As television has turned into the premiere format for creative artists and the shows themselves have become more cinematic, ambitious, and daring, so too have the opening credits of these shows evolved. There’s an art to the sophisticated, inky silhouettes of the opening titles for "Mad Men," or the Southern Gothic rot on display in the terrific titles for “True Detective.” And yet, lest we forget, TV credits in the 1980’s—especially those for shows that fell within the confines of the science fiction and fantasy genres—used to be really cheesy. In case you’re feeling nostalgic, or perhaps if you’re part of your municipal district’s local “Manimal” fan club, YouTube kitsch stalwart RwDt09 has assembled a supercut of some of the most corny, absurd, and baffling opening credits sequences you will ever wish to un-see.
If you’re like me, and you’re unfamiliar with most of these shows, the following images play like some sort of brain-damaged dadaist music video. What is this fresh madness? Sure, “Wizards and Warriors” looks like your fairly standard sorcerers-and-swords schlock, but “Automan”? It’s hard to believe that people actually watched these shows every week. There’s plenty more to enjoy, including the cheese-tastic “Misfits of Science” (hello, young Courtney Cox) and the wonderfully named “Powers of Matthew Star.” Watch the whole 14-minute below and hum yourself some 80’s power tunes all day long. [Boing Boing]
