Best Opening TV Sequences of All Time

PopEater

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Yesterday, we explored the best opening sequences on TV right now - like the dorky James Bond-esque credits from 'Chuck,' the stylish symbolism of 'Mad Men,' and the all-time animated owner of the opening sequence, 'The Simpsons.' But we can hardly ignore the amazing work that's come before. Come back tomorrow for our Top Ten TV Theme Songs, and read this list of the Best Opening Credits Sequences in TV History. Don't forget to tell us which great shows we missed in the comments section.

Yep, we know we left some key ones out. Best part about making a list in a rush is knowing the smart people out there will tell us what we left off (i.e. "where the hell is 'Mary Tyler Moore,' PopEater Peeps!"). Please scold us on our omissions in comments below, then come back Thursday to see our readers' greatest hits. XO, PE

'The Monkees'
Before the Jonas Brothers blurred the line between a real band and a TV commodity, there were The Monkees, joyfully rolling a bed down the street, getting the funniest looks from everyone they met and delighting us with their pre-episode antics.

'Fresh Prince of Bel Air'
Now, this is a story all about how famous summer blockbuster hero Will Smith started his acting career in a '90s sitcom with one of his original raps accompanying the hilariously ridiculous opening sequence. If you grew up in the '80s or '90s, you know all the words to this theme song, no questions asked. Bonus points if you've seen the extended version.

'The Drew Carey Show'
The Presidents of the United States of America's punky, catchy ode to the Cleveland is a perfect fit for the silly Drew Carey sitcom. And Carey's echoing wail at the end is a great send-off after that crazy dance scene! If only that happened in real life.

'The Sopranos'
Showing our notorious hero Tony Soprano speeding through Jersey and pulling up to his home is arguably a pretty mundane way to show a powerful mafia boss. But the badass grove and menacing refrain somehow make it foreboding, and that shot of the cigar smoke in the rearview mirror is total modern-day mob cool.

'A-Team'
Often parodied but never mocked, 'A-Team' intro and opening credits had a go-get-'em, pump-you-up theme song showing the tough, talented fighters in their action-packed elements. Complete with show gags (and a photo still of Mr.T!), it's classic television at its best.

'The Wire'
In each of its glorious five seasons, 'The Wire' creator David Simon opted for a new version of Tom Waits' 'Way Down in the Hole' each time. The different lyrical stylings paired up with the tidbits of info given in the show clips made the credits just as compelling as the actual show.

'The Muppet Show'
And on a completely different note - what could be more comforting than the first few bars of the Muppet Theme song? The intro to Jim Henson's legendary kids' puppet show was a theatrical spectacular extravaganza with all the Muppets strutting their stuff. It's the stuff dreams are made of - for kids, kids at heart... and everyone else with a soul.

'Dead Like Me'
A bunch of Grim Reapers walking through a normal middle class day - gym, office, bus ride, basketball court - then one is revealed to be our deathly protagonist George. What could be more absurd (or explanatory)? That's one booty-shaking tune, too.

'Twin Peaks'
The intro sequence for David Lynch's paranormal murder mystery featured the highlight of an all-around sublime score by Angelo Badalamenti and hazy images of the Pacific Northwest. Spooky, lovely and surreal, just like 'Twin Peaks' itself.

'Six Feet Under'
This eerie composition paired with shots of human hands and cold, dead corpses makes for a stunning opening sequence that really captures the mood of the dramatic HBO series. The blooming/dying flowers shot is a beautiful , and creator Alan Ball's name on the headstone is a sly little joke. The theme song has even inspired techno remixes on series' soundtracks.

'Laverne and Shirley'
A '70s classic, and this one's for the ladies. The theme song oozes original girl power, while the montage shows the plucky pair goofing off, pulling pranks, doing it their way, and making a generation of TV viewers scramble to translate "schlamiel, schlamazel" in a world before Google.

'Mystery!'
The exquisitely animated theme with macabre illustrations by Edward Gorey made the often stuffy English period pieces of 'Mystery!' worth watching as a child.

'The Twilight Zone'
The creepiest score ever written, that revolving door in space, and Rod Serling's unsettling narration would have been enough to push viewers into that other dimension called 'The Twilight Zone.' The show itself was just a bonus.

'The Cosby Show'
The silly, dancing Cosby family at the beginning of each episode told us nothing about the show. Watching the dance change from year to year, as the cast of characters grew and aged, gave us a sense of watching a home video of the Cosby family. And we think it was kind of the point.