[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.
And this is probably the greatest parody of a parody ever (though it’s actually more Naked Gun than “Police Squad”:
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.
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.
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.
First thing that came to my mind.
Did anyone mention “The Twilight Zone”? Man, that Robert Serling sure could give you the shivers…
A few more anime:
Durarara!, 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. 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…it’s cute and catchy, and it makes the more serious parts of the fandom explode in the most entertaining way.)
Lucky Star… Good luck getting that out of your head.
And pretty much my favourite: ROD the TV. 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.
That was pretty good.
Excellent theme music by Lalo Schifrin. Can’t say anything bad about it.
Almost.
The greatest TV theme music ever is Tank! 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. 
I loved the X Files opening theme. Creepy and perfect for the show.
it is all that!!
So you’re saying you’ve never seen an episode of The Greatest American Hero.
Even if she pulls a knife on you?
Yes. I also like Six Feet Under.
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?
Still my favorite. Never understood why changed it after one season.
When did they go from using typewriters to CRTs? :dubious:
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
Man…how do I check?
•PBS’ Mystery
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 around when I was little, I’d have been in heaven.
•Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
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 move with her hair. Yow. Part of me is always 12 years old again, just for a second whenever I see that.
•Cybersix
A rather undeservedly underexposed animated series, with action, and a lot of heart. And monsters.
•C.O.P.S.
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
(Do, do do do do do DO, dooo…)
•World at War
As others have said. 'Nuff said.
•500 Nations
I don’t think I ever watched a single episode of the series, but I still remember the theme music.
•Area 88
Kind’ova new pick…but what the heck, it’s a lot of overwrought, cheesey aero-geek fun. 
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.