Opening Music[]
In the 1989 pilot/special, the theme consisted of an instrumental saxophone, guitar, and piano version of the song.
On January 14, 1990, vocals from Jill Collucci were added to the re-recorded theme.
In 1997, the theme was rerecorded again by adding electric guitar and a heavier horn section. The re-recorded theme was sung by Peter Hix & Terry Wood. This was the final version of “The Funny Things You Do”.
On January 5, 1998, the theme was changed back to an instrumental version, featuring a horn section and an electric guitar.
On October 11, 2015, the theme was re-recorded with the same horn section, except the electric guitar was eliminated and replaced with the piano and saxophone parts. The 2015 theme combined excerpts of "The Funny Things You Do" and the 1998-2015 theme.
Opening Titles[]
In the 1989 pilot/special, a blue sky with clouds was used while yellow stars zoomed in, followed by the logo zooming in and exiting to the upper right. To show the upcoming clips, an animated purple TV set was used.
On January 14, 1990, a mixed red, white and blue-like background with a giant camera lens was used while animated stars and stripes zoomed out of the lens. Then, the logo zooms forward and exits forward on an angle. At that time, a silver screen was used to show the upcoming clips. A stars and stripes effect is used to transition from each upcoming set of videos. Followed by the show's logo again, and revealing
On February 2, 1997, a computer animated segment showed the words, “Home Videos Sunday” while on a black background and a multicolored circle. Then, a CGI family emerges from a red couch while watching the TV. Then, the logo is plastered on the said multicolored circle. The upcoming videos are now shown on an animated widescreen silver TV set. The stars and stripes effects are changed to red, white, and blue streamers and white confetti.
On January 5, 1998, the space background was changed to the multicolored background, and past AFV clips and the words “America’s Funniest Home Videos” as well as “AFV” flying around are shown. Then, the logo types itself out, followed by the letters AFV coming forward and zooming off in different directions. During that period, the upcoming clips were shown on said background with an animated widescreen with two wavy borders. For $100,000 shows, falling CGI dollar bills were used in the background. This is the first season to have the 1998 Vin Di Bona Productions logo at the end of every episode.
On September 27, 2002, the intro remains the same, except to show the upcoming clips, a small blue glowing TV set was used instead.
On September 28, 2003, the intro remained the same, except to show the upcoming clips, the clips were shown added in the background, along with a small blue glowing TV set used.
On September 26, 2004, three months after Hollywood Squares (in which Tom Bergeron hosted the show from 1998-2004) ended, a brighter orange colored background was used as the “AFV” letters dropped down as one. The small blue glowing TV set remained the same.
On October 2, 2005, the blue TV set only glowed when it was zooming in. When it showed the clip, it was normal.
On October 1, 2006, the blue TV set’s screen became wider.
On October 7, 2007, the blue TV set sparkled and its hue became lighter. When alternating between videos, the screen turned gray at times, along with flying stars added to the bright orange background. This is the last season to have the 1998 Vin Di Bona Productions logo at the end of every episode.
On October 5, 2008, Vin Di Bona Productions introduced a new logo.
On October 2, 2011, the background screen was changed to blue and green (the blue and green colors would be used for the AFV Season 25 opening and the 2014 version of the 2008 Vin Di Bona Productions logo). Also, the past clips in the background were eliminated and replaced with squares. The opening was only used for Season 22.
On October 7, 2012, a silhouetted applauding crowd is shown as the letters “AFV” appear on a flashing blue-lit background. Then, the logo is shown on an overhead camera shot of the set. Also the kids say Tom Bergeron's name instead of having Jess Harnell saying to Bergeron's name.
On October 12, 2014, the letters “AFV” now appear on a square background with the silhouetted applauding crowd. Now, the logo is silver sparkled with the number 25 next to AFV.
Starting on October 11, 2015, the logo is now in purple and orange.
Starting on October 3, 2021, the logo is now in black, red and yellow.
Sets[]
Saget Era[]
In the Saget era, the set mainly consisted of a replica of a typical living room, complete with furniture such as a cabinet, table, lamp, couch and TV set. In between the living room on both sides, there was a large monitor. In the background, there was a neighborhood skyline.
Variations[]
In the 1989 pilot/special, co-hosted by Bob Saget and Kellie Martin, the two large monitors appear on both sides of the living room were mostly bulk-squared. There was also a large monitor in the middle inside the living room set. The two entrance doors were shown on both sides, one for Saget, and one for Martin. There was also a table and chair set near the entrance door when Saget made his entrance at the beginning of the show. The skyline background lights were blue, and there was also a large poster picture of a person filming while the show's logo was at the bottom. The poster sign was also located in the back of the audience area. The wallpaper consisted of blue and white stripes, and the blue and white striped wallpaper was darker, and the carpet was pinkish red. When America's Funniest Home Videos premiered on ABC on January 14, 1990, with Bob Saget hosting solo, the entrance door was shown on the left side, and the TV set featuring the show's logo was added to the furniture of the living room set, with the roof looking different from the pilot set. The wallpaper consisted of blue and white stripes, and became even brighter, rather than darker in the pilot set. The bay window was added to the set, leaving the two large monitors on both sides, which also featured the show's logo. The skyline background lights became purple with clouds and stars. The carpet became dark blue, so that the audience members can see it more visible. Also on later episodes of Season 2 (1990-1991), yellow lampposts were added to the audience area, so that the audience members can see the action.
On September 22, 1991 at the beginning of Season 3 (1991-1992), Bob Saget had a haircut, and the blue and white striped wallpaper was removed from the set, so the wallpaper was changed to a light blue color with a pattern of dots. The carpet became lighter blue, and the bay window was smaller. The skyline background lights became light blue with a sunset reddish color on the bottom. On September 20, 1992 at the beginning of Season 4 (1992-1993), the light blue wallpaper with a pattern of dots, and the picture frames were removed from the set, so the set consisted of three glass windows in the middle. The skyline background color lights become even brighter, so that the audience can see it. The sky on this set alternated between a sunset sky and a daytime sky. On February 2, 1997 during Bob Saget's final season as the host in Season 8 (1996-1997), the skyline background lights gained a black color scheme, and the star lights gained a white color scheme, which made to look like nighttime. The carpet gained a gray color scheme, and lightened up trees were added to the backstage area. This set was used until Saget left the show on May 18, 1997.
Fuentes/Fugelsang Era[]
On January 4, 1998, the living room set in the Saget era was vanished, so the set consisted of a center stage that has a circle with the words, "AFV" on it. There are also multi-colored square walls. In addition, there is a big screen behind the center circle stage complete with two staircases on either side. At the top of the stairs, there are a couple of square doors that open for John and Daisy's entrance. The audience seating is now left, right, and behind of the stage. Also, there are comfy yellow couches and lounge chairs for some audience members to sit in. The set was used until Fugelsang and Fuentes both left the show in 1999.
Bergeron Era[]
Variations[]
In 2001, when Tom Bergeron took over as host (Bergeron also continued to be as the host of Hollywood Squares until 2004), the square walls were eliminated. The center stage became a darker color and has the full words of "America's Funniest Home Videos" in the middle. The audience seating was also to the left, back left, and behind of the stage. There was also an illegal-like video screen next to the stage. There were also cylinder-like pillars that glowed purple. On September 28, 2003, the center stage now has lights under it and the words "AFV" are put back. The pillars are now glowing blue, sometimes other colors for certain occasions. The illegal wall screen got replaced by a swurvy curvy like video wall screen. There were also curved light borders that were hanging above the set. On October 1, 2006, there was a bar/lounge area in the front row of the studio audience area. The center stage now has a digital LED screen in the middle. The monitors on the video wall were changed to a giant digital LED screen. When Tom made his entrances, he entered via a silhouette wall with lights. By the end of Bergeron's era, the silhouette wall was replaced by a glass sliding door. The set was used until Bergeron's final season in 2015.
Ribeiro Era[]
When Alfonso Ribeiro took over as host in 2015, the curvy video wall was replaced by a giant LED video cube, complete with a staircase on the side. When Ribiero made his entrance at the beginning of the show, he enters the studio in an elevator style door, and goes straight to the set.