How about opening moments on game shows?

[Grand_game2004]

Here are some of my favorite opening moments from game shows"

Press Your Luck: Spaces where all the prizes, dollar amounts and whammies are have colored backgrounds, and the lights surrounding them are lit up. Lights surrounding the Press Your Luck game board are dancing; various moments of past episodes are played as the background bass and laser zaps are played, and then a square transition wipe to the 3 players: "TODAY, these three players are after HIGH STAKES... but they'll have to avoid the WHAMMY as they play THE MOST EXCITING GAME OF THEIR LIVES!!!" The board then progressively fills up with dollar amounts, prizes and the Whammies) From Television City in HOLLYWOOD, it's TIME TO PRESS YOUR LUCK!!!! (The words light up one after another); "And now, heeeeeeeeeeeere's the STAR OF PRESS YOUR LUCK, PETER TOMARKEN!!!!!", then the center lights come on continuously one after another.

Time machine: (This was from when the opening was where various pictures on both sides were moving forward and a main picture flew to the center of the screen, Opening 3 note phrase with synth bass and synth arpeggio) "Today, a BRAND NEW CAR could go to the player who can tell us when (I'm changing the spiel a bit for personal reasons) To Tell The Truth premiered! Join us as we go on a journey back through time.... on TIME MACHINE!!!!!! (I loved the sounds that were used during the beginning of the theme)

Scrabble (going to be a bit creative here: This one is during the week where game show hosts played for the folks at home; timpani roll) "Today, YOU AT HOME could win more than $10,000 this week as your favorite TV game show hosts play Scrabble!!!! ($10,000 zooms into  the center, followed by the 6 game show hosts playing for the week, followed by a spinning zoom out) One of them is an eight letter word. The clue is: He works with a bunch of squares...... (letters randomly fill in to reveal the word) Audience: "DOUG DAVIDSON!" (applause) It's the crossword game you've played all your life, BUT NEVER QUITE LIKE THIS!!!...... (Audience: SCRABBLE!!!) And now, here's your host, CHUCK WOOLERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Possibly more to come.

[b_masters8]

On TTD w/Wink Martindale: Camera starts close-up to the board, then backs away from it as a primitive screensaver starts to fill up the board's squares. When the camera gets to such a distance from the board as to take in a wide shot of the set, the TTD title appears, and we go through the middle of it (title goes beyond the screen); Wink then comes out the left side of the studio.

Jay Stewart/Charlie O'Donnell/Johnny Gilbert, et al.: "From Hollywood, it's everybody's game of strategy, knowledge and fun-- it's Tic Tac Dough! And now here's our host: Wink Martindale!"

[Teddy]

A couple more come to mind:

Match Game: "Get ready to match the stars! (spinning panel rotates to reveal the six stars in order) Nipsey Russell, Brett Somers, Charles Nelson Reilly, Patty Duke, Richard Dawson and Betty White, as we play the star-studded, big-money Match Game 78! (MG theme plays) And now, here's the star of Match Game 78, Gene Rayburn!" (remember, in this example the years changed as the calendar went back to January)

Family Feud: (1976-85) "It's time for the Family Feud! Introducing the (first family name) family: (followed by five contestants' names), ready for action! And the (second family name) family: (repeat process). On your marks, let's start...the Family Feud! With the star of Family Feud, Richard Dawson!" (1988-92, before the Bullseye round premiered) "Let's meet the (first family name) family: (followed by five contestants' names), ready for action! Playing against the (second family name) family: (repeat process). On your marks, let's start...the Family Feud! With the star of Family Feud, Ray Combs!"

Wheel of Fortune: Audience shouts out the show's name, then this intro... (1983-89) "Look at this studio, filled with glamorous prizes, fabulous and exciting merchandise! Including: make it the vacation of your life with this $15,000 European getaway, host your own movie night with this $8,000 entertainment center, and this fun $25,000 sports car! Over $165,000 just waiting to be won tonight on Wheel of Fortune! And now, here is your host, Pat Sajak!" (1989-92) "From our studios in Hollywood, it's America's most watched game show! The famous wheel is spinning your way with lots of cash and an assortment of fabulous and exciting prizes! Over $158,000 just waiting to be won tonight! And now, here are your host and hostess: Pat Sajak and Vanna White!"

[Chief-O]

"THIS..........is.......Jeopardy!!"

End thread.

[b_masters8]

I have another favorite, from Bullseye w/the late Jim Lange:

Camera starts on blurry shot of bottom wheel/swirl, and then that shot clears up as the camera backs away from the board and shows all three wheels/swirls, similar to what was done on TTD with the primitive screensaver on the computer monitors. This time, the title is a target that forms in three parts: a blue outer ring, a pink inner ring, and a yellow center. When the target is fully formed, animated white lightning strikes the yellow center, then there is a white flash that fills the screen for a split second; the title is then shown with the top half of the target on top, and the Bullseye title in a bullet-riddled font on the bottom. The title then splits in two directions (target portion to top, Bullseye title to bottom), and Jim Lange appears from the right side of the studio as the camera zooms back in on him.

Jay Stewart/Charlie O'Donnell: "This is the television game in which daring determines the fate of the player!" (to first key of opening music)

"This is the game of strategy, luck and knowledge!" (to second key of opening music; third and final key plays as Jay or Charlie finishes that part and target forms)

"This is...Bullseye!" (as target is struck with lightning, producing aforesaid Bullseye title)

(over applause): "Now here's our host: Jim Lange!" (that as title splits and camera zooms back in)

[tpir04]

"THIS..........is.......Jeopardy!!"

End thread.

I prefer the intros from  Season 24 or 26. (I grew up during that time, so I have a fondness for those.) 

I'd also like to add Now You See It: the board fills up with letters, line by line, and, when fully complete, erases all letters except those that form the words Now...you...see...it. While the board fills up, Johnny Olson begins his opening spiel, "Every answer, to every question, is right here, before your eyes. And, Now You See It!" The board then turns, revealing the actual logo, camera zooms out as the four contestants and champion walk down the stairs, and then comes Jack Narz! Undoubtedly my all time favorite.

[Alfonzo]

Just watch some intros from Tom Kennedy's Name That Tune c1974-77. Now THAT was an intro!

[JayC]

Wheel of Fortune: Audience shouts out the show's name, then this intro... (1983-89) "Look at this studio, filled with glamorous prizes, fabulous and exciting merchandise! Including: make it the vacation of your life with this $15,000 European getaway, host your own movie night with this $8,000 entertainment center, and this fun $25,000 sports car! Over $165,000 just waiting to be won tonight on Wheel of Fortune! And now, here is your host, Pat Sajak!" (1989-92) "From our studios in Hollywood, it's America's most watched game show! The famous wheel is spinning your way with lots of cash and an assortment of fabulous and exciting prizes! Over $158,000 just waiting to be won tonight! And now, here are your host and hostess: Pat Sajak and Vanna White!"

It was also exciting seeing the contestants run onto the stage to their podiums in the late 80s/early 90s intros.

More favorite opening moments: Nickelodeon Double Dare- Marc starting the show with "On your mark...get set...Go!!!" and then the contestants playing the toss-up challenge.
Supermarket Sweep- Johnny/Randy asking the audience who has *insert product* and then telling them "you're on!"
American Gladiators- Loved the montage and Mike Adamle and whichever co-host's chat in the beginning of the episode at the beginning and when they introduced each gladiator individually before the opening chat.

[b_masters8]

Here's one more of mine, from the original 1974-76 High Rollers on NBC w/Alex Trebek: first, the giant numbers 2-9 (on the Big Numbers board) light up per audience claps (the 1 started already lit), then the number lights cycled quickly in order 1-9. The camera rotated slowly from that side of the stage to a middle view between the two boards (the main board and the Big Numbers board; the same numbers were cycling on the main board). A pair of tiny animated dice dropped from the top of the screen and rolled slowly forward from the center of the screen as the camera rotated: when they reached close-up, they dropped off-screen and gave way to the High Rollers title. That title then departed the screen by having "High" lift up slowly, and the letters in "Rollers" to roll away (quite literally depicting the name of the show). Alex Trebek then came through the portal beside the main board, and a chandelier-like gate of stringed lights (Alex called them "sparklers") dropped down behind him.

All this as Kenny Williams said, "Now a game of high stakes, where every decision is a gamble, and every move can be your last...High Rollers!"

Then, when High Rollers title is formed: "Now here's the man with the action: Alex Trebek!"

(Alex comes out, holding the game dice, to applause)

Here is that opening:

[Grand_game2004]

Here's one more of mine, from the original 1974-76 High Rollers on NBC w/Alex Trebek: first, the giant numbers 2-9 (on the Big Numbers board) light up per audience claps (the 1 started already lit), then the number lights cycled quickly in order 1-9. The camera rotated slowly from that side of the stage to a middle view between the two boards (the main board and the Big Numbers board; the same numbers were cycling on the main board). A pair of tiny animated dice dropped from the top of the screen and rolled slowly forward from the center of the screen as the camera rotated: when they reached close-up, they dropped off-screen and gave way to the High Rollers title. That title then departed the screen by having "High" lift up slowly, and the letters in "Rollers" to roll away (quite literally depicting the name of the show). Alex Trebek then came through the portal beside the main board, and a chandelier-like gate of stringed lights (Alex called them "sparklers") dropped down behind him.

All this as Kenny Williams said, "Now a game of high stakes, where every decision is a gamble, and every move can be your last...High Rollers!"

Then, when High Rollers title is formed: "Now here's the man with the action: Alex Trebek!"

(Alex comes out, holding the game dice, to applause)

Here is that opening:

That was actually from Wink Martindale's run of HR.

[GRWHAMMY the 2nd]

he linked to a clip from a rare 74-75 episode (rare as in it not much footage is out there)

[ooboh]

Mine’s definitely Press Your Luck.

There’s just something epic about the slides filling in in sync with the music. Not to exclude Rod Roddy’s opening spiel.

Another part about the opening is towards the end of the run when Roddy said “but they’ll have to avoid the WHAMMY” and a Whammy animation played on screen. Those were just awesome!

[tpir04]

Here are some of my favorite opening moments from game shows"

Press Your Luck: Spaces where all the prizes, dollar amounts and whammies are have colored backgrounds, and the lights surrounding them are lit up. Lights surrounding the Press Your Luck game board are dancing; various moments of past episodes are played as the background bass and laser zaps are played, and then a square transition wipe to the 3 players: "TODAY, these three players are after HIGH STAKES... but they'll have to avoid the WHAMMY as they play THE MOST EXCITING GAME OF THEIR LIVES!!!" The board then progressively fills up with dollar amounts, prizes and the Whammies) From Television City in HOLLYWOOD, it's TIME TO PRESS YOUR LUCK!!!! (The words light up one after another); "And now, heeeeeeeeeeeere's the STAR OF PRESS YOUR LUCK, PETER TOMARKEN!!!!!", then the center lights come on continuously one after another.

Thanks for putting Press Your Luck up here! There is definitely something to be said about PYL, especially when the slides light up in combination with the theme song; it's a weird sensation, but a good weird.

A great intro, wonderful host and announcer, great theme and a marvelous game show that was axed much too early.

[blozier2006]

... a marvelous game show that was axed much too early.

You've obviously never seen the 1986 episodes.

[Superballer]

In addition to those already mentioned: 

-JAY STEWART/DON MORROW:  So far (Mr./Mrs. X) has amassed cash and prizes totaling $XX,XXX!  Today/This week, players could win Prize #1, Prize #2, Prize #3, or a trip to Wherever! (camera starts zooming little by little to partially open door to bonus area)  And continue a journey towards a fortune in cash and prizes, including a (luxury car, as model dramatically climbs out of driver's seat and poses), plus $50,000 in cash (briefcase rises up and self-opens (wires?) to reveal cash hoard inside, while 100K diamond graphic is superimposed).  In total, over $100,000 on...(with impressive reverb) SALE OF THE CENTURY!!  And here's the star of our show (lights go up and inner bonus door swings open) Jim Perry!" 


-STEVE DAY (starting with aerial shot of Vegas):  From the resort entertainment capital of the world, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada (now over random shots around the resort), it's the exciting new prize maximus, letter-perfect game show (cut to closeup of the letter ball squirrel cage spinning) CAESARS CHALLENGE!!! (camera pulls back to audience as squirrel cage retracts into the ceiling)  Ladies and gentlemen, Ahmad Rashad!! (who enters from behind the board and has some quick witty dialogue with Dan Doherty before starting the show) 

-KEN RYAN:  This is the personalized license plate of Whatever (plate zooms into screen foreground).  If you can figure out that it says Whatever Else, then you're ready to play...BUMPER STUMPERS!!! (theme kicks in as show logo zips into place from sides of the screen)  And here's the driving force on Bumper Stumpers, Al Dubois!!! (Al jogs in from stage left to his podium) 

-JOHN HARLAN/JIM HACKETT (as the theme dramatically starts and the logo zooms in from the sides of the screen and comes together):  From Paramount Studios in Hollywood, it's television's most exciting new game, WIPEOUT!!! (the logo shatters into dozens of pieces)  And here to pit their knowledge and strategy against the Wipeout are (as they appear against the game board one by one), Player #1, Player #2, and Player #3!  The one who fares best could drive off in this Specific Car Brand!  And now here's your host, the star of Wipeout, Peter Tomarken!! (who strides grandly around the car island, occasionally augmenting this with a more dramatic humorous entrance) 


-SANDY HOYT:  Is it true that (whatever)?  You'll find out when one of these three contestants wins the chance to drive home in this (Specific Car Brand, modeled in closeup) in just a SPLIT SECOND!!! (logo forms with thunderclap effect)  And here's the star of our show, Monty Hall!!! (who strides around the corner in the bonus area, grabs his mike, and descends the stairs to the contestants' area before the wall closes behind him) 


-GENE WOOD:  Recites Introductory Quatrain of the Day over first quad-screen of logo flashing, them the card barriers sliding into place around boards over wide shot of the stage (including a stagehand behind the main game board who was apparently unaware he was within the camera's sight range)...oooooooooonn CARD SHARKS!! (diamond dissolve from stock footage to actual live set)  And here's the host of Card Sharks, Jim Perry!! (sign rises as he strides out and up the ramp to the playing area to claim his mike) 

-JOHN HARLAN (as the band dramatically crescendos the intro and the logo drops down from the ceiling to center stage) From Hollywood, it's the new $100,000 NAME THAT TUNE!!!  And now, the star of Name That Tune, Jim Lange!! (logo rises to reveal him) 

-ROD RODDY (over animation of woman walking Gauntlet of Villains)  Close calls!  Narrow escapes!  Split-second decisions!  And $25,000 in cash!  A combination guaranteed to make you go...(woman reaches the pot of gold and exhales word balloon of show title, which morphs into live action logo)...WHEW!!  And now the star of our show, Tom Kennedy!!  (logo rises as Tom runs in from the wings)