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.
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Comments (1-30) of 75 Add your comment
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?
I got so bored with the Twin Peaks one I skipped to the next one after about a minute. What’s so great about it?
Hey, what about “The Fall Guy”!
Sure the intro was stock footage of the characters and stunts but the theme song…
“The Unknown Stuntman”, sung by none other than Lee Majors himself. I’m sure he’s singing that in a theatre in Branson,MO right now…
Good times
X Files, Cheers, The Garry Shandling Show (“I’m almost to the part…of where I start to whistle…”).
But mostly? I’m appalled you would choose NYPD Blue over Hill Street. Sacrilege!
Definitely add my “yes” to Quantum Leap. I wasn’t sure if this was meant for rememberance of clips with music, or opening credits you bop along to every week. For visual pretty, Stargate: Atlantis first 3 season. Star Trek: Enterprise for the music and for using not just “real” footage, but Cochran’s first warp ship from First Contact. For sheer memory recall, original Battlestar Galactica and Starsky & Hutch. But Miami Vice is #1, all the way.
“Love American Style” or “The Patridge Family” both groovy.
I’m with Trish. NYPD was not the better show, the theme song did not stand out and Dennis Franz showed his butt!
And Six Feet Under was much better tha Twin Peaks. Three minutes of elevator music while showing a blade being cut.
Would have liked to have seen ‘Battlestar Galactica’ on that list…and maybe ‘The Equalizer’ – always liked the opening music to that show.
And major cudos for putting ‘Cowboy Bebop’ on your list. You made this anime fan very, very happy. (and it is an awesome opening)
This is scary to admit but I always liked the “Growing Pains” opener. They showed old pictures of each character and had Jennifer Warnes singing duet with the theme song. Can’t remember the name of the guy.
Well Wook, I’ll actually give you and your colleagues some props and say that you did a pretty good job putting this list together (since doing that kind of thing can be hell).
If I had to pick ONE show on HBO it would’ve been “Six Feet Under” as well, though I probably would’ve picked more than one show on HBO.
The only suggestion I would add is the opening title sequence to Nip/Tuck. It’s got the right (creepy) imagery matched by the dreamy/anesthesized song “A Perfect Lie.” I think few songs fit their TV shows as well.
WEEDS – I still think the original version of Little Boxes is the best, but even with the guest players the series of duplicated people perfectly captures the feel of the burbs. We generally record the show and don’t zip through the opening credits because they are so entertaining.
What about Knight Rider and/or MacGyver? Great songs make for a great intro. And how can you beat all the action in the MacGyver intro. This list seems pretty terrible. Plus, none of those early 90’s family sitcoms got a representative (i.e. Full House, Step by Step, Family Matters) Something along those lines just to represent a very full and deep category of intros.
I know it’s not high-brow or artistic, but who doesn’t know the entire intro to “Fresh Prince of Bel Air?” C’mon! It’s a great set-up, colorful and catchy…and now guaranteed to be stuck in my head all day. “Innnnnn West Philadelphia, born and raised…” Ah Will. How you’ve grown.
Quantum Leap.
“Just sit right back and we’ll tell you a tale, a tale of a fateful trip, that started from this tropic port aboard this tiny ship”. Gilligan’s Island! Admit it – when you get drunk you try to sing it and remember the words! And screw it up every time….
Both Dexter and Rescue Me have credits that perfectly set up the tone of the show. Dexter’s credit sequence is probably my favorite ever.