Favorite TV show openings

The freeze frame on Randolphn Mantooth popping the tops of two vials with just his thumbs, and an oddly confident smile on his face, always kills me.

 

For story-telling/series set-up within an opening theme, how about this one for "The Six Million Dollar Man"...

I also go along with "Cheers" and "Laverne and Shirley" as among the best-known/liked tunes and great theme songs. But don't forget these for catchy-ness, either:

"Diff'rent Strokes"

"The Facts of Life"

Among the most recognizable instrumentals, you have to list these:

MASH

and "St. Elsewhere"

For great songs/lyrics, there is:

"The Greatest American Hero"

and "Star Trek: Enterprise" (one of my all-time favorites)

 

Boy, that '87 intro sure brings back memories...not a TV show, but good call, UPChip...

 

No love for All in the Family?

 

Gunsmoke. Matt Dillon won every shootout.

And "Then Came Bronson" was awesome as well.

 

United State of Tara (sung by Polyphonic Spree's Tim DeLaughter)

and, of course, Weeds (sung by a plethora of talent ... Jenny Lewis, Elvis Costello, Delaughter, Regina Spektor, Billy Bob Thornton, The Shins, Death Cab for Cutie ...) the original by Malvina Reynolds

Cover versions ... http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=74096142328D9132&search_query=weeds+theme+song

 

Speaking of 30 Rock, and a bit off-topic, but I love Tina Fey's little chuckle when her credit rolls.

 

I haven't seen this one. Police Squad

Of course, they tended to change the intro every show, but notice how the intro title doesn't match what the announcer says.

 

Excellent call, E Street. Hard to surpass that one.

Two other favorites:

"Lou Grant" and "LA Law" with the horn opening leading to the trunk-slamming guts of one of my favorite TV theme songs.

 

There were only, I believe, six episodes. And the special guest star never made it out of the credits alive.

 

Anyone mentioned this one yet?

"Steve Austin, astronaut - a man barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him; we have the technology."

 

A rare case in which the movie (at least the first two) was better than the TV show.