History Main / OpeningNarration

Also known as a prologue or a "saga sell", an opening narration is often used to 'set the scene' at the opening of a show that might be confusing for first-time viewers (Creator/JossWhedon famously used one for ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', as the show was initially a mid-season replacement and new viewers might not 'get' the concept). See OpeningMonologue when this trope is used for standalone works or exclusively at the beginning of a series.

[[quoteright:238:[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/war_of_the_magi_7.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:238: It happened [[Franchise/StarWars a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...]]]]

!!Examples:

* [[OpeningNarration/LiveActionTV Live Action TV]]

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* During the three prologues of ''Manga/SoulEater'', the narrator, who is later revealed to be [[TheGrimReaper Lord Death]], begins each episode with "Welcome to the Death Weapon Meister Academy, commonly known as the DWMA..." and about a minute and a half more of explanation of the goal of the DWMA, and the role of meisters and Kishins, and so on. Oddly, weapons are not mentioned. The narration is the same each time it is said.
** Before each episode actually begins, Maka always says "A healthy soul resides in a healthy mind and a healthy body."[[note]]translated in the English dub as "A sound soul dwells within a sound mind and a sound body."[[/note]]
* ''Anime/BestStudentCouncil'': "At Miyagami Private Academy, there is a group of beautiful girls, who have power and authority on par with the faculty members. Miyagami Academy Maximum Authority-Wielding Best Student Council. Or for short: Best Student Council!"
* The first chapter of ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon'' opens with a short InfoDump from the narrator which sets up the background of the story.
* ''Manga/ShugoChara'': "All kids hold an egg in their soul... the egg of our hearts... our would-be selves... yet, unseen..."[[note]]This opening narration is spoken exactly as it appears in SurprisinglyGoodEnglish.[[/note]]
* Early episodes of ''Anime/YuGiOh'' had the "Long ago, when the pyramids were still young" speech in the dub, and the "History of Gaming" speech in the original Japanese (based on the opening "narration" of the [[Manga/YuGiOh first manga chapter]]).
** At one point in Shadi's introduction in ''WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries'', Shadi recites the dub narration word for word.
* ''Manga/OutlawStar'' has a different OpeningNarration before each episode which is used to deliver background information, set the theme for the following episode, or even introduce themes for the series in general.
** Same as above: "...''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'' will now begin."
** Also featured in ''Anime/MartianSuccessorNadesico'', with [[LittleMissSnarker Ruri]] giving her sarcastic views of the previous episodes' goings-on.
** The OpeningNarration for ''Anime/CodeGeass'' is updated every so often as major events happen, but a majority of the time it's about the hero's quest to overthrow TheEmpire and its effects on him. Played with in that more than one character delivered the speeches, and sometimes (e.g. at least one of the Suzaku examples) [[UnreliableNarrator unreliable narration]] was in play.
* The Creator/DiC English dub of the first season of ''Manga/SailorMoon'' used them... spoiling half the series in the process.
** The original version had a short summary of the episode at the start, as well as a more typical narration after the opening -- Usagi explaining the plot of the series. The latter segment was upgraded at least once, with the addition of Mercury and Mars.
* ''Manga/HayateTheCombatButler'': "A butler is one who serves..."
* ''LightNovel/ShakuganNoShana'': "Infinite time stopped beating its heart, and humans burnt away without making any noise..."
* ''Manga/YakitateJapan'': "There's German bread, English bread, French bread, but there's no Japanese bread, or Ja-pan. Which means there's nothing to do except to invent it..."
* ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemist'': "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost: that is alchemy's first law of EquivalentExchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one and only truth."
** In episode 37, a variant of this monologue is delivered by Riza Hawkeye in place of the ordinary pre-credits sequence.
** In the final stretch of the series, it changes to: "The Philosopher's Stone: those who possess it no longer bound by the laws of equivalent exchange in alchemy. They gain without sacrifice, create without equal exchange; [[spoiler:we searched for it, and we found it]]."
** ''[[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood]]'' had one of these for the first dozen or so episodes, where the narrator explained how [[MagicAIsMagicA alchemy is a science]], not magic and how [[CameBackWrong human transmutation is taboo]].
* ''{{Manga/Berserk}}'' begins every episode with: "In this world, is the destiny of mankind controlled by some transcendental entity or law? Is it like the hand of God hovering above? At least it is true that man has no control, even over his own will." It is only revealed in the final episodes that the ominous voice that gives this monologue is [[spoiler: Void, the ''de facto'' leader of the Godhand]].
** The dub outtakes feature the narrator screwing up the intro repeatedly, including a ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButthead'' style intro and one where he talks about "tiny red objects", letting you know that he wasn't given much background on the actual series, but then getting really into his part as [[spoiler:Void]] and starts demanding that the voice director can't make him go away even though the series is over.
* In ''Manga/DetectiveConan'', all of the movies have Conan explaining the basic plot of the series. All of the Japanese episodes state that he's an adult trapped in a child's body.
* The first few episodes of ''Anime/TheVisionOfEscaflowne'' began with Hitomi narrating: "Sore wa yume? Soredemo maboroshi? (Is it a dream? Or an illusion?)" while the episode title was shown. It stopped about halfway through, though.
* The first few episodes of ''[[VideoGame/HarukanaruTokiNoNakaDe Harukanaru Toki no Naka de - Hachiyou Shou]]'' have Fuji-hime explaining the show's premise. In the first episode, this intro continues into [[TheTeaser the actual beginning of the explained events]] before finally showing the opening sequence.
* ''Manga/OnePiece'' changed this up each season. The first season's is by far the most famous: "Wealth. Fame. Power. Gold Roger, the King of the Pirates had seemingly attained everything the world has to offer..."
** All the ones after season one were subversions:
*** Season 2 opened each episode with Gold Roger's last words, where he talks about the nature of freedom.
*** Season 3 starts with Gold Roger making a speech about the reasons pirates travel the seas.
*** Season 4 starts with Luffy telling us the premise, and getting all worked up over how ''awesome'' this week's adventure is going to be.
*** From season 5 on, the show dropped the opening narration altogether. Strangely, this resulted in the intro sequence getting ''longer''.
** The start of the New World Saga (which marks the series' halfway point) sees the return of the original narration.
* "In matters relating to the world of the dead, there is an institution that judges the sins of the deceased, the Ministry of Hades. The Summons Section of the Judgment Bureau comprises a group supporting the ministry's operating functions by guiding the lost souls that wander the mortal world; they are also known as the Guardians of Death"- ''Manga/DescendantsOfDarkness''
* ''Manga/TokyoMewMew'' "The Earth, an exquisite, blue planet with more than a million species living on it..."
* ''Anime/TransformersArmada'' had three. The first, lasting until about episode 15, was Rad explaining the situation to the viewer. After that, a proper {{narrator}} took over, giving a more cosmic description of the premise with some variation from episode to episode. In about episode 40, this narrator switched to a third, Unicron-centric, {{spoiler}}iffic monologue.
* In the second and third season of ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' after the opening themes, there is quick narration of Ranma's arranged marriage to Akane and an explanation of Ranma's curse
* ''LightNovel/CatPlanetCuties'', rather than having one of its own, starts borrowing and slightly modifying other shows' narrations from episode three onward.
* ''Anime/MacrossFrontier'' has a few different ones in the first half dozen or so episodes which would usually touch on the basic premise, then go into different aspects of the setting as necessary for the episode in question.
* "This is the story... of the super force... of space explorers. Specially trained and sent by the alliance to bring back... {{Anime/Voltron}}, defender of the universe." (Both Lion and Vehicle versions)
* Both the original ''Anime/GoLion'' and ''Anime/DairuggerXV'' have one each before the opening sequence proper.
* ''Anime/HumanoidMonsterBem'' tells the origins of the trio.
* ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' begins with the shadow play girls narrating a fairy tale about the girl (Utena) who was inspired to become a Prince.
* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'': "[[UnreliableNarrator This is the story of]] [[DecoyProtagonist a man]] [[ComingOfAgeStory who has yet to realize his own destiny.]]"
* ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'': Particularly the first season does this, but also the fourth and fifth. (The one from the first season is actually at the top of the show's page.)
* ''Anime/PaniPoniDash'' didn't always do it, but when they did it would go along the lines of "Rebecca Miyamoto. Born of an American father and a Japanese mother. Graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the youngest graduate in the school's history. She then returned to Japan to become a high school teacher. However... she was only 10 years old at the time!"
* ''Anime/DigimonXrosWars'' implemented one of these in a franchise which hasn't used the trope before - [[TheHero Taiki]] delivered the narration for the first half, wherein it varied slightly in every episode, and a single stock monologue was delivered by an unnamed narrator in the second half. In [[Anime/DigimonXrosWarsTheYoungHuntersWhoLeaptThroughTime the sequel]], [[TheHero Tagiru]] delivers a single unchanging narration.
* ''Anime/GaoGaiGar'' has this after the last line of the opening theme song: "This is the story of the brave men and women who protect the Earth."
* "Meteoro" (the Latin-American Spanish dub of ''Anime/SpeedRacer'') uses one accompanied by an instrumental version of the original Japanese opening theme song.
* "[[Anime/BattleOfThePlanets Battle of the Planets!]] [[Anime/GForceGuardiansOfSpace G-]][[NamesTheSame Force]], [[ThemeTuneRollCall Prin]][[DubNameChange cess! Tiny! Keyop! Mark! Jason!]][[note]]An alternate version of the intro introduces them as "G-Force", but then simply refers to them as "five incredible young people with super powers".[[/note]][[Anime/ScienceNinjaTeamGatchaman And watching over them]] [[{{Macekre}} from Center Neptune, their computerized coordinator, 7-Zark-7..."]][[note]]"Their computerized coordinator" is left out in the later version of the intro.[[/note]]
** [[Anime/GForceGuardiansOfSpace "(G-Force!) Five teenage champions! G-Force, Guardians of Space! Fighting for good over evil..."]]
* In ''Animation/GuardianFairyMichel'', Kim narrates a legend relevant to the episode or talks about the Tree of Life at the beginning of every episode.
* ''Anime/AshitaNoNadja'': "A long, long time ago... about a hundred years ago... the story I'm about to tell you took place. It's about a girl... who opened the door to her destiny." This plays before the TitleSequence of the first few episodes, [[{{Bookends}} and is altered at the end of the final episode.]]
* ''Anime/TransformersCybertron'': "Our worlds are in danger. To save them and the galaxy, we must find the four Cyber Planet Keys before the Decepticons can use them for evil. It is our mission. Hot Shot! Jetfire! Vector Prime! Landmine! Scattorshot! Optimus Prime! Transform and roll out."
* The English dub of ''Anime/YokaiWatch'' has an ExpositoryThemeTune but also has a narrative beforehand. It's probably justified as most outside of Japan don't know what {{yokai}} are; in fact the children in-series don't either.
-->Unexplained occurrences happen every day. But if you possess the "Yokai Watch" you will have the amazing and rare ability to see the illusive "yokai", invisible, spirit-like entities responsible for life's daily annoyances. But beware: When a yokai enters your life, things will never be quite the same.
* The anime adaptation of ''Literature/TanteiTeamKZJikenNote'' has the following, followed by the summary of the previous episode:
-->I'm Aya Tachibana. I couldn't have imagined that my encounter with four super-eccentric boys would change my life so much. This is the story of the exciting cases that we, [[TheTeam Detective Team KZ]], solve.
* For a number of years now, the ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' movies have started with an opening narration explaining what Pokémon are and how they co-exist with humans, along with introducing us to Satoshi/Ash and pals.
* The first few ''Manga/WanderingSon'' episodes end and begin with monologues.
* The ''Manga/UraraMeirocho'' anime has this:
-->'''TheNarrator''': ''Sometimes, people lose their way to their fate, or the crossroads of life, as they wander through the maze of their everyday lives. In those times, a diviner can present you with an arrow pointing you to the right choice. The magical power that points the way is sometimes panacea, sometimes poison. To possess that power, one must be a girl who has passed her fifteenth birthday. The girls in this fortune-telling town are sometimes goddesses, sometimes witches--''
-->'''Cast [[SpeakInUnison in unision]]''': Urara!
* ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}'': The Creator/DisneyXD opening has Doraemon explain that he helps Noby with his gadgets, but something always goes wrong.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* Creator/MarvelComics does the written version of this trope in the first page of its books:
** The main example: "And there came a day when Earth's mightiest heroes found themselves united against a common threat. On that day, ComicBook/TheAvengers were born - to fight the foes no single super-hero could withstand!"
** These days usually combined with a PreviouslyOn.
** A familiar example from the Bronze Age: "Cyclops. Storm. Banshee. Nightcrawler. Wolverine. Colossus. Children of the atom, students of Charles Xavier, MUTANTS -- feared and hated by the world they have sworn to protect. These are the STRANGEST heroes of all! Stan Lee presents: [[Comicbook/XMen THE UNCANNY X-MEN]]!"
* Around the TurnOfTheMillennium Creator/DCComics did this too, usually with a stylized caption on the title page of each story.
** "I made a vow on my parents' graves to rid this city of the evil that took their lives. By day, I am Bruce Wayne, billionaire philanthropist. By night, criminals, a superstitious and cowardly lot, call me... Franchise/{{BATMAN}}."
** "Rocketed to Earth from the doomed planet Krypyon, the baby Kal-El was found and raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent in Smallville, Kansas. Now an adult, Clark Kent fights for Truth Justice and the American Way as Franchise/{{SUPERMAN}}."
*** Parodied in one issue as "Created out of the thin air by the magically empowered Joker ([[Comicbook/EmperorJoker don't ask]]), this misunderstood backwards version of Superman came to Earth in a mysterious manner. (Yes, you find out in a few pages). Now fights for the knuckleheaded way as BIZARRO".
** The Joe Kelly run on ''Comicbook/ActionComics'' used bullet points: "Doomed Planet Krypton. The rocket. A child. Journey across cold space. Earth. Smallville. Crashlanding. The Kents. Learns TRUTH, JUSTICE and THE AMERICAN WAY. Faster than a speeding bullet. Stronger than a locomotive. A man can fly. Believe."
*** There was also a {{Comicbook/Krypto|TheSuperdog}} variant in one issue: "Idyllic Planet Krypton. The visitor. Journey between dimensions. Earth. Fortress. Kelex. Learns LOYALTY, OBEDIENCE and RESPECT FOR PUBLIC PROPERTY. Faster than a streaking cat. Stronger than a comet. A dog can fly. Woof."
* Books featuring superhero teams will often include a "team lineup" at the start of every issue. It usually involves headshots of each member, along with their name and a brief description of their powers. See IntroDump for a related version of this.
* ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}}'': "The year is 50BC. Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans. Well, not entirely... [[UndefeatableLittleVillage one small village]] of the indomitable Gauls [[TheRemnant still holds out against the invaders]]. And life is not easy for the Roman legionaries who garrison the fortified camps of [[WorldOfPun Totorum, Aquarium, Laudanum and Compendium]]..." Underwent severe MemeticMutation in France, where the opening narration is sufficiently recognisable to be used for StockShoutOuts, and is printed in full on a plaque on the old headquarters of ''Pilote'' magazine.
* ''ComicBook/LegendsOfTheDeadEarth'': Most (but not all) annuals begin as follows: "Earth is dead. Those who once might have called it home are long scattered to the endless stars. But in that scattering, on a thousand different worlds, by a thousand different ways... Earth's greatest legends live on."
* ''ComicBook/StarTrekEarlyVoyages'': The opening narration is a slight variation on that of ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'': "Space... the final frontier. Before James T. Kirk, before Jean-Luc Picard, there was Christopher Pike. These are the voyages of the Starship ''Enterprise'', its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before..."
* ''ComicBook/StarWarsLegacy'': The first issue begins with a page-long monologue from Darth Krayt which lays out the status quo of the series. It's a hundred years after the events of ''Literature/NewJediOrder'', TheEmpire and the Sith have both returned, [[TheFederation the Galactic Alliance]] has fallen, and the Jedi are about to be [[ThePurge wiped out]] once again.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Radio]]
* On the radio, ''Radio/OurMissBrooks'' always began with a narrator introducing Miss Brooks as an English teacher at Madison High School. The narrator would often note something about the day's plot; often cuing some wry remarks by Miss Brooks herself in response, this in turn leading into the episode proper.
* "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? Radio/TheShadow knows!"
* On radio, each episode of ''Radio/YoursTrulyJohnnyDollar'' began with the announcer declaring "Time now for...", followed by a telephone ring that would be answered by the leading man saying "Johnny Dollar". This was used to great effect following a CliffHanger in which Dollar had been shot: the phone rings several times before a heavily medicated Dollar answers the phone from a hospital bed. The first season included an extended opening narration afterward, noting that, "When it comes to insurance investigations, he's simply an expert; when it comes to padding his expense reports, he's an outright genius."
* ''Radio/TheLoneRanger'' - "Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear..." It wasn't always the first line though. Usually, it was: "A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and hearty 'Hi-o Silver!' (The Lone Ranger rides again!)".
* "The man in the saddle is angular and long-legged. His skin is sun-dyed brown. The gun in his holster is gray steel and rainbow mother-of-pearl, its handle unmarked. People call them both ''The Six Shooter''".
* The radio version of ''Radio/{{Gunsmoke}}'' had a real classic:
-->'''Announcer:''' Around Dodge City and in the territory out west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. Marshal and the smell of...''Gunsmoke!'' (theme music starts) ''Gunsmoke'', starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America, and the story of a man who moved with it.
-->'''William Conrad:''' I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful...and a little lonely.
* "From approximately coast to coast, [[Radio/BobAndRay Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding]] present the CBS Radio Network."
* "''Lights Out'' brings you stories of the supernatural and the supernormal, dramatizing the fantasies and the mysteries of the unknown. We tell you this frankly, so if you wish to avoid the excitement and tension of these imaginative plays, we urge you calmly - but sincerely - to turn off your radio...now."
* "And now, another tale well-calculated to keep you in...''Suspense''!"
* "Tired of the everyday routine? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all? We offer you... ''Escape''!"
* "From the far horizons of the unknown come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time and space. These are stories of the future, adventures in which you'll live in a million could-be years on a thousand may-be worlds. [[Creator/{{NBC}} The National Broadcasting Company]], in cooperation with Street & Smith, publishers of ''Astounding Science Fiction Magazine'', present... ''X...Minus...One''!"
* "Welcome to ''Radio/JustAMinute''!"
* The Guy Noir sketch on ''Radio/APrairieHomeCompanion'': "A dark night, in a city that knows how to keep its secrets. But on the twelfth floor of the ACME building, one man is still trying to find the answers to life's persistent questions. Guy Noir... Private Eye."
* (sung) J-E-L-L-O! Don Wilson: [[Radio/TheJackBennyProgram The Jell-O Program]], starring Jack Benny, with Mary Livingston, Rochester, Dennis Day, Phil Harris and his orchestra, and yours truly, Don Wilson! The orchestra opens the program with (song title)!
* ''Series/YouBetYourLife'' (Groucho Marx's radio comedy quiz series), involving a TitleDrop:
-->'''George Fenneman:''' Ladies and gentlemen, don't tell a soul, but the secret word tonight is <word>. W-O-R-D.\\
'''Groucho Marx:''' Really?!\\
'''George Fenneman:''' You bet your life!
* "Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound (Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's {{Superman}})!"
** The [[Radio/TheAdventuresOfSuperman radio show]] was the origin of this famous intro, and was later carried over to at least three other adaptations.
* ''Radio/{{Dragnet}}'' would open with a similar disclaimer to the one used on TV ("The story you are about to hear is true"). Then, announcer Hal Gibney would intone:
-->''Dragnet'', the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next thirty minutes, in cooperation with state, federal and local authorities, you will travel step-by-step on the side of the law through an actual case history, transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, ''Dragnet'' is the story of your police force in action.
* The original radio series ''Radio/TheGreenHornet'':
-->He hunts the biggest of all game: public enemies who try to destroy our America... With his faithful valet Kato, Britt Reid, daring young publisher, matches wits with the Underworld, risking his life so that criminals and racketeers within the law may feel its weight by the sting of the Green Hornet!... Ride with Britt Reid as he races toward another thrilling adventure! The Green Hornet strikes again!
** Early versions of the narration had it as "He hunts the biggest of all game: public enemies even the G-men can't touch..." Legend has it that was changed at the behest of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, who did not like the implication that there were any public enemies that his Special Agents (the "G-men") couldn't apprehend.
* In ''Radio/NewDynamicEnglish'', both ''New Dynamic English'' (as "a basic English language course and an introduction to American people and culture.") and ''Functioning in Business'' ("as an intermediate level business English course with a focus on American business practice and culture") have opening narrations.
* Every episode of ''Radio/TheMenFromTheMinistry'' opens with the nameless narrator explaining something about Ministry and/or it's workers.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* The ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' games always ([[VideoGame/Fallout4 until the fourth game]]) began with Creator/RonPerlman's voice saying, "War... War never changes..." followed by some exposition about the nuclear war that leveled America (along with most of the rest of the planet).
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** There's an opening crawl at the beginning of the [[Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaI first game in the series]]: "Many years ago, Prince Darkness Gannon stole one of the Triforce with Power..."
** Similar opening narrations appear in other Zelda games, including ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'' and ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheMinishCap''.
** ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'' has one in what seems to be storybook form, complete with Hylian text and what appear to be ink illustrations. It recounts the legend of the [[Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Hero of Time defeating Ganon]] and saving the "ancient kingdom."[[note]]That is, the Hyrule seen in ''Ocarina of Time.''[[/note]] Notably, because of the game itself taking place hundreds of years AfterTheEnd of the ancient kingdom, [[FutureImperfect the details are inaccurate to what actually happened]].[[note]]The Hero of Time was an adult (19) when he defeated Ganon, not a young boy as the narration claims.[[/note]]
** ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass'' includes one put together out of colorful paper cutouts by Niko, and it recounts the story of the prequel, ''The Wind Waker.''
* All the in-game movies in ''VideoGame/SidMeiersAlphaCentauri'' are a CG animation or montage, with a background voice reciting something, usually a fictional quote from the faction leaders, sometimes a passage from a book. Also, the opening sequence also features a montage with a narrator at the end, explaining the events that happened before the game.
* The famous opening text from ''VideoGame/{{Civilization}}'' became an OpeningNarration in ''Civ 4'' thanks to Creator/LeonardNimoy.
* ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness'' begins with a narration by Dr. Edward Roivas, whose narrations also precede all in-game chapters save one.
* Most [=RPGs=] by Creator/SquareEnix in the 80s and 90s open with a legend. The most famous are the blue screens in ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' with Prelude playing. However ''VideoGame/WorldOfMana'' and ''VideoGame/{{SaGa|RPG}}'' also featured this with their themes of "Morning Sun", "Fear of the Angels" and the "Legacy" for ''[=SaGa=]''.
* Played with in that it's not opening narrations but Previews of the next episodes, but this is done in ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'' for those previews.
* ''VideoGame/Persona5'': After a ThisIsAWorkOfFiction disclaimer, the BigGood of the ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' series, Igor, explains that those who would stand against perversions of the law and other societal corruption are sometimes called "Tricksters", and that you shall take the role of one such AntiHero rogue. It's only after this that you take control of the player character to being the game in earnest.
* ''Videogame/EarthBoundBeginnings'' has one in plain white text against a black background, telling the story of a "dark shadow" crossing over the small American town of Podunk, as well as the mysterious disappearance of the protagonist's great-grandmother and great-grandfather, George and Maria, 80 years before the game itself begins.
* The little known laserdisc game ''Laser Grand Prix'' has one done in SurprisinglyGoodEnglish by an obviously Japanese announcer (albeit with a very light accent):
-->"Ladies and gentlemen, Creator/{{Taito}} welcomes you to challenge the race of all time! Insert coin, turn on the ignition, sit back, and get ready for the thrill of high speed racing!"
* ''VideoGame/{{Awesomenauts}}'' has one during the game's intro theme video.
-->''"The year 3587. Conflict spans the stars. Huge armies are locked into an enduring stalemate. Only one force can help them now: the Awesomenauts!"''
* "Hey, hey, hey! Are you ready to have some fun? I've got some kickin' music, and I'm ready to see you drive! Get those coins out of your pocket, throw them in the machine, and let's get started! ''VideoGame/CrazyTaxi''!"
* ''Toy Pop'' has one in GratuitousEnglish:[[note]]There are also others that appear after every BonusRound is cleared.[[/note]]
-->"Pino and Acha are going to Majyo's castle to save friend."
* ''VideoGame/NinjaGaiden'' (original NES game[[note]]Although the arcade game, which came out first, was in development at around the same time.[[/note]]):
-->'''Ryu Hayabusa''': "With whom did my father have a duel and lose? For what reason did he fight and die? Even I don't know for sure."...
* ''VideoGame/BadDudes vs. Dragon Ninja'' has another GratuitousEnglish example:
-->"Rampant ninja related crimes these days.. [[TheWhiteHouse Whitehouse]] is not the exception..."[[note]]This is exactly how it appears in-game.[[/note]]
* ''Road Blaster'' (the laserdisc arcade game by Data East) indirectly does this during the AttractMode in the form of a radio DJ's broadcast:
-->"Hi! How are all you fans out there? Yeah, this is radio D-A-T-A with the hottest hits today! Bright and sunny out there. You all having fun? You all know about the gangs busting up the city? Geez, I wish someone could blast them! Hey, here's some good news for you. You all seen that red supercar running around? Yeah, that's the one. He's our man. Yup, [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge he's blasting them sky high]]! Hey, red supercar, can hear me out there? The gangs are running wild again. Hurry, man. We need you. We need you fast!
* ''VideoGame/{{Reunion}}'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk_L8BL0r48 intro]] is 11 minutes long. It starts with RaygunGothic lineart slideshow narrated with a thick Hungarian accent. In the middle it switches to colourful ''Film/ANewHope''-inspired animation of rebels taking over an orbital station, then returns to lineart slideshow.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* In the second season of ''{{WesternAnimation/Gargoyles}}'' (though not in the first or third seasons), [[TheHero Goliath]] recalls how he and the rest of his clan of [[OurGargoylesRock gargoyles]] were trapped in the forms of [[TakenForGranite stone statues]] 1000 years ago, until they were [[FishOutOfTemporalWater freed in the modern day]] to continue fighting evil. It famously ends with:
-->''...We are the defenders of the night! WE ARE GARGOYLES!''
* ''WesternAnimation/SkyCommanders'' is another series that didn't add an opening narration until its later episodes.
* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' features a brief description of the world, bending, the Avatar, and the War with the Fire Nation by Katara, with a longer version in the first episode.
-->''[[MemeticMutation But that all changed when the Fire Nation attacked.]]''
** Katara's son Tenzin is the narrator for the opening credits for the sequel series ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra''. His narration is basically a more generalized version of Katara's, using the same description of bending and the Avatar but omitting any mention of specific story details; this is presumably because the show doesn't have a central, overarching conflict like its predecessor.
* The talkie season of ''WesternAnimation/AeonFlux'' ran the opening titles under a dialogue between the two lead characters.
-->'''Trevor:''' The dream to awaken our world.\\
'''[=Æ=]on:''' You're out of control.\\
'''Trevor:''' I ''take'' control... whose side are you on?\\
'''[=Æ=]on:''' I take no side.\\
'''Trevor:''' You're skating the edge.\\
'''[=Æ=]on:''' I ''am'' the edge.\\
'''Trevor:''' What you truly want, only I can give.\\
'''[=Æ=]on:''' You can't give it, can't even buy it, and you just don't get it.
* Raf from ''WesternAnimation/AngelsFriends'', explaining a topic either the angels and devils or the humans will go through in the episode. OnceAnEpisode.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Reboot}}'': "I come from the Net - through systems, peoples, and cities - to this place, Mainframe..."
** This one changed several times according to various plot developments, although kept the same basic scheme.
* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB_McdNQJ2U two different opening narrations]]:
** In the first four seasons of the show, [[BigBad Aku]] does a recap of the events of the first episode; recalling how he went on a rampage through ancient Japan, and fought with [[TheHero Samurai Jack]] before [[TimeTravel banishing him to the future]] ([[BadFuture in which he now rules the world]]).
--->''Long ago in a distant land, I, Aku, the Shapeshifting Master of Darkness, [[TakeOverTheWorld unleashed an unspeakable evil!]]...''
** In the [[UnCanceled fifth and final season]], Jack himself explains that [[TimeSkip five decades have passed]] since the original series; but yet he is still trapped in Aku's CrapsackWorld, and is [[StatusQuoIsGod still nowhere closer]] to achieving his goal of [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong returning to and fixing the past]].
--->''Fifty years have passed; but, [[TheAgeless I do not age]]...''
* ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'': "Sugar, spice, and everything nice. These were the ingredients chosen to create the perfect little girls..."
** Separate episodes also often start with a monologue from the Narrator, always starting with "The city of Townsville..."
* "He has become the ultimate supercop--Franchise/RoboCop!" From the 1988 ''WesternAnimation/RoboCopTheAnimatedSeries''.
* "...And so, the battle continues in a new place and time with ''WesternAnimation/DinoRiders''!"
* "We used to be four ordinary teenagers--until one day, we met some new friends from out of town. They were called --''WesternAnimation/{{Dinosaucers}}''!"
* "...The honor-bound protector of the innocent! ''[[WesternAnimation/RamboTheForceOfFreedom Rambo -- the Force of Freedom!]]''" From the 1986 AnimatedAdaptation.
* "I am Adam, Prince of Eternia..." from ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse1983''. [[WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse2002 The revival series]] subverted this by having Adam begin this narration only to be interrupted by an enemy attack and the theme song.
** "I am Adora, He-Man's twin sister" from ''WesternAnimation/SheRaPrincessOfPower'', a DistaffCounterpart SpinOff.
* "The alien world of Mer is being devoured by dark water! Only Ren, a young prince, can stop it, [[GottaCatchEmAll by finding]] the Lost [[MacGuffin Thirteen Treasures of Rule!]] At his side is an unlikely but loyal [[TrueCompanions crew of misfits]]; at his back, the evil pirate lord [[BigBad Bloth]], who will stop at nothing to get the treasures for himself. It's high adventure with... ''WesternAnimation/ThePiratesOfDarkWater''!"
* The first episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'' opens with a narration to introduce us to the eponymous machines.
* ''WesternAnimation/ThreeDelivery'' has one, narrated by the Titular Trio, Tobey, Sue, and Sid: "Years ago, our Nana was trained in the ways of magic..."
* "...Whatever the challenge, they are ready -- the WesternAnimation/{{Centurions}}!"
* ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfTheGalaxyRangers'' combines OpeningNarration with an ExpositoryThemeTune.
** The Sunbow ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeARealAmericanHero'' series as well -- "its purpose: to defend human freedom against COBRA, a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world!"
** And the ''WesternAnimation/ConanTheAdventurer'' animated series.
** Before either of the above shows, ''WesternAnimation/FatAlbertAndTheCosbyKids'' did the same thing:
---> "This is Creator/BillCosby coming at you with music and fun, and if you're not careful, you'll learn something before it's done. (So let's get ready, okay?) Hey, hey, hey![[note]]The part in parentheses was left out during the show's "The Adventures of..." incarnation.[[/note]]
* ''WesternAnimation/CountDuckula'' had one of these ''and'' an ExpositoryThemeTune, oddly enough.
* ''WesternAnimation/ElTigre'': "Miracle City! A spicy cesspool of crime and villainy..."
* ''WesternAnimation/TheWildThornberrys'': "This is me, Eliza Thornberry, part of your average family. I've got a dad, a mom, and a sister. There is Donny; we found him, and Darwin? He found us..."
* ''WesternAnimation/BeastMachines'': "This is Optimus Primal, and he has returned to Cybertron. With no memory of how he got back, and none of his friends the Maximals to be seen, he is attacked by a new enemy - the strange Vehicons. Whilst on the run he manages to find his fellow Maximals. Deep in the heart of Cybertron they find the Oracle computer, which transforms them into a new kind of Transformer. But they still have a lot to learn about their new bodies... and who is out to get them?"
* ''WesternAnimation/TheTrapDoor'': "Somewhere in the dark and nasty regions where nobody goes stands an ancient castle..."
* "In the great hall of the Justice League, there are assembled 4 of the world's greatest heroes, created from the cosmic legends of the universe: Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman, and...those three junior WesternAnimation/SuperFriends, Wendy, Marvin, and Wonderdog! Their mission: to fight injustice, to right that which is wrong, and to serve all mankind!"
** Subsequent seasons later had different ones.
* ''WesternAnimation/LaffALympics'':
--> '''Snagglepuss''': "Heavens to hilarity, this is it, sports fans! Participants, even!..."
* ''WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers'': "Our world is in peril! Gaia, the spirit of the earth, can no longer stand the terrible destruction plaguing our planet..."
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfSuperMarioBros3'': "It is a legend no one will forget! Everyone thought King Koopa had left the Mushroom Kingdom..."
* "Somewhere out in space live WesternAnimation/TheHerculoids..."
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Tugs}}'' explained to us that "The tugboat, for its size, is the most powerful craft afloat. And the Star Tugs are the power behind the docks and waterways that make up the Bigg City Port. This... is ''Tugs''."
* "Ever since the late Stone Age, there have been unique individuals who solve problems. This is the story of three such heroes: Alfe, Roba, Horace, ''WesternAnimation/TheProblemSolverz''!"
* "And now, here they are...the most daredevil group of daffy drivers to ever whirl their wheels in the WesternAnimation/WackyRaces, competing for the title of the World's Wackiest Racer."
* "''WesternAnimation/ThePerilsOfPenelopePitstop'', starring those seven rollicking rescuers, the Anthill Mob, their courageous car, Chuggaboom, and that villain of villains, the Hooded Claw..."
* The first season episodes of ''WesternAnimation/ExoSquad'' started with JT Marsh's narration that summed up the backstory of the show and [[SpoilerOpening about a half of said season]] (golden age of mankind, creation of Neosapiens, their rebellion, fall of the Homeworlds) and ended with a TitleDrop.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheRaccoons'': "This is the Evergreen Forest. Quiet, peaceful, serene... that is, until Bert Raccoon wakes up! Luckily, he's got some friends to help him along. Life would be simple in the forest, except for... Cyril Sneer! And his life would be simple except for... The Raccoons!"
* The first season episodes of ''WesternAnimation/TheSnorks'' has a random man narrating about a mythical legend about mysterious underwater sea creatures rescuing Spanish Navy Captain Ortega who's log is housed in a library at a Caribbean Monastery.
* "But one man bursts his bonds to fight for justice! With his companions Ookla the Mok and Princess Ariel, he pits his strength, his courage, and his fabulous Sunsword against the forces of evil! He is WesternAnimation/ThundarrTheBarbarian!"
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'': And there came a day unlike any other, when Earth's mightiest heroes found themselves united against a common threat. On that day, they became The Avengers!" (used only in season 2).
* ''WesternAnimation/SuperRobotMonkeyTeamHyperforceGo'' has Chiro retelling the story of himself coming across the Super Robot and becoming leader of the Monkey Team. [[spoiler:It eventually leads to a TitleDrop of the series' WhamEpisode]].
-->'''Chiro:''' ...the Robot Monkeys were awakened, and I, Chiro, made their leader. On a quest to save Shuggazoom City from the evils of the [[BigBad Skeleton King]].
* "From now on, like your parents were, you are the secret force of WesternAnimation/PolePosition!" Subverted in that it was spoken by Uncle Zachary to Dan and Tess themselves.
* "I have a very special secret. I'm the only one who knows about tiny people living in our walls called Literature/TheLittles." This was replaced in seasons two and three by an ExpositoryThemeTune, which differed between the two seasons.
* "A thunder of jets in an open sky, a streak of gray and a cheerful 'Hi'! A loop, a whirl and a vertical climb and once again you know it's time for [[WesternAnimation/RockyAndBullwinkle Rocky And His Friends]]!" (Changed to "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends" for the DVD releases)
* ''Comicbook/FantasticFour'' cartoons from both [[WesternAnimation/TheFantasticFour1967 1967]] and [[WesternAnimation/TheFantasticFour1978 1978]] begin with a narrator listing off the names and powers of each member.
* "WesternAnimation/ClutchCargo and his pals Spinner and Paddlefoot, in another exciting adventure: (insert title of episode here)" [[note]]"You remember last time...(insert recap here)"[[/note]]
* In the early 1980s, there was a short animation that aired on Spanish language television in both Spain and Latin American countries featuring (and actually called) "Casimiro", a friendly monster who reminded viewers that it was time to go to bed. Unlike most other "bedtime [=PSAs=]" however, this one has an opening narration:
-->"Y ahora, presentamos un mensaje de nuestra estrella nocturna[[note]]"And now, we present a message from our nighttime star:[[/note]]: ¡Casimiro!"
* "...To restore her royal name, the princess and her friends must find the crystal of... WesternAnimation/{{Gawayn}}"
* "...and it was on that day I made WesternAnimation/TheSnowman."
* [[WesternAnimation/TheSagaofNoggintheNog Noggin the Nog]] begins with this trope, to great effect. "In the lands of the north, where the black rocks stand guard against the cold sea, in the dark night that is very long..."
* The short lived ''WesternAnimation/ProjectGeeker'' cartoon had this. [[http://youtu.be/mPRE2DKCH2E "That's me, Geeker"]] [[FakeOutOpening "And that's me!"]]
* "But his best friend was a bear called Franchise/WinnieThePooh, or Pooh for short."
* "Colonel William Guile, one of the greatest martial artists in the world, travels the global tournament circuit, using it to conceal his mission as leader of an elite group of international crime fighters, known only by their code name: ''WesternAnimation/StreetFighter''! The heroic man-beast, Blanka. Hard-kicking fighting machine, Chun-Li! And, a team of the most amazing warriors ever seen joins forces with Guile to combat the criminal empire of Shadaloo, and its superhuman leader, Bison. They have their own code of honor: Discipline, justice, commitment! And together, they will triumph against the forces of evil! Strrrrrreet Fighter!"
* "Literature/TheCatInTheHat [[note]]Cat: "That's me."[[/note]] presents ''Creator/DrSeuss on the Loose'': A three decker consisting of 1. ''The Sneetches'', 2. ''The Zax'', 3. ''Literature/GreenEggsAndHam''."
* ''WesternAnimation/TheThirteenGhostsOfScoobyDoo'':.
-->'''Vincent Van Ghoul:''' This is a warning to all living mortals, that whosoever opens this Chest of Demons will unleash thirteen of the most terrifying ghosts upon the face of the earth! (''later, to our heroes'') Only ''you'' can return the demons to the Chest!\\
'''Shaggy, Scooby:''' Why us?\\
'''Van Ghoul:''' Because [[NiceJobBreakingItHero YOU let them out]]!
* "We interrupt this program to bring you... the ''WesternAnimation/CourageTheCowardlyDog'' show, starring Courage, the Cowardly Dog!"
* "''WesternAnimation/COPSAnimatedSeries'' - [[FunWithAcronyms Central Organization of Police Specialists]]: fighting crime in a future time. Protecting Empire City from Big Boss and his gang of crooks."
** "TheCaseOf [subject of episode]: C.O.P.S. file[[note]]"C.O.P.S. case file" in some episodes[[/note]] [file number is given, followed by expository information on what will happen in the episode]. Here's how the caper came down."
*** [[EveryEpisodeEnding Each episode]] (with two exceptions) also has a closing narration which ends with Bulletproof repeating the episode name and file number followed by "Case closed".
* "Set free by [[WesternAnimation/CaptainCavemanAndTheTeenAngels the Teen Angels]] from his prehistoric block of glacier ice comes the world's first superhero, [[WesternAnimation/CaptainCavemanAndTheTeenAngels Captain Caveman]]!..."
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda'':
-->'''Zelda''': This is the Triforce of Wisdom, Link. The evil wizard Ganon has the Triforce of Power...
* "John ''WesternAnimation/{{Blackstar}}'', astronaut — is swept through a black hole — into an ancient alien universe..."
* "This is ''WesternAnimation/Sealab2020''".
* "Ladies and Gentlemen, ''WesternAnimation/GarfieldAndFriends''."
* "From out of the pages of Creator/DCComics comes the world's newest and greatest superhero, ''ComicBook/PlasticMan''!..."
* "[[WesternAnimation/GoldieGoldAndActionJack Goldie Gold]], the world's richest girl...[[WesternAnimation/GoldieGoldAndActionJack and Action Jack]], daredevil reporter for Goldie's newspaper, the ''Gold Street Journal''..."
* "Who's the sassiest, brassiest, classiest cat? (ComicStrip/{{Heathcliff}}!![[note]]This opening narration was only used in the first season of Creator/RubySpears' Heathcliff series, which also features Dingbat and the Creeps (an original Ruby-Spears creation). The second season of this show (which features ComicStrip/{{Marmaduke}}), and [[WesternAnimation/HeathcliffAndTheCatillacCats the later 1984 series by]] Creator/DicEntertainment use [[TitleThemeTune title theme tunes]] instead.[[/note]])..."
* The opening of the Hanna-Barbera version of ''WesternAnimation/BillAndTedsExcellentAdventures'':
-->'''Rufus:''' I had been selected for a most important journey. I was to help fulfill the destinies of the two Great Ones--Bill and Ted.\\
'''Bill, Ted''': Wyld Stallyns rule!
* ''WesternAnimation/KaBlam'':
-> "Action League! Now!.."
-> "What you are about see is top secret. It is a video tape recorded 900,000 years ago by an alien using a remote-controlled camera. It shows his attempts to educate a caveman. They have been code-named The Prometheus and Bob Tapes."
* "That's me, Fred the House Cat. When my family leaves for the day, I don't just sit inside watching the world go by. I become... ''WesternAnimation/NatureCat'', backyard explorer extraordinaire!" (cue ExpositoryThemeTune)
* "...My name is Home-Base, I'm the house they live in. And this is ''WesternAnimation/TheXs''."
* The opening of ''WesternAnimation/Hero108'' starts with a short narration by Lin-Chung where he describes the way humans and animals used to co-exist peacefully until High Roller turned the animals against humans. He then introduces the main heroes (himself included) who joined their forces together in order to stop the war between humans and animals.
[[/folder]]

* The first episode of ''Series/TheNoddyShop'' opens up with one by its' protagonist Noah Tomten:
--> ''"Once upon a time, there was a magical shop in a town called Littleton Falls. When I was a boy, I knew it was magic because things moved on the shelves when no one was looking. Then I grew up and went to sea and sailed around the world, but I always knew I'd come back and run this shop someday. Oh, I forgot to tell you. My name is Noah Tomten, and this is the Noddy Shop!"''

* ''Anime/{{Doraemon}}'': The Creator/DisneyXD opening has Doraemon explain that he helps Noby with his gadgets, but something always goes wrong.

* ''Anime/DigimonXrosWars'' implemented one of these in a franchise which hasn't used the trope before - [[TheHero Taiki]] delivered the narration for the first half, wherein it varied slightly in every episode, and a single stock monologue was delivered by an unnamed narrator in the second half. In [[Anime/DigimonXrosWarsTheYoungHuntersLeapingThroughTime the sequel]], [[TheHero Tagiru]] delivers a single unchanging narration.

* Every ''Literature/CaptainUnderpants'' book starts with a paragraph introducing the reader to George and Harold and describing them, concluding with the words "Remember that now". The two parter expanded upon this by introducing the other side characters and the book's villains who were currently chasing them.

-> "Once upon a time, there was a magical shop in a town called Littleton Falls. When I was a boy, I knew it was magic because things moved on the shelves when no one was looking. Then I grew up and went to sea and sailed around the world, but I always knew I'd come back and run this shop someday. Oh, I forgot to tell you. My name is Noah Tomten, and this is the Noddy Shop!"

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/TheOuterLimits1963'':
** The first version was only used in the first three episodes.
--->"There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We can reduce the focus to a soft blur, or sharpen it to crystal clarity. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to...the Outer Limits."
** The shorter second version was used for the remainder of the series.
--->"There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture... ''You'' are about to participate in a great adventure. ''You'' are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to... the Outer Limits."
* ''Series/TheOuterLimits1995'': The revival featured a variation of that of the original.
-->"There is nothing wrong with your television. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are now controlling the transmission. We control the horizontal and the vertical. We can deluge you with a thousand channels, or expand one single image to crystal clarity... and beyond..."
* ''Series/TheTwilightZone1959'': Over the course of the series, five different opening narrations were used in the title sequence:
** The first was used from "[[Recap/TheTwilightZone1959S1E1WhereIsEverybody Where is Everybody?]]" to "[[Recap/TheTwilightZoneS1E32APassageForTrumpet A Passage for Trumpet]]".
--->"There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to Man. It is a dimension as vast as space, and as timeless as infinity. It is the middleground between light and shadow, between science and superstition; and it lies between the pit of Man's fears, and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call... the Twilight Zone."
** The second was used from "[[Recap/TheTwilightZoneS1E33MrBevis Mr. Bevis]] to "[[Recap/TheTwilightZoneS1E36AWorldOfHisOwn A World of His Own]]", the final four episodes of Season One.
--->"You are about to enter another dimension. A dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, the Twilight Zone!"
** The third was used in Season Two.
--->"You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead - your next stop, the Twilight Zone!"
** The fourth was used in Season Three.
--->"You are traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, the Twilight Zone!"
** The fifth was used in Seasons Four and Five. This version is also repeated in the Disney attraction ''Ride/TheTwilightZoneTowerOfTerror'', when the ride vehicle arrives at the 5th Dimension scene.
--->"You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension - a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone."
* ''Series/TheTwilightZone2002'': The second revival used a slight variation of that used in Season Two of the original.
-->"You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. You are entering the Twilight Zone."
* ''Series/TheTwilightZone2019'': The third revival uses a combination of the original's first and last opening narrations.
-->"You are traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of one's fears and the summit of one's knowledge. You're now traveling to the dimension of imagination. You've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone."
* Being the Japanese counterpart of ''The Twilight Zone'', ''Series/UltraQ'' uses a very similar narration:
--> "(expository information on what is about to occur) For the next 30 minutes, your eyes will leave your body and enter inside this fantasy time..."
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' and ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekTheAnimatedSeries'' have an iconic one:
--->''Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.''
** ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' has a minor variation of the ''Original Series'' narration. It replaces "Its five-year mission" with "Its continuing mission" and "where no man has gone before" with "where no ''one'' has gone before".
** {{Averted}} in the remainder of the series, as ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'', and ''Series/StarTrekDiscovery'' had merely instrumental music during the credits sequence, while ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' had a ThemeSong with actual lyrics.
* ''Series/OnceUponATime'': "There is a town, in Maine..."
* '' "It began... in the future..." ''. ''Series/TimeTrax''
* ''Series/AliasSmithAndJones'': "Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry. The two most successful outlaws in the history of the West..."
* The ''Series/{{Andromeda}}'' opening narration changed with each season as the show's format and production team changed radically. The first-season narration by Kevin Sorbo spelled out the original scenario: "The Long Night has come," galactic civilization has fallen, and the ''Andromeda'' and her crew have vowed to restore it. "Hope lives again." This was replaced in the second season by a generic narrator explaining the same basic premise but playing up Sorbo's character Dylan Hunt as the primary hero. Subsequent seasons abandoned this story arc and replaced the narration with a more generic one again narrated by Sorbo: "The universe is a dangerous place" and Dylan Hunt and his crew "fight to make it safe."
* "Now the story of a wealthy family who lost everything and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together. It's ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment''."
* The DVD version of the ''Series/VeronicaMars'' pilot opens with the words: [[BrokenBird "I’m never getting married. You want an absolute? Well, there it is."]] The narrator (Veronica) then moves on to explain numerous things [[BackStory about the story and setting]], essentially telling you what has already happened while showing what's about to happen at the same time. The narration generally shifts to snarky commentary later on when the viewers don't require as much explanation.
* ''Series/{{GARO}}'': "Where there is light, shadows lurk and fear reigns. Yet by the blade of Knights, mankind was given hope."
* "In 1972 [[note]]"Ten years ago" in the first season[[/note]], a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade into the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if nobody else can help, and if you can find them, then maybe you can hire... Series/TheATeam." This was dropped entirely for the final season.
* The American broadcasts of the Emma Peel episodes of ''Series/TheAvengers1960s'' began with a specially shot narration: "Extraordinary crimes against the people and the state have to be avenged by agents extraordinary. Two such people are John Steed, top professional, and his partner Emma Peel, talented amateur - otherwise known as... ''The Avengers''."
* ''Series/BabylonFive'' used a different narration each season, usually ending with, "The year is 22XX...[[CaptainObvious the name of the place is]]..."
* The original ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|1978}}'' used bookending narrations. The [[Series/BattlestarGalactica2003 2000s version]] has a title crawl that is not spoken aloud, although a DVD EasterEgg on one of the 2000s seasons had the original opening narration spoken by Edward James Olmos.
-->"There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive somewhere beyond the heavens."
-->"Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar, Galactica, leads a rag-tag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest -- a shining planet, known as Earth."
* ''Series/BuckRogersInTheTwentyFifthCentury'': "[[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture The year is 1987.]] And NASA launches the last of America's deep space probes. In a freak mishap, Ranger 3 and its pilot, Captain William "Buck" Rogers, are blown out of their trajectory into an orbit which freezes his life-support systems and returns Buck Rogers to Earth 500 years later."
* The first and second seasons of ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', first by a generic narrator and later by Anthony Stewart Head:
-->"Into every generation a slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a chosen one. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their number. She is the Slayer."
* ''Series/BurnNotice'' mixes its opening narration with scenes from the show.
-->'''Michael:''' My name is Michael Westen. I used to be a spy, until...
-->'''Boss:''' We've got a [[TitleDrop burn notice]] on you. You're blacklisted.
-->'''Michael:''' When you're burned, you've got nothing. No cash, no credit, no job history. They drop you in whatever city you happen to land in.
-->'''Michael (scene):''' Where am I?
-->'''Fiona:''' Miami.
-->'''Michael:''' You do whatever work comes your way. You rely on anyone still talking to you: a trigger-happy ex-girlfriend...
-->'''Fiona:''' Should we shoot them?
-->'''Michael:''' An old friend who used to inform on you to the FBI...
-->'''Sam:''' You know spies. Bunch of bitchy little girls.
-->'''Michael:''' Family too...
-->'''Sam:''' Hey, is that your mom again?
-->'''Michael:''' ...if you're desperate.
-->'''Madeline:''' Someone needs your help, Michael.
-->'''Michael:''' Bottom line is as long as you're burned, you're not going anywhere.
* "''Hi. I'm Series/{{Chuck}} Bartowski. And here are a few things you should know...''".
* "''Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Series/DaysOfOurLives..."''
* ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' used two versions, one narrated by lead character Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion), the other by Shepherd Book (Ron Glass). It was abandoned for the DVD release, since it had been [[ExecutiveMeddling added at network insistence]] rather than by creator Creator/JossWhedon's choice. The OpeningNarration was shown during a montage ''before'' TheTeaser and TitleSequence.
* ''Series/SapphireAndSteel'', disregarding the [[ArtisticLicenseChemistry abuse of the term "elements"]] in the cause of [[RuleOfCool sounding mysterious]]:
-->"All irregularities will be handled by the forces controlling each dimension. Transuranic heavy elements may not be used where there is life. Medium atomic weights are available: Gold, Lead, Copper, Jet, Diamond, Radium, Sapphire, Silver and Steel. Sapphire and Steel have been assigned."
* ''Series/LawAndOrder'': "In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: The police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories." This narration is slightly modified for the spin-off shows ''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'', ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent'', and ''Series/LawAndOrderTrialByJury''. Interestingly, they make it seem that the Police are Law and the Prosecutors are Order, when the reverse is really more accurate.
* "I am the Lexx. I am the most powerful weapon of destruction in the two universes," ''Series/{{Lexx}}'', dropped for the final season, because [[spoiler: after Mantrid was through, there weren't two universes anymore]].
* ''Series/TalesFromTheDarkside'' has one of the creepiest openings ever:
-->"Man lives in the sunlit world of what he ''believes'' to be reality. ''But'' - there is, unseen by most, an underworld. A place that is just as real, but not as brightly lit... a '''Darkside'''."
* "''Series/KnightRider'': a shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not exist..." ''Series/KnightRider'' also featured a corresponding ''closing'' narration for its first season.
* ''Series/HardcastleAndMcCormick'' had one in the early episodes: "Milton C. Hardcastle is a retired judge of the California Superior Court..."
* ''Series/WarOfTheWorlds1988'' used a straightforward description of the show's premise in the first season. The second season replaced this with a vague and frightened news report intentionally reminiscent of the style of the RadioDrama of the same title (and, by proxy, the famous radio report on the Hindenburg disaster).
** Creator/OrsonWelles' radio adaptation opened with a variation on [[Literature/TheWarOfTheWorlds the book's]] unforgettable "No one would have believed, in the last years of the nineteenth century, that this world was BeingWatched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's", as did the Creator/DarkHorseComics adaptation, the Jeff Wayne musical, and the big-budget 2005 film adaptation.
** After a short introduction and a disclaimer, the radio ''WOTW'' goes into a musical Big Band Ballroom show which was very popular at the time. Many people who tuned in late were unaware this was a drama, so when the announcer starts breaking in with news of the invasion, it sounds completely plausible.
* ''Series/{{Highlander}}: The Series'': "He is immortal, born in the Highlands of Scotland four hundred years ago..."
** Season one's opener was first person, done by Creator/AdrianPaul himself, then there was a generic narrator, then Jim Byrnes took over as Joe Dawson.
* ''Series/StargateUniverse'': "Destiny. The design is clearly ancient. Launched hundreds of thousands of years ago." - features lines of different characters, but still makes sense as a single expository monologue. The second half of the first season changed this montage and it doesn't resemble coherent narration anymore.
* ''Series/SevenDays'' (in its later seasons)
* ''Series/{{Sliders}}'', with minor changes until a permanent version was settled upon in season three. The final season had Rembrandt saying it instead of Quinn, who'd been PutOnABus.
* "The story you are about to hear is true. Names have been changed to protect the innocent." ''Franchise/{{Dragnet}}''.
** Parodied in ''Mathnet'' on ''Series/SquareOneTV'': "The story you are about to see is a fib, but it's short. The names are made up, but the problems are real."
** Also parodied more humorously in the 1987 ''Dragnet'' film: "Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. For example, George Baker is now called... [[ShesAManInJapan Sylvia Wiss.]]"
* ''Series/ThePrisoner1967'' has a particularly lengthy dialogue during its TitleSequence. While the lines remain the same, in each episode, the current Number Two delivers that half of the exchange.
** Except in episodes where the identity of Number Two is hidden (or on at least one occasion where the actor playing Number Two didn't record the lines), in which case a generic voice is used for Number Two.
* ''Series/{{NUMB3RS}}''. For the second season, the narration remained more or less the same, but the narration changed from a monologue to isolated lines within the ThemeTune.
* "Theorizing that one could time travel within his own lifetime, Dr. Samuel Beckett stepped into the Series/QuantumLeap accelerator -- and vanished."
* In Season 1 of ''Series/RemingtonSteele'', Laura explained how her fake detective came to be played by a real person.
* ''Series/{{Heroes}}'' begins and ends with a voiceover of Mohinder attempting to sound profound ([[ContemplateOurNavels and not always succeeding]]). Also, every single PreviouslyOn starts with "Ordinary people around the world discover extraordinary abilities..."
* ''Series/IkMikLoreland'' has one in the first episode doing some basic worldbuilding, introducing the main characters
* ''Series/DoctorWho''
** The American airings of Series 6 had an opening narration explaining how Amy met the Doctor and that she travels with him.
--> When I was a little girl, I had an imaginary friend. And when I grew up, he came back. He’s called the Doctor. He comes from somewhere else. He’s got a box called the TARDIS that’s BiggerOnTheInside and can travel anywhere in time and space. I ran away with him, and we’ve been running ever since.
** The Japanese broadcast of the Fourth Doctor stories featured an opening narration by Tom Baker's dub actor, delivered in character.
* ''Series/{{Torchwood}}'' used an opening narration for most of its run.
---> "Torchwood. Outside the government, beyond the police..."
* ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures'' started using this in series 3, narrated by Clyde Langer.
---> "13 Bannerman Road is where Sarah Jane Smith lives, and it's home to things ''way'' beyond your imagination..."
* ''Series/TwentyFour'': "The following takes place between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM..."
** The first season included, "...I'm Federal Agent Jack Bauer. And this... is the longest day of my life."
* ''Series/ThePretender'': "There are Pretenders among us..."
* Subsequent episodes of ''Series/{{Brimstone}}'' started with a truncated version of Zeke's confession from the pilot.
* ''Series/RedDwarf'' began every episode of the first two seasons, except for the {{pilot}}, this way, with Holly broadcasting a distress call. The wording of his message was always the same, except for a verbal CouchGag at the end.
* ''Theatre/TheOddCouple'': "On November 13, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence. That request came from his wife..."
* ''Series/{{Life On Mars|2006}}'': "My name is Sam Tyler. I had an accident and woke up in 1973. Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time?..." To answer, Sam, [[spoiler: yes, yes, and not really.]]
** ''Series/AshesToAshes2008'': "My name is Alex Drake. I've been shot and that bullet's taken me back in time..."
* "In a middle school full of bullies, insane teachers and gross school lunches, Ned Bigby -that's me- and my two best friends try to do the impossible- create a guide to help YOU survive school...(theme tune) ''Series/NedsDeclassifiedSchoolSurvivalGuide'' (* Your Results May Vary)"
* "The evil Kilokhan lives inside computer circuits! With the help of Malcolm Frink, he creates Megavirus Monsters to attack electronic systems! Meanwhile, a freak accident turns Sam Collins into Servo! His friends join forces in their samurized attack vehicles! Together, they transform into... the ''Series/SuperhumanSamuraiSyberSquad''!"
* ''Series/CharliesAngels'' ('Once upon a time, there were three little girls went to the police academy...')
* "Who are the ''Series/MythBusters'' ?..."
* "''Series/TheInvaders'' - alien beings from a dying planet. Their destination: the Earth. Their purpose: to make it ''their'' world...."
* Many reality TV shows have narration over their title sequences, which makes sense, because the people being featured therein are telling their own story, anyway.
* ''Series/DirtyJobs'': "Hi, I'm Mike Rowe, and this is my job..."
* "''Series/TheFugitive''! A QM Production. Starring David Janssen as Dr. Richard Kimble, an innocent victim of blind justice...."
** Or, in the first season: "The name - Dr. Richard Kimble. The destination - Death row, state prison. The irony - Richard Kimble is innocent..."
* A few of the recent ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' series have some opening narration, dating back to ''Series/ChoushinseiFlashman''. Examples:
** ''Series/ChoushinseiFlashman'': "One day, five children from Earth were taken to the far reaches of space. And twenty years later..."
** ''Series/HikariSentaiMaskman'': "Inside a human body, a mysterious power is hidden. With training and discipline, this infinite power can be obtained."
** ''Series/ChoujuuSentaiLiveman'': "My friends! Why have you sold your souls to the devil?"
** ''Series/KyoryuSentaiZyuranger'': "From hundreds of millions of years ago, in the age of the dinosaurs, 5 warriors revive in the present time!"
** ''Series/ChourikiSentaiOhranger'': "Only those who have learned the power of the Super-Civilization will be able to save humanity from its greatest crisis: Baranoia, the Machine Empire, which plans to invade the Earth!" (Though it was retired after Episode 6 and replaced by a preview of the forthcoming Episode.)
** ''Series/SeijuuSentaiGingaman'': "The Starbeasts: They are mysterious animals who fight for the sake of defending harmony in the Milky Way!"
** ''Series/MiraiSentaiTimeranger'': "People from the future in the year 3000 AD and one man have met by chance, for the sake of marking a new passage of time."
** ''Series/TokusouSentaiDekaranger'' ([[SubvertedTrope after the]] TitleScream): "S.P.D.: Special Police Dekaranger. Five detectives who fight with cool, yet burning, hearts. Their mission: To combat space criminals who have invaded Earth. They will protect the peace and safety of all humanity!"
** ''Series/MahouSentaiMagiranger'': "Magic, it's a sacred power! Magic, it's an adventure to the unknown! Magic, it's the proof of courage!"
** ''Series/GoGoSentaiBoukenger'': "Even today, there are those who risk their lives to adventure. They overcome all troubles to secretly protect dangerous treasures. Adventurers!"
** ''Series/JukenSentaiGekiranger'': "A martial art which grants the power of beasts through sensing one's own feral spirit; Juken. Juken is split into two opposing styles. One, Juken of justice: Geki Juken Beast Arts! The other, Juken of evil: Rin Juken Akugata! As martial artists destined to fight, Every day they aim for the top, Learning, and changing."
** ''Series/KaizokuSentaiGokaiger'': "On a search for adventure and excitement, these youths went on a journey through the universe. They faced the Space Empire Zangyack and took the title of 'pirates'."
*** In some episodes: "The thirty-four Super Sentai who have defended the Earth and the happiness of its people! In the face of invasion by the Zangyack Space Empire, an uncanny group has inherited that power!"
** ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGobusters'': "In the year 2012 Anno Novi, urban life is supported by the powerful energy source known as Enetron. Vagras is a group determined to steal and use Enetron to attack humanity. The Go-Busters are young men and women who undertake special missions to defend humanity."
** Naturally, ''Series/HikoninSentaiAkibaranger'' lampshades this in its first episode:
--> "It's still the first episode so the premise isn't really established yet, but this is probably the story of Akihabara's three-man Sentai team!"
*** Series proper (except ep. 11): "A tiny paradise amidst a sea of skyscrapers: Akihabara. There we find three warriors who believe that "pain is power", who fight battles that exist entirely within their heads. They are..." (cue TitleScream)
** ''Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger'': "Dinosaurs [[GratuitousEnglish plus]] humans! After millions of years, the strongest and bravest team in history has assembled to protect the Earth! [[NoIndoorVoice WATCH AND BE AMAZED!!!!]]"
** ''Series/ResshaSentaiToQger'': "Ressha Sentai [=ToQger=] will be departing at 7:30. Please make sure to not miss your connecting route!"
** ''Series/ShurikenSentaiNinninger'': "To earn the the title of 'Last Ninja', his five grandchildren carry on his will. Their enemy: the strongest Sengoku general, Kibaoni Gengetsu. The current young ninjas are the Shinobi that don't hide!"
** ''Series/DoubutsuSentaiZyuohger'': "Earth...home to countless forms of life. One human and four Zyumen have met each other, forming their own herd to defend this planet!"
** ''Series/UchuSentaiKyuranger'': "When the universe falls into the clutches of evil, and its inhabitants are engulfed in sorrow, then, chosen by the power of the Kyutama, nine ultimate saviors will appear!" (cue theme song)
** ''Series/KaitouSentaiLupinrangerVSKeisatsuSentaiPatranger'':
-->''The Lupin Collection, a set of mysterious treasures gathered by the legendary phantom thief Arsène Lupin, have been stolen by the Ganglers!''
-->''"The phantom thieves who fight to recover what they've lost."''
-->''"The police force who fight to protect world peace."''
-->''Whose side are you on?!''
** After nearly a whole decade of having this trope, ''Series/KishiryuSentaiRyusoulger'' averts it, with just a "QUE BOM!" at the beginning, until...
** ''Series/MashinSentaiKiramager'': "When people shine, a miracle is born. That shine, is the symbol of the warriors that can change the future! KIRAMEI GO!"
* The first season of ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' had it. Well, it isn't ''quite'' narration, but serves the same purpose, especially as it's not actual dialog from the show but was made especially for the credits.
-->'''Rita Repulsa:''' Aaah! After ten thousand years, I'm free! It's time to conquer - Earth!
-->'''Zordon:''' Alpha! Rita's escaped! [[RecruitTeenagersWithAttitude Recruit a team of teenagers with attitude!]]
** From ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaStorm'': "Deep in the mountains, secret ninja academies train our future protectors. Ancient scrolls told of three who would be chosen above the others. Three who would become..." (cue theme song)
** ''Series/PowerRangersRPM'' also uses one: "A computer virus has built armies of robotic soldiers and taken control of our world. But there is still one place we can be safe: the domed city of Corinth. And the only hope we have left is..."
** Not joined to the opening credits, but a narration nonetheless: "Three hundred years ago in Japan, the evil Nighlok monsters invaded. Only five had the power to stand against them. They are the ''Series/PowerRangersSamurai''."
*** It occasionally uses a longer version for ''Super Samurai'': "Centuries ago in Japan, Nighlok monsters invaded our world. But samurai warriors defeated them with Power Symbols, passed down from parent to child. Today, the evil Nighlok have risen once again and plan to flood the Earth. Luckily, a new generation of heroes stand in their way. They are the ''Power Rangers Samurai''."
** "Millions of years ago, the evil Sledge tried to steal the greatest power in the universe. But an alien named Keeper entrusted them to dinosaurs. As for Sledge... He was blasted deep into space. Now the Energems have been found, and Sledge returns to battle a new team of heroes; they are... ''Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge!''"
*** "Long ago, an alien named Keeper entrusted the greatest power in the universe to dinosaurs. Millions of years later, the Energems were found, and the evil Sledge fought ruthlessly to steal them, until the rangers finally defeated him. But, from the ashes a new threat arose... Only one team of heroes can stop him; ''Power Rangers Dino Super Charge!''" There's also different variations of the opening narration in the final episode and its Christmas episode.
** "When Galvanax, cruel champion of Galaxy Warriors, claimed the mighty Power Stars, Earth's greatest ninja sacrificed himself to keep the universe safe. 10 years later, a new generation of warriors rises up, to protect the ninja Power Stars. They are ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaSteel!''"
*** "Long ago, earth’s greatest ninja sacrificed himself to keep the universe safe from the monster Galvanax, 10 years later, the Rangers fought many battles to protect the legendary Ninja Power Stars. Finally, Galvanax was defeated but the ruthless Madame Odius survived and rose to power, determined to take the stars for herself, only one team can stop her, they are ''Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel''!"
* The original ''Series/KamenRider'': "Kamen Rider, Takeshi Hongo, is an modified human. He was altered by Shocker, an evil secret society with aspirations for world domination. Kamen Rider fights against Shocker for the sake of human freedom!" Some other Showa Kamen Riders such as X had similar opening narrations.
** ''Series/KamenRiderDenO'': "The train of time, [=DenLiner=]. Will its next stop be the past or the future?"
** ''Series/KamenRiderFourze'': "Space... a wondrous world, filled with infinite cosmic energy. Using the Astro Switches, these young people will open the door to the future of space. [[GratuitousEnglish Space on your hand!]] Reach out and seize the universe!"
** ''Series/KamenRiderWizard'': "The rings of magic, the Wizard Rings. They shine on the hands of the modern mage, as he changes despair into hope."
** ''Series/KamenRiderZiO'':
--> ''The Heisei Kamen Riders have endured for decades.\\
And now they pass their legacy on to the next generation!\\
Rejoice! For the birth of a new king!''
** ''Series/KamenRiderGhost'' has this too, but it's during the PreviouslyOn part:
--> ''"I am Takeru Tenkuji. On my 18th birthday, I was killed by rampaging Gamma. In order to come back to life, I became Kamen Rider Ghost and began gathering the Eyecons."'' (cue the "previously on" segment)
* ''Series/BlackHoleHigh'': "There is nothing wrong at Blake Holsey High! What, at all? That must be a good school."
* "This is the story of a time long ago, a time of myth and legend. When the ancient gods were petty and cruel, and they plagued mankind with suffering. Only one man dared to challenge their power: [[Series/HerculesTheLegendaryJourneys Hercules!]]"
* "In a time of ancient gods, warlords, and kings, a land in turmoil cried out for a hero. She was [[Series/XenaWarriorPrincess Xena]], a mighty princess forged in the heat of battle...."
* ''Series/ForeverKnight'': "He was brought across in 1228; preyed on humans for their blood. Now he wants to be mortal again..."
* ''Series/LaFemmeNikita'': "...one night I was taken from my cell to a place called Section One, the most covert antiterrorist group on the planet. Their ends are just, but their means are ruthless. If I don't play by their rules, I die."
* ''Series/TheInvisibleMan'': "There once was a story about a man that could turn [[Literature/TheInvisibleMan invisible]]. I thought it was only a story--until it happened to me."
* ''Series/TheIncredibleHulk'': "Doctor David Banner, physician, scientist, searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have..."
* "Their creed: to protect all life. Their promise: to end Lord Dread's rule. Their name: ''Series/CaptainPowerAndTheSoldiersOfTheFuture''!"
* ''Series/{{Soap}}''. "This is the story of two sisters..."
** This was preceded by a recap of the previous episode, followed by, "Confused? Well, you won't be after this week's episode of Soap."
* "In the jungles of Peru, the fight for survival heightened his senses. Now, Detective James Ellison is a [[Series/TheSentinel Sentinel]] in the fight for justice..."
* ''Series/{{Farscape}}'' had an opening narration from John Crichton, which remained the same throughout the first two seasons, but was updated in the third and fourth to reflect changes to the status quo. This is the final version:
--> ''"My name is John Crichton... an astronaut. Three years ago I got shot through a wormhole. I'm in a distant part of the universe aboard this living ship of escaped prisoners, my friends. I've made enemies. Powerful. Dangerous. Now all I want is to find a way home, to warn Earth. Look upward, and share... the wonders I have seen. "''
* ''Series/SeaQuestDSV''. "...for beneath the surface, lies the future."
* ''Series/TheFortyFourHundred'' featured an opening explanation on title cards intercut with very brief, usually wordless, clips from previous episodes.
* ''Series/{{Porridge}}'': "Norman Stanley Fletcher, you have pleaded guilty to the charges brought by this court, and it is now my duty to pass sentence. You are an habitual criminal, who accepts arrest as an occupational hazard, and presumably accepts imprisonment in the same casual manner. We therefore feel constrained to commit you to the maximum term allowed for these offences--you will go to prison for five years", played over stark shots of prison doors being closed and locked.
** Ironically, the Judge's narration is performed by Ronnie Barker - who also played Norman Stanley Fletcher.
* "He was a cop, and good at his job, but he committed the ultimate sin and testified against other [[DirtyCop cops gone bad]]. Cops that tried to kill him but got the woman he loved instead. Framed for murder, now he prowls the badlands, an outlaw hunting outlaws, a {{bounty hunter}}, a ''Series/{{Renegade}}''."
* ''Series/RobotWars'' used this to give a preview of the upcoming episode during the 6th and 7th seasons (the 6th would often give out major [[SpoilerOpening spoilers]]).
* ''Series/KungFu'': "Your tread must be light and sure, as though your path were upon rice paper. It is said a Shaolin priest can walk through walls. Looked for, he can not be seen. Listened for, he can not be heard. Touched, he can not be felt. This rice paper is the test. Fragile as the wings of the dragon fly, clinging as the cocoon of the silk worm. When you can walk its length and leave no trace, you will have learned."
** ''Kung Fu: The Legend Continues'': "The grandson of Kwai Chang Caine walks out of the past..."
* ''Series/NightmareCafe'': "Now that I've got your attention, here's the deal: See those two people? That's Frank, and that's Faye. Strangers when they met, turns out they've got a lot in common..."
* ''Rhoda'': "My name is Rhoda Morgenstern. I was born in the Bronx, New York, in December 1941. I've always felt responsible for World War II..."
* "What you are witnessing is real. The participants are not actors. They are actual litigants with a case pending in a California municipal court. Both parties have agreed to dismiss their court cases and have their disputes settled here, in our forum: ''The People's Court''."
** The current version is set "in a New York metropolitan area court".
* ''Series/{{JAG}}'' featured one read by Creator/DonLaFontaine for its second and third seasons explaining main character Harmon Rabb's backstory for viewers who may have missed the first year on NBC. It was dropped after the fourth season.
* "Now, ''Series/TheAdventuresOfPeteAndPete'', starring Pete, Pete's brother Pete, and me, Ellen. Today's adventure...[insert episode title here]."
** This only applies to the shorts. The series proper replicated this by [[CharacterAsHimself using the characters names instead of the actors' in the opening sequence]], and using the words "Today's Adventure" in front of the title of each episode (which was flashed on screen and no longer spoken.)
* ''Series/{{Monkey}}'' (the English-language dub of the late-70s Japanese adaption of ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest'') features extended introductory narration explaining Monkey's origins in what is probably intentionally tongue-in-cheek [[FauxlosophicNarration fauxlosophic]] style that might or might not be present in the Japanese original.
* Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport\\
The thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat\\
The human drama of athletic competition\\
This is ABC's ''Series/WideWorldOfSports''!
* ''Series/TheSixMillionDollarMan'': "Gentlemen.....we can rebuild him..."
* ''Series/IronChef'': "Five years ago, a man's fantasy became reality... in a form never seen before: 'Kitchen Stadium,' A giant cooking arena."
** Plus the Chairman's voice-over musings pertinent to that episode, which always began with the signature phrase, "If memory serves me right..."
* ''Series/{{Castle}}'': "There are two kinds of folk who sit around and think about how to kill people - psychopaths and mystery writers. I'm the kind that pays better."
* Later seasons of ''Series/MutantX'' had Adam explaining the basic premise of the show, replacing the first season's "random words superimposed over the credits" approach.
* The first season of ''Series/{{Alias}}''. "My name is Sydney Bristow. Seven years ago I was recruited by a secret branch of the CIA called SD-6..."
** Except the episode "Q&A" as the episode itself contained Sydney explaining everything usually in the opening narration to a character played by Terry O'Quinn.
* ''Series/HartToHart'' opened with the title characters being introduced by their butler, Max.
-->MAX: By the way, my name is Max. I take care of both of 'em. Which ain't easy. 'Cause when they met, it was ''murder''.[[note]]Originally it ended with Max saying "Cause, there hobby is...''murder''.[[/note]]
* ''Series/SpaceAboveAndBeyond'' added one about halfway through its only season, narrated by Colonel T. C. [=McQueen=].
* "And who am I? That's one secret I'll never tell. You know you love me. XOXO, Series/GossipGirl."
** At TheTeaser: "Gossip Girl here. Your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite."
* You really can't have a GameShow without one of these. Here are just a few:
** "Today, these three players are after hiiiigh stakes/biiiig bucks, but they'll have to avoid the {{Whammy}}, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood, it's time to ''Series/PressYourLuck''! And now, here's your host, the STAR of ''Press Your Luck'', Peter Tomarken!" In a Double Whammy (no pun intended) of tropes, most episodes started with a "Previously on" montage of past contestants before announcer Rod Roddy went into the phrase.
*** "The game with big bucks and Whammies is back, bigger and better than ever! It's time to play ''[[Series/{{Whammy}} Whammy! The All-New Press Your Luck!]]''"
** "[[PunctuatedForEmphasis This... is... ]] ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}''! Now entering the studio are today's contestants..."
** In its first format, ''Series/HotPotato'' introduced Creator/BillCullen as "The man who's here to toss the [[TitleDrop hot potato]]." This was dropped after the format was changed to just introducing him.
** It isn't used any more, but ''Series/WheelOfFortune'' used to open thusly: "Look at this studio, filled with glamorous prizes! Fabulous and exciting merchandise! Including: (insert the descriptions of three prizes) Over $-- thousand dollars, just waiting to be won on..."
*** During the show's first 11 months on the air – January to the last program before the experimental "hour-long" programs in December 1975, a different introdcution was used. The camera showed four or five prizes, with announcer Charlie O'Donnell reading them off (e.g., "A brass bed! An TV/stereo console! A trip to Japan! A brand new convertible! Or a luxurious mink coat!") followed by the obligatory, "Just some of the many prizes available today. Over (dollar amount) just waiting to be won on Wheeeeeeel of Fortune!"
*** The introduction was again changed starting in December 1975, and went until sometime later (likely, 1977): "Just look at this studio, filled with beautiful and imaginative gifts" – with close ups of several of the bigger-ticket prizes – "which can be purchased today on Wheel of Fortune! Total retail value of all these prizes: more than (amount)! Now, let's meet the host of Wheel of Fortune: Chuck Woolery!"
** ''Series/{{Pyramid}}'': During the 1980s daytime run, a "PreviouslyOn"-type montage was played prior to the announcer exclaiming, "From Television City in Hollywood, this is ''The (New) $25,000 Pyramid''. Today's special guests are (insert celebrities here). And now, here's your host, Creator/DickClark!" Differences in other versions:
*** '''$10,000 (1973)''': During the first few months of the "$10,000 Pyramid," the opening line was much different. Starting with a camera shot on the Winner's Circle, the announcer began, "Keep your eye on this spot. You are about to see one celebrity and one contestant step into this circle for the chance to win $10,000 in less than a minute. Ladies and gentlemen... this is ''The $10,000 Pyramid''!" Following that would be introduction of celebrities and Dick Clark.
*** '''$10,000/$20,000 (1973-1980)''' and '''$25,000 (1974-1979)''': Starting in the mid-summer of 1973, and continuing through the rest of the run, the familiar "previously on" clips were played, followed by the announcer saying, "This is ''The'' ($10,000/$20,000/$25,000) ''Pyramid''!"
*** '''$50,000 (1981)''': No opening clips; the open simply went into "This is ''The $50,000 Pyramid''!"
*** '''$100,000 (1985-1988)''': No opening clips were played; the announcer simply said, "From Television City in Hollywood..."
*** '''New $100,000 (1991)''': An opening shot of the Winner's Circle, followed by the announcer saying, "This is the Winner's Circle. This is where someone is guaranteed to win $100,000. From Television City in Hollywood, this is ''The $100,000 Pyramid''!"
*** '''Pyramid (2002-2004)''': (Guest) and (Other Guest), today on ''Pyramid''. And now, here's the host of ''Pyramid'', Donny Osmond!
*** '''The Pyramid (2012)''': Similar to 1985-88 syndicated intro, but begins with "From Studio City, California, this is ''The Pyramid''!"
** "From (Television City in) Hollywood, it's America's/everybody's game of strategy, knowledge and fun, it's Series/TicTacDough!"
*** Or, in the critically derided 1990 version: "In a moment, the game that intrigued a nation. In a moment, the game of strategy, knowledge & fun. In a moment, ''Tic Tac Dough''! And now, our host, who will guide us through the next 30 minutes of ''Tic Tac Dough'', Patrick Wayne!"
** ''Series/FamilyFeud'' has gone through several.
*** '''1976-1985, 1994-1995''': "It's time for the ''Family Feud''! Introducing the (family #1) family! (Player), (player), (player), (player), and (player)! Ready for action! And the (family #2) family! (Player), (player), (player), (player), and (player)! On your marks... let's start... the ''Family Feud''! With the star of ''Family Feud'', Richard Dawson!" Late in the run the individual family members were no longer introduced. The 1994-95 season cut the number of family members to four and replaced "With the star of..." with "Here's the star of...". The show used a similar intro from 2002-2010, truncated in later years.
*** '''1988-1994''': Similar intro to the above, though the first sentence was stricken, "Introducing" became "Let's meet", "Playing against" was used to introduce the #2 family, and Ray Combs' name replaced Dawson's. Again, late in the run the individual family members were no longer introduced. Also, beginning in 1992, the following spiels were added before the regular intro:
*** '''Family Feud Challenge (1992-1993)''': "Welcome to the ''Family Feud Challenge''! What is the top answer to ''this'' question: (survey question posed of 100 people)! The survey said the #3 answer is... ''[clang]'' (answer)! The #2 answer is... ''[clang]'' (answer)! What is the #1... ''[clang]'' Bullseye answer? You'll find that answer as we play Bullseye on the ''Family Feud Challenge''!"
*** '''New Family Feud (1992-1994)''': "What is the top answer to this ''Family Feud'' question: (survey question posed of 100 people)! If you said the #1 answer is... (answer), you hit the Bullseye!"
*** '''1999-2002''': "Today on ''Family Feud''... all the way from (location), it's the (family #1) family! And all the way from (location), it's the (family #1) family! You're about to see these two teams/families battle it out, for $10,000/$20,000 in cash! 'Cause it's time to plaaaaaay... the ''Family FEUUUUUUD!'' And now, here's the star of our show, ''Louieeeeee AAAAAAAN-dersoooooooon!''"
*** '''2010-present''': "It's time to play ''Family Feud''! This is Joey Fatone from Universal Orlando Resort in sunny Florida! And now, here's the star of our show, give it up for STEVE HARVEY!!!" The references to Universal Orlando Resort were removed in 2011.
** "These people, dressed as they are, come from all over the United States to make deals, here in the marketplace of America -- ''[[PunctuatedForEmphasis Let's]]! [[PunctuatedForEmphasis Make!]] [[Series/LetsMakeADeal A Deal!]]'' And now, here's America's top trader, TV's ''biiiig'' dealer, Monty Hall!"
** Hello, I'm Ben Stein, and today, I'm going to make history. I'm putting up $5,000 that says I know more than you. So, if you're fast enough, smart enough, and you've got the guts, you can ''Series/WinBenSteinsMoney''!"
** "Here it comes! From the Bob Barker Studio at CBS in Hollywood! Television's most exciting hour of fantastic prizes! The fabulous 60 minute ''[[Series/ThePriceIsRight Price Is Right]]''! (Four contestants are introduced followed by "Come on down!") You are the first four contestants on The Price Is Right. And now, here is the star of ''The Price is Right'', Bob........Barker!" (Today, it's now Drew Carey.)
*** The "Bob Barker Studio" reference was only added after the 5,000th episode in 1998. Also, in 2009, the two sentences that followed that reference were changed to simply "It's ''The Price is Right''!", and Drew's intro was changed to "Here's your host..."
** Prior to the mid-1970s on the daytime show, and throughout the 1972 and 1985 syndicated runs, the introduction was different: "A fortune in fabulous/fantastic/luxurious prizes could go to these people today/tonight if they know when The Price is Right!"
*** The openings of the original ''Price'' (with Bill Cullen) were shorter but were drawn out with the inclusion of who the show's sponsors were.
** The long-running Portuguese version of ''The Price is Right'' has a new opening narration every episode.
*** "Get set, America! It's time to ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDsAuZFL6qo come on down!]]''"
** "[[Series/MatchGame Get ready to match the stars...]]"
** "Who will be... ''Series/TheWeakestLink''?"
** The classic British example is the localized ''Series/SaleOfTheCentury'': "And now, from Norwich, it's the quiz of the week!". Always amusing since Norwich was never anybody's idea of a glittering showbiz town, which was kind of the point: Anglia TV, based in Norwich, was punching ''way'' above its weight with this show, and was keen to make sure everyone knew it.
*** On the American version of ''Sale'', the opening spiel usually began with the announcer introducing the returning champion and his winnings. During the series' "Shopping Era," the announcer advised the viewer to stay tuned as the contestant was playing for the next big-ticket item ("Stay tuned, as (name) plays for a cash jackpot worth $83,000!"). After the champion was introduced, the announcer would name off several of the big-ticket items available. Originally, it was: "Today, on America's biggest bargain sale, we're offering (insert names of prizes and values), on sale today for (amount) ... . Two of the incredible bargains today on 'Sale of the Century'!" During the Winners Board and Winners Big Money Game eras, the introduction was shortened to introduce the champion and his accumulated winnings, followed by the announcer announcing (usually) four prizes available, followed by the car and the $50,000 cash jackpot.
** "Tonight, we're playing the games you love to play with your family in a whole new way! [games for that week's episode are announced] The games are bigger, the stakes are higher, and moments are priceless, right now on ''Series/FamilyGameNight''! And now, here's your host, Todd.............NEWTON!"
** "From the Chuck Barris stages in Hollywood, California... [[Series/TheNewlywedGame here come the newlyweds!]]"
** "From Universal Studios in Hollywood...the Samuel Goldwyn company presents... ''Series/AmericanGladiators''."
** The original 1978 intro of ''Series/CardSharks'' went as follows: "Ace is high/Deuce is low/Call it right/And win the dough! Onnnnn... ''Card Sharks''! And here's the host of ''Card Sharks'', Jim Perry!" This quickly gave way to different four-line poems on every episode, and eventually to poems submitted by viewers.
*** The 1986-1989 revivals initially just opted for a generic "From Television City in Hollywood, it's ''Card Sharks''!" This was later changed to include mentions of the Money Cards' top prize of $32,000, as well as the bonus car players could win.
* "A _ letter word; the clue is [punny clue]!" "[word]!" "It's the crossword game you've played all your life, but never quite like this!" Series/{{SCRABBLE}}!
* "You know the kind of guy who does nothing but bad things and then wonders why his life sucks? Well, that was me. Every time something good happened to me, something bad was always waiting around the corner. Karma. That's when I realized I had to change. So, I made a list of everything bad I've ever done and one by one, I'm going to make up for all my mistakes. I'm just trying to be a better person. [[Series/MyNameIsEarl My name is Earl.]]"
* ''Series/{{Shameless|US}}'' uses this to introduce the Gallagher family.
* ''Series/PoliceCameraAction'': "Cameras, a vital tool in the fight against crime, we bring you the best and worst of what they capture... Start moving now!", then mid-series it became "Cameras, a vital tool in the fight against crime, we bring you the best and worst of what they capture... Take him out please, take him out!". For the new 2010 series, it is unknown what this will be.
* "''Series/{{Cops}}'' is filmed on location with the men and women of law enforcement. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."
* The first season of ''Series/TheFallGuy'' had this opening narration from Creator/LeeMajors:
-->"This is the story of one of America's great unsung heroes. I mean, you've seen him but you never knew who he was. You've cheered for him and cried for him and women have wanted to die for him. But did he ever get any credit, or the girl? No! He's what we call the "stuntman" and the reason I'm talking so fondly about him is, well, because it's me, Colt Seaver. Anyway, picture work isn't wall-to-wall employment, so maybe you wonder how a guy keeps his head together. Well, one way is to wait by the phone... and wait... and wait. The other is to take an occasional job with the court system of the United States of America, where a man is considered innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, sometimes a lot of these people get out of jail on what we call bail. Then they run like hell. And that's where I come in. I sometimes pick up rent money trying to find them and bring them back to justice... and that reminds me of a very interesting case..."
* ''Series/Cleopatra2525'' has one, just before it goes into the RealSongThemeTune.
* In the first season of ''Series/TheAmazingRace'', host Phil Keoghan provided a detailed one throughout the opening theme music. This was dropped in future installments.
* ''Series/{{Voyagers}}'': We travel through time to help history along; give it a push where it's needed. ''(Jeff: Bogg!)'' When the [[TimeyWimeyBall Omni's]] red, it means history's wrong. Our job is to get everything back on track ''("Ding"; Bogg: Green light, kid! We did it!)''.
* The 1966-7 TV adaptation of ''Series/TheGreenHornet'' featured an OpeningNarration voiced by series producer William Dozier. In addition to setting up the premise for modern viewers who may not have been familiar with the character, it also served as an {{homage}} to the original radio series, which also began with an opening narration.
-->Another challenge for the Green Hornet, his aide Kato, and their rolling arsenal, the Black Beauty. On police records a wanted criminal, the Green Hornet is really Britt Reid, owner-publisher of the Daily Sentinel, his dual identity known only to his secretary and to the district attorney. And now, to protect the rights and lives of decent citizens, rides THE GREEN HORNET!
* ''Series/{{Beauty and the Beast|1987}}'' has paired voiceovers from Vincent and Catherine describing their love for each other. [[spoiler:Until Catherine is killed, after which Vincent gives a solo voiceover.]]
* ''Bob Cumming Show''/''Love that Bob'': "Hold it! I think you're going to like this picture."
* "KELLOGGS, the greatest name in cereals presents: ''Series/TheAdventuresOfSuperman''!
-->FASTER than a speeding bullet!\\
More POWERFUL than a locomotive!\\
Able to LEAP tall buildings in a single bound!\\
LOOK! Up In The Sky!\\
It's a BIRD!\\
It's a PLANE!\\
It's SUPERMAN!\\
Yes, it's SUPERMAN, strange visitor from another planet who came to earth with powers and abilities FAR beyond those of mortal men!\\
SUPERMAN! Who can CHANGE the course of might rivers, BEND steel in his bare hands; And who, disguised as Clark Kent, Mild-mannered reporter for a great Metropolitan Newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for TRUTH, JUSTICE and the AMERICAN WAY!\\
And now another exciting episode in THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN!!!
* The obscure {{Toku}} series ''Little Superman Ganbaron'' (Opening [[https://twitter.com/tokusatsubot_1/status/1285510312674775040?s=20 here]]) has a similar opening narration that ''almost'' copies the afformentioned Adventures of Superman one (Translated):
--> Who's up there?\\
Is it a shooting star?\\
A UFO?\\
No! It's Ganbaron!\\
Faster than a Shinkansen!\\
Stronger than any Kaiju!\\
Can leap a tall building in one jump!\\
Yes! He's the Little Superman! GANBARON!\\
Yes! He's a friend! GANBARON!\\
Yes! He's the hero! GANBARON! (cue theme song)
* The third and fourth seasons of ''Series/TheAdventuresOfSuperboy'' featured narration during the opening sequence: "Rocketed from a distant planet to a bold new destiny on earth, found by a Kansas family and raised as Clark Kent, he learned he possessed the strength of steel, the speed of light, and the desire to help all mankind. He is... Superboy!"
* ''Series/{{Merlin|2008}}'': "In a land of myth, and a time of magic..."
** In series 1-3 Merlin is described as a young boy. It's not until series 4 that he's finally called a young man, leaving the audience to ponder whether he was ever an old boy inbetween.
* ''Series/StreetHawk'': "This is Jesse Mach, an ex-motorcycle cop, injured in the line of duty. Now a police troubleshooter, he's been recruited for a top secret government mission to ride Street Hawk--an all-terrain attack motorcycle designed to fight urban crime, capable of incredible speeds up to three hundred miles an hour... and immense firepower. Only one man, federal agent Norman Tuttle, knows Jesse Mach's true identity. The man... the machine... Street Hawk."
* The eponymous main character of ''Series/{{Nikita}}'' has a pretty badass one that changes throughout the first season as events change.
--> "''My name is Nikita. Six years ago I was taken out of prison and forced by a covert unit of the government to be an assassin. Three years ago I escaped, and have been hunted ever since. I was the first recruit to get out... I'm going to make certain I'm not the last.''"
* "It's ''Series/SaturdayNightLive''! Featuring/Starring [current cast], Lenny Pickett and the Saturday Night Live band! Musical guest, [name of musical guest], and your host [the guest host for that week]! Ladies and gentleman, [the aforementioned guest host]!"
** Later versions has the same format, but omits "Lenny Pickett and the Saturday Night Live band!"
** For a while it was "... G.E. Smith and the Saturday Night Live Band..."
* "From New York, Series/TheTonightShow Starring Johnny Carson. And now, here's.......................JOHNNY!
** "From......Hollywood, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. This is Ed [=McMahon=] along with Doc Severinsen and the Creator/{{NBC}} orchestra inviting you to join Johnny and his guests: [names of guests] And now, (ladies and gentlemen,) here's.......................JOHNNY!"
* ''Series/GhostAdventures'': "My name is Zac Bagans. I never believed in ghosts until I came face-to-face with one..."
* Beginning with the second season, ''Series/BosomBuddies'' had an opening narration prefixed to the opening credits proper. So the premise was explained (and somewhat defensively justified) ''twice'' each and every week, once in voiceover and once in flashback clips under the theme song.
-->'''Henry:''' When we first moved to New York we found a great apartment that was dirt cheap.\\
'''Kip:''' And we found out why it was so cheap. ''[wrecking ball gag]''\\
'''Henry:''' Our friend Amy said there was a great apartment in her building --\\
'''Kip:''' -- dirt cheap! But it was a hotel for women. Okay, we made one adjustment.\\
'''Henry:''' Now these other ladies know us as Buffy and Hildegard.\\
'''Kip:''' But they also know us a Kip and Henry, Buffy and Hildy's "''brothers.''" I'm crazy about the blonde.\\
'''Henry:''' This experience is going to make a great book.\\
'''Kip:''' You see, it's all perfectly normal...
* "Some people hustle pool, some people hustle cars, but have you ever heard about the man who hustles stars? [[Series/JackHorkheimerStarGazer Jack Horkheimer: Star Hustler]], director of the Miami Space Transit Planetarium."[[note]]In 1997 however, it had to change it's name, and had a new opening narration as a result.[[/note]]
** (Horkheimer): "Our episode for this week, Monday [Month], [Date] through Sunday [Month], [Date]: (name of episode)"
** (Announcer): "And now to tell you about the night sky and the biggest show of all, the universe: your Star Hustler, Jack Horkheimer."
* In ''Series/{{Grimm}}'', the opening narration comes in the form of a quote from the fairy tale the villain of the week comes from. Season 2 included voiceover in the opening but it was dropped after three episodes because it wasn't well received by the fans.
* ''Series/KtaiInvestigator7'': "Fighting cyber crimes, the walking cellphone Seven. This is the reality of tomorrow."
* The first two-thirds of season one of ''Series/{{Nikita}}'' used one, altering it when Alex was promoted to field agent. For the last four or five episodes, it was dropped in favor of PreviouslyOn.
* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'': "You are being watched. The government has a secret system, a Machine that spies on you every hour of every day..."
* "Gabriel Vaughn, one of our nation's most decorated soldiers. He's a hero, and now our country's most secret weapon ... He's the first of his kind; the next evolution of ''Series/{{Intelligence|2014}}''."
* ''Series/{{Unforgettable}}'': "My name is Carrie Wells. Only a few people in the world have the ability to remember ''everything''. I'm one of them."
* "The rich and powerful take what they want; we steal it back for you. We provide... ''Series/{{Leverage}}''."
* ''Series/OneThousandWaysToDie'': "Death is everywhere. Most people try to avoid it; others can't get out of its way..."
* ''Series/ElChavoDelOcho''[[note]]"Interpretado por el súper comediente ("Starring the super comedian"), ¡Series/{{Chespirito}}!"[[/note]] had three slightly different ones, although all of them announce the cast for that episode.
** "¡Más ágil que una tortuga! ¡Más fuerte que un ratón! ¡Más noble que una lechuga! ¡Su escudo es un corazón! Es, ¡Series/ElChapulinColorado!"[[note]]"More agile than a turtle! Stronger than a mouse! More noble / dignified then (a head of) lettuce! His symbol is a heart! He is, El Chapulín Colorado!"[[/note]] (As with El Chavo, it would then announce the cast for the episode.)
* ''Series/{{Tracker}}'', every ep after "The Miracle". "This is Cirron, my home. One of six planets in the Migar federation. There was a prison break. 216 of the most violent criminals have disappeared into the city of Chicago. Finding them won't be easy. They aren't human. Luckily for Earth, neither am I".
* "This program is about ''Series/UnsolvedMysteries''. Whenever possible, actual family members and police officials have participated in recreating the events. What you are about to see is not a news broadcast".
* ''Series/EarthFinalConflict'' had several different opening narrations because of the cast changing over time.
* "''Series/SoulTrain!'' (Television's longest running music program, and) the hippest trip in America. (''Sid [=McCoy=] then goes on to announce the musical guests and/or any special events for that week''), and the Soul Train dancers. And now, here's your host, Don Cornelius!"
* "Join us now as Jesse James and his gang of maverick mechanics rip, grind, and burn transforming ordinary vehicles into monster machines in... the ''Series/MonsterGarage''."
* ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' gained one in the Japanese dub (renamed ''My Wife is a Witch''): "The wife's name is Samantha. The husband's name is Darrin. The very ordinary pair, fell in a very ordinary love, and had a very ordinary wedding. Just one unusual thing was...[[TitleDrop the wife was a witch]]!"
* "...The fate of the Earth depends on these '''''Series/TattooedTeenageAlienFightersFromBeverlyHills'''''!"
* ''Series/{{Raumpatrouille}} had a longish one:
--> "What still sounds like a fairy tale today could be reality tomorrow. Here's a fairy tale from beyond tomorrow: There are no more nation-states, there is just humanity and her colonies in space. Distant planets are being settled, the sea bottom has been won for habitation. With as yet unimaginable velocities spaceships speed through our galactic system. One of these spaceships is the Orion, a tiny part of a gigantic defence system that protects Earth from threats from outer space. Let us accompany the Orion and her crew on their patrol duties on the edge of infinity!"
* ''The New Howdy Doody Show'':
-->"From the Sunshine State Florida, home of Doodyville, USA, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, here he is! Buffalo Bob Smith!"
* ''Private Benjamin'' (TV series):
-->"Daddy thought I was fine the way I was. Mother thought I just needed a husband. I decided I needed a change."
* ''Series/{{Riget}}'': (translated from the Danish)
-->"The Kingdom Hospital rests on ancient marshland where the bleaching ponds once lay. Here the bleachers moistened their great spans of cloth. The steam evaporating from the wet cloth shrouded the place in permanent fog. Centuries later the hospital was built here. The bleachers gave way to doctors and researchers, the best brains in the nation and the most perfect technology. To crown their work they called the hospital The Kingdom. Now life was to be charted, and ignorance and superstition never to shake the bastions of science again. Perhaps their arrogance became too pronounced, and their persistent denial of the spiritual. For it is as if the cold and damp have returned. Tiny signs of fatigue are appearing in the solid, modern edifice. No living person knows it yet, but the gateway to the Kingdom is opening once again."
* The Filmation live-action shows ''Shazam!'' and ''The Secrets of Isis'' each had opening narrations.
-->(Shazam) "Billy Batson and his mentor travel the highways and byways of the land on a never-ending mission, to right wrongs, to develop understandings, and to seek justice for all.
-->(The Secrets of Isis) "You will soar as the falcon soars. Run with the speed of gazelles."
* "There are eight million stories in ''The Naked City''. This is one of them."
* ''Series/TopGear'' would always begin with Jeremy (or Richard on occasion) saying "Tonight..." and list a brief detail on the segments of the episode. As the series went on, they would focus on three things that have less and less to do with the actual segments.
* ''Series/BurnNotice'', ''Series/InPlainSight'' and ''Series/RoyalPains'' all have opening narrations. In fact, including ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent'', though it's not really a USA original show, a lot of USA Network's shows have opening narrations.
* ''Series/BabylonFive'' has a different one every season for the first 3 seasons (and the PilotMovie). However seasons 4 and 5 started using multiple different characters contributing lines of dialog one at a time to create the effect of an monologue.
* ''Series/TerminatorTheSarahConnorChronicles''
** "In the future my son will lead mankind in a war against Skynet..." The second season uses a narrator, and gives a very long summary of the backstory and introduction of the major characters.
** The series in general is very fond of this. Every episode, except for the pilot, start with one by Sarah that frames what happens during the episode. Sometimes it's done well, others not so much.
* ''Series/{{Heroes}}'', oh so very much. In the first season it was with Mohinder's [[ArtisticLicenseBiology incredibly bad biology]] regarding evolution; fortunately they moved to poetry later.
** This was a good move; the use of "The Second Coming" in the first episode of the third season is probably the best part of the season.
* In ''Series/TheInvisibleMan'', the main character, Darian Fawkes, starts and ends each episode with a famous quote, bringing forward the basic theme of the episode.
* Cade Foster, the main character of ''Series/FirstWave'', begins each episode (except for the pilot) with a quatrain from the "hidden chapters" of the prophecies of Nostradamus and spends the episode trying to interpret the archaic wording into the show's reality.
* PanelGames often start with some sort of opening narration, usually the host running off a few gags to warm the crowd up.
* ''Series/ItsGarryShandlingsShow'' usually started with an opening narration by Garry.
* ''Franchise/{{Dragnet}}'': "This is the city. UsefulNotes/LosAngeles, California. My name's Friday. I carry a badge."
* Mulder and Scully often had a voice-over narrative for ''Series/TheXFiles'' intros. Likelihood increased dramatically for season finales, season premieres, 2-part episodes, and mythology episodes in general.
* ''Series/HappyDays'' has one in the "Love, American Style" {{pilot}}, provided by Richie Cunningham himself:
--> ''"It's pretty hard to be sixteen and growing up. Maybe it was easier when my parents were young, but... now it's [[TheFifties the 1950s]] and the world's really getting complicated. Now don't get me wrong, I--I have a great family. My father's in the hardware business, my mom does volunteer work for the Red Cross, [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome my brother]] goes to college... [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and my sister wants to go to an orthodontist]]. My sister does, however, go to piano lessons and... I always get stuck walking her home. But today I don't mind, because... today's a big day. We're gonna be the first family on the block to get a television set. Heh, my sister has to tell everybody, but... I only told my best friend Potsie."''
* In the 1975 television revival of Series/ElleryQueen, Queen tells the viewing audience, "In a few minutes, this person is about to be murdered" (or words to that effect). He then goes through a list of possible suspects, ending his introductory monologues by [[BreakingTheFourthWall urging the viewer to follow the clues along with him]] as he cracks the case.
* "Series/{{Lassie}}! Lassie!" "Starring Tommy Rettig as Jeff Miller, Jan Clayton as his mother Ellen, George Cleveland as Gramps, and of course, Lassie."
** "La-ssie! La-ssie!" "Starring June Lockhart, Hugh Reilly, Jon Provost as Timmy, and of course, Lassie."
* The Creator/{{Netflix}} original show ''Series/SamuraiGourmet'' begins with this, mentioning {{Ronin}}, or a "masterless samurai":
--> ''After retiring, he lost his title as a corporate employee and the support of his company.''\\
''Takeshi Kasumi, 60 years old.''\\
''This story is about a normal 60-year-old man who is helped by a masterless samurai, eating freely without being held back.''\\
''A gourmet fantasy.''
* "And now for the next 30 minutes, ''Series/AsTheWorldTurns'', brought to you today by [name of first sponsor with advertising plug], and by [name of second sponsor with advertising plug]."
** "As the World Turns. This portion brought to you today by [name of first sponsor with advertising plug], and by [name of second sponsor with advertising plug]."
* Each Series/{{Arrowverse}} live-action show starts with the lead character narrating the key points, with occasional variations.
** In ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow'', the opening narration is provided by Rip Hunter in Season 1. After the focus shifts away from Rip in Seasons 2 and 3, the Legends take turns providing the narration (Season 2) or just leave it to Sara (Season 3). Most Season 2 narrations are similar enough, but Mick's takes the cake:
--> '''Mick Rory:''' Seriously, you idiots haven't figured this out by now? It all started when we blew up the time pigs -- the Time Masters. Now history's all screwed up, and it's up to us to unscrew it up, but half the time [[NiceJobBreakingItHero we screw things up even worse]]. So don't call us heroes, we're something else. We're Legends. (''{{beat}}'') [[WhoWritesThisCrap Who writes this crap, anyway?]]
* ''Series/FutureCop'': "My name is Joe Cleaver. For fourteen years I've been partnered with the man on my left here, Bill Bundy. We never had a secret from each other, until now. This good-looking kid on my right, a rookie cop called Haven, he's the secret. He looks human, talks and acts human, but he's not. [[AndroidsAndDetectives He's an android.]] A robot. The perfect cop. The cop of the future. A [[TitleDrop future cop]]."
* ''Series/NowAndAgain'' added an premise-explaining narration ahead of the opening credits after a few episodes, with the emphasis on how much Michael loves his wife, whom he now can't see on account of been declared dead and turned into a secret experimental super-guy.
* In a weird reversal, ''Series/Jake20'' had narration from Jake in its opening titles... which it started ''losing'' line by line, until by the end of its only season there was no narration in the titles. This was a good move, since, though it started out okay, some of the lines were kind of narmy ("I have these powers...!"). ''Meanwhile'', about a third of the way into the season they started preceding the titles with a premise-explainer that rotated through the three non-Jake regulars, talking up how Jake had become the "ultimate human upgrade." So for a while the two forms of opening narration were overlapping, until the remnants of the Jake version were finally completely cut out.
* "...Who do we work for? We work for ''Series/OddSquad''!"
[[/folder]]

* The American broadcasts of the Emma Peel episodes of ''Series/TheAvengers'' began with a specially shot narration: "Extraordinary crimes against the people and the state have to be avenged by agents extraordinary. Two such people are John Steed, top professional, and his partner Emma Peel, talented amateur - otherwise known as... ''The Avengers''."

--> "For the next 30 minutes, your eyes will leave your body and enter inside this fantasy time..."

* ''Series/UltraQ'': "(expository information on what is about to occur) During the next 30 minutes your soul will leave your body and will enter this mysterious dimension..."

Sometimes, a show's first episode will start with a ColdOpening, and in every episode thereafter the Opening Narration will take its place. This will only happen if said episode is a WelcomeEpisode or an EveryoneMeetsEveryone {{Premiere}}.

** At the ColdOpening: "Gossip Girl here. Your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite."

* "A _ letter word; the clue is [punny clue]!" "[word]!" "It's the crossword game you've played all your life, but never quite like this!" [[Series/{{Scrabble}} SCRABBLE]]!

* ''Series/{{Cleopatra 2525}}'' has one, just before it goes into the RealSongThemeTune.

-->FASTER than a speeding bullet!
-->More POWERFUL than a locomotive!
-->Able to LEAP tall buildings in a single bound!
-->LOOK! Up In The Sky!
-->It's a BIRD!
-->It's a PLANE!
-->It's SUPERMAN!
-->Yes, it's SUPERMAN, strange visitor from another planet who came to earth with powers and abilities FAR beyond those of mortal men!
-->SUPERMAN! Who can CHANGE the course of might rivers, BEND steel in his bare hands; And who, disguised as Clark Kent, Mild-mannered reporter for a great Metropolitan Newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for TRUTH, JUSTICE and the AMERICAN WAY!
-->And now another exciting episode in THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN!!!

* The Creator/{{Netflix}} original show ''Series/SamuraiGourmet'' begins with this:
--> ''After retiring, he lost his title as a corporate employee and the support of his company.''
--> ''Takeshi Kasumi, 60 years old.''
--> ''This story is about a normal 60-year-old man who is helped by a [[{{Ronin}} masterless samurai]], eating freely without being held back.''
--> ''A gourmet fantasy.''

* In a weird reversal, ''[[Series/Jake20 Jake 2.0]]'' had narration from Jake in its opening titles... which it started ''losing'' line by line, until by the end of its only season there was no narration in the titles. This was a good move, since, though it started out okay, some of the lines were kind of narmy ("I have these powers...!"). ''Meanwhile'', about a third of the way into the season they started preceding the titles with a premise-explainer that rotated through the three non-Jake regulars, talking up how Jake had become the "ultimate human upgrade." So for a while the two forms of opening narration were overlapping, until the remnants of the Jake version were finally completely cut out.

* ''Series/YouBetYourLife'' (Groucho Marx's radio comedy quiz series)
-->'''George Fenneman:''' Ladies and gentlemen, don't tell a soul, but the secret word tonight is <word>. W-O-R-D.
-->'''Groucho Marx:''' Really?!
-->'''George Fenneman:''' [[TitleDrop You bet your life]]!

* The ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' games always ([[VideoGame/Fallout4 until recently]]) begin with Creator/RonPerlman's voice saying, "War... War never changes..." followed by some exposition about the nuclear war that leveled America (along with most of the rest of the planet).
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda:''

* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'': After a ThisIsAWorkOfFiction disclaimer, the BigGood of the ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' series, Igor, explains that those who would stand against perversions of the law and other societal corruption are sometimes called "Tricksters", and that you shall take the role of one such AntiHero rogue. It's only after this that you take control of the player character to being the game in earnest.

* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'': After a ThisIsAWorkOfFiction disclaimer, the BigGood of the ''[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona]]'' series, Igor, explains that those who would stand against perversions of the law and other societal corruption are sometimes called "Tricksters", and that you shall take the role of one such AntiHero rogue. It's only after this that you take control of the player character to being the game in earnest.

* "''WesternAnimation/COPSAnimatedSeries'' - [[FunWithAcronyms Central Organization of Police Specialists]]: fighting crime in a future time!..."

** Before either of the above shows, Filmation's ''WesternAnimation/FatAlbertAndTheCosbyKids'' did the same thing:
--> "This is Creator/BillCosby coming at you with music and fun, and if you're not careful, you'll learn something before it's done. (So let's get ready, okay?) Hey, hey, hey![[note]]The part in parentheses was left out during the show's "The Adventures of..." incarnation.[[/note]]

* "He was a cop, and good at his job, but he committed the ultimate sin and testified against other cops gone bad. Cops that tried to kill him but got the woman he loved instead. Framed for murder, now he prowls the badlands, an outlaw hunting outlaws, a bounty hunter, a ''Series/{{Renegade}}''."

* "''Series/{{COPS}}'' is filmed on location with the men and women of law enforcement. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."
* The first season of ''Series/TheFallGuy'' had this opening narration from Lee Majors:

* ''Series/{{Cleopatra 2525}}'' has one, just before it goes into that hideous RealSongThemeTune.

* "WesternAnimation/{{COPS}} - [[FunWithAcronyms Central Organization of Police Specialists]]: fighting crime in a future time!..."

* ''Series/WarOfTheWorlds'' used a straightforward description of the show's premise in the first season. The second season replaced this with a vague and frightened news report intentionally reminiscent of the style of the RadioDrama of the same title (and, by proxy, the famous radio report on the Hindenburg disaster).

* During the three prologues of ''Manga/SoulEater'', the narrator, who is later revealed to be [[TheGrimReaper Lord Death]], begins each episode with "Welcome to the Death Weapon Meister Academy, commonly known as the DWMA...." and about a minute and a half more of explanation of the goal of the DWMA, and the role of meisters and Kishins, and so on. Oddly, weapons are not mentioned. The narration is the same each time it is said.

* ''Manga/ShugoChara'': "All kids hold an egg in their soul...the egg of our hearts...our would-be selves...yet, unseen..."[[note]]This opening narration is spoken exactly as it appears in SurprisinglyGoodEnglish.[[/note]]

** "I made a vow on my parents' graves to rid this city of the evil that took their lives. By day, I am Bruce Wayne, billionaire philanthropist. By night, criminals, a superstitious and cowardly lot, call me...Franchise/{{BATMAN}}."

* ''ComicBook/LegendsOfTheDeadEarth'': Most (but not all) annuals begin as follows: "Earth is dead. Those who once might have called it home are long scattered to the endless stars. But in that scattering, on a thousand different worlds, by a thousand different ways...Earth's greatest legends live on."
* ''ComicBook/StarTrekEarlyVoyages'': The opening narration is a slight variation on that of ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'': "Space...the final frontier. Before James T. Kirk, before Jean-Luc Picard, there was Christopher Pike. These are the voyages of the Starship ''Enterprise'', its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before..."

* In ''Fanfic/TheLegendOfTotalDramaIsland'', every chapter except for the prologue and the first chapter of the [[FramingDevice inner story]] begins with stock narration based on that in ''[[Literature/ArabianNights The Book of the Thousand and One Nights]]'': "The next morning… and then she began to speak." There is some variation, most notably between weekday and weekend.

--->"There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture... ''You'' are about to participate in a great adventure. ''You'' are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to...the Outer Limits."

-->"There is nothing wrong with your television. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are now controlling the transmission. We control the horizontal and the vertical. We can deluge you with a thousand channels, or expand one single image to crystal clarity...and beyond..."

--->"There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to Man. It is a dimension as vast as space, and as timeless as infinity. It is the middleground between light and shadow, between science and superstition; and it lies between the pit of Man's fears, and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call...the Twilight Zone."

* '' "It began....in the future..." ''. ''Series/TimeTrax''

* ''Series/{{GARO}}'': "Where there is light, shadows lurk and fear reigns. Yet by the blade of Knights, mankind was given hope..."
* "In 1972 [[note]]"Ten years ago" in the first season[[/note]], a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade into the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if nobody else can help, and if you can find them, then maybe you can hire...Series/TheATeam." This was dropped entirely for the final season.

* "''Hi. I'm Series/{{Chuck}} Bartowski. And here are a few things you should know....''".

-->"Man lives in the sunlit world of what he ''believes'' to be reality. ''But'' - there is, unseen by most, an underworld. A place that is just as real, but not as brightly lit...a '''Darkside'''."

** Also parodied more humorously in the 1987 ''Dragnet'' film: "Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. For example, George Baker is now called...[[ShesAManInJapan Sylvia Wiss.]]"

** The first season included, "...I'm Federal Agent Jack Bauer. And this...is the longest day of my life."

* "Who are the ''Series/MythBusters'' ?......"

** ''Series/MiraiSentaiTimeranger'': "People from the future in the year 3000 AD and one man have met by chance, for the sake of marking a new passage of time…!"

** After nearly a whole decade of having this trope, ''Series/KishiryuSentaiRyusoulger'' averts it, with just a "QUE BOM!" at the beginning.

** "Long ago, earth’s greatest ninja sacrificed himself to keep the universe safe from the monster Galvanax, 10 years later, the Rangers fought many battles to protect the legendary Ninja Power Stars. Finally, Galvanax was defeated but the ruthless Madame Odius survived and rose to power, determined to take the stars for herself, only one team can stop her, they are ''Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel''!"

** ''Series/KamenRiderFourze'': "Space...a wondrous world, filled with infinite cosmic energy. Using the Astro Switches, these young people will open the door to the future of space. [[GratuitousEnglish Space on your hand!]] Reach out and seize the universe!"

** "[[PunctuatedForEmphasis This...is...]] ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}''! Now entering the studio are today's contestants..."

** It isn't used any more, but ''Series/WheelOfFortune'' used to open thusly: "Look at this studio, filled with glamorous prizes! Fabulous and exciting merchandise! Including: (insert the descriptions of three prizes) Over $-- thousand dollars, just waiting to be won on... ."

*** '''$10,000 (1973)''': During the first few months of the "$10,000 Pyramid," the opening line was much different. Starting with a camera shot on the Winner's Circle, the announcer began, "Keep your eye on this spot. You are about to see one celebrity and one contestant step into this circle for the chance to win $10,000 in less than a minute. Ladies and gentlemen...this is ''The $10,000 Pyramid''!" Following that would be introduction of celebrities and Dick Clark.

*** '''$100,000 (1985-1988)''': No opening clips were played; the announcer simply said, "From Television City in Hollywood ... ."

*** '''1976-1985, 1994-1995''': "It's time for the ''Family Feud''! Introducing the (family #1) family! (Player), (player), (player), (player), and (player)! Ready for action! And the (family #2) family! (Player), (player), (player), (player), and (player)! On your marks... let's start...the ''Family Feud''! With the star of ''Family Feud'', Richard Dawson!" Late in the run the individual family members were no longer introduced. The 1994-95 season cut the number of family members to four and replaced "With the star of..." with "Here's the star of...". The show used a similar intro from 2002-2010, truncated in later years.

** "Who will be...''Series/TheWeakestLink''?"

-->"This is the story of one of America's great unsung heroes. I mean, you've seen him but you never knew who he was. You've cheered for him and cried for him and women have wanted to die for him. But did he ever get any credit, or the girl? No! He's what we call the "stuntman" and the reason I'm talking so fondly about him is, well, because it's me, Colt Seaver. Anyway, picture work isn't wall-to-wall employment, so maybe you wonder how a guy keeps his head together. Well, one way is to wait by the phone...and wait...and wait. The other is to take an occasional job with the court system of the United States of America, where a man is considered innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, sometimes a lot of these people get out of jail on what we call bail. Then they run like hell. And that's where I come in. I sometimes pick up rent money trying to find them and bring them back to justice...and that reminds me of a very interesting case..."

* The third and fourth seasons of ''Series/TheAdventuresOfSuperboy'' featured narration during the opening sequence: "Rocketed from a distant planet to a bold new destiny on earth, found by a Kansas family and raised as Clark Kent, he learned he possessed the strength of steel, the speed of light, and the desire to help all mankind. He is...Superboy!"

* ''Series/StreetHawk'': "This is Jesse Mach, an ex-motorcycle cop, injured in the line of duty. Now a police troubleshooter, he's been recruited for a top secret government mission to ride Street Hawk--an all-terrain attack motorcycle designed to fight urban crime, capable of incredible speeds up to three hundred miles an hour...and immense firepower. Only one man, federal agent Norman Tuttle, knows Jesse Mach's true identity. The man...the machine...Street Hawk."

* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'': "You are being watched. The government has a secret system, a Machine that spies on you every hour of every day. ..."

* "Join us now as Jesse James and his gang of maverick mechanics rip, grind, and burn transforming ordinary vehicles into monster machines in...the ''Series/MonsterGarage''."

* "That's me, Fred the House Cat. When my family leaves for the day, I don't just sit inside watching the world go by. I become... ''WesternAnimation/NatureCat'', Backyard explorer extraordinaire!" (cue ExpositoryThemeTune)

** The Sunbow ''GIJoe'' series as well -- "its purpose: to defend human freedom against COBRA, a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world!"