TV.com Top 15: Greatest Opening Title Sequences

A show is only as great as its opening credits. Here's our list of the 15 best title sequences.

Quick! Think of your favorite TV show. Chances are, your memory turns to a favorite character, a favorite episode, or a favorite line. But when it comes to defining the overall feel of the show, the show's opening title sequenceprobably comes to mind.

A title sequence isn't just the name of a show spelled in a cool font, slapped over a few choice scenes from last season, and then sewn together with a snappy theme song. In under 90 seconds, a title sequence can tell you what a show is about, and what it wants to be. It can evoke terror, bring a smile, tell a story, ask a question -- and convince you that what you're about to watch is special. TV.com has recently reviewed the best of the best title sequences throughout TV history (and there are quite a few excellent ones out there). These made the cut as the Top 15 Title Sequences of all time.

And NO Kanye, you cannot take our microphone and let us finish and tell us that Beyonce has the best title sequence of ALL TIME!

15. Sex and the City

Don't act like this theme song wasn't your ringtone for at least six months, because it was. Those bells, that hair, that tutu, that bus, and that splash of water all represent Carrie Bradshaw's (Sarah Jessica Parker) fashionable, emotional exploration of sex and love in New York City.

14. Cowboy Bebop
The trumpets, the rapid-fire stand-up bass, and those colors! Japan's Cowboy Bebop title sequence makes other cartoons mad with jealousy.

13. Dexter
Who knew that shaving and frying eggs could be so ... creepy?

12. Weeds
It doesn't matter who sings "Little Boxes" -- the irony in this idyllic suburban scene is so obvious that you can smell it. What is that smell, anyway?

11. Pee-Wee's Playhouse
This two-minute-plus title sequence gives Fantasia a run for its money in the "Most Likely Created Under the Influence" category.

10. Star Trek
Three words: The final frontier. Three more words: To boldly go. Now there's how you split an infinitive.

9. The Muppet Show
Is it just me, or did the Muppets work harder than anyone else in show business? Check out that choreography!

8. Flight of the Conchords
Bret and Jermaine may lead dull lives, but that doesn't mean that their salt and pepper shakers can't do a little dance. Look at 'em go!

7. The Brady Bunch
3x3 grids were never this cool before, and they'll never be this cool again. Neither will Florence Henderson's haircut.

6. Mad Men
The title sequence doesn't contain Jon Hamm's face, but it's mesmerizing nevertheless. And that silhouette? It's already legendary.

Mad Men Intro-You know that I'm nogood

Miss Guided : > MandySo | MySpace Videos

5. Desperate Housewives
On the surface, it's a campy, fluffy homage to pop art. But dig a little deeper, and you'll see twinkles in those dark eyes and sarcastic smirks behind all the smiles.

4. The Simpsons
The clouds always part, there's always an aerial view of Springfield, Bart always ditches school, Homer always gets in an accident, Marge always shops for groceries, and Lisa always jams on the sax. Other than that, it's all up in the air -- and in the end, they all end up on the couch.

3. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Will Smith stars in a blockbuster film every summer, but he still can't top his debut performance.

2. The Sopranos
The big white Suburban, the drag on the cigar, the New Jersey Turnpike, and solitude: four of Tony Soprano's (James Gandolfini) favorite things. Cue the smoky music, and you've got an iconic image.

1. True Blood
Why did a two-year-old show's title sequence beat out all these other guys? It's overflowing with sin-and-redemption symbolism, the footage is raw and graphic, and the song is almost too good. In short, it's perfect.

One more thing ...
We couldn't include everything on this list, but we have to give credit where it's due. Honorable mention shout-outs go to The IT Crowd, The Six Million Dollar Man, Chuck, The United States of Tara, Nip/Tuck, Six Feet Under, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Police Squad!, and so many more.

JANET JACKSON TO DUET WITH MICHAEL JACKSON ON 'NUMBER ONES'

Janet Jackson will duet with her late brother Michael Jacksonon her new greatest hits album.

Janet, a music icon in her own right, will include "Scream" -- her duet with the King of Pop -- in her new greatest hits collectionNumber Ones. The album will also include a new track, titled "Make Me."

With a hot new pic from famed photographer Mark Liddell, Janet looks stunning in dark shades and lighting. Official album cover art is yet to be released.

Janet Jackson's Number Ones is out November 17. Track listing is below:
Disc 1
1. What Have You Done For Me Lately (Control, #1 R&B)
2. Nasty (Control, #1 Dance & R&B)
3. When I Think Of You (Control, #1 Pop & Dance)
4. Control (Control, #1 Dance & R&B)
5. Let's Wait Awhile (Control, #1 R&B)
6. The Pleasure Principle (Control, #1 Dance & R&B)
7. Diamonds-Herb Alpert with Janet Jackson (Keep Your Eye on Me, #1 Dance & R&B)
8. Miss You Much (Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, #1 Pop, Dance & R&B)
9. Rhythm Nation (Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, #1 Dance & R&B)
10. Escapade (Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, #1 Pop, Dance & R&B)
11. Alright (Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, #1 Dance)
12. Come Back To Me (Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, #1 AC)
13. Black Cat (Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, #1 Pop)
14. Love Will Never Do (Without You) (Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, #1 Pop)
15. The Best Things In Life Are Free---Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson with
16. That's The Way Love Goes (janet, #1 Pop, Dance & R&B)

Disc 2
1. If (janet, #1 Pop, Dance & R&B)
2. Again (janet, #1 Pop)
3. Because Of Love
4. Any Time, Any Place (janet, #1 R&B)
5. Scream-Michael Jackson and Janet (History - Past, Present, and Future Book 1, #1 Dance)
6. Runaway
7. Got 'Til Its Gone---janet featuring Joni Mitchell and Q-Tip (The Velvet Rope, #1 Japan and South Africa)
8. Together Again (The Velvet Rope, #1 Pop and Dance)
9. I Get Lonely---janet featuring BLACKstreet (The Velvet Rope, #1 R&B)
10. Go Deep (The Velvet Rope, #1 Dance)
11. What's It Gonna Be---Busta Rhymes featuring janet (Extinction Level Event, #1 R&B)
12. Doesn't Really Matter (All For You, #1 Pop)
13. All For You (All For You, #1 Pop, Dance, R&B)
14. Someone To Call My Lover (All For You, #1 Dance)
15. All Nite (Don't Stop) (Damita Jo), #1 Dance)
16. Call On Me with Nelly (20 Y.O, #1 R&B)
17. Feedback (Discipline, #1 Dance)
18. Make Me

Jesse McCartney Forgets Words to 'Star-Spangled Banner'

You might know Jesse McCartney from those heady boy band days earlier this decade. Or perhaps you're a huge fan of ABC Family's Greek where he has a recurring role. Or, if you're like me, you had never heard of him until he forgot the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Sunday's Pepsi 500.

McCartney skipped the second line of the first verse, but to his credit, he belted out verses 2-4 before regaling the crowd with a patriotic tribute smash-up of the 12 songs better than Lee Greenwood's "Good Bless America."*



McCartney took it well, later tweeting: "Here At the Nascar race !So much fun! Can't believe I forgot the words to the Anthem! I've performed it 100 times. Bad Nerves today I guess".

And all things considered things could have been worse. Much, much worse.

* Everything after "skipped the second line" might be fabricated.

Treason! Fellow Jersey Boy Apologizes to Braff for Suicide Hoax

It started with a headline -- "Beloved Scrubsactor found dead in his home" -- and adoctored CNN article page circulated on Twitter that said the star, Zach Braff, was discovered with an "empty pill bottle" by his side. Fans clamored for more information, but soon it became clear: another celebrity suicide hoax.

Braff, 34, came forward on Monday to dispute the story in a video on hisFacebook page, proclaiming "I'm alive!" and slamming the author of the article for "making my mom upset." Before long, he got an apology.

"There was a big Internet rumor today that I was dead ... that I OD'd on some pills. It's not the case, I'm here at 'Scrubs' shooting the new 'Scrubs' title sequence, which is a little bit like dying, so I guess that was semi-accurate."

"A couple of inaccuracies you should have noticed when you saw the thing, if you believed it -- the dude said I was found in my 32,000 square foot estate in Beverly Hills - but I'm not Oprah! That's a big house!"

The 'Garden State' star then singled out whomever pulled the stunt: "I just want to say to the douchebag who started this: You win my first ever douche of the day award for making my mom upset!"

The lucky recipient of Braff's award was fellow New Jersey native Chris Laganella, who posted an apology to the actor on his Web site.

Laganella says he made the Onion-esque spoof back in 2007 and never intended for it be made public. "I'm sorry if I scared everyone," he writes.

He continues: "Zach, sorry if you got offended by me posting a fake suicide about you on the Internet. Your 32,000 square foot house would be pretty empty without you. Thanks for (apparently) taking it lightly, since I haven't gotten a letter about a lawsuit yet. Just so you know, I'm a huge fan; that's the only reason I made this page, believe it or not. Also, sorry for upsetting your mother :("

Michael Jackson single controversy: 'This Is It' is 'exactly the same' as song he wrote with Paul Anka

The manager of the singer Safire has weighed in on the growing controversy surrounding the new Michael Jackson single “This Is It.” Sal Abbatiello told EW earlier this evening that “This Is It” is “exactly the same” as the song “I Never Heard,” which was written by Jackson and Paul Anka and released by Safire in the early ’90s.

After “This Is It” was released last night it soon became clear to many listeners that the tune, which features on the soundtrack to the forthcoming movie of the same name and is credited to just Jackson, was very similar to “I Never Heard.” Late this afternoon TMZ reported that Jackson “stole” the tapes of “I Never Heard” after Jackson and Anka had written the song and only returned them once Anka threatened to sue. Meanwhile, the New York Times quoted Anka as saying, “It’s exactly the same song. They just changed the title.”



According to Abbatiello, “I Never Heard” was originally supposed to be duet between Anka and Safire. But the manager claimed that, after Jackson met with Safire, he “gave” her the song and told her to put it out with his blessing. Abbatiello also expressed amazement that no one at Michael Jackson’s record company Sony had seemingly bothered to research the possibility that the song had been been previously released. “This is a terrible mistake,” he told EW. “I’m pretty sure Paul Anka has a big case. I don’t know if Safire has any legal right as the artist. I’ll have to contact my lawyers. But, hopefully. They’re advertising this movie everywhere.” (Sony declined to offer any comment on the controversy.)

Check out the clip from Safire’s “I Never Heard” below and tell us if you agree with Abbatiello’s allegation that it is basically the same song.

UPDATE, October 12, 10pm ET: Jackson’s estate released a statement acknowledging Anka’s work as co-writer of Jackson’s new single and promised him 50 per cent of the profits from the song’s sales. “The song was picked because the lyrics were appropriate because of the name Michael gave his tour,” the statement read. “We are thrilled to present this song in Michael’s voice for the first time, and that Michael’s fans have responded in unprecedented numbers.”

Karl Lagerfeld Defends Skinny Models - 'No One Wants to See Round Women'

Karl Lagerfeld, who famously dropped 92 lbs in 13 months in order to squeeze into skinny Dior Homme duds -- and wrote the book, "The Karl Lagerfeld Diet," about it -- is defending the waifs who march down his runways, and calling out the "fat mummies" who complain about them, according to The Guardian.

Lagerfeld was interviewed by the German magazine Focus, during which the designer responded to the announcement of best-selling German magazine, Brigitte's commitment to using "ordinary, realistic" women instead of professional models in future fashion spreads, the U.K. newspaper reports.

Lagerfeld, speaking in German, his native tongue, told Focus that Brigitte's plan was "absurd," and that the women complaining about too-skinny models were just fat and jealous.

"These are fat mummies sitting with their bags of crisps in front of the television, saying that thin models are ugly," the Chanel designer tells Focus, going on to say that the fashion industry supports "dreams and illusions, and no one wants to see round women."

According to The Guardian, he also tries to dispel the myth that skinny models have eating disorders.

"It's just as much a cliché as saying that all models take drugs and get drunk at sex orgies," he says. "Ninety percent of them are quite normal, properly proportioned girls with less fat and more muscles, who also eat pizzas and burgers."

Brigitte's editor, Andreas Lebert, sees things differently. On October 5th, he told The Guardian that after years of "fattening up" too-thin models through Photoshop, starting on January 2nd, the magazine will start working with real women only.

"Today's models weigh around 23% less than normal women," Lebert told the paper. "The whole model industry is anorexic. We will show women who have their own identity, the 18-year-old A-level student, the company chairwoman, the musician, the footballer."

Of course, all of this comes on the heels of Ralph Lauren's emaciated ad and, at the opposite extreme, Glamour's commitment to showing plus-size models and women of more diverse sizes.

So, how do you weigh in on the model controversy? Is Lagerfeld right to defend his runway rails or are Brigitte and Glamour taking steps in the right direction?

Travelocity survey says: fat, smelly and coughing the worst to be sitting next to

A Travelocity survey confirms what we knew all along - smelly passengers, coughing passengers and "passengers of size" are amongst the worst people to be sitting next to in the air. The results are from the Travelocity 2009 "rudeness poll", asking people a variety of questions. In total, the survey interviewed just under 1600 people, from the US and Canada. When the survey expanded on "large passengers", 44% said the airlines should provide a second seat for free, while 39% said fat passengers should pay for their own space. When asked about hotel items taken from the property, people either lied, or are just more honest than I expected - 13% of people never take anything from their room, and just 1% admitted to stealing dishes and silverware. The survey is very well put together, and a lot of work was put into explaining the results. If you'd like to read more about rude passengers, check out the full version of the 2009 Travelocity Rudeness Poll (PDF file).