Seinfeld's Enduring Intro: A Journey Through TV Shows You Almost Never Skip
I don’t watch TV these days but if I may dig into the past I'll choose... Grand 1990 season 1— not season 2.
Ironically I never watched the show itself but I always loved the theme song and never missed it if it was on. Now through the miracle of YouTube I can hear that amazing song any time I want. The show ran for two seasons, unusually both seasons began and ended within the 1990 calendar year. For the second season they jazzed up the theme song a bit, adding drums and other instruments in a bid to make it more competitive, but I disliked what they did to it.
Classic Intros That Make You Want to Stay
There are a few shows that have intros that I never skip because I love them so much. One show that comes to mind is Parks and Recreation. I always enjoy watching the intro because it is so clever and funny. Another show that has an intro that I never skip is The Office. I love the theme song and the way it is edited together. It always makes me laugh.
Unforgettable Opens: A Personal List
Peacemaker has a pretty great intro. Welcome Back Kotter. John Sebastian had a way with words. The British action/comedy series Minder, starring the late great Dennis Waterman. Dennis sings the opening and closing song I’ll Be So Good For You. Occasionally I binge-watch the whole 40 episodes and NEVER miss the opening or closing song.
Night Court , Batman, Barney Miller, Martin — each of them had their unique intros worth a skip. Some magical music hits the right spot and calls you back, without fail. I’m sure we can agree that there’s a few intros that are designed to entertain, amuse, and sometimes even make us reflect.
Subtle Revelations: Identifying the Era of Your Favorite Shows
There’s a few but I have to go with my “guilty pleasure” show opening: Bonus if you can figure out when the show takes place. It’s very subtle… It’s a clever way to bring us back to a time that may not be as glamorous as we remember. Each era brings its own sets of issues and problems, but also aesthetically pleasing details.
Modern Masterpieces: Brooklyn 99
Brooklyn 99 has a fantastic intro that never fails to put a smile on my face. It’s a complex blend of humor and nostalgia that never feels grim. And for a real mood-lifter, there’s MONK and HILL STREET BLUES. The opening credit themes and they ALWAYS lift my mood! If there’s anything you can’t put down right after the intro, it’s these two.
Concluding Thoughts
It’s fascinating how a song or series of notes can change how you feel about a TV show. Whether it’s the day you missed due to an unexpected engagement, or a Netflix binge at 3 AM, these intros play a pivotal role in our emotional connection to our favorite shows. So, take a moment to watch and appreciate the intros to the shows you love. They are the keepers of your favorite memories and moods.