# Earliest/latest sitcom set in each US state **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [March 18, 2022, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311 "2022-03-18T20:26:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/1 "2022-03-18T20:26:02Z")
Has there been a sitcom set in each state of the USA? If so, what was the first such sitcom (by starting year) and what was the most recent such sitcom (by ending year) by state? Note that by “set in” I mean the series as a whole, not the occasional individual episode. Settings in fictional towns are fine as long as the state is unambiguously mentioned. Here’s an admittedly incomplete table we might work on. I’ve filled in only those shows that I’ve seen myself and where I remember the setting being explicitly stated in the show. | State | Earliest sitcom | Starting year | Latest sitcom | Ending year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Alabama | | | | | | Alaska | | | | | | Arizona | | | | | | Arkansas | | | | | | California | Three’s Company | 1977 | Fuller House | 2020 | | Colorado | Mork & Mindy | 1978 | Mork & Mindy | 1982 | | Connecticut | | | | | | Delaware | | | | | | Florida | The Golden Girls | 1985 | Empty Nest | 1995 | | Georgia | | | | | | Hawaii | Big Wave Dave’s | 1993 | Big Wave Dave’s | 1993 | | Idaho | | | | | | Illinois | Perfect Strangers | 1986 | Family Matters | 1998 | | Indiana | Parks and Recreation | 2009 | Parks and Recreation | 2015 | | Iowa | | | | | | Kansas | | | | | | Kentucky | | | | | | Louisiana | | | | | | Maine | | | | | | Maryland | | | | | | Massachusetts | Cheers | 1982 | Cheers | 1993 | | Michigan | | | | | | Minnesota | | | | | | Mississippi | | | | | | Missouri | AfterMASH | 1983 | AfterMASH | 1985 | | Montana | | | | | | Nebraska | | | | | | Nevada | | | | | | New Hampshire | | | | | | New Jersey | | | | | | New Mexico | | | | | | New York | All in the Family | 1971 | Seinfeld | 1998 | | North Carolina | The Andy Griffith Show | 1960 | The Andy Griffith Show | 1968 | | North Dakota | | | | | | Ohio | 3rd Rock from the Sun | 1996 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | 2001 | | Oklahoma | | | | | | Oregon | | | | | | Pennsylvania | The Office | 2005 | The Office | 2013 | | Rhode Island | Family Guy | 1999 | Family Guy | ongoing | | South Carolina | | | | | | South Dakota | | | | | | Tennessee | | | | | | Texas | King of the Hill | 1997 | King of the Hill | 2010 | | Utah | | | | | | Vermont | | | | | | Virginia | | | | | | Washington | Harry and the Hendersons | 1991 | Frasier | 2004 | | West Virginia | | | | | | Wisconsin | Happy Days | 1974 | That '70s Show | 2006 | | Wyoming | | | | | ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/2 "2022-03-18T20:34:22Z")
Would the Jackie Gleason show predate All in the Family? (I _think i_t was set in NYC, but it’s been decades since I’ve seen an episode) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/3 "2022-03-18T20:49:18Z")
You left North Takoma off of your list, for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/4 "2022-03-18T20:50:32Z")
Oh, I should clarify that I’m talking only about TV sitcoms. No radio shows or web series, please. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/5 "2022-03-18T20:51:38Z")
Aha, I thought that we’d done this before! (but didn’t realize it was 17 years ago): > [@Have all 50 states housed a sitcom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-50-states-housed-a-sitcom/306225): > > Simple enough. Have all 50 states been home to a sitcom family? I mean a sitcom family has resided there. For instance, Hawaii wouldn’t qualify for The Brady Bunch since they WENT there, but that wasn’t the state they lived in. I suppose we can use animated series, too, so that I can get Family Guy for Rhode Island. Oh, and no one said they had to be GOOD sitcoms (I realize that’s usually a contradiction in terms). Alabama: Alaska: Arizona: Arkansas: California: Too many to fully mention… ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/6 "2022-03-18T20:52:52Z")
Wings, Nantucket, Massachusetts, 1990-1997 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/7 "2022-03-18T20:56:34Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Would the Jackie Gleason show predate All in the Family? > (I _think i_t was set in NYC, but it’s been decades since I’ve seen an episode) The very first American television sitcom, _Mary Kay and Johnny_ (1947-1950), was set in New York City. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/8 "2022-03-18T20:57:23Z")
I Love Lucy was set in New York City, and in the final season they moved to Westport, Connecticut, so there’s two for one. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/9 "2022-03-18T20:59:19Z")
Can you (and anyone else proposing sitcoms) provide the years as well so that I can fill in the table? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/10 "2022-03-18T20:59:41Z")
1991-99 Michigan. Home improvement with Tim Allen. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/11 "2022-03-18T21:01:08Z")
_The Mary Tyler Moore Show_ (1970-1977) might be the first sitcom set in Minnesota. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/12 "2022-03-18T21:01:24Z")
I’ve seen some of that one, but was the show ever explicit about the setting? I know the main character had an affinity for Michigan sports teams and universities but that’s only circumstantial evidence. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/13 "2022-03-18T21:01:57Z")
For Ohio, _WKRP in Cincinnati_ (premiered in 1978) predates _3rd Rock From the Sun_. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/14 "2022-03-18T21:03:58Z")
Alaska- Northern Exposure. Early 90’s. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/15 "2022-03-18T21:04:47Z")
Pretty sure they Detroit area specific ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/16 "2022-03-18T21:06:29Z")
For Hawaii - The Little People/The Brian Keith Show (Title change) 1972-1974 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/17 "2022-03-18T21:06:35Z")
And, for Illinois, _[The McLean Stevenson Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_McLean_Stevenson_Show)_ (1976) was set in Evanston, a northern suburb of Chicago. It only ran for 12 episodes, but I imagine it still counts. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/18 "2022-03-18T21:06:46Z")
Somebody Somewhere : Kansas 2022 If you consider it a sitcom ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/19 "2022-03-18T21:08:11Z")
Chicago - Good Times 1970’s ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/20 "2022-03-18T21:08:17Z")
Champaign ILL : Illinois 2018 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311.md?page=2)