The opening credits are the first thing we see when we are
watching a TV Show. Sometimes the theme song of a show becomes forever
associated with it and reaches iconic status. Nowadays, some opening sequences
have been minimized to the extreme (e.g. Lost), but for the shows that still
have them, the credits can be the perfect way to showcase the tone and
creativity of the episodes to come.
I have compiled a list of the best opening sequences of all
times. I took into account originality, quality of the images, music, how
identifiable the theme song is with the show and how well the sequence reflects
the tone of the show. You can see the top ten theme songs HERE.
CLICK on the name of the show to go to the Video of the theme song.
At the time of the Grey’s
Anatomy premiere, medical dramas were a very serious affair. Along came
this show with its wonderful soap-licious stories. The opening sequence told us
that this was a different medical drama. It was intriguing and sexy and the
song will forever remind us of Grey’s. It is too bad that after a couple of
seasons the opening credits disappeared and now we only get a title card.
19. PSYCH
Psych barely made the list. At first sight it has your
traditional opening titles, with shots of each character in action. However the
show got some extra points for the original and perfectly suited song “I know
you know” and moreover for customizing the sequence once in a while to fit the
theme of the episode. Here you can see the Hindi version of the song. Also look for the Twin Peaks, Christmas special and the horror movies versions.
18. Fringe
I was taking Fringe in and out of this list. It isn’t the
most spectacular sequence and it is pretty short. The visuals are cool but not
mind-blowing, the theme song doesn’t have a whole lot of melody, but… the
reason I kept it in the list is because I think it is spot on with the tone of
the show. It instantly gives you that sensation of sci-fi, mystery and technology
and I think that is hard to achieve in just a few seconds.
As most HBO shows, BE has an astonishing opening sequence.
It is surreally beautiful, visually amazing and fits well with the tone. The
only reason it didn't score higher is because not many people would be able to
put the song and the show together instantly (I could, but I am a TV addict).
The reason we don’t have many comedies in this list is
because they tend to do the same cheesy sequence over and over again: Corny
song + shots of all the characters doing something stupid. Sex and the city and
New Girl made the cut because they are different. So points for originality!
Sex and the city shows SJP running around Manhattan in a tutu with some cool
shots of the big apple, but the main appeal of the sequence is the very
recognizable and catchy theme song. As for newcomer New Girl, not only they
have an original song (written and performed by leading lady Zoe Deschanel) but
they also have a funny sequence that doesn't involve cheesy episode takes and
it totally reflects the idea that Jess thinks her life is a musical.
Following the comedies we have two dramas tied up on
position 15. I feel nobody watched Damages after season 2, but I still think
they had the perfect song and some pretty good images to go with it. This is
not your average lawyer show, it is dark and complicated and it has Glenn Close
at her creepiest best. As for Nip/Tuck, another perfect song. Plus, instead of showing the episode outtakes
or some grotesque shots of plastic surgery they did a very stylized sequence of
white mannequins. Perfect!
14. THE BIG BANG THEORY
I was reluctant about this one. I don’t personally think it
is the best opening sequence visually or even musically speaking. But… I would
dare to say that 9 out of 10 people can identify the original theme song with
the show and probably sing along. Plus, they avoided the cheesy shots and it
goes perfectly with the tone of the nerdy show. Therefore Big Bang scored big
on this list.
This is a very very interesting sequence from a cinematic
point of view. It is almost subliminal. You have to watch it a couple of times
to actually get all the images while listening to the jazzy tones. It is heavy
and a little bit creepy just like the amazing show Homeland is.
These very similar shows happened to tie on the scoring
board. Their credits are actually not similar at all. The Tudors has a
beautiful classic theme song and a more traditional visual approach. The
selection of the images is great and each shot goes perfectly with the beat of
the music. They also have that nice way of showing the actors standing next to
the throne. The Borgias has a more graphic approach, with a darker and more
dramatic sequence.
11.
The twin peaks opening credits run forever! I don’t know if it was a thing of the 80’s or what but they are waaay too long. However, I don’t think any other theme song had as strong effect as this piece in conveying exactly what a show was about. It was creepy and mysterious and quirky and bizarre. It was amazing.
The twin peaks opening credits run forever! I don’t know if it was a thing of the 80’s or what but they are waaay too long. However, I don’t think any other theme song had as strong effect as this piece in conveying exactly what a show was about. It was creepy and mysterious and quirky and bizarre. It was amazing.
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