The Worst TV Series Intro Ever: A Comprehensive Guide

Entering the world of television can be both thrilling and daunting, especially when trying to find that one intro that grabs your attention right from the start. However, there are a few TV series intros that one can definitively say fall below average or even detrimental to viewer enjoyment. Let's explore some of the worst TV series intros of all time and why they stand out.

The Friends Introduction

One of the most memorable, and least preferred, intros has to be from the beloved NBC comedy Friends, which ran from 1994 to 2004. The start of each episode was marked by the song "I'll Be There for You" by the band The Rembrandts. Despite having an iconic cast, the theme song can be quite grating, especially for those who appreciate a clean, straightforward opening. In my 38 years of TV watching, I can boldly say that this title track is one of the worst I’ve ever heard.

The Original Twin Peaks: A Strange Introspective Journey

Another series with a unique, albeit unconventional, intro is Original Twin Peaks. The opening montage, set in a serene yet eerie landscape, is accompanied by dreary music that feels like it drags on for an eternity. This intro perfectly matches the show's style, which is known for its bizarre and dreamlike episodes. While I find it intriguing and fitting for the show, I can understand why some viewers might find it off-putting, especially when first encountering it.

PBS Kids and Seinfeld's Visually Aggressive Intros

For children's television, Clifford the Big Red Dog and the TV show Seventh Heaven have some of the worst theme songs. Imagine a child being bombarded with a catchy, but potentially annoying, tune every time they want to watch Clifford. The show's counterclockwise opening sequence may leave viewers feeling disoriented and frustrated.

Seventh Heaven, a later show, had a drawn-out and monotonous intro that could last for what felt like an aeon. The repetitive rhythm and lack of visual appeal made the intro a tedious experience.

Indian TV Shows: A Show with No Introduction

When it comes to Indian TV shows, there’s a unique example that stands out: many crime serials begin not with an intro, but with a crime scene. Shows like CID, Savdhaan India, and Crime Petrol jump right into the action with graphic crime scenes, which could be particularly jarring and disturbing. While this approach might be intended to heighten suspense, the abrupt start can be disconcerting for viewers who are not expecting such a somber beginning to what is otherwise a normal TV show.

The intro of these shows often continues to set a tone of tension and fear, making it difficult for viewers to relax and enjoy the episodes. Whether it's the endless repeat of "I'll Be There for You" or the endless, monotonous rhythm of the intro from Dogtanian, these intro sequences truly stand out as some of the worst on screen.

These intros and more remind us of the importance of a well-crafted intro in television. While some may embrace the unconventional and appreciate the uniqueness, others may find them off-putting or even detrimental to their viewing experience.

Key Takeaways: The intros of shows like Friends and Original Twin Peaks are notable for their repetitive rhythms and potentially grating music. Some children's shows, such as Clifford the Big Red Dog and Seventh Heaven, have notoriously annoying theme songs and intros that might be too long or repetitive. Crime serials from Indian TV often have no intro, jumping straight into crime scenes, which can be jarring and intense for viewers.