The Best TV Title Sequences

Television is a medium with built-in distractions--commercial breaks, the chaos of daily life--these elements and more make tuning in and tuning out TV all too easy. Any show's best fighting chance of pulling in viewers and keeping them fastened to their sofas is its opening sequence. If created effectively, these have the ability to truly pull in an audience. Here are our favorite title sequences from current or recent shows. Come back next week to check out our Classic Sci-Fi Edition!

Game of Thrones - With its hypnotic rising towers and budding trees, this expansive opening turns what could have been a cheesy stock intro of solemn character faces and scenes of battle into intricate art.

Fringe - Featuring moody music written by co-creator J.J. Abrams himself, the Fringe title sequence expertly teases the mysteries of the series with its scientific terms and odd images. The way it comes together at the end, both sonically and visually, is spot-on.

Flight of the Conchords - Perfectly capturing the laidback charm of the cheeky comedy series, this title sequence is catchy, fun, quick, and endearingly quirky.

Arrested Development - Introducing the Bluths in less than 20 seconds, the Arrested Development opening is short and refreshingly to-the-point, with Ron Howard's pitch-perfect narration setting the stage for another episode of familial absurdity.

Six Feet Under - Arguably the most atmospheric TV intro ever, Six Feet Under's title sequence combines cool, clean, and, of course, morbid imagery with Thomas Newman's wonderfully chiming theme music. A high-water mark for television openings.

Freaks and Geeks - Featuring a fittingly raucous Joan Jett tune ("Bad Reputation"), this opener utilizes its school-photo-shoot conceit to hilarious effect, perfectly conveying the attitude of each main character in mere seconds.