TV Poll: Your Favorite Credits Sequence

Hands down, the Firefly Intro. Love the song, loved the show :( And the graphical introduction of each character lovingly intertwined with a good introduction to the genre – its everything you could ask for in an intro…

In the premium cable category, I’ll go with Carnivale, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Dexter, and John from Cincinnati (in that order).

In the network category, the first two that come to mind are The Wonder Years and of course The Twilight Zone.

Well, the idea behind the Sopranos opening sequence was brilliant, immediately setting it apart from all those other mob movies we had seen ’til then set in large urban environments. Here we see the mobster leave the city (really early in the morning after god knows what criminal activity/debauchery the night before) return home to his McMansion in the NJ ‘burbs and thus immediately bring focus to what the show would eventually be about – family.

I absolutely adore the Flight of the Conchords opening credits and can’t get that little ditty out of my head. I love the dancing salt shakers.

Another one great for its music and mood-setting is Battlestar Galactica which is though also my least favorite because of that unconscionable decision to show clips from the upcoming show in the opening credits.

A great opening sequence for a horrendously crappy show would be the one for the Black Donnellys with that quickfire display of the actors’ name (to the sounds of gunshots).

But my all-time favorite, and one that I NEVER fast forward through, is the opening sequence to Freaks and Geeks. The Joan Jett song, the yearbook picture-taking gimmick, the gorgeousness of Linda Cardenelli at that time, the scruffy fake-smile of James Franco, the weird confidence of Samm Levine, and of course seeing Jason Segel at the edge of the screen rubbing his eyes with his palms to give himself more of a ‘stoner’ look were all brilliant just like the rest of that amazing short-lived show.

Thanks for reading and thanks for asking, James.

Freeks and Geeks was definitely one of the best ever – I hadn’t thought of that one yet. I will pick a current favorite, the theme to Dexter. WOW! How better to introduce a show about a serial killer than by showing him taking murderous pleasure in the activities of daily life! Slicing open an orange and watching the juice squirt out, tightening his shoelaces as he would, say, a piano cord, smashing a mosquito, and then walking out the door with that tiny smile on his face. It is up for an Emmy this year – totally my favorite opening sequence ever.

However, I loved the Buffy one, too – with the howling and the organ, and then the uptempo kicking in for the credits montage. I love the Veronica Mars theme, too – before they made it all slow and dramatic. . .

Firefly is my favorite overall, with Buffy a close second. The music fits the shows perfectly, the opening montages do a good job of showing you what the characters are about, and they’re not too long. But I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for some of the shows I grew up watching – Happy Days, MASH, the Twilight Zone. WKRP also makes the list, but mostly because of the theme song.

A few -
The Deadwood open always seemed right – different than the look of the show, beautifully shot, great music.

Hill St. Blues is one I remember from a very long time ago. It’s so appropriate and of-the-era it almost seems like a parody thinking about it now.

Shara -

Great call on the Dexter opening. I totally forgot about that one but loved it whenever I saw it.

It’s even better in HD.

And of course, how could I have forgotten the opening to the Muppets?

Hmm — it may not be my favorite, but I was always impressed with how much information Arrested Development packed into its opening sequence. In ~16 seconds, you get the show concept and *all* the family relationships. (Plus they introduce the Ron Howard voiceover.)

In my books, nothing beats Six Feet Under.

It’s funny that I was watching the Firefly sequence on Sci Fi channel as I was reading the other posts. Anyways, Carnivale, big surprise HBO again, has to be one of my favorites. Showing memorable moments from the ’30s and mixing them together with Tarot cards was genius.

I also like was Weeds did with their “Little Boxes” during Season 2 when they had a different musician perform the song for every episode. I hear they are doing that again this season.

I actually liked Vernonica Mars Third Season opening better that the original. I know I am in the minority there but I think it fit the tone of the show better that the upbeat version of “We used to be Friends.”

Oops, also Big Love…a little obvious with the four of them skating on thin ice but it does sum the whole thing up.

Six Feet Under and X-Files come to mind.

Firefly absolutely! But lets give credit to some other short lived series, Wonderfalls, Karen Sisco and EZ Streets.In the oldies but goodies, let’s remember Hill Street Blues and Taxi.

Prison Break’s is great. Totally conveys the mood for the show and sets the stage for the upcoming ep.

I’ve always enjoyed the Doctor Who credits and like the fact that they are still using the same basic theme song they’ve had since 1966.

Also Buffy and Angel had great credits. Dexter, House and The Tudors I also like.

Weird, my comment was “held for approval by the blog administrator” (possibly because I included YouTube links?). Besides the HBO series and Dexter that were already mentioned, I always liked The Wonder Years and The Twilight Zone.

I like the opening to The Rockford Files, because it tells you everything you need to know — there’s this dude who looks like Jim Rockford, he drives a Firebird and has an awesome themesong!

Plus the little answering machine bits were sometimes funny.

Alright, I’ll be the geek. I liked the credits to Enterprise because of how it showed the progression of travel and exploration over time. Also because it had an actual song with vocals instead of the usual Star Trek fare.

Although Keith Jr. does not remember it, I have to tell you his favorite credits from when he was a tike in diapers. He would be playing happily with his toys and then The Nanny would come on with its catchy tune and animated sequence and it was like the ice cream truck coming down the street. He was mesmerized by the credits and would dance to it. He would even come running from another room if he heard it come on. It was the only show he ever had a reaction like that to.

What about 24. The few notes they play and the clock frittzing out pretty much sums up the urgency of the show.

Oh yeah…..Land of the Lost and H R Puffinstuff.

@beerbaron: published yr comment. Apparently our spam filter picks up posts with a certain number of links.

On the Firefly credits: One thing it also did was was to use both Western and Chinese musical motifs in the theme song, which also helped economically establish its ‘verse.

The West Wing has a great opening. The theme was marvelous and the images were great. I miss that show.

Some of my favorites are:

Veronica Mars – I did not start watching it until season 3 and I loved the slow Dandy Warhols tune.

Farscape – he’s in a space ship, he’s lost, he’s trying to get home! Love it – I knew what I was getting.

Alias – all the identities, the cool music! It made me happy when I heard it!

I love the Law and Order opening if only for the sheer refusal to bow to time and changing traditions. I think they’ve had the same picture of S. Epatha Merkson and Sam Waterston for 10 years! ER too. It’s the same formula and it’s soothing and familiar like an old security blanket.

I love M.A.S.H because I can so clearly see the opening and hear the music in my head and I wasn’t even alive when it was on. It’s kind of sad really, that modern day openings seem to be getting shorter and shorter (Example: Heroes and Lost.)

OH! I forgot! HOUSE! Love that one.

There aren’t actually any credits in these credits, but no discussion on this topic can be complete without including the opening from The Simpsons. Danny Elfman’s terrifically frantic score punching up introductory vignettes of the Simpsons family (and Springfield), bookended by the chalkboard and couch gags (the latter often 5 or so seconds of the best comedy on TV any given week) — brilliant!

“Twin Peaks”‘s credits, with that achingly slow theme song and mysteriously compelling sawmill footage, did a pretty good job of setting the mood for the weirdness that would follow.

Also, the short-lived NBC sitcom “Grand” — which was pretty weak as a show — had a great credit sequence with the cast members singing a faux-sincere anthem around a grand piano. Would that the show had matched that tone.

I have the absolute best. Mystery Science Theater 3000!!!

The original Grey’s Anatomy opening credits! The smooth transition from scrubs to an evening dress along with Cosy in the Rocket – absolutely perfect. I wish they had kept them.

I think the most recent incarnation of The Wire’s opening credits, plastered with school kids, belongs in this conversation.

Many that have been mentioned – with Six Feet Under, Alias, Taxi, Cheers, Simpsons, and X-Files among my all-time faves.

One that hasn’t been mentioned: It’s Garry Shandling’s Show. If you’ve never seen it (and it’s a crime that it’s never reached DVD), here are the lyrics, sung to a peppy melody that reeks of sitcom-dom:

This is the theme to Garry’s Show,
The theme to Garry’s show.
Garry called me up and asked if I would right his theme song.
I’m almost halfway finished,
How do you like it so far,
How do you like the theme to Garry’s Show.

This is the theme to Garry’s Show,
The opening theme to Garry’s show.
This is the music that you hear as you watch the credits.
We’re almost to the part of where I start to whistle.
Then we’ll watch “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show”.
(whistles)
This was the theme to Garry Shandling’s show.

(Or watch an opening monologue & credits sequence on YouTube)

Also really liked the opening credits for HBO’s ROME !

Another vote for SFU.

Also enjoyed the first version of The Wire.

30 Rock is pretty good, too

1. Six Feet Under (no contest)
2. House
3. Dexter (along with House, developed by the same studio, Digital Kitchen I believe they’re called)
4. Da Ali G Show – I can’t believe this hasn’t been mentioned yet. A nude Sacha Baron Cohen being dressed like he’s in some crazy futuristic spy movie, but instead of a tux it’s the signature yellow track suit. I particularly love the chainsaw noise as he adjusts his crotch.
5. Freaks and Geeks – good call! I’d forgotten about this but the credits are wonderful.
6. Lost – say what you will, but I love the blurriness, how it becomes sharp for only a minute then goes back to blur. Just like the show. Just when you think you have a clear picture, you’re Lost again (he he). Also, I like how sometimes the main actors names appear on screen alongside them, almost like extending the credit sequence into the episode
7. Deadwood – I always saw the horse representing Bullock coming into town to shake everything up
8. Psych – It’s a fun, silly intro that fits the show perfectly
9. How I Met Your Mother – with an original theme song by the creators, this photo montage captures the show’s soul perfectly, even if the new san-serif font is horrendous compared to the original use of Century, but I digress
10. John from Cincinnati – I’m not sure why, but these credits really do it for me. James, you were right.

I love the Law and Order opening if only for the sheer refusal to bow to time and changing traditions. I think they’ve had the same picture of S. Epatha Merkson and Sam Waterston for 10 years! ER too. It’s the same formula and it’s soothing and familiar like an old security blanket.

My favorite part is when they’re walking down the hall and smiling like, “Hey, we’re having a great time doling out justice and working for the man!”

The Office. I have the song on my iPod. The piano is amazing and the rough camera shots through scranton…..

Another vote for any season of the Wire, although especially season 2 with the Neville Brothers version of Way Down in the Hole. John’s credits are pretty good, far better than the show itself sadly.

Betraying my age, here are some other memorable credit sequences:

Hawaii 5-0 – great song by The Ventures, captured the heartbeat of Hawaii

Gilligan’s Island – didn’t everyone of a certain age learn those lyrics?

Star Trek: Voyager – some fantastic shots of the ship going through planetary rings, at one point backlit – breathtaking.

Star Trek:Enterprise – the montage of exploration images is fantastic. They left out the two US Navy aircraft carriers of that name though,I wonder why? Nice little song though, especially the later version.

Kurt

Another vote for SFU… superb. I also like Big Love (although it’s really the tune that seals the deal there), Farscape, Voyager, The Mary Tyler Moore and Bob Newhart Shows and The West Wing. One that hasn’t been mentioned: The Dresden Files has an effective, cool credit sequence.

…and although it’s not really a credit sequence so much as a title sequence, The Jetsons has always been a fave.

If I can be fogiven for tossng out some anime, I’ve always loved the opening sequence for Cowboy BeBop. The noir/newsprint graphics, the bold colors and that music.

Three, two, one.. let’s jam!

Already mentioned, but my favorites:
Six Feet Under, West Wing, 30 Rock, The Sopranos, Hill Street Blues, MST 3000, The Simpsons, Cheers, The Wonder Years, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, and Grand (I can’t believe someone else loved these credits! I was too young to understand the show, but I LOVE the music)

Here are a few that no one’s mentioned yet:
Get Smart:
The contrast between the urgent, important theme and the silliness of the show was perfect. I also love the way the doors close in around the credits text, and the way the music is timed so perfectly to the door closings (and phone booth sinking)

St. Elsewhere:
Similar in style to its contemporary, Hill Street Blues. I always found it to be the superior show, because we got to know the characters much better, and they all felt like real people. Much better theme music, too–HSB’s got repetitive and monotonous pretty quickly. Plus, it clearly made the hospital itself one of the stars of the show. And who can forget William Daniels’ Mark Craig striding purposefully down that hallway??

Loved just for the music:
Chicago Hope (FIRST SEASON): It was elegant, urgent, and moving. Replaced by Muzak in successive seasons, the theme was occasionally brought back, in a slow, elegaic speed, during major emotional sequences of the show.

Monk (FIRST SEASON): Perfectly captured the quirkiness of the character. Replaced in successive seasons by Randy Newman’s umpteenth version of the only song he knows how to write.

Objections:
Enterprise. As good as the images are, that music is totally, utterly, wrong.
Lost. Great show, perfect way to open it, but way too short and lacking in audio or images to call it a credits sequence.

Agreed Lost’s opening isn’t really a credits sequence which is why its my favorite. In a time where they cram more and more commercials into an episode of tv the more actual content we can get the better. Personally i could do with opening credits all togther. that being said i think simpsons, esp old simpsons wins as each one had at least 2 new jokes in it.

I always thought that the “Incredible Hulk” TV series, as dated as it is, had quite the iconic opening credits sequence, particularly when they updated the music slightly in the second season.

Some of my favorites:

“Hawaii Five-O”: with the big wave off the top from which the title appeared, the fast and shaky zoom-in to the penthouse of the Ilikai Hotel where Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord) stood, and the flashing police siren at the end when creator Leonard Freeman is shown (among other things).

“Hart to Hart”: with the airplane taking off, Max introducing Jonathan and Jennifer and then himself, and the cars of the Harts going side-by-side and then coming forward with the red heart that would bring forth the title.

“Dynasty”: with the “Y” type figures off the top (which, I believe, were made to represent gushing oil), the helicopter shot of Filoli with the white (later yellow) lines reaching up to the top and bringing down the “Dynasty” title, and the upwardly ascending shot of the First Bank of Denver that would bring forth John Forsythe, among other things.

“Hill Street Blues”: “Dispatch, we have a 9-11, armed robbery in progress. Sea Surplus Store, corner of Peoples Drive and 124th St.” (or was it “See” Surplus Store?)

My other favorites:
“St. Elsewhere”
“Hardcastle and McCormick”
“Moonlighting”
“MacGyver”
“Taxi”

I’d put in a nomination for “Malcolm in the Middle,” with its great montage of images both from within the show and without, set to the TMBG theme song (“You’re not the boss of me now…”). Perfect if you grew up in a family with brothers!

“Life is unfaaaairr….”