web counter
 

The 10 Worst TV Theme Songs Currently On the Air

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Seriously Random Lists | Comments (72)

header_Entourage.jpg

30 Rock

Grey’s Anatomy

Perfect Couples

Outsourced

Entourage

Mad Love

Harry’s Law

Mike and Molly

Two and a Half Men

Fairly Legal










Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance

← Punctuating Comedians: "Talking Funny" with Chris Rock, Ricky Gervais, Jerry Seinfeld and Louis C.K. | Adrianne Palicki's Wonder Woman Costume Take Two (Now in Action with Angry Face) →









Comments

Can you count "Perfect Couples" since that show has been cancelled?

Posted by: Fredo at March 30, 2011 12:05 PM

My husband likes to torment me by singing the "Two and a Half Men" song. It's so earworm-y. Neither one of us watches the show (because that would be grounds for divorce), but he'll randomly walk up behind me and sing out "Meeeeeeen!" He's cruel.

Posted by: badkittyuno at March 30, 2011 12:05 PM

I'm sort of with you on this, although the 30 Rock theme tune is really fun to sing along to as it's about to start.

Posted by: Caspar at March 30, 2011 12:08 PM

I gotta agree with the 30 Rock theme song hate. I love the show, but thanks to the beauty of watching tv online I ALWAYS skip over the theme song. Though I like the Outsourced one. Go figure.

Posted by: rornyh at March 30, 2011 12:14 PM

Is that really the New Pornographers doing the Perfect Couples theme? Or just a knock-off?

Posted by: gitley at March 30, 2011 12:15 PM

Go watch the intro to "Royal Pains". It killed my father.

Posted by: JByrd at March 30, 2011 12:18 PM

Netflix recently placed Dollhouse S2 on Instant, so I gave that a try. The very first thought I had was just how horrible the opening song is (the "la la la la" part; the xylophone on the end is neat). Obviously the show is not currently airing, but I needed to share my absolute loathing for that song.

Posted by: Scully at March 30, 2011 12:19 PM

Fucking shit!!! The Grey's Anatomy song is 4 1/2 minutes?!?!?! Ohhhh, that physically pains me. Jesus! Aw man. Yeah, that's gonna stick with me. That garbage can't need all that intro! It's too much! I don't want to think about this anymooooooyyyyawwwwghghghghgh---*coma*

Posted by: Kballs at March 30, 2011 12:20 PM

It may be bad, but now I've got the 30 Rock song in my head. Damn brain/ear worms.

Posted by: Captain Tuttle at March 30, 2011 12:24 PM

Wait, what? I love the 30 Rock theme song.

Posted by: Rob at March 30, 2011 12:31 PM

Add me to the 30 Rock theme song hate. Mainly because it always sounds like something Jenna would break into to show off during the actual show and with the exception of the "the people the thing that happened happened to", I hate every scene where they have her singing.

Posted by: PaddyDog at March 30, 2011 12:32 PM

I think the theme song to Outsourced is the only entertaining thing about the show.

Posted by: PaddyDog at March 30, 2011 12:34 PM

What Rob said. Love the 30 Rock theme. And the one from Mr. Sunshine.

Colbert's theme should be on here. Lame knockoff of The Daily Show's. Both are getting to be as dated as the old MTV rocket-launch theme. Or 90210's theme. Or Ben Stiller's.

Nothing will ever top the theme from Emergency.

Posted by: Steve at March 30, 2011 12:36 PM

I used to like the 30 Rock song, now it just drives me nuts. I often find myself replayed the Chuck theme song whenever I watch an episode.

Posted by: Allen at March 30, 2011 12:36 PM

I disagree. The 30 Rock theme song is fantastic.

Of course, that's probably because my psychology has been warped by watching so many episodes. (I haven't seen more than one or two episodes of anything else on the list.) I can usually tell when a show has been engrained in my psyche when I start liking the theme song, or at least singing along with it.

Perfect example: Any show by Joss Whedon. Great shows (with the possible exception of Dollhouse), terrible theme songs. But I can't help but like that stupid Nerf Herder theme for Buffy because I like the show itself so much.

Posted by: giovanni at March 30, 2011 12:37 PM

Damn you to hell, Rowles. 30 Rock doesn't have a bad opening. It's just simple, you ass.

I fucking love the 30 Rock theme.

/graphic designer rant

Posted by: commanderfunky at March 30, 2011 12:37 PM

The Perfect Couples theme is indeed done by Carl Newman of the New Pornographers, and is frequently the highlight of the show. His contribution and the presence of the very funny Jen Kirkman on the writing staff had me giving the show every last chance I could.

30 Rock has always seemed perfectly fitting with the rest of the score for the show, done by Tina Fey's husband if I'm not mistaken.

Finally, can I put in a preemtive vote for Best Theme Music on the air? Parks and Recreation. Every time I hear it, I get a big smile on my face and am ready for a half hour of warm fuzzies from Pawnee, Indiana.

Posted by: GroverJefferson at March 30, 2011 12:38 PM

Totally disagree on "30 Rock" and "Entourage." You crazy.

Posted by: Slash at March 30, 2011 12:43 PM

Totally hate Big Bang Theory theme song.

Posted by: mswas at March 30, 2011 12:44 PM

What in the Wide World of Sports is going on with the intro to Fairly Legal?

Intromakerguy:
She's in San Francisco! We'll put 2 famous landmarks! Including the Transamerica building because only smart people know what that is and we don't want dummies watching this show! Mwahahaha!

Also, she's on the phone making strong gestures! She's a working girl! But she's still got a sense of fashion, so get me some shots of those heels!

Ohhhh and she's a rebel! She doesn't take no shit from street signs! Sign, sign, everywhere a siiiign, our protagonist walks to her own beat so that shit never enters her miiiiind! Yeah!

And don't forget to put some clouds in there, because even though people think San Francisco is in California and the weather is great you, have to have a fleece, a raincoat, sunglasses, bikini, gimp suit, pancho, business suit, and a ratty hippie wool blanketjacket on you at all times!

Goooooooooooo show!

Posted by: D-Day at March 30, 2011 12:56 PM

Glad to know I'm not the only one who sings along with the 30 Rock theme song. It's so catchy!

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at March 30, 2011 1:07 PM

I kind of like the Outsourced one.

And even though I love the show, I can't stand the theme song for The Office. It starts off nice enough, but then IT GETS SUPER LOUD AND AGGRESSIVE AND HAS THIS REALLY HORRIBLE BASS BEAT and it's awful. I always hit mute.

Posted by: Snuggiepants at March 30, 2011 1:08 PM

Never understood the hatred for Entourage on this site. It's a 30 minute comedy. Why all the hate?
As far as I know none of the actors have killed anyone. None are dating porn stars. None are demanding millions per episode.

It's fun escapism for guys. What's wrong with that?

Posted by: logan at March 30, 2011 1:11 PM

I nominate Weeds' old opening song "Little Boxes/On the hillside/Little boxes made of ticky-tacky..."

RAAAAHHHH!!! That song sends me into a she-hulk RAAAAGGGGEEEEE!!!!!!!! What, with the grating and the high-pitch and the whining and the I HATE Nancy, and the getting stuck in my mfing head for WEEKS, nay, MONTHS!!!!!!! GAAGGSYDTFYTF!

It's definitely the catchiest, most insidious, mind-garbling opening song out there. Ever. And of course I'm right on account of my never being wrong.

Posted by: beet salad at March 30, 2011 1:19 PM

I have despised the theme song for Entourage since it started. Two seasons ago I started hating the actual show.

Posted by: daria at March 30, 2011 1:20 PM

What?! 30 Rock has one of the best theme songs and main titles of any show on TV. Totally fits the show.

Completely agreed on all the others. The Grey's theme makes me twitch.

Posted by: heatseeker at March 30, 2011 1:30 PM

I don't think some of those are really shows. This is a trick, right?

Posted by: seth at March 30, 2011 1:33 PM

You know what has the best theme song ever?

Doctor Who!!!

Posted by: DarthCorleone at March 30, 2011 1:43 PM

I watch none of these, so I can't comment.

However, I will agree with DarthCorleone's very astute observation.

Posted by: dammitjanet at March 30, 2011 1:47 PM

I'm pro 30 Rock. It just fits in with the rest of the show so well, and at least for me, never really gets old. The fact that the show has a score probably helps. It brings the whole thing together like a good rug.

Posted by: Socrates_Johnson at March 30, 2011 2:01 PM

You talkin nonsense, Dustin. 30 Rock's theme is and will be just as identifiable as Seinfeld's in years to come. It's already one of the most recognizable things on the show.

Also, like the show or not, the opening for Two and a Half Men is close to perfect. It's gets to be more, say, "sophisticated" than the series itself. Again, catchy, easily identifiable and built simply.

The others are sure crap. Entourage whole opening thing reminds of the opening for Joey, one of the worst ever.

Is it possible to complain about a theme song for a show sounding "paternalistic"? That's always my gut reaction when I hear Grey's Anatomy bling bling thing, but I can't explain it.

Posted by: godzilla_foil at March 30, 2011 2:17 PM

I have so much inexplicable hate in my heart for the Entourage theme song.

Posted by: TheEmpress at March 30, 2011 2:33 PM

Team Pro 30 Rock! It's fast, simple and has some beautiful shots of the building. I love it.

Also, I take great umbrage with the inclusion of the Perfect Couples theme; as others have said it's a highlight of the show. The New Pornographers, dammit!

I am proud to say that I have honestly never heard the Two and a Half Men, Outsourced or Grey's Anatomy themes in my life and I'm not about to start now.

Best themes of current or recent shows: Terriers (RIP), Justified, Parks and Rec, Friday Night Lights, True Blood

Posted by: Nicole at March 30, 2011 2:39 PM

30 Rock's theme is the ONLY theme song I don't skip through w/ Tivo. YOU SHUT YOUR WHORE FACE, ROWLES.

Posted by: ahamos at March 30, 2011 2:51 PM

I nominate Weeds' old opening song "Little Boxes/On the hillside/Little boxes made of ticky-tacky..."

This is the one that bothers me the most as well. Even having different singers each season did not help. It was a red-letter day in the Newman house when they finally dropped this damn song.

Posted by: ed newman at March 30, 2011 3:11 PM

FYI, lists without commentary are boring. Do you really think I'm going to watch 10 YouTube clips on a "Worst Of" list?

However, I emphatically agree with the inclusions of "Entourage" on this list. Horrible, horrible song/theme music.

Posted by: Alex at March 30, 2011 3:21 PM

This list is really a stretch. None of these theme songs are appreciably worse than most and a couple on the list are better than most.

Posted by: sosumi at March 30, 2011 3:24 PM

I think the 30 Rock theme is great - it's so short and succint. Very rare.

Posted by: samantha t at March 30, 2011 3:33 PM

HOW CAN YOU HATE A JANES ADDICTION SONG?????????

Swing and a miss on Entourage. Sure the show is a bucket of turds, but Perry Ferrell is the BOMB.

Posted by: JuiceinLA at March 30, 2011 3:39 PM

What is wrong with you?! That 30 Rock song is catchy, hummable, danceable, funny, and downright awesome in all respects. As jazzy theme songs go, it's the best on TV today.

Posted by: ChristianH at March 30, 2011 3:48 PM

Also, don't think I didn't see someone say something in here about "Little Boxes."

I'm gonna settle in with The Decemberists' version of that song on a loop, and you can fuck right off.

Posted by: ChristianH at March 30, 2011 3:49 PM

Mike and Molly is set in Chicago? Blurgh.

Posted by: Three-nineteen at March 30, 2011 3:52 PM

I would have never, in a million years, have predicted that 30 Rock would show up on this list.

What's the reasoning? I'd be willing to hear an argument against, but, otherwise, its inclusion seems bizarre.

Posted by: Nate at March 30, 2011 3:56 PM

I'll jump in with the commenters who hated the old Weeds theme. god do i hate hate HATE Little Boxes, I don't care how many different bands they got to sing it.

and the 30 Rock theme is catchy and fun. Do you hate fun, Dustin?

Posted by: Even Stevens at March 30, 2011 4:02 PM

Yeah, the opening of "Entourage" is one of the best parts of the show, and the song is awesome.

Note: I don't hate Entourage, it's entertaining enough. Not my fave, though.

Posted by: Slash at March 30, 2011 4:10 PM

This one should rate very high on Top 10 Worst Seriously Random Lists.

Posted by: schmerpes at March 30, 2011 4:22 PM

One of these things is most definitely not like the others.

Posted by: Seany D at March 30, 2011 4:27 PM

Love the 30 Rock theme. My fiance and I dance to it every week. The only theme song of the NBC Thursday night line up that I really do not like is the one for The Office.

Posted by: Cree83 at March 30, 2011 4:34 PM

In fact, one of these things is doing its own thing.

Posted by: Boopsy Collins at March 30, 2011 4:48 PM

@ChristianH: I'm with you - I actually really like "Little Boxes" and I still miss it on the show. I haven't heard any of the alt versions in a long time but I do remember really liking Ben Gibbard's version. Off to do a little internet sleuthing...

Posted by: Nicole at March 30, 2011 4:51 PM

Aw, I like the theme for Outsourced. Sometimes I'll leave the tv on after 30 Rock just to hear the music. I'll dance in my chair a bit and then turn it off because the show is kind of terrible.

I'm pro-30 Rock theme. Every time I hear it I picture Tracy dancing it when he was on Conan and it cracks me up.

I'd vote for the opening for Raising Hope as one of my current favorites. The children's book thing is hilarious and the song is good to bop your head to. I also love theme song for True Blood, but the images that play over it are just completely disturbing. I guess that's the point, but I find myself covering my eyes every time they show that timelapse of the dead fox because yuuuurgh.

Posted by: figgy at March 30, 2011 6:00 PM

Seriously, Dustin? Perfect Couples isn't a good show (and I say that having watched every episode) but how dare you put that theme song on this list? Carl Newman and his merry Canadian Band can DO NO WRONG!

Posted by: Munkymack at March 30, 2011 6:21 PM

"Nothing will ever top the theme from Emergency The Rockford Files."
Fixed that for you.
"HOW CAN YOU HATE A JANES ADDICTION SONG?????????"
Watch me. It be easy.
Seriously, Parks & Rec has great theme, but Corner Gas kicks ass.

Posted by: alone in the dark at March 30, 2011 6:42 PM

I have a small confession to make. Every single time the 30 Rock theme is on, I do the BAM! finger with Frank. With someone present, while talking, alone, after midnight, whatever. It's a sickness, really.

Posted by: godzilla_foil at March 30, 2011 7:49 PM

Best? Californication and Chicago Code.

Posted by: Riles at March 30, 2011 7:52 PM

I don't think the theme song is the problem with Entourage.

Posted by: Sean at March 30, 2011 9:16 PM

Screw you! I love the 30 Rock theme. Replace that with the theme music from that show Betty White is currently doing - "Hot in Cleveland"? or something like that, and this list is solid. They played it endlessly during White's slowww walk up to the stage during the SAG awards, and it was excruciating. Proof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEwFsMKVw6w

Posted by: stella at March 30, 2011 11:22 PM

I hate the song for Big Love. Actually all the hbo intros are way to long, I always skip forward.

Posted by: sexy at March 31, 2011 3:14 AM

Justified's theme is my personal least fave. Great, fun show - but when that into song starts up I feel embarrassed for the show.

Posted by: Duchie at March 31, 2011 4:12 AM

HOW. In GOD'S NAME. Did the "America's Next Top Model" theme song miss the cut???

Yes, I watch it. That's on me; I'll take the hit. But, come on, that is the worst theme song of ALL TIME.

Posted by: Jelinas at March 31, 2011 4:27 AM

I haven't heard most of the theme songs on this list and I'm not about to listen to them now. I'm indifferent to the 30 Rock theme and I hate the Entourage theme. I don't even remember the theme to Fairly Legal because I only watched the pilot.

Whenever I watch Treme I always have "Feel Like Funkin' It Up" stuck in my head for days. I also like the songs from Terriers and True Blood.

Posted by: Uda at March 31, 2011 5:02 AM

Count me in with those of you who love the 30 Rock theme. It's like a shot of awesome that goes straight into my veins.

The rest are awful though. Especially Fairly Legal. Eesh, that's putrid.

Posted by: jk at March 31, 2011 6:06 AM

I use the 30 Rock theme as my alarm in the morning. It makes me wake up in that perfect "Liz Lemon" (and sometimes, Tracy Jordan) kind of mood. Boo to your list, sir.

Posted by: Critta at March 31, 2011 9:02 AM

Fantastic theme for a show no longer on?

Six Feet Under....perfect for the show

Agree with the awesomeness that was The Rockford Files

doo doo doo doo doodoodoodoodoo doo doo DOO doo doo doodoodoo doodoodoo doodoodoodoodoo DOO

Posted by: dammitjanet at March 31, 2011 9:25 AM

@JuiceinLA - thank you!

Posted by: Amandahugandkiss at March 31, 2011 9:47 AM

I like 30 Rock's music, but the rest either bug me or I don't know it.
For some reason the Nurse Jackie intro really annoys me too, though not as bad as the old Weeds one did.
I really like the Raising Hope song, Community (the full version), and Parks & Rec (which I used to skip through but now enjoy) but my favorite is the theme song to Psych, I always sing along to that one.

Posted by: lucy2 at March 31, 2011 1:28 PM

I hate the song for Big Love. Actually all the hbo intros are way to long, I always skip forward.

You're dead to me. And so is anyone else who has a problem with classic Beach Boys.

Posted by: ed newman at March 31, 2011 4:22 PM

Duchie you are crazy for not liking the [i]Justified[/i] theme song! That hillbilly rap with the country twang is cool as hell. Although it is embarrassing to openly admit it, call it a guilty pleasure I suppose. Add me to the pro [i]30 Rock[/i] crowd, dig that one too. [i]Big Bang Theory[/i] is awful, no love for the Barenaked Ladies here.

Posted by: EshinX at April 1, 2011 12:51 AM

Hmm fail on the formatting on my part there!

Posted by: EshinX at April 1, 2011 12:51 AM

I can't understand why 30 Rock is on this list...

Posted by: kayla at April 1, 2011 8:20 AM

How could you leave the theme for Sh*T My Dad Says theme......sounds like 2 totally separate and incomplete ideas meshed together......

Posted by: George at April 1, 2011 10:20 AM

I have to agree with the Weeds comments also. I'm usually a happy person, I'm not a hater, I understand different tastes in music etc... but when I hear Little Boxes, it's so bad that it makes me angry.

Posted by: Jane at April 22, 2011 9:45 PM