Best Cold Opens in TV
Best Cold Opens In TV is a structured entertainment dataset with 17 entries. Its fields include Show, Notable Cold Open, Season/Episode. The source values are preserved as a structured reference table.
Every row is shown below and is also available as CSV, JSON, or Excel.
Dataset details
- Table scope
- All 17 rows
- Fields
- 5 columns
- Source
- Community curated
- Data updated
- Apr 9, 2026
Included fields: Show, Notable Cold Open, Season/Episode, Year, Known For.
The table contains every record in this dataset; the same records are available in each download format.
Preview observations
- Year span
- 1990 to 2018
- Across 17 preview rows
Useful for
- Comparing Show, Notable Cold Open, and Season/Episode across entertainment entries
- Building reference tables, charts, or analyses from 17 downloadable records
Show↕ | Notable Cold Open↕ | Season/Episode↕ | Year↕ | Known For↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Breaking Bad | Pink Teddy Bear | S2E1 Seven Thirty-Seven | 2009 | Charred pink teddy bear eye in pool, recurring flash-forward through season 2 setting up plane crash |
Better Call Saul | Gene Takavic at Cinnabon | S1E1 Uno | 2015 | Black-and-white post-BB flash forward, Saul working in Omaha mall as baker, decade-long payoff |
The Sopranos | Christopher's Beheading Ralph | S4E9 Whoever Did This | 2002 | Tony strangles Ralph over dead racehorse, abrupt kill with no music, iconic Sopranos shock |
Lost | Desmond in the Hatch | S2E1 Man of Science Man of Faith | 2005 | Pan up from record player to reveal new character Desmond in underground hatch, mystery reset |
The X-Files | Home teaser | S4E2 Home | 1996 | Peaky Blinders style rain birth of deformed baby, banned from re-airing by Fox, horror masterpiece |
Mad Men | Don's Falling Title | S1E1 Smoke Gets in Your Eyes | 2007 | Every opening: silhouette falls past Madison Ave ads, set 60s mood for all 7 seasons |
Succession | Logan's Sweary Phone Call | S1E1 Celebration | 2018 | Logan Roy rants about a medical test, wets the bed, sets family chaos tone |
Saturday Night Live | Trump Election Night Cold Open | S42E7 | 2016 | Kate McKinnon sings Hallelujah as Hillary Clinton, Leonard Cohen had just died, most discussed cold open of the era |
Saturday Night Live | Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer | S42E13 | 2017 | Gum-swallowing podium rage, reportedly rattled Trump administration, Emmy winner |
Twin Peaks | Laura Palmer's Body | S1E1 Pilot | 1990 | Wrapped in plastic discovery on a log, Angelo Badalamenti score, defined prestige weirdness |
Fargo | Lester Nygaard Meets Lorne Malvo | S1E1 | 2014 | Hospital waiting room opening, bridge conversation about killing a bully, quiet menace |
Game of Thrones | White Walkers Beyond the Wall | S1E1 Winter Is Coming | 2011 | Rangers discover mutilated wildlings, White Walker attack reveals fantasy stakes, show's first scene |
The Office (US) | Parkour! | S6E1 Gossip | 2009 | Michael Dwight and Andy yelling parkour while hopping desks, GIF lore forever |
Parks and Recreation | Jerry's Fart Attack | S5E13 | 2013 | Running gag of Jerry suffering absurd accidents, cold open comedic gem |
Scrubs | My Last Words | S8E4 | 2009 | J.D. and Turk comfort a dying patient, delicate emotional opening, not played for laughs |
True Detective | Rust's Monologue | S1E1 The Long Bright Dark | 2014 | Rust Cohle time is a flat circle philosophy in interrogation flashback, career-reviving Matthew McConaughey |
The Leftovers | The Departure | S1E1 Pilot | 2014 | Baby vanishes from car seat mid-drive, 2% of world suddenly gone, premise in 3 minutes |
Free to explore · No signup needed
Frequently asked questions
How is Best Cold Opens in TV organized?
The table starts in the source data's default order. You can sort and filter the loaded rows by the displayed fields.
How much data is available on this page?
This dataset contains 17 entries, and every row is available in the table and in the downloadable files.
Can I download the complete dataset?
Yes. CSV, JSON, and Excel downloads contain all 17 rows. Before republishing the data, review the source and any usage terms listed on this page; dtbse does not replace the original source's licensing terms.
Related Datasets
More in Entertainment
Harry Potter Characters
A selected guide to prominent Harry Potter film characters, their performers, Hogwarts houses, roles, and notable story associations.
Netflix Original Programming
Original series and films produced by Netflix.
Greatest Movies of All Time
The greatest films ever made ranked by critical acclaim using a composite of IMDb user ratings and Rotten Tomatoes critic scores. Includes iconic entries from every decade of cinema history.
Best Video Games of All Time
Video games widely considered among the best ever made.
Best TV Shows of All Time
The greatest television series of all time ranked by critical acclaim using IMDb ratings. Spans broadcast, cable, and streaming across all eras.
Best-Selling Comic Series
The best-selling comic book series of all time.
Board Games
Classic and modern board games — from timeless chess to modern Euro-game masterpieces.
Greatest Fictional Universes
The most beloved and expansive fictional universes in literature, film, TV, and gaming.
Lollywood / Pakistani Movies
Top Pakistani films showcasing the revival and rise of Lollywood cinema with box office figures and cultural significance.
Famous Fictional Prophets, Oracles & Seers
Oracle at Delphi, Trelawney, Paul Atreides, the Three-Eyed Raven — which fictional seer possesses the most compelling gift of prophecy?
Bollywood Actors
Iconic Bollywood actors and actresses who have shaped Indian cinema with their performances and star power.
Game Developers / Studios
Major video game development studios with their founding details, parent companies, and signature franchises.