Since we tend to have the patience of a magpie surrounded by lots of individually placed shiny things, mastering a compelling opening sequence is an important task for TV bods.
But even the best titles can use a slight re-jig, as these eight examples show us. Oh and if any of the producers of the actual shows are reading this (it's very likely) then we're sorry for cheating on you. Boxsets to the usual address.
Mad Men
Just in case you wanted to see the 60s-set show get a little bit more 60s, these retro credits should do nicely. After opening like this though, you may be expecting a light-hearted office comedy but then a quirky graphic of a lawnmower slicing a foot off isn't going to be easy.
Mad Men Opening Titles Re-Design from Paul Rogers on Vimeo.
The Office (US)
One of the great things about The Office is how it manages to avoid so many sitcom clichés, while still being a comedy set in an office about an impossible boss. If it did the opposite, the credits would probably look a bit like this...
Lost
In-between all of the death, depression and destruction in Lost, there were also a lot of fun times. Like, ermmm, remember, ermmmm, didn't they play golf once? Anyway, these re-designed Friends-style credits fool us into thinking it wasn't all bad.
The Walking Dead
A show based on a comic book was always going to get some fan-made love. Especially when it's as great as The Walking Dead. So here's the inevitable but also rather impressive video, featuring artwork from the original books. Anyone else getting a Gorillaz vibe?
THE WALKING DEAD "Opening Titles" from Daniel Kanemoto on Vimeo.
The Simpsons
Taking the title sequence and making it real, this video has the frenetic opening down perfectly. Okay so the characters aren't yellow but jaundiced actors are hard to insure. We've tried.
Come Home To The Simpsons from devilfish on Vimeo.
Doctor Who
Another mash-up here, this time adding some American blood to the typically British sci-fi show. Combining Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Doctor Who is a surprisingly genius move. Proof is below.
The Sopranos
The iconic opening takes us on a brief tour of New Jersey as Tony takes a drive home. This revisionist take imagines a world where Tony lives in England instead. Cue morris dancers, fish and chips and, bizarrely, a tribute to The Wicker Man.
The Jetsons
For anyone who used to watch The Jetsons, this video, created by Seth Macfarlane for Family Guy, clears up something that's always bothered us. How did she think she was going to get away with it and how was he supposed to buy lunch? Anyway, all sorted here.
