Best series intros

[Hirka T'Bawa]

I've been watching Babylon 5 again (love that series), and as I was watching it, I noticed I really love the title screens. It is one of the few series that I don't fast forward through the first title credits, or intro. Made me wonder what other dopers think best series intros are.

So, what shows do you actually watch the intros for? What shows do you think have the best ones?

[The Tooth]

Babylon 5's are the best, but Battlestar Galactica's were pretty darned good too. So were the production cartoons that ran after the credits. I always waited for the 'Grrr. Arrrg.' after any Mutant Enemy show as well.

[cactus waltz]

Dexter is really high up on my list.

[foolsguinea]

Buffy had very cool theme music & the "Grr Arrgh."

[vandal]

The A-Team

[Petrobey Mavromihalis]

Babylon 5?!?!

The cheesy opening credits are one of the reasons I stopped watching.

[BigBertha]

Hawaii Five-0

[Face Intentionally Left Blank]

Second the Babylon 5 nomination. I always watched it as well - it set the mood.

Dexter's opening sequence is both beautiful and clever.

[Petrobey Mavromihalis]

Although I didn't like the show I thought the credits music for Six Feet Under was excellent.

[Ranchoth]

Jonny Quest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LokxUx_kpR8) (I prefer the "Real Adventures" version, because of the updated musical accompaniment that still embraces the classic theme, and the produced-just-for-the-intro action clips—most notably the one with Jesse Bannon doing that Rita Hayworth thing.); and Ghost in the Shell (http://vodpod.com/watch/1002046-gits-stand-alone-complex-intro).

And of course, Airwolf. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfNG_saVEnk) Accept no substitutes. :)

[Left Hand of Dorkness]

Rome, with its animated graffiti, was always a wonderful introduction to the show. The Sopranos also set a wonderful mood: the moment where Tony exhales a cloud of nasty yellow smoke seems almost mythical.

[Meltdown]

I like Mad Men, even though some complain that the music is off-period.

I'll second Battlestar Galactica.

[mbh]

Dead Like Me.

[Ronald C. Semone]

Hawaii Five-0

You beat me to it. It is a pleasure to watch and to listen to.

[El_Kabong]

The original TV series of Mission: Impossible, with that lit fuse and wonderfully tense (Lalo Schifrin?) musical theme.

Another one for the Buffy intro. Perfectly expresses the theme of the series, yet apparently the music wasn't even written for the show.

[Gadarene]

The only correct answer to this question is The Wire. Fourth season in particular.

[Don Draper]

The über-trippy mid-70s opening for Doctor Who (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdVivT0ShC4), with psychedelic swirls and intensely trippy music (with a kickass bass lick).

[filling_pages]

I really enjoy the opening for Venture Brothers (all three seasons). It's got that cheesy adventure cartoon action with just enough lounge style to reflect the fashions/settings.

Plus: walking eye!

[Mrs. Cake]

I'll second Rome. Its intro is the only one I watch in full every time.

[Drum God]

I'm sure I'll get blasted for this, but I thought that the visuals at the beginning of Star Trek: Enterprise were good. I could have done without the sappy Diane Warren lyric, but the visuals were cool. The episode set in the Mirror universe was even better.

[Intergalactic Gladiator]

The über-trippy mid-70s opening for Doctor Who (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdVivT0ShC4), with psychedelic swirls and intensely trippy music (with a kickass bass lick).

The Dr. Who intro is great. I really dig the new one.

[fiddlesticks]

Wow, didn't think I'd be the first to mention Twin Peaks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oDuGN6K3VQ)...

I was also going to say something along the lines of Drum God...Star Trek: Enterprise's visuals were awesome but they ruined it with the choice of music.

[Munch]

I may have been young at the time, but I loved watching the Cosby Show intros throughout the 80s. Were they one of the first shows to do something different every season?

[Johnny Q]

The Prisoner. Nuff said.

[Troy McClure SF]

Battlestar Galactica's were pretty darned good too.

Agreed. If someone was in the room when an episode started and was curious, you could basically recap the premise of the series by talking over the opening.

[Alastair Moonsong]

I always liked the Invader Zim intro, personally.

[MaxTheVool]

The only show I watch regularly whose credits I don't always just skip through is Big Love.

[SaharaTea]

The only correct answer to this question is The Wire. Fourth season in particular.
Agreed. There was something haunting about the kids version of that song, which made it perfect for season 4.

[crazyjoe]

I'll second Dead Like Me....the music was just awesome.

[Daddypants]

I'll third Dead Like Me. I just started watching, I'm about half way through season 1 (thank you Netflix instant view). Not only is the music great, but the images of grim reapers going about their daily lives makes me chuckle everytime I see it.

[Raguleader]

I like the JAG intros, partially because of the nonsequiter bit about Harm using his Top Gun aviator skills in the courtroom (from the earlier seasons), but also because of the kickass marching tune with cool footage of jets and such.

Really, it was at its best when something really bad happened at the end of the teaser, like in the episode with the NATO ships colliding in the Med.

[BurnMeUp]

I like a bunch of these but also need to mention Cowboy Bebop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqvsUs-iQvg)

[Small Hen]

I like a bunch of these but also need to mention Cowboy Bebop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqvsUs-iQvg)

Just beat me! Curse you, BurnMeUp!

[Trion]

I'll nominate Hustle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGyIDtBX7f0&feature=related).

[Turek]

Despite the number of people who hate it, the opening to Firefly always gives me goosebumps.

[Uosdwis R. Dewoh]

I like the season 1 intro of Red dwarf (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rzjee-Ugqc).

[Just Some Guy]

Nerd sing along!

In the not too distant future
Next Sunday, A.D...

[Quasimodal]

The original Star Trek is pretty classic if only for the monologue.

[cinehead]

Homicide: Life on the Streets; The Sopranos; Six Feet Under; Entourage.

[TWDuke]

The Simpsons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZGz1Ajg7QU), which owes more than a little to The (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoQYeT8om5E&feature=related) Flintstones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YArUNXG9jbE&feature=related).

[critter42]

I have to always stop and watch the Deep Space 9 intro - mainly 'cause of the theme..while I prefer the original version of the DS9 theme (used until season 3/4?) music more , I love the visuals from the last few - more activity, making it look like a bustling outpost (workers making repairs, more ships moving in and out, the Defiant pulling away and going on patrol, etc).

[TWDuke]

Sock! Pow! Bong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTtFxDlJiuk)!

[mariposalabrown]

I like the intros to Weeds and Sealab 2021, Sealab mainly because I can never get enough of that song. I guess the same goes for Weeds. And of course, vote 15 for Buffy.

[Left Hand of Dorkness]

The only correct answer to this question is The Wire. Fourth season in particular.
See, I totally disagree. I love HBO shows, but the Wire's intro was one I watched exactly once per season. Sopranos, Rome, Deadwood--I could watch those all day long. But The Wire's intro really didn't do it for me.

[Morbo]

My all-time favorite (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTvBqXSU5Ho).

More recently, I'd have to say True Blood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wet5OM7RR8Q).

My favorite almost-non-intro would go to The Shield. I just loved the way that song would kick in right after some incredible opening scene, then throw right back to the show again.

[lee]

I am fond of the opening to Psych. Also, The Colbert Report really sets the mood with that opening.

[Annie]

Sock! Pow! Bong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTtFxDlJiuk)!

Tra La La, la la la la! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbU5CzPi0zM)

Damn 1974 flashbacks

[rjk]

"This is Jim Rockford. Please leave your message after the beep." BEEEEP <message (http://www.thesandbox.net/arm/rockford/answering_machine/index.html)>

[BigBertha]

I actually like The Theme To Gary Shandlings Show.

[HPL]

Carnivale.

[Annie-Xmas]

Big Bang Theory

[Knowed Out]

I Dream of Jeanie.

I just think it's neat that the bottle acts as both the narrator and the most obnoxious character in the opening cartoon.