I saw the intro to Misfits of Science, and when it shows the title, it’s like the perfect stereotype of the eighties – and I’m curious what some other examples might be for other times.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and X-files opening scream 1990’s to me. Then again, those shows scream late 90’s anyway.
X-files opening is the definitive opening of the 90’s on its, own though.
The very start of the Mary Tyler Moore show is classic 1970. The font, the color palette, the multiplication of the name, etc. Followed by a generic soft-pop theme song over a montage.
If I wanted to list 1950s sitcoms, I’d be here all day. Let’s see if I can stop at just one: Father Knows Best. The stagy intro of the cast, the narrator, etc.
*The Twilight Zone *had several intros, all of which were typical of that era. Even more so, *The Outer Limits.
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The Rockford Files is classic 70s TV credits. I’ve also been watching “Ghost Story,” an anthology series (Night Gallery knock-off, produced by William Castle) produced in 1972 or so, and it had identical credit styling.
Kolchak: The Night Stalker also had the same 70s credit font and style.
And just as often, all three I mentioned (and more, besides) had many of the same actors.
Archer. The titles/credits just scream…sometime in the 20th (or maybe the 21st) century.
The L.A. Law opening is pretty classic to the 1980s:
You don’t get more early 1990s thanFull House.
Doctor Who. Pick a Doctor, any Doctor.
I will see your L.A. Law and raise you with Miami Vice.
Rockford is classic 70s in that the opening credits were always preceded by teaser clips from the episode but the closing credits were always (I think) just shown over a still of Rockford and his dad. Most other 70s show’s ending credits were shown over multiple stills either from the episode or from the whole season. Comedies would often use rolling clips that ended on a freeze-frame for each ending credit. This was parodied on Police Squad! in which instead of actually freezing the frame the actors would simply freeze positions in the middle of a big, moving gesture then the criminal would realize nobody was moving, un-cuff himself and escape.
Any show from the 70s, 80s or early 90s that was shot on videotape rather than film will always have electronically-generated Chyrontitle and end credits (with the ending credits almost always scrolling).
The transition from the 80s to the 90s had a lot of bright primary colours, zig-zag lines, confetti patterns, and grids. Here’s Saved By The Bell. I blame the Video Toaster.
Dark Shadows. You ain’t gonna get any more of its time than that. Title card, grainy shot of a mansion, voiceover.
Dragnet - just the facts ma’am, no nonsense police action from the good old days.
At the other end of police action, The Andy Griffith Show and folks down-home style with strong family values. Although I wonder where his wife’s body is? down at the fishing hole?
A few years ago someone did a 1995-style intro to Game of Thrones.
I love the internet. 
Um, compare:
Dragnet 1954, title credits.
Dragnet 1967, title credits.
13 years spanning an era of major change in American TV. Iconic of what time?
I find it jarring whenever I see a new/recent show with any title sequences at all. I found it super jarring that Preacher has one.
It seems like title sequences nowadays – if they have any at all – just use the 5-second title card with the name of the show in white text on a black screen, ala Ray Donovan. (Billions, Girlfriend Experience, House of Lies, etc…)
TBS has a fun retro commercial for 2 Broke Girls that maked it seem like an old cheers/Burrows/glen Caron tv show.
I cut my finger open tonite anf I can’t type.
aaaaaargh
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.screams 1960s.