Paully, Jimmy, Simon, and whoever else may be interested:
I contacted Ernest Frankel, who also talked with Earle Hagen, and both actually knew the answer to the question about the opening credit sequence and why, for the tail end of Season Two and all of Season Three, they switched from showing clips from "tonight's episode" to, instead, clips from past episodes.
It had nothing to do with reducing editing time or saving money, or any feelings that any episodes lacked enough action sequences. I was wrong with all my guess-work (and therefore very happy that guessing didn't make it into the book).
The reason: Art Seid, head editor at the time, approached Sheldon, Mort Fine and David Freidkin with concerns that too many of the plot points for "tonight's episode" were being given away in the opening title sequence, and it would be better to let the audience be surprised by what was yet to come.
I'm sorry they made that change, and I don't agree with Art's thinking, or with Sheldon, Mort and David for agreeing with that thinking, but at least we now know the reasoning behind the shift.
Best, Marc Cushman
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