# Your favorite TV program opening sequence **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 10, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890 "2013-02-10T17:51:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/81 "2013-02-11T19:33:53Z")
[quote=“terentii, post:69, topic:649890”] It was years before I realized that the “Police Squad” intro was a parody of “M Squad,” a really, really good cop series: [/QUOTE] I had no idea of that! Ignorance fought, well done sir. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/82 "2013-02-11T19:57:26Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > I had no idea of that! > > Ignorance fought, well done sir. And this is probably the greatest parody of a parody ever (though it’s actually more _Naked Gun_ than “Police Squad”: https://www.youtube.com/embed/woQ2BQ-GPEc?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/83 "2013-02-11T20:10:37Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > Nothing will ever top _Carnivale_, IMVHO. There are many good ones and I agree with most of the ones already posted, but \*Carnivale \*is the gold standard. Yup, it’s what I immediately thought of. I also really like _Game of Thrones_ (did you know it takes place on the inside of a sphere, with a sun/astrolabe in the center?), _Dexter_, and _True Blood_. But to add something original, I’ll say that the theme song for \*Firefly \*is great, and the opening sequence of \*Archer \*is perfect. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/84 "2013-02-11T20:35:10Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > That’s interesting. I was about to mention all the ST series . . . except TOS. ## I was thinking of it in it’s first run and very early syndication. Now, it looks very dated and simplistic. For its time, tho, I thought it very effective. ## Cleopatra 2525 was an AWESOME show! So was Jack of All. I agree with the Twin Peaks and Hawaii 5-0 picks because the music is mesmerizing and unforgettable. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/85 "2013-02-11T21:18:33Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > _The Wild, Wild, West_ was good also. That one infuriated my dad. Everytime it came on when I was a kid, I was treated to a lecture about how under no circumstances is it acceptable to hit a woman. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/86 "2013-02-11T21:27:59Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The Prisoner. First thing that came to my mind. ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/87 "2013-02-11T22:09:29Z")
Did anyone mention “The Twilight Zone”? Man, that Robert Serling sure could give you the shivers… ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/88 "2013-02-11T22:40:45Z")
A few more anime: [Durarara!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O9hRcIAza0), first OP. A) The song rocks. B) The little bits with the characters give you a pretty good idea of who most of them are (although you’d never guess what Simon was like based on it), C) every episode but the first, after the scene with Mikado, Masaomi and Anri on the bridge, it includes a brief instrumental break which has various bits from earlier episodes play over it as a quick recap, thus keeping that from harshing the flow of the episode proper. [Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni](http://youtu.be/3hHKmiRwyBU). Again, the song is awesome. also, the imagery gives you a general idea of what you’re in for (if you happened to miss the cold open on the first episode, on the other hand, the contrast will be jarring as hell), while not making a whole lot of literal sense until after you’ve seen the whole series (which…pretty much describes the series as a whole, too). (Slightly off topic, I also love the [OP to the second OAV](http://youtu.be/6mrhIiEzPIM)…it’s cute and catchy, and it makes the more serious parts of the fandom explode in the most entertaining way.) [Lucky Star](http://youtu.be/80l6tvxTpTI)… Good luck getting that out of your head. And pretty much my favourite: [ROD the TV](http://youtu.be/WxsoJ6gcDT4). Just groove to the song. The visuals don’t give a great idea of the series (and argh, why can’t I find a clean copy of the other version, that doesn’t have Joker and Anderson - and, seriously, what’s he doing there, he appeared in, like, 2 episodes - but does have Mr Li…?) but they’re distinctive and eyecatching. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/89 "2013-02-11T23:06:18Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Get Smart That was pretty good. > [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > _Mission: Impossible_, which is interesting because I didn’t like the show, but that theme! Excellent theme music by Lalo Schifrin. Can’t say anything bad about it. > [@california\_jobcase](#): > > The original Hawaii Five-O is my favorite. Cool visuals, great music- perhaps the best TV theme song ever. Almost. The greatest TV theme music ever is [Tank!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWk-VpK4hJo) from _Cowboy Bebop_. Since it’s anime, rather than a more mainstream program, people can be forgiven for never having heard it before. But once you _have_ heard it, you can’t be forgiven for liking _Hawaii Five-O_ better. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/90 "2013-02-12T01:40:18Z")
I loved the X Files opening theme. Creepy and perfect for the show. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/91 "2013-02-12T02:21:54Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > _[True Blood](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxINMuOgAu8)_, because it’s creepy and bizarre and seductive and off-putting and beautiful and brilliant. it is all that!! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/92 "2013-02-12T03:37:59Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Almost. > > The greatest TV theme music ever is [Tank!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWk-VpK4hJo) from _Cowboy Bebop_. So you’re saying you’ve never seen an episode of _The Greatest American Hero_. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/93 "2013-02-12T03:53:40Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > That one infuriated my dad. Everytime it came on when I was a kid, I was treated to a lecture about how under no circumstances is it acceptable to hit a woman. Even if she pulls a knife on you? ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/94 "2013-02-12T04:38:45Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > This one, hands down: > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFiHhN8aew](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFiHhN8aew) Yes. I also like _Six Feet Under_. ---
**Author:** ![K.S.Masmacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@K.S.Masmacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K.S.Masmacho)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/95 "2013-02-12T04:45:11Z")
Sorry for the highjack. I have a question. Is there a thread for movies which you would like to change just one scene from, in order to make it perfect? ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/96 "2013-02-12T09:07:28Z")
Still my [favorite](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P3s1VjPZ0Y). Never understood why changed it after one season. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/97 "2013-02-12T09:23:42Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > Still my [favorite](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P3s1VjPZ0Y). Never understood why changed it after one season. When did they go from using typewriters to CRTs? :dubious: ---
**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 12, 2013, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/98 "2013-02-12T13:06:18Z")
Mission Impossible had a great intro. I think there was a law in the 1970s that all high school marching bands had to perform it at least once a year. The Odd Couple- great opener, great music, set the story well Gomer Pyle USMC- loved the opening fanfare with the Marine logo Andy Griffith- we all whistle every time it comes on College Game Day in football season Green Acres- “I get allergic schmelling hay…” The Beverly Hillbillies- classic age of television classic intro ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/99 "2013-02-12T13:55:30Z")
Man…how do I check? •[PBS’ Mystery](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ge-Yr5vkYU) GOD, I’ve always loved that one…ever since I was a little kid. Enthralling and quietly frightening at once. The only problem was that the actual movies were always live-action. If they’d had [Detective Conan/Case Closed](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_Closed) around when I was little, I’d have been in _heaven_. •[Real Adventures of Jonny Quest](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGFUijdwWdk) Yeah, the revamp, not the original…but still, a great job. You know how often the best part of a movie is the trailer cut and soundtrack? I think the same principle applies, here…especially since they apparently animated several montage clips JUST for the opening. Including the bit where Jesse Bannon does that [Gilda](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUQvITehr34) move with her hair. Yow. Part of me is always 12 years old again, just for a second whenever I see that. •[Cybersix](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z22seoMxgpI) A rather undeservedly underexposed animated series, with action, and a lot of heart. And monsters. •[C.O.P.S.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6WGi10vd2Y) The cartoon, not the live-action show (which isn’t too shabby, either). Believe it or not, the character design was by the same animator who created… •[Aeon Flux](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UQyPXbjL-A) (Do, do do do do do DO, dooo…) •World at War As others have said. 'Nuff said. •[500 Nations](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02xJURubepI) I don’t think I ever watched a single episode of the series, but I _still_ remember the theme music. •[Area 88](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nP1t23LgCs) Kind’ova new pick…but what the heck, it’s a lot of overwrought, cheesey aero-geek fun. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890/100 "2013-02-12T13:59:21Z")
I like the openings for both Archer and the Venture Brothers, they capture the manic energy of fhe shows. For shows off the air, I think the Sopranos had an amazing opening and I liked Arrested Developments opening. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-tv-program-opening-sequence/649890.md?page=6)