PopWatch readers are way more important (to PopWatch writers at least) than Emmy voters, so it’s high time we figured out which people and/or which series would take home statuettes this year in a fictional Academy of Television Arts and Sciences controlled by you. We’ll roll out the bigger categories next week, but for now: Outstanding Main Title Design! Vote for the most deserving sequence after the break.
Bored to Death (HBO) Is it lame if I say my favorite part about this is that the “rustling pages” sound effect reminds me of my Mac triumphantly emptying the trash?
Human Target (Fox) I like these opening credits more than I like the show. I am so sorry about the huge, loud BOOM at 0:34; it almost warrants a NSFW warning. So: NSFW.
Nurse Jackie (Showtime) Probably mind-blowing if you’re high. The coffee cup swallows the text. Her eyes don’t follow the floating ring. Wha’ happened???
The Pacific (HBO) This thing is like two hours long! Hey, charcoal.
Temple Grandin (HBO) Below is the trailer, not the main titles, but you get the idea.
Annie on Twitter: @EWAnnieBarrett
justified should win this
nice
I’ll vote for anything that’s got “Justified”‘s name on it!
OMG how I miss Raylan! It’s a long dry spell! Will be glad when it goes into rerun heaven (syndication). Then I can see him everyday!
Where’s true blood? I still can’t get over it, every time it thrills, scares and fascinates me.
this.
Fairly confident it’s only for new programs as everything here is new (season 2 of Nurse Jackie was after eligibility so all its nominations are from season 1.) Anyways last year True Blood WAS nominated, though it lost to The United States of Tara.
I don’t care if it is only for new shows, True Blood has the best, hands down. Even with the ability to FF through them, I watch every single time. And they’re long, too. I could cut the time it takes to watch an episode by like 5 minutes, and yet I just can’t not watch them!
your incomprehension of both the concept of this article (new shows) and the concept of time (5 minutes?) is phenomenal.
Also, IMO True Blood’s title sequence is so good because of the song and the effect it has on the sequence overall, and I don’t think this award category takes into account song, right? And true blood’s opening without the song isn’t really that special. Again, just IMHO.
Caprica should win this. And I don’t care that it didn’t get nominated.
Yes Caprica’s titles give me crazy chills! They’re seriously beautiful.
yes!!! and I really like the music that plays during them too!
I totally agree! Most of the time, the opening credits gives me the excuse to go grab a snack since they usually end with commercials, but Caprica’s credits are absolutely stunning. That said, Syfy why do we have to wait a whole year to get more
Caprica? And can you really call it season 1 still?
I think the opening titles to “Tremé” were the best edited and designed sequence on TV this year.
Yes, but then they would actually have to recognize that Treme exists! Although it did get nominated for something (I think something in the sound dept), unlike the amazing Wire.
Of these, I’d go Human Target.
Human Target is too much of a James Bond rip off for me. I like the Bored to Death one best.
I like the Human Target main titles, although I agree it’s a James Bond rip off, but what really bothers me is the music they use. It’s AWFUL! Totally not memorable and boring.
Agreed! It was very well done, but I doubt the Emmys will ever give the show anything based on their “Wire” track record.
Dexter and Friday Night Lights still have the best openings on TV. I believe Dexter’s opening won one year, no?
Dexter has by far the best opening sequence EVER. How do they make waking up, eating breakfast, and getting ready for work the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen? I’m not even sure it is supposed to be creepy, the musics upbeat and the colors are bright, but it just makes my skin crawl!
The Pacific hands down. It gives me chills everytime I watch and hear the music.
WHERE. IS. DEXTER?
Dexter came out like 4 years ago. Outstanding Main Title Design is for shows that just premiered.
Dexter won it already – first season I believe.
I like the Nurse Jackie one that best.
By my favorite opening credit this year would definitely have to be “The Good Wife”. Yes, it’s only like 2 seconds long, but I like the simplicity, and I feel like you understand th character and her emotions in those 2 seconds. So…call me crazy, but The Good Wife is my pick!
I know I’m in the minority here, but I love Covert Affairs’ credits.
Ugh…I really like that show Covert Affairs, but the credits are so cheesy…It’s like a bad version of Chuck’s opening…
The Pacific opening title is gorgeous, so well done.
Lie to me is the best
Agreed. I LOVE the Lie to Me opening credits. The song choice and everything is just perfect together.
Nurse Jackie’s title is the worst.
agreed. ive always hated Jackie’s title sequence. Bored to death has the best but its gonna lost to the Pacific because its not “poignant”
Agree! It was pretty terrible.
Easily “Bored to Death.” That opening title sequence was so good.
Bored to Death is the best pick of this fresh bunch. Obviously it’s not the best on TV, but it is the outstanding one in this bunch.
Having never seen any of these shows or title credits until today I think I come with a fresh unbiased outlook on it and imo the bored to death one was easily they best, i liked the pacific one as well although the length and the music seemed so melodramatic.
When Carnivale won this they just should have said “and you win forever!!” Nothing will ever top. Of these, though, I like Human Target primarily because it’s a network show and so few of them have titles.
I completely agree. I adore the Carnivale credits and I’m sorry that we’ve been moving away from title credits on networks shows. Human Target is a great exception and the combination of music and images is perfect. Target wins my vote.
agreed- nothing beats Carnivale’s opening title sequence.
Seconded