Favorite TV Show Openings

[madali]

I'll post a few with my reasons, you also give me a few, I want to see if I can come up with a top 10 listing.

Criteria - animated not allowed

Thats it

[madali]

DEXTER

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ej8-Rqo-VT4&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/ej8-Rqo-VT4&rel=1</a>

Reason: There is no competition here. The "Dexter" opening is easily the best ever for me. Probably the only opening I watch every single time I watch an episode (never skip it) and one that I always PAY attention to (every time!). Look at it, the mosquito kill in the beginning, brilliant way to start it off. Then that uplifting, cute song that strangely captures the dark humor of "Dexter". The way the name of the show is shown with the blood.

And then every single scene, that is supposed to be extremely normal and part of a boring morning routine, somehow looks dark and sinister. The egg cutting seems...gory! Same with cutting the orange and squeezing it. The fruits inner stuff seem like organs pushed out. And how the fuck did they make tying shoe laces and putting on a shirt make me think of murder?

And then you see Dexter, looking directly at you. Door is locked, he comes out, and nods to you. Music ends with a ting.

Perfect.

[madali]

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/l4UPJv08c1k&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/l4UPJv08c1k&rel=1</a>

Reason: A small note. The above clip shows subtitles for the opening vocals, the show doesnt have subtitles, I only included them because couldnt find anything better. Also, the last few seconds always shows clips from the current episode, a practice I actually hate.

I'm not including this as much for the visuals (nothing that impressive there), but for the music. I love the slow, spiritual song, and then switching to the quick, fast-paced, drums. Pumps me up every time, and captures the feeling of the show.

[madali]

Garth Marenghi's Dark Place

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/SjmJWVc1RGY&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/SjmJWVc1RGY&rel=1</a>

Reason: Funniest opening ever. The opening voice over, running with a baby in hand from an exploding ambulance, the theme song, and you aren't even half way through the opening yet!

[ayaa1977]

My absolute favorite is Dexter's. I remember posting a link to it months ago, it is just brilliant.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ej8-Rqo-VT4&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/ej8-Rqo-VT4&rel=1</a>

Mad Men opening is a good one too (embiding is not allowed so you will have to see it one youtube)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/WcRr-Fb5xQo&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/WcRr-Fb5xQo&rel=1</a>

Desperate Housewives

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/DozfGxSOh4c&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/DozfGxSOh4c&rel=1</a>

I liked Freaks and Geeks opening, which had the main characters lining up for school book photo

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/He-dvzKbEVo&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/He-dvzKbEVo&rel=1</a>

Married with Children is hilarious

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/KAKaJE4gjYg&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/KAKaJE4gjYg&rel=1</a>

Of course Friends'

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/597CcaPje-g&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/597CcaPje-g&rel=1</a>

Journeyman had a great opening

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/HngFNfx57_A&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/HngFNfx57_A&rel=1</a>

I liked Charmed opening and its theme song

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/mwoF_YhK1Mw&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/mwoF_YhK1Mw&rel=1</a>

Chuck's credits are so much fun but it is kinda animated

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/c0nJGRnobXE&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/c0nJGRnobXE&rel=1</a>


True Blood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxINMuOgAu8

[fizz]

Has to be the Simpsons. I think every single show has a different opening...always brilliant, hilarious and mostly original.

[theoddball]

Dexter and Battlestar Galactica have already been posted. I'll share the rest of my favorites:


The Sopranos
Hands down the most badass opening credits song of any TV show. Ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XvykB9EK0E


The Profiler (NBC, 1996-2000) Wikipedia
I chanced upon this little-known show back in Iraq when I first installed a satellite dish (which were still banned back then under Saddam), and was hooked. The intro is done in an unmistakable Se7en style which precedes a very similar CSI intro in terms of visuals. Highly recommended show if you can KFF it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=payRIDd85lM


Star Trek: The Original Series
For being the groundbreaking show that it was. For the iconic theme music. And of course, for that immortal opening narration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdjL8WXjlGI


I also wanted to include the X-Files intro (the original one from the first seasons), but couldn't find a decent video of it.

[kaytee]

Has to be The Wire Season 1 opening credits, gave us what the complete season is going to be about without showing any characters. Daring and risky but soo effective, also love the song playing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1ABR4UpDSU

[kaytee]

Carinvale had one kick ass and depressing opening credit sequence too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMqLks7qnew

[shariqq]

I would say Simpsons too, but madali's rule doesn't allow animated.

[fizz]

Silly me...I thought animated meant animatedude

[ayaa1977]

Good call Kaytee! I wanted to mention The Wire but I forgot. The song is amazing. They rearranged the music for every seaon in a different way, which was a good touch, although I still prefer the first season's arrangemnet.

Entourage has a good opening, with the names of the stars written in neon, and a memorable theme song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ0sV4s-jzA

Also the new HBO's Hung has a remarkable opening. It features Thomas Jane walking the streets and stripping his clothes, and everywhere he walks there is a penis innuendo, until he is butt-naked and skinny-dips in a lake. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qujc3bRAhrQ

Weeds' opening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omPGf5_6dUA

I used to like Six Feet Under's Opening, it is dismal in a fitting way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYAe0qwg9Yw

To think of it, HBO shows always have good opening

[ozzylogic]

WTF? No Fringe?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOxRb3qWEBw

[fizz]

At this rate, every popular TV show ever made will make the list.

No 24? No Knight Rider? No...gasp, Baywatch?

[shariqq]

I only know and remember these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfFKwylOsLU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBgDgQmUnNY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtgIZD4nQtY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V_K86sAVfk