Best TV Intros
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- CreatorNic PizzolattoIssa LópezStarsVince VaughnColin FarrellRachel McAdamsAnthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.Wow. The opening song, images, and arrangement are so evocative. The raw, emotional power is almost unnerving, which sets the tone of the show perfectly.
- CreatorAlan BallStarsAnna PaquinStephen MoyerSam TrammellTelepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse encounters a strange new supernatural world when she meets the mysterious Bill Compton, a southern Louisiana gentleman and vampire.There are some stylistic similarities between the opening song sequence of True Blood and that of True Detective: I wonder if the videos-of-sorts have the same directors. The song, too, perfectly accompanies the show. 'Simultaneously political, creepy, and erotic title sequence: a compelling mix.
- CreatorJames Manos Jr.StarsMichael C. HallJennifer CarpenterDavid ZayasHe's smart. He's lovable. He's Dexter Morgan, America's favorite serial killer, who spends his days solving crimes and nights committing them.The dark humor and irony match the show's, and it captures the character's dichotomies and charm. It also mercifully, or sadistically, I suppose, depending on one's view, offers some levity before the show challenges and often emotionally pummels the viewer. The imagery is interesting and visually appealing, while hinting at something more disturbing, plus there's that great llook Michael C. Hall gives at the end of the introduction as he walks along his apartment balcony.
- CreatorMark FrostDavid LynchStarsKyle MacLachlanMichael OntkeanMädchen AmickAn idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.Long before True Detective, Mad Men, True Blood, and other excellent title sequences, there was Twin Peaks and its intro, which, like the show, was ahead of its time. 'Powerful, heartbreaking, and moody; some of the more recent tv intros on this list seem to be, in part, a natural evolution of this show's.
- CreatorAlan BallStarsPeter KrauseMichael C. HallFrances ConroyA chronicle of the lives of a dysfunctional family who run an independent funeral home in Los Angeles.
- CreatorColette BursonDmitry LipkinStarsThomas JaneJane AdamsCharlie SaxtonA former high school sports legend, turned middle-aged high school basketball coach, finds a way to benefit from his biggest asset.Political, sexy, and makes you want to get up and dance. 'Sets up the lead character, as well as the tome, content, and implications of the show, so wonderfully.
- CreatorMatthew WeinerStarsJon HammElisabeth MossVincent KartheiserA drama about one of New York's most prestigious ad agencies at the beginning of the 1960s, focusing on one of the firm's most mysterious but extremely talented ad executives, Donald Draper.
- CreatorJames L. BrooksMatt GroeningSam SimonStarsDan CastellanetaNancy CartwrightHarry ShearerThe satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.
- CreatorRod SerlingStarsRod SerlingRobert McCordJay OverholtsOrdinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
- CreatorFrank DarabontStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusMelissa McBrideSheriff Deputy Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma to learn the world is in ruins and must lead a group of survivors to stay alive.
- CreatorLorne MichaelsStarsThe Saturday Night Live BandDon PardoDarrell HammondA famous guest host stars in parodies and sketches created by the cast of this witty show.
- CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.Irresistible. Archie and Edith singing, in character, together.
- CreatorDick WolfRick EidStarsJerry OrbachJesse L. MartinDennis FarinaNew York's finest police detectives and prosecutors fight to make the city a safer place. With integrity as the guiding force from investigation to verdict, the teams weigh every perspective in their commitment to finding justice.Classic; iconic.
- CreatorSteven BochcoMichael KozollStarsDaniel J. TravantiMichael WarrenBruce WeitzThe lives and work of the staff of an inner city police precinct.The song is beautiful and sad with a touch of hope, much like the show itself. The images of a depressed urban area reflect the mood with precision and compassion.
- CreatorTerence WinterStarsSteve BuscemiKelly MacdonaldMichael ShannonAn Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law by conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.
- CreatorLarry GelbartStarsAlan AldaWayne RogersLoretta SwitThe staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.The song does most of the work here, and does it very well.
- CreatorGene RoddenberryStarsWilliam ShatnerLeonard NimoyDeForest KelleyIn the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets.A well-deserved classic. It's become part of the culture-at-large, as well as helping the show to capture a cult following.
- CreatorDavid E. KelleyStarsDylan McDermottKelli WilliamsLara Flynn BoyleWe follow the exploits and cases of defense attorneys of a Boston law firm. Bobby Donnell is the senior defense attorney and founder of the firm.Edgy and modern, many shows followed with stylistically similar theme songs and spliced image compilations.
- CreatorPaul AttanasioStarsRichard BelzerClark JohnsonYaphet KottoAn American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide Unit.Without this show, would shows like Breaking Bad, Dexter, and many others of the recent "golden age of television" have ever been made, or picked up and aired? The intelligent and brave show had a lot more than the intro, of course, but it was part of the wrenching and sophisticated package.
- StarsBill BixbyBrandon CruzMiyoshi UmekiWidower Tom Corbett raises his young son Eddie.