Editing Charmed (section)

==Production==

===Development===
In 1998, when [[The WB]] began looking for a new drama series for the [[1998–99 United States network television schedule|1998–99 season]], they approached [[Spelling Television]] (which had produced the network's then-most successful series, ''[[7th Heaven (TV series)|7th Heaven]]'') to create it. Expanding on the popularity of witch-themed dramas such as ''[[The Craft (film)|The Craft]]'' (1996)<ref>{{cite news |title=Sony Plans A Remake Of 'The Craft' |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni58597019/ |access-date=May 14, 2015 |publisher=[[IMDb]] |date=May 14, 2015 |archive-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320073215/http://www.imdb.com/news/ni58597019/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=EmpireCraft>{{cite news |last1=William |first1=Owen |title=Remake Of The Craft Officially Announced |url=https://empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=44307 |access-date=May 14, 2015 |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |date=May 14, 2015 |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082428/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=44307 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and ''[[Practical Magic]]'' (1998),<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/01/29/shannen-doherty-charmed-reboots/ |title=Shannen Doherty on Charmed reboot's 'terrible, offensive' description |last=Hibberd |first=James |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=January 29, 2018 |access-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044200/http://ew.com/tv/2018/01/29/shannen-doherty-charmed-reboots/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the production company explored different forms of [[mythology]] to find characters they could realize with contemporary storytelling.<ref name="genesis">"Genesis" Documentary, ''Charmed'': The Complete Final Season Region 1 DVD</ref>

[[Constance M. Burge]] was hired to create the series as she was under contract with [[20th Century Fox]] and Spelling Television after conceiving the drama series ''[[Savannah (TV series)|Savannah]]'' (1996–97).<ref name="genesis"/> When the theme of witchcraft was first pitched to her, she was aware of [[stereotypes]] of witches (flying brooms, black cats, and warts). After researching [[Wicca]], she changed her perspective<ref name="burge">{{cite web |url=https://www.visimag.com/tvzone/t126_feature.htm |title=TV Zone magazine #126: Charmed, creator interview |publisher=www.visimag.com |date=September 26, 2013 |access-date=October 26, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419043936/http://www.visimag.com/tvzone/t126_feature.htm |archive-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref> and aimed at telling a story of good witches who looked and acted like ordinary people. With this, her initial concept was a series set in [[Boston, Massachusetts]],<ref name="burge"/> about three friends and roommates who were all witches.<ref name="genesis"/> However, executive producer E. Duke Vincent lacked confidence, asking "Why would anybody want to watch a show about three witches?" He proposed that the series should focus on family values and developed the series-long [[mantra]] of it being about "three sisters who happen to be witches, not three witches who happen to be sisters." Spelling warmed to Burge's ideas and, after the concept was re-crafted to be a series about three sisters (now living in San Francisco) descended from a line of witches,<ref name="burge"/> it was pitched to The WB's President of Entertainment, Susanne Daniels, who liked it, allowing the series to begin development.<ref name="genesis"/>

The series was retitled ''Charmed'' after Spelling's suggestion of ''House of Sisters'' was dropped. Burge wrote the [[Pilot episode|pilot]] script and a 28-minute version of the pilot was filmed, which was never aired on network television. After original cast member Lori Rom quit the series before its premiere, [[Alyssa Milano]] took over her role and a new pilot had to be filmed. Upon its debut, ''Charmed'' received the largest audience for a series premiere in The WB's history.<ref name="cnn.com"/> The [[Charmed (season 1)|first season]] of 22 episodes was picked up by The WB after only two episodes had aired.

===Casting===
Former ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]'' actress [[Shannen Doherty]] was cast as the eldest sister [[Prue Halliwell]], while her best friend at the time and former ''[[Picket Fences]]'' actress [[Holly Marie Combs]] played the role of the middle sister [[Piper Halliwell]].<ref name="E! Women of Charmed">{{cite web |url=http://www.charmedscripts.tv/women_of_charmed.htm |title=The Women of Charmed script |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Shay |publisher=Charmedscripts.tv |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130113221217/http://www.charmedscripts.tv/women_of_charmed.htm |archive-date=January 13, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Lori Rom was originally cast as the youngest sister [[Phoebe Halliwell]] in the 28-minute unaired pilot episode.<ref name="E! Women of Charmed"/> However, Rom quit the series, and a new pilot was filmed with former ''[[Who's the Boss?]]'' actress [[Alyssa Milano]] in the role of Phoebe.<ref name="E! Women of Charmed"/> Doherty departed ''Charmed'' at the end of the [[Charmed (season 3)|third season]]. [[Jennifer Love Hewitt]] and [[Tiffani Thiessen]] were both considered as replacements.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/06/12/spelling-asked-tiffani-thiessen-join-charmed/ |title='Charmed': Jennifer Love Hewitt and Tiffani Thiessen Were Both Offered Roles to Replace Shannen Doherty as Prue Halliwell |last= Kerr |first=Mandi |work=Showbiz Cheat Sheet |date=April 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224111426/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,129489,00.html|url-status=live |archive-date=December 24, 2013 }}</ref> The part ultimately went to film actress [[Rose McGowan]], who played the long-lost younger half-sister [[Paige Matthews]] in the [[Charmed (season 4)|fourth season]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/06/12/spelling-asked-tiffani-thiessen-join-charmed/ |title=Charm's Way |last=Keck |first=William |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 12, 2001 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122130745/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,129489,00.html |archive-date=January 22, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In season one, [[Ted King (actor)|Ted King]] was cast as the inspector [[Andy Trudeau]], [[Dorian Gregory]] was cast as his inspector partner [[Darryl Morris (Charmed)|Darryl Morris]], and [[Brian Krause]] was cast as the Halliwell sisters' [[whitelighter]] [[Leo Wyatt]].<ref name="E! Women of Charmed"/> King departed ''Charmed'' at the end of the first season, while Gregory remained on the show until the seventh season. In season two, [[Greg Vaughan]] joined the series as the Halliwell sisters' new next-door neighbor [[Dan Gordon (Charmed)|Dan Gordon]], while Karis Paige Bryant was cast as his niece [[Jenny Gordon]]. Bryant left her role midway through the second season, while Vaughan left at the end of the season. Australian actor [[Julian McMahon]] joined the cast of ''Charmed'' in season three as the half-demon [[Cole Turner (Charmed)|Cole Turner]]. He departed the show midway through season five. [[Drew Fuller]] joined ''Charmed'' at the end of the fifth season as Piper and Leo's second son from the future, [[Chris Halliwell]]. Fuller left his role at the end of [[Charmed (season 6)|season six]], but returned for guest appearances in later seasons. In the [[Charmed (season 8)|eighth and final season]], [[Kaley Cuoco]] joined the show as the young witch [[Billie Jenkins]].

===Production and writing===
[[Aaron Spelling]] and E. Duke Vincent maintained their positions as executive producers of the series until it ended. Constance M. Burge became an executive producer when she was hired to create the series and write the pilot script. After the 28-minute "unaired pilot" was shown to The WB and the series was picked up by the network, [[Brad Kern]] was recruited as the fourth executive producer and as the [[showrunner]] in order to decipher how the series would develop over the course of its run. Scripting was done by a large number of writers. Kern did the most writing, with a total of 26 episodes, as well as directing one of them. The writers with the most writing credits other than Kern include [[Daniel Cerone]], Curtis Kheel, [[Zack Estrin]], Chris Levinson, [[Krista Vernoff]], Sheryl J. Anderson, [[Monica Owusu-Breen]], [[Alison Schapker]], [[Cameron Litvack]], and Jeannine Renshaw.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0158552/fullcredits |title=Charmed (TV Series 1998–2006) |publisher=IMDb |access-date=June 30, 2018 |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327055403/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0158552/fullcredits |url-status=live }}</ref> Burge wrote seven episodes for the first and second seasons before leaving her position as executive producer. Scripting was carried out after group brainstorms took place, discussing the events of the episodes, the emotions of the characters, and the mythology involved. Robert Masello, an executive story editor for the series, credits himself as the only [[demonology|demonologist]] hired for a series, in order to add his experience to the storyline.<ref name="women">''The Women of Charmed'', ''[[E!: Entertainment Television]]'', April 19, 2000.</ref>

{{blockquote|''Charmed'' is the only show that has a licensed fully bonded demonologist, which is me, on staff and as a result because I've written books about [[demonology]] and the [[occult]] of witchcraft, I'm there to answer questions about how a demon would behave.}}

The book ''Investigating Charmed: The Magic Power of TV'' (2007) revealed that viewers of the [[Wiccan]] religion appreciated the accurate portrayal of some Wiccan elements, but were disappointed with the way the series tied the Wiccan religion with [[Christianity]], through the concept of demons and angels (Whitelighters).<ref name="thelist"/> One Wiccan viewer noted that some of the evil demons in ''Charmed'' carry the names of benevolent gods and goddesses in the Wiccan religion.<ref name="thelist"/> However, many Wiccan viewers appreciated the fact that ''Charmed'' brought their religion into the public eye in a positive way, through the use of other elements such as sacred objects, spellcasting, a ''[[Book of Shadows (Charmed)|Book of Shadows]]'', solstice celebrations and [[Handfasting (Neopaganism)|handfastings]].<ref name="thelist"/> Cast member Holly Marie Combs revealed in ''The Women of Charmed'' documentary (2000) that the series aimed at following a mythology created by fantasy, and not adhering to Wiccan rules too closely, for fear of coming under criticism for either not being "technically correct enough" or missing the truth completely.<ref name="women"/>

Ahead of the third season, Burge left her former position as executive producer to Kern, after she reportedly became frustrated that storylines for the third season were going to become more focused on the sisters' relationships with their love interests than each other.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.eonline.com/au/news/976754/the-wicked-behind-the-scenes-drama-of-the-original-charmed-the-feuds-firings-and-feminist-fury|title=The Wicked Behind-the-Scenes Drama of the Original Charmed: The Feuds, Firings and Feminist Fury|author=Tierney Bricker|website=[[E! Online]]|date=October 12, 2018|access-date=June 15, 2019|archive-date=August 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808173746/https://www.eonline.com/au/news/976754/the-wicked-behind-the-scenes-drama-of-the-original-charmed-the-feuds-firings-and-feminist-fury|url-status=live}}</ref> She had disagreements with Kern over bringing the character Cole Turner (Julian McMahon) into the show as a love interest for Alyssa Milano's character Phoebe, as there was already enough focus on the show's established couple Piper (Holly Marie Combs) and Leo Wyatt (Brian Krause).<ref name="Heart of Glass"/> However, Burge remained on ''Charmed'' as a creative consultant until season four.<ref name="imdb.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0121154/#miscellaneousX20crew |title=Constance M. Burge |publisher=IMDb |access-date=June 30, 2018 |archive-date=April 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410130118/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0121154/#miscellaneousX20crew |url-status=live }}</ref> Her departure resulted in changes in the story structure of the show, from a "demon of the week" system to using third or half-season-long story arcs. In addition, more importance was given to the protagonists' personal lives. The serial connection of episodes culminated in the second half of season four. Despite the ratings increasing during season four's final story arc from 4.19 to 4.21, The WB asked Kern to abandon the serial system. This led to the largely episodic structure of [[Charmed (season 5)|season five]], and resulted in the two systems being balanced from the [[Charmed (season 6)|sixth season]] onwards.

===Filming locations===
The first six seasons of ''Charmed'' were filmed at [[Ray-Art Studios]] in [[Canoga Park, Los Angeles]] on four of the studio's sound stages.<ref name="hirsch">{{cite web |url=http://www.carseywolf.ucsb.edu/mip/james-hirsch-foundation-operation-and-sale-ray-art-studios |title=James Hirsch - The Foundation, Operation and Sale of Ray-Art Studios |publisher=Carsey-Wolf Center |date=September 9, 2010 |access-date=June 26, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219005659/http://www.carseywolf.ucsb.edu/mip/james-hirsch-foundation-operation-and-sale-ray-art-studios |archive-date=February 19, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-nov-23-me-36607-story.html |title=Valley People |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 23, 1999 |access-date=June 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://cad.digitalmedianet.com/article/Ray-Art-Studios-Introduces-Hollywoods-First-Floating-Back-Lot-4057 |title=Ray-Art Studios Introduces Hollywood's First Floating Back Lot |publisher=Digital Media Net |date=June 8, 2001 |access-date=June 26, 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> After Ray-Arts Studio was sold in 2003,<ref name="hirsch"/> production for ''Charmed'' moved to the [[Paramount Studios]] lot for seasons seven and eight.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://latimes.com/la-hm-paramount18nov18-story.html |title=Molding, a Paramount production |last=Barrie-Anthony |first=Steven |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 18, 2004 |access-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-date=November 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122005512/https://www.latimes.com/la-hm-paramount18nov18-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/04/1096850388526.html |title=Lachey is Charmed |work=[[The Age]] |date=October 4, 2004 |access-date=June 26, 2017 |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808173647/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/lachey-is-charmed-20041004-gdyqmw.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/01/25/tel_49227.shtml |title=Kaley Cuoco simply flipped for 'Charmed' |work=[[The Augusta Chronicle]] |date=January 25, 2006 |access-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-date=June 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612041346/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/01/25/tel_49227.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The Innes House located at [[Carroll Avenue|1329 Carroll Avenue]] in Los Angeles was used as the exterior for the show's fictional Halliwell Manor, and has become popular with tourists over the years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://au.complex.com/style/2014/09/the-real-world-locations-of-iconic-tv-homes/ |title=The Real-World Locations of Iconic TV Homes |last=LaSane |first=Andrew |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=September 10, 2014 |access-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808173732/https://www.complex.com/style/2014/09/the-real-world-locations-of-iconic-tv-homes/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.today.com/money/seen-tv-homes-where-shows-were-shot-1C9386224 |title=As seen on TV: Homes where shows were shot |last=Riggs |first=Erika |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=September 29, 2012 |access-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-date=October 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025012453/http://www.today.com/money/seen-tv-homes-where-shows-were-shot-1C9386224 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://latimes.com/la-tm-heightsangelino7feb12-story.html |title=Angelino Heights |last=Thornburg |first=Barbara |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 12, 2006 |access-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-date=August 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805162315/http://www.latimes.com/la-tm-heightsangelino7feb12-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/innes-house |title=Innes House |publisher=[[Los Angeles Conservancy]] |access-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103074705/https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/innes-house |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Budget cuts ===
During the seventh season and for the first time in its history, the show had been in limbo as there was no guaranteed renewal for an eighth season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tvline.com/gallery/charmed-anniversary-photos-biggest-moments-prue-death-phoebe-cole/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true#!19/charmed-season-7-finale/ |title=Charmed: An Oral History - Unfinished Business |author=Andy Swift |website=[[TVLine]] |date=May 20, 2016 |access-date=June 14, 2019 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140957/http://tvline.com/gallery/charmed-anniversary-photos-biggest-moments-prue-death-phoebe-cole/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true#!19/charmed-season-7-finale/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Charmed'' was ultimately renewed for a final season, but the budget was cut considerably compared to previous seasons due to expensive special effects and props and highly-paid actresses.<ref name="thelist"/><ref name="wild">{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/charmed-tv-behind-scenes-trivia-details/ |title=20 Wild Details Behind The Making Of Charmed |author=Kieran Fisher |website=[[Screen Rant]] |date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=June 14, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211211253/https://screenrant.com/charmed-tv-behind-scenes-trivia-details/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Executive producer Brad Kern revealed that they had to cut back on special effects and guest stars, and that the entire season was shot only on the Paramount Studios lot as they could not go out on location anymore.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/gallery/charmed-anniversary-photos-biggest-moments-prue-death-phoebe-cole/#!21/undefined/ |title=Charmed: An Oral History - Let's Make A Deal |author=Andy Swift |website=TVLine |date=May 20, 2016 |access-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-date=June 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612193230/http://tvline.com/gallery/charmed-anniversary-photos-biggest-moments-prue-death-phoebe-cole/#!21/undefined/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These budget cuts also led to cast member [[Dorian Gregory]] being written out of the final season and [[Brian Krause]] being written out of several episodes as a cost-saving measure.<ref name="thelist"/><ref name="wild"/> Kern revealed that the show could not afford to have Krause in all 22 episodes of the final season, but he was brought back for the final two episodes to help bring closure to the storylines.<ref name="thelist"/><ref name="wild"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://tvline.com/gallery/charmed-anniversary-photos-biggest-moments-prue-death-phoebe-cole/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true#!22/charmed-season-8-leo/ |title=Charmed: An Oral History - Later, Leo! |author=Andy Swift |website=TVLine |date=May 20, 2016 |access-date=June 14, 2019 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140957/http://tvline.com/gallery/charmed-anniversary-photos-biggest-moments-prue-death-phoebe-cole/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true#!22/charmed-season-8-leo/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Opening sequence===
''Charmed'' uses its opening sequence to introduce the main and supporting cast members in each season. It consists of scenes from various episodes and miscellaneous footage of the cast which was updated from season to season.<ref name="Season 4 Episode 3">{{cite episode |title=Hell Hath No Fury |series=Charmed |network=The WB |airdate=October 11, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode |title=Happily Ever After |series=Charmed |network=The WB |airdate=September 29, 2002}}</ref> The opening begins with images of the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] and flashing shots of the [[Triquetra|triquetra symbol]] in a circle.<ref name="Season 1 Episode 22">{{cite episode |title=Déjà Vu All Over Again |series=Charmed |network=The WB |airdate=May 26, 1999}}</ref> The show's title card then appears, featuring the triquetra symbol and ''[[Book of Shadows (Charmed)|Book of Shadows]]''.<ref name="Season 1 Episode 22"/> After the title card in the opening of seasons 1 to 3, scenes from the [[Something Wicca This Way Comes|pilot episode]] are shown, including an overhead view of the sisters casting a spell at a round table and a shot of them coming downstairs.<ref name="Season 1 Episode 22"/> A scene of the sisters reciting a spell is then shown with the word "Starring."<ref name="Season 1 Episode 22"/> This is followed by clips of each main and supporting cast member, though the supporting cast is omitted from the first five episodes, in which Milano was the last to be billed.<ref name="Season 1 Episode 22"/> The last few scenes in the opening show the sisters' cat, a San Francisco cable car, and lastly the sisters walking upstairs into their home, with Doherty's character closing the door using her telekinetic powers.<ref name="Season 1 Episode 22"/>

Following Doherty's departure at the end of season three, the season four opening credits had to be recreated to remove all footage of Doherty and to include her replacement, Rose McGowan.<ref name="Season 4 Episode 3"/> The beginning of the opening remained the same.<ref name="Season 4 Episode 3"/> However, after the title card is shown, new scenes are introduced which include images of the Golden Gate Bridge, a gargoyle, talisman, a scrying crystal, a tattoo of the triquetra symbol, and candles.<ref name="Season 4 Episode 3"/> The order in which the lead actresses are credited was also changed to accommodate the changes to the main cast.<ref name="Season 4 Episode 3"/> The last few scenes in the opening are also changed to include a cemetery, exterior shots of the Halliwell Manor, and pages in the ''Book of Shadows''.<ref name="Season 4 Episode 3"/> A five-second opening was used for the two-part premiere episodes of seasons four and five; it features flashing shots of the triquetra symbol and the show's title in large blue letters.<ref name="Season 4 Episode 1 and 2">{{cite episode |title=Charmed Again (Part 1 and 2) |series=Charmed |network=The WB |airdate=October 4, 2001}}</ref><ref name="Season 5 Episode 1 and 2">{{cite episode |title=A Witch's Tail (Part 1 and 2) |series=Charmed |network=The WB |airdate=September 22, 2002}}</ref>

The opening [[theme music|theme song]] used in the original television airings of all eight seasons was [[Love Spit Love]]'s [[cover version]] of "[[How Soon Is Now?]]" by [[The Smiths]].<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Attinello |editor1-first=Paul Gregory |editor2-last=Halfyard |editor2-first=Janet K. |editor3-last=Knights |editor3-first=Vanessa |title=Music, Sound and Silence in Buffy the Vampire Slayer |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]] |year=2010 |page=22 |isbn=978-0-7546-6041-5}}</ref><ref name="Heart of Glass">{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Kristina |url=http://www.heartofglassmagazine.com/2012/04/23/charmed-the-good-the-bad-and-why-we-love-it-anyway/ |title=Charmed: The Good, The Bad, And Why We Love It Anyway |work=Heart of Glass Magazine |date=April 23, 2012 |access-date=January 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201214612/http://www.heartofglassmagazine.com/2012/04/23/charmed-the-good-the-bad-and-why-we-love-it-anyway/ |archive-date=February 1, 2014 }}</ref> This version of the song had previously appeared on [[The Craft (film)#Soundtrack|the soundtrack]] of ''[[The Craft (film)|The Craft]]'',<ref name=EmpireCraft /> and is featured in the series' first soundtrack album. In the shortened five-second opening for the two-part premiere episodes of seasons four and five, the song was replaced by instrumental music.<ref name="Season 4 Episode 1 and 2"/><ref name="Season 5 Episode 1 and 2"/> "How Soon Is Now?" was also replaced by [[hard rock]] instrumental music in the [[Charmed (season 8)|season eight]] DVD because the license to use the song had expired.<ref name="Heart of Glass"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Satran |first=Joe |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/dawsons-creek-theme-song-netflix_n_1683506.html |title=Netflix's 'Dawson's Creek' Theme Song Closes Tortured Saga |work=[[HuffPost]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=July 18, 2012 |access-date=January 22, 2014 |archive-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203045600/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/dawsons-creek-theme-song-netflix_n_1683506.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This hard rock instrumental music was also used in the opening of all eight seasons on [[Netflix]] and later on [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hypable.com/5-things-the-charmed-reboot-needs-to-have/ |title=5 things we need to see in the 'Charmed' reboot |last=Kyle |first=Tariq |publisher=Hypable.com |date=January 19, 2017 |access-date=June 4, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/39588-netflix-better-not-change-gilmore-girls-theme-song-so-help-me-god |title=Netflix Better Not Change 'Gilmore Girls' Theme Song, So Help Me God |last=Bennett |first=Alanna |work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] |date=September 12, 2014 |access-date=June 4, 2017 |archive-date=September 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928051651/http://www.bustle.com/articles/39588-netflix-better-not-change-gilmore-girls-theme-song-so-help-me-god |url-status=live }}</ref>

For its remaster, although most of the original shots for the opening credits were retained, some background images and flashing symbols were [[pan and scan|panned and scanned]] to fit the [[16:9 aspect ratio]].