# What are the best TV opening sequences? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 10, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212 "2010-11-10T19:59:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/81 "2010-11-12T11:11:09Z")
The Edward Gorey animations for Mystery! [deserves a nod.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAmGsM4Dids) There were a couple version but that’s the one I remember best. ---
**Author:** ![Khaki\_Campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Khaki\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khaki_Campbell)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/82 "2010-11-12T11:48:58Z")
L O S T Season II, with some guy in a quite cosy place putting on a record, injecting himself with some medicine… a place which turned out to be in _the_ mystery hatch embedded in the Island’s soil. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/83 "2010-11-12T11:55:50Z")
Venture Bros. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/84 "2010-11-12T12:56:29Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > LA Law Why? The opening credits are just an establishing shot of the office building followed by your standard montage of clips from episodes. I mean, OK, it’s got a memorable, though now dated, theme song, but there was nothing particularly unique or groundbreaking about the visuals. Many (most?) other dramas and sitcoms of the 1980s did the same thing. You list _Three’s Company_ as well, which also doesn’t appear to be anything special. I love the theme tune, but the visuals are just the main cast walking around the Santa Monica pier (or later, the Los Angeles Zoo). Again, that sort of opening sequence was typical in the 1970s and 1980s. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/85 "2010-11-12T16:00:04Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Is she cute? > Does she like short guys? Damnit. Look, just take the girl and let me live - will that do? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/86 "2010-11-12T18:33:55Z")
The opening to _[Jonny Quest](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIhEpjnaNlo&feature=related)_: cannibals, dinosaurs, mummies, machine guns, scuba men, lasers, jets - and great music. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/87 "2010-11-12T19:04:39Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The opening to _[Jonny Quest](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIhEpjnaNlo&feature=related)_: cannibals, dinosaurs, mummies, machine guns, scuba men, lasers, jets - and great music. What, no ninjas? ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/88 "2010-11-12T19:55:14Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > Why? The opening credits are just an establishing shot of the office building followed by your standard montage of clips from episodes. I mean, OK, it’s got a memorable, though now dated, theme song, but there was nothing particularly unique or groundbreaking about the visuals. Many (most?) other dramas and sitcoms of the 1980s did the same thing. > > You list _Three’s Company_ as well, which also doesn’t appear to be anything special. I love the theme tune, but the visuals are just the main cast walking around the Santa Monica pier (or later, the Los Angeles Zoo). Again, that sort of opening sequence was typical in the 1970s and 1980s. I picked those based upon the strength of the songs alone. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/89 "2010-11-12T20:19:50Z")
**The Simpsons** has a classic opening sequence: a great orchestral theme; a whirlwind tour through Springfield, giving us a glimpse of many of the show’s major and minor characters and settings; and a Chalkboard Gag and [Couch Gag](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CouchGag) that give us something new each time. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/90 "2010-11-13T00:01:23Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > No ‘House’? With that perfect music? (Though it always annoyed me there was an old-timey anatomy illustration behind everyone’s name (nerves for Cuddy, spine for Chase), but Cameron got a film clip of boats on a river! They couldn’t find a sepia tinted illustration of a heart for her?) Ahem… > [@Stoid](#): > > Kicks ass. > > Pretty much everything [Digital Kitchen](http://www.d-kitchen.com/work/main-titles) has ever done kicks ass: **House** , Six Feet Under,Dexter, Nip/tuck, The Company…they’ve been nominated for Outstanding Main Title design more than a dozen times. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/91 "2010-11-13T06:03:29Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Damnit. Look, just take the girl and let me live - will that do? [Sigh]I guess so.[/Sigh] dammit! ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/92 "2010-11-13T06:27:20Z")
Terriers! Ok, maybe I just really love the show and its theme music. 😃 It does have a rather nice Quentin Tarantino feel about it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/93 "2010-11-13T06:30:34Z")
Ok. So somebody already nominated “The Prisoner.” (Seconded!) And somebody already nominated Peter Gunn’s theme music (seconded!) And somebody already nominated “The Outer Limits” which was freaking BRILLIANT! (Seconded!) But nobody nominated “[Eureka!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hhAlwsHRpI&feature=related)” yet! The opener promised smart, fun, whimsical content and the series delivered. It may not always have been as smart, funny or whimsical as the opener, but compared with most SyFy channel series it was the most brilliant thing ever. And nobody nominated [“Secret Agent Man”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K90joT4RSnA&feature=related) which I think every kid who owned a guitar during the sixties and seventies was legally required to try to play the theme of. ---
**Author:** ![DETXL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/detxl/32/19366_2.png) [@DETXL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DETXL)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/94 "2010-11-13T06:36:24Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I seem to be alone in absolutely loving that song. It was particularly appropriate for _Enterprise_; its sentiment had to be exactly what Archer & Company were thinking when they were first set out. I came here to nominate _Enterprise_’s opening for exactly that reason. I _get_ the dislike some fans have for it, I just don’t share it. It’s such a beautiful sequence, and the song is just so perfect. So know that you’re not alone. There are others like us, and one day… one day… ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/95 "2010-11-13T06:57:58Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > HBO did two my favorites: > > **Carnival** > Rome Oh damn, Carnival, the opening titles sold the show for me. Probably one of the greatest titles ever done for a series, too bad the series didnt hold up to the promise (and the premises) of the title sequence. It started to suck seriously at season 2. Good catch, of all the shows listed here, Carnival would defintely be in the three bests (if not **ze** best). ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/96 "2010-11-13T08:01:48Z")
“best” can only be decided if you define it. There’s just artistically terrific, stand-alone, wonderfully fun, beautiful attractive titles. Then there’s all of the above with the added question of whether the titles fit the show or tell the show’s story or premise. I think that’s a valid criteria. Without it, the field is wide open, but with it, it narrows considerably. And doesn’t include Carnivale. Including that criteria, I think it’s hard to beat True Blood or Six Feet Under. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/97 "2010-11-13T08:56:16Z")
_Burn Notice_ - “You know spies, a bunch of bitchy little girls.” _Lie to Me_ [Hawaii Five-0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w&feature=related) has a catchy theme, but the montage isn’t spectacular. **Capitaine Zombie** , _The Equalizer_! I remember that show. Is it as cool as it seemed? (Probably not.) ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/98 "2010-11-13T10:26:16Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > _Burn Notice_ - “You know spies, a bunch of bitchy little girls.” > _Lie to Me_ > > [Hawaii Five-0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w&feature=related) has a catchy theme, but the montage isn’t spectacular. > > **Capitaine Zombie** , _The Equalizer_! I remember that show. Is it as cool as it seemed? (Probably not.) No, Equalizer was rather shitty. Bit of the formula of the Man with the Orchid, but here, fatman becomes ex-CIA agent that takes care of peoples’ problems. In the Reagan era/A-Team way, that is blowing the shit out of them. Still, always thought the title sequence was really good. As I said there must not be one sequence in the whole series that equates the opening sequence. Talk about equalizing. ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/99 "2010-11-13T11:55:16Z")
Blackadder, especially series 2 and 3. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212/100 "2010-11-13T12:04:12Z")
I can’t believe someone already beat me to it, but: Curb Your Enthusiasm. If you haven’t seen it, it’s the show’s title against a black background while the [intro music](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Q1dmlPd80) plays for about 7 seconds, then right into the show. Perfect. I appreciate that a lot of work and ingenuity can go into some very cool title sequences, but even the best ones become simply something to fast-forward through after you’ve seen them once or twice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-tv-opening-sequences/560212.md?page=6)