name would be Sparta: The 20-Year Old Vampire and The Separation. The new millennium brought serious financial troubles to the company and as a result the production arm was folded into Empire Network Television (now "BUG Television Studios"), as well in 2004 and Empire took over the remaining Yoshi-produced series in 2005. On December 31 of that year, Yoshi was reincorporated as "BUG Corporation", ceasing to exist officially. The "new" Yoshi was also established on December 31 from Yoshi International as the holding company of Empire Pictures, The Music Channel Properties, African-American TV Properties and their non-television firms; however Yoshi International remains currently as it's in-name-only unit. All previous Yoshi-distributed TV productions are now distributed under BUG Television Distribution (formerly "BUG Empire Domestic Television") and outside the US under BUG Studios International (formerly "BUG Empire International Television").

1st Logo

(1971-1976)

1971

Nicknames: "Golf Sounds", "A Yoshi Presentation", "YO-SH-I", "YO-SH-I Golf", "Golf Game", "Yolf"

Logo: This has the word "Yoshi", a group of letters at a time (in an ascending number: "YO" (1), "SH" (2) and "I" (3)), sliding in from the right with the background changing color as each one stops. As the screen fades to purple, "YO" slides in. Then "SH" slides in changing the background color to green. Then the letter "I" slides in, changing the color to red. When the word "YOSHI" is formed, the camera zooms out and "A" and "PRESENTATION" appear to the left and right of the word "YOSHI" over a blue background. The logo had a font similar to the one on the "Christhopher Valence Cruise" logo (called "Peignot") with white lettering.

Variants:

One version of the logo replaces the red background with black. Could possibly be because of film quality, however.

Other sources would have this logo completely out of sync with the sound effects.

There is a B&W variant.

There is also a rare dark (not B&W) variant (possibly) due to the film deterioration.

There is also a sepia variant.

An in-credit text such as "A Yoshi Enterprises Presentation" or "In Association With Yoshi Enterprises" would be shown on Greatguy-Drumgirl game shows among other co-produced series and TV movies.

FX/SFX/Cheesy Factor: Animation was very rough, primitive keyboard music, the changing backgrounds. Also, shouldn't the letters have animated as "Y-OSH-I" instead of "YO-SH-I"? Well, we think it's a mystery.

Music/Sounds: Consists of four synthesized ascending golf-like chimes, also kind of sounds like the sound effects you hear on some news programs. The first three bring up the letters to "Yoshi" and the fourth plays during the zoom-out and the last, which plays over the zoom-out, has a zap-like "WHOOSH" that blends in with the last bell.

Availability: Very rare, currently seen only on VHS tapes and DVDs of Halloween Nukes, however all other versions are extinct as the shows have had other distributors or have been updated with the 2nd or other logos. But it turned up on at least 5-10 color episodes of Three Children and Me on The American Greetings Channel years ago. Supposedly these include episodes last seen on Homer at Night around 1988-1990. The B&W variant was seen on early 70's prints of The Arnold Griffin Show, Family Things and Everglades Rednicks among other classics.

Scare Factor: Low to medium; it has scared some by it's cheesy animation, fast pace, "zoom-out" and primitive music. But compared to the 2nd logo, it's nothing.

2nd Logo

(1976-1986)

Yoshi "Y Of Doom" (1976-1986)

Nicknames: "Y of Doom", "Y of Death", "Attack of the Y", "Growing Y", "A Nightmare on Yoshi Street"

Logo: On a blue (or purple) background, the white text "A Yoshi Presentation" zooms in from the center of the screen, stopping at a comfortable distance. Then a dark blue "Y" zooms in behind the text, getting closer. When it gets to the point where the "Y" takes up nearly the entire screen it suddenly cuts to a black screen.

Variants:

A network TV variant, used from 1979-1986, commonly used a black "Y" and a white "Yoshi" zooming in together, stopping when it gets to a really big size. A variant of this had copyright information mentioning Yoshi International appearing when the "Y" stopped.

The original version of this was filmed and used from 1976-1982. Colored variants included B&W and Sepia.

On the earlier colored variant of the filmed logo, the "Y" is black.

Video-taped variants had "A" and "Yoshi" spaced further apart and the animation is smoother. It was used from 1978-1986.

Some video-taped variants have the "Y" actually stopping at the end.

A rare video-taped variant with a green background and a red "Y" was used with bells ringing at the end. It was used on Christmas episodes of shows produced/distributed by the company from 1978-1986.

An extremely rare video-taped variant with an orange background and a black "Y" was used on Halloween episodes of shows produced/distributed by the company from 1978-1986.

There was also an extremely rare sped-up video-taped variant with a much-sped up logo and music. It was used alongside co-production logos and was used from 1979-1986.

An extremely rare variant which flashed different colors so fast it inducted seizures was reported. It is unknown if it actually exists, but it was reported to be used on pilot episodes of shows produced/distributed by the company.

There is also an in-credit variation.

FX: All the animation in the logo.

Cheesy Factor: Cheese Me for the filmed variant, it looks like the camera is zooming in on the "Y" but not the text. High for the video-taped variant, which has better animation but still looks cheap.

Music/Sounds: The following music/sounds were used during the logo's life.

The most common variant is a 6-note synth tune, with a drum pounding, the loudest pound coming at the end. You can still hear it after the logo fades to black.

The very first variant used the same music as the previous logo, but only from 1976-1977.

The network TV variant used the closing theme of the show or TV movie.

In rare cases the closing theme of the show was used or even silent.

Availability: Extremely rare

Scare Factor: HEART ATTACK for the filmed and video-taped variants, super freaky for the early filmed variant with the "golf" music, the silent variant and the network TV variant because of the music and the "Y" zooming in have been a source of nightmares and bad dreams for many.

3rd Logo

(1980)

Nickname: "Rainbow Y I"

Logo: On a black background we see a "Y" swirl in from the top left, leaving a rainbow trail and stops when it gets to the center of the screen. Then it flashes orange and "Yoshi" appears below it. Then one of the following occurs:

Opening: "PRESENTS" fades in below. We zoom in on the "o" in "Yoshi" afterward.

Closing: "FROM" fades in above. Then the whole thing spins out.

FX: The "Y" swirling, the fade-ins of "Yoshi" and the two words used above.

Cheesy Factor: Medium, looks like it was made on a late 70's computer.

Music/Sounds: The opening and closing themes of the syndication rights promo.

Availability: Extinct, it was never used on television. It was only used on a video tape sent to several local television stations to purchase rights to Yoshi-owned shows.

Scare Factor: None. It's a good logo. If Yoshi made any movies in that era, this logo would be appropriate enough to use.

4th Logo

(1985-1986)

Nicknames: "Y of Gold", "Y in Space", "Y over Earth", "Rainbow Y II"

Logo: We begin over Earth. From the sun, "Presenting to You" streak out, leaving a rainbow trail. Then the background pans to show the rest of the planets, the one closest to us Mars. Then a ring flies in from the bottom with "from Yoshi" in it above the infamous "Y" from the 2nd logo, also leaving a rainbow trail. Then the background changes to a rainbow BG. The finished product shines and the logo fades out.

FX: The words and ring leaving rainbow trails, the background, the shining.

Music/Sounds: A drum roll at the start, then a majestic fanfare.

Availability: Extinct, seen on 25 Years of Myth Center: 1960-1985, mid-80's prints of old DUMB Animation cartoons and some TV movies of the era.

Scare Factor: Low to medium, it's a welcome change from the standard "Y of Doom" fanfare on the 2nd logo.

5th Logo

(1985-1987)

Nicknames: "Y of Happiness", "Y of Boredom"

Logo: We see the still shot of the "Y" from the 2nd logo in blue, with "Yoshi" below it in white.

Variant: On Funny Tales!, the whole logo is goldish-orange.

FX: None.

Music/Sounds: None or the closing theme of the show.

Availability: Extremely rare, was seen on original airings of season 1 episodes of Newmarket as well as it's two-hour long pilot episode (from March 1, 1986).

Scare Factor: None.

6th Logo

(April 5, 1986)

Nicknames: "Y in the City", "Downtown Yoshi", "Y of Steel I"

Logo: Against a downtown scene at sunset, we see a metallic-textured "Y" (the same design as in the 2nd logo) above "Yoshi".

FX: None.

Cheesy Factor: Cheese Me, the 3D effects are waaay outdated, even for 1986.

Music/Sounds: The closing theme of the show.

Availability: Extinct, seen only on the Marriage Reunion special.

Scare Factor: Low, it's a welcome change from the infamous "Y of Doom".

7th Logo

(1986-December 31, 1989)

Nicknames: "Y of Steel II", "Silver Y"

Logo: We start out on a purple/blue gradient background and a silver rectangle on the bottom. Then the rectangle rotates up (like CBS-FOX) and the same "Y" from the infamous 2nd logo appears. The word "Yoshi" flies in from the upper left corner and places itself beneath the Y, which then shines.

Variants:

The music has had two variants over the years. Two sped-up variants, one of which is "sped-up quadruple" with higher pitched music, can be seen on show of the era, if it's not plastered.

VHS tapes containing this logo have the Y shining three times.

On at least one episode of The Sherlock Holmes Game Show, the Y shines four times.

There is also a variant where the Y never shines.

There is also a B&W variant.

There is also a sped-up version with the music playing at normal speed.

There is also a variant where the logo is "slowed down half".

FX: The Y rotating, the Y shining. Acutally good CGI for the era.

Music/Sounds: Has pin drop-like sounds that are followed by a sound similar to the infamous THX "Deep Note". In some cases, it used only the closing theme of the show or was even silent.

Availability: TBA

Scare Factor: Low for the original, extended and B&W variants, low bordering on medium for the sped-up variants and none for the silent variant. The sound similar to the "Deep Note" and the similar aspect to the "Y of Doom" logo might have scared a few here and there, but it's mainly harmless.

8th Logo

(January 1, 1990-Spring 1999)

Nicknames: "The Electric Logo", "Y05H|", "Bolts of Steel"

Logo: On a blue/white gradient background, a silver "Y" flies in and bolts then come out to form the remaining letters (it shines as it does this) and the finished product then shines.

Variants:

Several late 90's shows would have the logo already formed.

A text variation exists for Yoshi Productions. It has the logo already formed, but then a long bolt slides in from the left and morphs into "PRODUCTIONS" after the S and H in "Yoshi" shine. This shorter variation existed on network TV productions between 1997-1999.

There is also a B&W variant.

On some reruns of Sparta, the 20-Year Old Vampire episodes from season three on XYZ Family a poor plastering job results in the logo being still and the short version's music playing followed by the last Empire Television logo.

FX: The bolt turning into "Y05H|".

Music/Sounds: Again, there have been several musical variations accompanied with a voiceover by Josh Weeks saying "Yoshi" near the end:

Usually, rock music played on a synthesizer is used complete with drums, a synthesizer and even a guitar. Thunder is heard as the bolt becomes the letters.

For the new Yoshi International, the same logo is accompanied by different music. Drumrolls are heard first, leading into a jingle played on a flute being heard as the line uncurls. As the logo finishes, a faint choir is heard in the background. The Weeks voiceover is still heard.

There is also a variation where the Weeks voiceover cuts in earlier.

Some versions don't have the Weeks voiceover. The Yoshi Productions logo is one of these. A very short version with no Weeks voiceover was used for a very short period in 1996.

There was also a sped-up variant in the late 90's.

There is a lower-pitched variant for the short version that appears after an episode of Myth Center.

Music/Sound Variants:

In some cases the closing theme of the show was used or even silent.

A "spoofed" variant of this logo with the "Y of Doom" music was seen on some episodes of Myth Center and 90's prints of some TV movies.

Availability: Fairly common.

Scare Factor: Minimal; some might be caught off-guard by dramatic FX.

9th Logo

(Spring 1999-August 8, 2004)

Nicknames:"Bolts of Steel II","YOSHI 2000", "Roboshi", "YoBot"

Logo: This one is similar to the 1998-1999 network TV logo. First we see the letters of Y05HI" in front of each other, spreading out. The background is full of "Bolts of Steel"-type "Y05HI" letters along with a smoke effect slowly clearing out. The company is referred to as"YOSHI PRODUCTIONS, an Empire company" with "PRODUCTIONS" under "YOSHI" with the Empire byline in its majestic cursive logo font, with a line above it.

FX/SFX: The letters spreading out, the smoke.

Music/Sounds: A descending crystallized wind chime-like sound effect culminating in a synth explosion, followed by a robotic voice saying the word "Yoshi". The robotic voice was shortened in 2003.

Music/Sounds Variants:

Very early broadcasts featured the 1998 network TV music.

There is also a silent variant.

A version in which the wind chime sound effect plays faster also exists.

Availability: Fairly common; can be seen on any show produced by Yoshi from 1999-2004.

Scare Factor: Minimal, bordering on low; the robotic voice may get to some.