Walker: Example #2 from Successful Television Writing

Walker Texas Ranger TV Intro

This is a Character and Format sequence. This main title features Chuck Norris, the star of the show, singing a song against a backdrop of big action sequences. The song goes like this:

In the eyes of a Ranger
the unsuspecting stranger
had better know the truth of wrong from right,
because the eyes of the Ranger are upon you.
Any wrong you do he’s gonna see
When you’re in Texas look behind you
because that’s where the Ranger’s gonna be.

Without even seeing the main title sequence, without even reading a script, you know that this guy is a Texas Ranger and he is the center of every story. He’s a man of action.

And as if the lyrics aren’t big enough clues, Walker himself sings the title song and his face is in almost every single shot.

So you know that Walker, just like Hunter, is the center of every story. You also know that action and physical violence are a major part of the show. And you know that he’s always going to be one step ahead of the bad guys.

We have only watched a few episodes of Walker, for a cross-over episode we did on Martial Law, but we can tell you that from just watching the title sequence and listening to that horrible song, he never makes a mistake. He is the nicest guy on earth, the best fighter on earth, and the best cop. He’s almost super-human.
Criminals are either good or bad. There is no in between. And Walker, like Santa Claus, omnisciently knows which is which.

Chuck is the star, the executive producer and he sings the song. What more do you need to know about what a Walker story should be?