# Favorite/least favorite TV show theme songs. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 22, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231 "2011-02-22T15:43:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/21 "2011-02-22T23:16:00Z")
I generally prefer short and sweet opening credits. It doesn’t get much better than [Curb Your Enthusiam](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyZDZCGQJf8) - most episodes only use the first 7 seconds, and those that play the entire song incorporate the other 23 seconds into the opening scene. Nothing made me want to rip my ears out more than the theme song from [The OC](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkzUDT9r8g4). [Gilmore Girls](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0shLINhTH4&feature=related) was painful to sit through more than once. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/22 "2011-02-22T23:20:27Z")
Favorite: _Murphy Brown_ Least Favorite: the new, very grating version of the _Sesame Street_ theme ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/23 "2011-02-22T23:38:18Z")
Going with some ancient ones: Favorites: Hawaii 5-0 Rawhide Hated: Brady Bunch ---
**Author:** ![Lethal\_Babydoll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3be4f8/32.png) [@Lethal\_Babydoll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lethal_Babydoll)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/24 "2011-02-22T23:44:36Z")
\*\*Welcome Back, Kotter. \*\* Catchy, classic 70s pop song that was actually a no. 1 hit. By John Sebastian of the Spoonful ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/25 "2011-02-23T03:05:38Z")
I really like the opening theme to _Penn and Teller’s Bullshit_. Teenage Mutant Turtles, also good. Captain Planet. Inspector Gadget. ---
**Author:** ![multimediac17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@multimediac17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/multimediac17)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/26 "2011-02-23T05:24:10Z")
I can’t believe I forgot The Golden Girls. I watched the entire series as a marathon over a few months early last year and I can’t remember ever skipping the intro. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/27 "2011-02-23T06:33:53Z")
Favorite: I doubt anyone else remembers **Glory Days** despite the fact that Poppy Montgomery, Emily VanCamp, and Eddie Cahill were all in the main cast, but it has my favorite ever theme song - “[Excess](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3ivr41yxGs)” by Tricky. Least Favorite: Party of Five’s “[Closer to Free](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnk1vlS9G5w)” by the Bodeans. I hated that one even more than One Tree Hill’s. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/28 "2011-02-23T06:45:06Z")
I quite like the music composed by Howard Goodall for the British sitcom, Red Dwarf. [The Spacewalk tune incorporates _The Blue Danube_ into the theme…] ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/29 "2011-02-23T08:15:59Z")
I always liked the [Growing Pains](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liFmMcmigsQ) theme song. [The Wonder Years](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ob59hsRaFU) had a great song (Joe Cocker singing _With A Little Help From My Friends_) The [Psych theme song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_Gced_Z_KU) is perfect for the show, and they like to [play around with it](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyIxUWl0U3M) sometimes and play [alternate versions](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHwM6KuIdWc) in [different languages](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbodxiyYAHw) or [styles](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-atnbh-H7E). I like Cake, so I always enjoy [the opening of **Chuck**.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3jfrzbyIJA) ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/30 "2011-02-23T08:33:56Z")
One that’s surprised me by becoming a favourite (because I’ve never really liked the programme, much) is the theme for [Murder She Wrote.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v94ugLhua9Y) It seems to encapsulate the character of the show neatly, and it’s very nicely orchestrated. ---
**Author:** ![kenner116](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@kenner116](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenner116)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/31 "2011-02-23T08:51:58Z")
[_Boardwalk Empire_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2y0lrvPnpU). The _Rescue Me_ and _Wonder Years_ theme songs are also frequent on my playlist. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/32 "2011-02-23T12:48:04Z")
Great: [The Man from U.N.C.L.E.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC88U1SyQQw) Not so great: [Small Wonder](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Oe03Z39rA) ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/33 "2011-02-23T12:50:58Z")
I second the Twin Peaks theme. I recommend the soundtrack CD. I also cast one vote for The Andy Griffith Show. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/34 "2011-02-23T13:33:05Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > I really like the opening theme to _Penn and Teller’s Bullshit_. Me too, I think Penn had said they won an award for their opening sequence in the Bible episode. https://www.youtube.com/embed/hemdMYHrnrU?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/35 "2011-02-23T13:33:13Z")
Two classics: [St. Elsewhere](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-4E06VW2vU) and [Hill Street Blues](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtWjhN86WLU) mmm ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/36 "2011-02-23T13:38:54Z")
[The X-Files](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDZBgHBHQT8) [Mission Impossible](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWGeRgFa-hI) ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/37 "2011-02-23T13:40:16Z")
Favourite: Firefly, by a mile. In fact, when I ran out of Firefly to watch, one of my sad thoughts was “but now I’ve got no reason to listen to the theme saong any more!” Least Favourite: I’d go with Seinfeld, but it’s probably just because I can’t stand the show in general. Go with Get Smart as a second choice. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/38 "2011-02-23T13:58:12Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > Favourite: Firefly, by a mile. In fact, when I ran out of Firefly to watch, one of my sad thoughts was “but now I’ve got no reason to listen to the theme saong any more!” > > Least Favourite: I’d go with Seinfeld, but it’s probably just because I can’t stand the show in general. Go with Get Smart as a second choice. Another vote for Firefly! I listened to all of **Troubles** links, and liked them all, aside from the damn Firefly theme. 🙂 [Alfred Hitchcock Presents](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj15EGFWgXA&feature=related) is a memorable intro, though I would say I like it. Hated [The Facts Of Life](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_GxXRbSFDg), but liked [Diff’rent Strokes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfTrdO7BqV0) Also the “[Life](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3_pDqMiVe0)” theme was cool, (trying to get a little abstract. edit: [One Foot In The Grave](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_l2YDMBmb0) ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/39 "2011-02-23T14:21:11Z")
> [@Troubles](#): > > [House](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6zJ9dEwNek) (not a song, though the music is from a [song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7K72X4eo_s)) Did you know that not everyone gets the same version? I _think_ that in Sweden we get the second one from that video but now I’m not sure. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/x5i5ERDE_2E/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC6AKKAgwIABABGGUgWihKMA8=&rs=AOn4CLCnuTyyzwXup1gPmMTCAhGr5kWvUg "All 3 House M.D openers/themes/intros (American, Singaporean and European)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5i5ERDE_2E) Hmm, I’ve never noticed before but it really, for some reason, reminds me of the intro to Metroid Prime: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/PYWzL8KTICY/hqdefault.jpg "New Play Control Metroid Prime Wii Version Menu Configuration") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYWzL8KTICY) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231/40 "2011-02-23T14:27:06Z")
My top three are Big Bang, Twilight Zone (which have been mentioned) and Hogan’s Heroes (which has not). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-tv-show-theme-songs/572231.md?page=3)