19 TV Shows That Mastered the Art of the Cold Open

A ‘cold open’ is a short scene at the very beginning of a TV show, before the opening credits, designed to immediately capture the audience’s attention. It can be used to create a specific atmosphere, tell a quick joke, or hint at what’s to come. Sometimes, a cold open will move the story forward or offer a small glimpse into a character’s life. Several successful shows have used this technique effectively over the years.

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)

The show often starts with funny, standalone scenes that show off the unique personalities of the police squad. A classic example is when Jake Peralta gets a lineup of suspects to sing a Backstreet Boys song to try and identify the criminal. These scenes usually end abruptly with the show’s theme song playing right at the joke’s peak. The writers use these quick, comedic bits to highlight the cast’s talents without interrupting the main story.

‘The Office’ (2005–2013)

The show gained popularity thanks to its hilarious opening scenes, often featuring elaborate pranks or funny office accidents. Jim frequently played tricks on Dwight, like hiding his stapler in gelatin or covering his desk in wrapping paper. One particularly memorable and costly scene was the chaotic fire drill. These short introductions quickly showed viewers the ordinary, yet completely ridiculous, world of the Dunder Mifflin office.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

Vince Gilligan masterfully used the opening scenes of the show to build suspense or hint at what was to come for Walter White. He often showed quick glimpses into the future, using puzzling images like a pink teddy bear in a pool to keep viewers guessing. Sometimes, these openings showed the complex process of making meth, set to surprisingly cheerful music. These creative choices gave the show a distinct look and feel, setting it apart from other crime dramas.

‘Saturday Night Live’ (1975–Present)

As a huge fan of this show, I’ve always loved the cold open. It’s become such a signature part of every episode! Usually, they tackle whatever’s happening in the news or a big pop culture moment, and the cast’s impressions are spot-on. It’s hilarious to watch them play these political figures, then suddenly drop the act and deliver that classic catchphrase. Honestly, it’s the perfect way to kick off the live show, giving you a taste of the comedy to come. It’s become a really important part of TV history, and I can’t imagine the show without it.

‘Malcolm in the Middle’ (2000–2006)

This family sitcom often starts with short, funny scenes before the opening credits. They usually show Hal or one of his sons in a silly, everyday situation. These scenes don’t usually have much to do with the main story of the episode; they’re just quick, physical gags. For example, you might see Hal trying to change a lightbulb and accidentally ending up working on his car. These moments help capture the wild, unpredictable feeling of a big suburban family.

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)

The opening scenes of ‘The X-Files,’ often called “cold opens,” were used by creator Chris Carter to tease the strange case agents Mulder and Scully would investigate in each episode. These short segments felt like mini-horror films, immediately creating tension and scares before the main characters even appeared. This approach allowed the show to explore a variety of horror subgenres, from suspenseful thrillers to classic slasher films, and consistently created a feeling of unease throughout the entire episode.

‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (2005–Present)

This comedy series has a clever and consistent joke: characters confidently say they won’t do something, immediately followed by a title card proving they did. This ironic contrast is funny and highlights how clueless the characters are. It’s become a signature part of the show’s style.

‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)

Each season of this series begins with a black-and-white scene showing what happened to the main character after the events of ‘Breaking Bad’. These scenes depict a fearful Jimmy McGill working at a Cinnabon in Omaha, and their somber tone highlights the difficult consequences of his past actions. Fans looked forward to these future glimpses, hoping to understand the character’s ultimate destiny.

‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)

The Parks and Recreation episodes often start with funny, short scenes featuring the unique personalities of Leslie Knope and her colleagues. Ron Swanson frequently gets a lot of laughs with over-the-top displays of masculinity or his strong beliefs in freedom and self-reliance – like the time he pulled his own tooth out during a work meeting! These moments help viewers get comfortable with the show’s documentary-style format and provide a quick laugh before the main story begins. They also highlight how well the actors work together, creating a natural and spontaneous feel.

‘Law & Order’ (1990–2010)

Many crime shows follow a familiar pattern: an ordinary person discovers a crime early on. Police quickly arrive to control the scene and offer brief, matter-of-fact comments about the victim before the show’s opening. This predictable but successful approach quickly pulls viewers into the current case, providing essential information so the detectives can start solving it right away.

‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)

Every episode of this show starts with the unexpected death of someone, and their body ends up at Fisher & Sons funeral home. These deaths are varied – sometimes tragic accidents, other times darkly funny mishaps involving everyday objects. This opening sequence emphasizes the show’s focus on death and how easily life can be lost, and it constantly reminds us of what keeps the Fisher family’s business going.

‘Letterkenny’ (2016–2023)

The show begins with Wayne and his friends playfully trading quick, witty remarks while standing near a fruit stand. They often joke about pop culture or country living, using a fast-paced and rhythmic way of speaking that’s specific to the show. During these scenes, the characters mostly stay still, letting their fast and clever dialogue provide the entertainment. This creates the show’s unique and memorable comedic style.

‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)

As a huge fan, one thing I always loved about David Simon’s shows is how he’d start each episode. He didn’t mess around with flashy openings – instead, he’d immediately drop you right into the real, often harsh, world of Baltimore. You’d see drug dealers just doing their thing, or cops getting bogged down in paperwork. It wasn’t just random stuff, though; those scenes always felt like a preview of the bigger issues the show was tackling, especially how messed up the systems were. It was a really powerful way to set the mood and make you instantly pay attention – it wasn’t light entertainment, and he didn’t want it to be.

‘Supernatural’ (2005–2020)

Each episode usually starts with someone stumbling upon a frightening ghost or demon in a scary situation. This immediately creates a mystery for Sam and Dean Winchester to investigate as they arrive. These intense, often violent beginnings highlight the danger of the monster-of-the-week and follow a familiar pattern inspired by classic urban legends and folklore.

‘Lost’ (2004–2010)

The show famously started with a close-up of an opening eye, immediately followed by the main character waking up in a bamboo forest. Later, each episode often began with a short scene – a ‘cold open’ – that showed events from the past or future, adding new layers to the story of the island. These openings were meant to be confusing and make viewers wonder about when things were happening. The writers were very skilled at using these first few minutes to build the show’s complex backstory and mythology.

‘Community’ (2009–2015)

Episodes of the show often begin with the study group at Greendale making jokes about television, movies, or themselves while sitting around the library. Dean Pelton usually bursts in during these moments, wearing a silly costume and making puns. These scenes set the show’s unique, quirky tone and help it stand out from typical sitcoms. The writers use these openings to quickly test out unusual and creative ideas.

‘Friends’ (1994–2004)

At the start of most episodes, the six friends often chat at Central Perk or in one of their apartments, usually before the opening theme song. These little scenes are filled with funny observations and physical comedy that don’t necessarily relate to the main plot. We often see them singing together or discussing everyday social rules. These familiar settings make the audience feel like they’re part of the group and just hanging out with them.

‘Abbott Elementary’ (2021–Present)

This funny show about working in a school starts each episode by showing the tough realities teachers deal with at an underfunded school in Philadelphia. Janine Teagues is always trying to make things better with new ideas, but her experienced coworkers are often skeptical and resistant. The show is filmed like a documentary, capturing the reactions – sometimes amused, sometimes shocked – of the teachers and students. These scenes really emphasize the differences between generations and the caring spirit at the heart of the series.

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

The show immediately showcases the complicated relationships within the Roy family as they compete for control of their media company. Their conversations are filled with business language and hurtful comments, highlighting how damaging their connections are. These scenes quickly set up the ever-changing loyalties before the intense music begins, instantly immersing viewers in the stressful world of extreme wealth.

Tell us which TV show opening scene is your absolute favorite in the comments.

2025-11-29 08:48