Best/worst tv show opening?
#53
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Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
It's kinda cheap picking an intro tha uses a classic tune like Wonder Years since it gives them an edge but I have to mention Men of a Certain Age. Brilliantly crafted around the Beach Boys tune.
#54
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Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
Seems to be a mix produced by Digital Kitchen - same people behind the Six Feet Under sequence.
The CSIs succeed in their use though, especially the original series.
#56
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Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
Roswell
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/566XcEoPJs4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Smallville
The OC
One Tree Hill
Dead Zone (the earlier seasons)
Alias
Buffy and Angel
I haven't come across any bad ones yet
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/566XcEoPJs4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Smallville
The OC
One Tree Hill
Dead Zone (the earlier seasons)
Alias
Buffy and Angel
I haven't come across any bad ones yet
#57
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Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
Nothing beats the original Hawaii Five-O with the awesome zoom-in and Jack Lord head turn.
Worst: The godawful Boardwalk Empire opening titles. Someone must have been partaking in a little too much bathtub gin while creating that thing.
Worst: The godawful Boardwalk Empire opening titles. Someone must have been partaking in a little too much bathtub gin while creating that thing.
#59
Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
I think Alf epitomizes the worst of the 80's style of sitcom intro; the fake laughing, cued responses to their actor title card, smooth jazz filled with sax and e-piano.
http://youtu.be/uIQPlHmjNl8
Speaking of the 80's sitcom intro, there's this channel on youtube that has remade intros for shows like Alf, Designing Women, Dynasty, Night Court, and Duck Tales that are pretty great: http://www.youtube.com/user/FatalFarm
#60
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Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
Glad someone posted The Equalizer clip. I thought about nominating it for the music alone, but the opening perfectly encapsulates the mood & theme of the show. I'm moving it to the top of my list.
Also, don't know how many have mentioned Miami Vice. It deserves a mention solely for the perfect synchronizing of the pounding drums with the bouncing bazongas. It's kind of dated now & the credits have been parodied to death & don't have the impact they once did, but back in the day Jan Hammer's throbbing score really set the atmosphere for the show. The visuals, with the colorful costumes, grayhound races, etc., all captured the Miami scene really well. Of course, the music was maybe the highlight of the show.
#61
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Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
I like:
Smallville (I still watch the opening credits, or I did till the series ended)
ER (killed me when they dropped the theme music)
Cowboy Bebop (blind bought a disc just after hearing the theme)
Firefly
Cheers
Smallville (I still watch the opening credits, or I did till the series ended)
ER (killed me when they dropped the theme music)
Cowboy Bebop (blind bought a disc just after hearing the theme)
Firefly
Cheers
#62
Member
Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
I'll name one show that has both.
Highlander: The Series
The first season opening was great and fit the show perfectly. Granted the music was Queen's from the movies, but the visuals worked great.
The later seasons with the Jim Byrnes voiceover were just horrible. It droned on seemingly forever. Not to mention the 'we never interfere' line coming from someone who interferes in almost every episode.
Highlander: The Series
The first season opening was great and fit the show perfectly. Granted the music was Queen's from the movies, but the visuals worked great.
The later seasons with the Jim Byrnes voiceover were just horrible. It droned on seemingly forever. Not to mention the 'we never interfere' line coming from someone who interferes in almost every episode.
#63
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#64
Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
Interesting to note, that show's theme was done by Tangerine Dream.
It reminds me of this intro:
<object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OQb1ZD9W8_c?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OQb1ZD9W8_c?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
One of the better 80's cartoon intros IMO:
<object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A1c1G24GWDg?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A1c1G24GWDg?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
It reminds me of this intro:
<object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OQb1ZD9W8_c?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OQb1ZD9W8_c?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
One of the better 80's cartoon intros IMO:
<object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A1c1G24GWDg?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A1c1G24GWDg?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
#65
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Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
Best = Space 1999
<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8WZW4groJro" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
D
<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8WZW4groJro" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
D
Last edited by Derrich; 08-11-11 at 10:55 AM.
#66
DVD Talk God
Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
This is all I can think of from the last 10+ years.
Best:
Smallville
Friday Night Lights
24 (short and sweet)
Hawaii Five-O (new and old)
Criminal Minds
Southland (hyponotic Portuguese song with crime scene photos)
Game of Thrones
House
Worst:
Anything that uses just a title card (pretty much everything on ABC)
Covert Affairs (I like the show, but the opening sequence sucks)
White Collar (2nd version that was just nixed)
Best:
Smallville
Friday Night Lights
24 (short and sweet)
Hawaii Five-O (new and old)
Criminal Minds
Southland (hyponotic Portuguese song with crime scene photos)
Game of Thrones
House
Worst:
Anything that uses just a title card (pretty much everything on ABC)
Covert Affairs (I like the show, but the opening sequence sucks)
White Collar (2nd version that was just nixed)
#67
Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
In a bit of shameless self-promotion, a while back I created an extended title sequence / summary of the show using the soundtrack album's extended version of the ANGEL theme:
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-BRhKMZLkGA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-BRhKMZLkGA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
But the 60's do seem to have some memorable TV theme songs, I listed Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, even though neither of those rank as my favorite comedies.
However that new White Collar title sequence is beyond bad.
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#72
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Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
The best opening ever is clearly for The Prisoner.
I AM NOT A NUMBER, I AM A FREE MAN!
Next I'd have to pick Star Trek Voyager. Such a maligned show, but we can all agree the fully-orchestracted opening kicks ass. Best ST opening ever.
And for worst... sadly... Star Trek Enterprise (2nd Version, I'm actually alright with the slower version for the first 2 seasons)
Oh and for those of you that wanted to talk anime OPs earlier in the thread. Here's the bonus best opening ever for anime:
... and for fun...
I AM NOT A NUMBER, I AM A FREE MAN!
Next I'd have to pick Star Trek Voyager. Such a maligned show, but we can all agree the fully-orchestracted opening kicks ass. Best ST opening ever.
And for worst... sadly... Star Trek Enterprise (2nd Version, I'm actually alright with the slower version for the first 2 seasons)
Oh and for those of you that wanted to talk anime OPs earlier in the thread. Here's the bonus best opening ever for anime:
... and for fun...
Last edited by RobLutter; 08-12-11 at 12:37 PM.
#73
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
A few I like, especially the first two:
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F4cyauCH_gg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7BLgdTQV-hs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4dhpSp3sG20" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/znVBqSI4ghQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F4cyauCH_gg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7BLgdTQV-hs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4dhpSp3sG20" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/znVBqSI4ghQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#74
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Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
It seems cheesy now, but Unsolved Mysteries scared the bejeezus out of this kid and the theme was a major part of that.
Not necessarily the best, but VERY effective.
Not necessarily the best, but VERY effective.
#75
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Re: Best/worst tv show opening?
Really liked several from the 60's:
Best - Mission:Impossible; Hawaii Five-O, the film cut in time to the music; Wild Wild West; The Prisoner; Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Worst - White Collar (the one just dumped); Enterprise.
Doug
Best - Mission:Impossible; Hawaii Five-O, the film cut in time to the music; Wild Wild West; The Prisoner; Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Worst - White Collar (the one just dumped); Enterprise.
Doug