I have an obsession with television shows. They have everything you want from a movie: a great story that keeps on going. At the end of the show, if that show is lucky enough to get to a series finale, the viewer gets closure. The greatest part of a great television show is the in depth view into the characters portrayed on the show. In a movie, the viewer doesn't really get to understand the characters they are watching. Occasionally a film will allow the viewer to go into the depths of a single character. One might call this a character profile film, but television allows the viewer to understand multiple characters over (hopefully) a significant period of time. Television allows for an evolution of a character; a character profile plus five or six years, or seasons.
To begin my account of televisions greatest, I will start with the top (or in my opinion, as I am writing this) opening credit sequences. One might ask, what makes a great opening credit sequence? Well first: great music. Annoying music can ruin an opening sequence. The song in Firefly always gets me and after the third or fourth episode, I skipped the One Tree Hill opening song. Music pulls the viewer in and captures their attention. It connects the introductory scene to show itself. Second: It needs to tell the story of the show. The opening sequence needs to tell me what the show is about and what I am going to learn as the show continues. If I were to just see the opening sequence, it should give me an introduction to the show. Third, and finally: the music needs to connect to the story that the opening sequence is telling. I mean, it is great that The OC takes place in California and the music that goes along with the opening credits makes it obviously for about a minute of my time, but it doesn't tell me anything about what I am going to learn from the show. It is a nice montage though.
Finally, the list of the best opening sequences
10.The Drew Carey Show
Where does the show take place? Cleveland. Why? Because it rocks. The opening sequence introduces us to the exciting lives of life in and out of the office for a one Drew Carey. First the entire cast, plus the many extras that live in the wonderful town of Cleveland, run down the street. We hear over and over that Cleveland Rocks, which the many scenes of fun activities that Drew, Lewis, Oswald, Kate, and of course, Mimi do proves their stance. From Indians games to hanging out by Lake Erie to relishing in the awe and wonder at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, why wouldn't everyone want to hang out at the Warsaw Tavern. This opening sequence wasn't introduced until episode 3 of the third season, but it finally encapsulates what the show was about: a comedy, about a bunch of friends, who live in a Cleveland.
9. My So-Called Life
What makes this opening sequence great is that it tells the story of this short lived series in about one minute and 4 seconds. Angela tells about her so-called life through her actions, interactions, and reactions through a montage of scenes from the show which is nicely paired with one of the best opening sequence music. The music is soft in the right places and climactic in others. It pulls the viewer in and reminds them what the show is about and leaves them wanting more. What makes this opening sequence difference from most is that it is the first thing the viewer sees. It doesn't have an introductory scene that can lead the viewer into the opening sequence. It must pull the viewer in right away. It is a risky move that a lot of shows fail in doing, but My S0-Called Life luckily pulls it off.
8. The West Wing
Who doesn't love the epic journey of President Bartlett and his presidential staff? Well, The West Wing is considered one of the greatest shows of the last twenty years. The opening sequence proves the epic nature of the show. Waving flags amongst the activities of the presidential cabinet, it is reminiscent of pictures and film of past presidents. There are no words that follow the tale that the sequence tells the viewer, but the words would ruin what the music telling.
7. Friends
What list of the best television opening sequences could be complete without the much beloved Friends. "I'll Be There for You" echoes throughout the sequence. It tells the viewer that not only is this show about a group of friends, which the title of the show clearly reflects, but these friends embody the words spoken by the Remembrandts. Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and of course, Joey jump around in a water fountain dancing and singing in a care free attitude to the song as the sequence progresses. The later seasons replaced the fountain dancing scene with a montage of scenes having to due with each character, but it doesn't quite tell the story the fountain opening sequence did. We all want friends like the ones on Friends, and the opening sequence reinforces this.
6. The Wonder Years
A cover of the Beatles song "A Little Help From My Friends", Joe Cocker sings amongst the perceived home video footage of Kevin, his family, and his best friend Paul. It takes the Beatles song to a whole new level and acknowledges the greatest the original held. Every time I watch the opening sequence it makes me excited to see the rest of the show, no matter how many times I have watched the particular episode.
5. Freaks and Geeks
The show was about the freaks and the geeks in high school. Two groups who really don't care about their reputation with their own show (no rich high school students in California here). Well the theme song hits the nail on the head as the chorus "I don't give a damn about my reputation" blares at you through the television. Each main character comes in front of the camera for a posed "school photo"; the freaks intertwined with the geeks representing the character they are portraying. It is definitely one of the most unique opening sequences ever made for a television series.
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Nerf Herder always gets me pumped up for some Buffy dusting vamp action. With the characters intertwined with scenes from the show, the opening sequence embodies everything of what that show is about. Joss Wheadon really knows how to make an opening sequence. Angel is also another one of my favorite sequences, but I didn't have room to give it a spot on this list. What is great about this opening sequence is that whenever you hear the music, you immediately know that Buffy is about to kick some ass in the next hour of great television viewing.
3. South Park
Ever since the first episode of South Park back in the late 90's, the theme song for the show pulls you in to the terrible animated paper doll imagery, but great television writing. The first season there was a pair of hands putting together each of the four main characters letting you know that this show was different from the others and was not going to hold anything back. The opening sequence has changed a bit since its introduction (no more hands, less paper doll-like characters), but still has the dorky song that tells you all about the great town of South Park, Colorado.
2. Veronica Mars
Not very often does the theme song and the opening sequence match-up as well as Veronica Mars' succeeded in. The show is about Veronica Mars who used to be friends with most of the main characters on the show. An outsider who is ostracized by the rest of her fellow classmates, nothing bothers Veronica. That is why these main characters "used" to be her friends. The Dandy Wharhols great song encompasses what the show is about, how Veronica feels about these characters, and what we will learn from the show. One of my favorite introductions to the opening sequence was in the third or fourth episode when Veronica is telling Wallace about the missing girl that her Dad's private detective agency is assigned to, Wallace asks how she knows so much about the girl, and Veronica responds "a long time ago, we used to be friends." It is totally ingenious by Rob Thomas and solidifies why this show has one of the best opening sequences.
1. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
No other show deserves this top spot other than Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The opening sequence is a story within the story of the show. It is the background of the main character Will told to the audience before every episode. How did Will end up in Bel-Air, well he is gonna tell you in a nice little "rap" (I still don't call what Will Smith does Rap). Most people can recite it giving it that extra push for the number one spot on this list. It is a great sequence that stayed with the show throughout most of its existence. Longevity, recognition, and great music is why The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air wins for best television opening sequence. Smell ya later!
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