It’s a losing proposition, I tell ya, writing these lists for EW (print and online). Sure, there are those one or two kind souls who might praise you for your keen judgment and finely-honed critical sensibility. But most take an alarming, even predatory, delight in telling you what TV show/movie/album/song/book you forgot to include. And so I expect it to go with this list of 15 great TV-show opening credits. For the record, I did consider The Brady Bunch and The Wire. The Patty Duke Show and The Garry Shandling Show. Freaks and Geeks and Laverne & Shirley. And, yes, The Sopranos (below). Okay (… deep breath…) I’m ready: go ahead and tell me what intros I should’ve added. And, if you’re up to it, your reasons why.
Sep 27
2007
04:00 PM ET
'Miami Vice'? Really? And not 'The Sopranos'?
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The Prisoner! You Tube it and see.
I was thinking The Prisoner too.
Also, Star Trek, Flintstones, Cheers & M*A*S*H are all pretty classic.
I know it’s a new show, but the opening of “Mad Men” is awesome!
“All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons” because they’re freakin’ awesome.
The Munsters of course! All the characters are established immediately just by walking out the front door, plus the most rocking theme song ever!
Aqua Teens! I love how the opening sequence has nothing to do with the episode that follows, plus a kick-butt theme song.
I would’ve liked to have seen Quantum Leap included, both for the fantastic score and for the tale of a man lost in time with no control over his own destiny but serious control over the destiny of others neatly wrapped in 60 seconds. As for choosing NYPD Blue over Hill Street Blues, having never watched either show the opening of Hill Street still resonates as iconic. NYPD Blue? not so much.
The X-Files. Simple and eerie, it sets the tone perfectly. Classic.
I always enjoyed Cheers. It was unique and put you in a good mood for the show.
And the Quantum Leap theme was pretty awesome.
Not a classic (yet), but Dexter has fabulous opening credits.
And thank you for putting Twin Peaks on the list.
I was really excited to see Cowboy Bebop included…especially as that’s the show that first came to mind when seeing the list topic. However, I saw that they listed the show as from the U.S….it’s not. It’s Japanese that just happens to run on an U.S. network.
As for shows that should be on the list I put my vote in for Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Robot Chicken.
Great choices full of most excellent memories for a TV raised boomer baby like myself.
I’d add the original Star Trek for it’s opening monologue explaining the “5 year mission”(oops, better make that 3) that played over what must have been totally groovy planet visuals for the 60′s. Of course, when the Next Generation came along they had to spiff up those planet shots and PC out the “Where no man has gone before” line. but both worked well for their time and audience and encapsulated the plot.
Thanks again, TV rules!
The Jeffersons, just for the song. I can still sing it by heart. But seeing George strut around was great as well. Has anybody commented that opening credits for TV shows no longer have original songs with lyrics? Such a shame, I guess we’re too ironic now.
Dexter – all seemingly normal things rendered violent and weird.
Oz – none of the characters are seen clearly, just various images of claustrophobic and stark violence surrounded by a white letterbox frame.
(Hell, as you said in your list, pretty much anything on HBO, especially as well, The Wire for using the same song each year, but changing the style and singer to mirror the tone of season.)
The X-Files – just for its classic strangeness.
Was the Six Feet Under intro mentioned in the list? Too lazy to go thru the whole list. If not, what about it?