Ayre

Ars Technica Claim. Agree / Disagree? Additions / Subtractions?

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/...in-television/

TheGuy

I know it was not the 2010's but, The Sopranos was when opening credit montage came to life for me. Hearing "Woke up this morning" was just perfect, Tony driving through NJ got me in the mood for the gangster show I was about to watch.

Of the list, Game of Thrones, did the same, it was perfect and would always get turned up loud.

fujishig

I dunno, maybe it's because I watch a lot of cartoons, but I still prefer the 80s/90s with full catchy theme songs and the like. I see what they're saying, though, and I do appreciate a good opening, especially something like Game of Thrones which is not only cool but dynamic and changing.

The only mainstream network show that I saw on there was elementary, though, so the number of good title sequences may be more a product of having so much "tv" coming out now

Noonan

Family Guy has that locked down. Not just the opening but the little musical transitions they use is so classic 70s/80s sitcom. Even my wife sings the theme when I watch it now

Mike86

Guess I haven’t seen a lot of the ones in the link. I expected the thread to be about classic show openings. For the most part it seems like something that shows don’t do as much now days.

fujishig

I probably don't watch a ton of network TV but I think a ton of them just have the title and a little five second overture and that's it. Fresh off the Boat is the only sitcom I can remember that has a full opening and that is probably just because of the 90's setting.

Mandalorian at least makes up for it with the closing, though.

Count Dooku

I have absolutely no fucking idea what is supposed to be going on in the Star Trek: Discovery credits.

Michael Corvin

I love opening titles so I'm glad to see a bit of a resurgence into that art form after a decade or so of non-intros (or title cards with a few music notes).

That being said, what's with the praise of Stranger Things intro? The music carries it. The animation is as basic and boring as it comes.

Game of Thrones is hands down my favorite of this decade.

Mabuse

Meanwhile every streaming service has the ubiquitous “Skip Intro” button.

I like Lost’s opening credits. Extremely simple.

mndtrp

GoT was nice. The music, how it changed, how it laid out the map, it was all-around good stuff. That said, since I tend to binge-watch shows, I only want to see the opening credits once per season. For that reason, I still prefer shows that only have a title card.

Paff

Golden Age?? Are they freakin' serious? It's the WORST time of opening credits.

Back in the 70s, half of my 45s were TV show opening themes. Theme from "SWAT", Welcome Back Kotter, Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, I know I'm missing a bunch. Too many shows today just drop the opening credits over the beginning of the show itself.

Mabuse

Chips.

Giantrobo

It's showing you aspects of the episode

PhantomStranger

I thought the claim was ridiculous as well. Shows have cut out theme songs and many shows have abbreviated credits at best for today's television.

bluetoast

Those would be some nice 45s. I went looking for some recently and wound up with a shitty disco version of the I Love Lucy theme.

Michael Corvin

Definitely not the best(probably written by someone in their 20s). Early 00s would be the worst with the short title card intros (to cram in more commercials, thanks Frasier). I definitely think we're seeing a resurgence this decade. I'd put the 80s as worst with all the synth themes and cheesy pop theme songs. Huge caveat, I'd rank the Cheers theme as the greatest theme of all time.

I'd probably put the 90's towards to top with stuff like ER, NYPD: Blue, X-files, Friends, Seinfeld, Quantum Leap, Mad About You, the Simpsons, South Park, Fresh Prince, Law & Order, 90210, Animaniacs, That 70's Show, CSI (kind of a cheat), etc. It seemed like every show had a great theme.

The Cow

To each his own, and does probably somewhat meld with peoples age.. I'd probably put the 80s at or near the top.

Magnum PI, Transformers, GI Joe, Greatest American Hero, Cheers, Night Court, Dallas, A-Team, Night Rider, Dukes of Hazzard, Hill St Blues, MacGyver, ALF, Star Blazers, Inspector Gadget, Dynasty, Family Ties, Growing Pains, Coach

A lot of great ones in the 70s as well.

RichC2

That's what bugs me about the Stranger Things intro, it's like an extended LOST one.

Josh-da-man

Opening credits have made a bit of a comeback with pay cable and streaming that don't have time considerations (ie, why do thirty seconds of credits when you can stick an another commercial?).

I'll give a shoutout to a lot of pay cable shows: Dexter, Shameless, Sopranos, Carnivale, Game of Thrones, Westworld.

American Horror Story also has some great credit sequences (which, by necessity, change every season).

And older, broadcast tv credits that were great: Cheers, All in the Family, Happy Days, Taxi, WKRP, Hill Street Blues, Twilight Zone, Outer Limits. Star Trek's credits were pretty basic, just the ship and starfield, but the theme music sold it.

And some non-US shows from back in the day: The Prisoner, Doctor Who, Monty Python's Flying Circus.

A good theme some and eye-catching credits can really set the mood for a tv show.

Tom Banjo

Babylon 5 is probably still my favorite series of intros. I like it evolves as the show does.

The Questyen

The things you guys get nostalgic for are bizarre. Other than the very first time I watch an episode of a show I would skip the credits every other time when given the option. Other than the credits that change like Game of Thrones.

rw2516

Mission:Impossible
Hawaii Five-0
Night Gallery
Outer Limits
Dick Van Dyke Show - Every week Vegas bookies took bets on whether he'd trip or side step the ottoman.

Michael Corvin

I grew up in the 80s and watched almost all of those shows. I'd still mark it as one of the worst decades for intros.

Sonny Corinthos

Still my all time favorite.

SmithsGuy

Always remember 13 seconds in ...