# 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:** 10
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2022, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/181 "2022-03-25T09:52:40Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > |Rhode Island|Family Guy And, in Virginia, _American Dad!_ ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2022, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/182 "2022-03-25T10:14:58Z")
So that only leaves - Delaware - Iowa - Louisiana - Montana - New Mexico - North Dakota - Oklahoma - South Carolina - South Dakota - Utah - Wyoming I did a quick check on Wikipedia for TV shows in specific states, but not much help there. States are apparently also subject to stereotyping. Wyoming only has Westerns, and Delaware a lot of action/thriller shows. Louisiana has lots of crime and reality shows. I did find a few, going by the description on Wikipedia: - Iowa: [Nancy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_(TV_series)), 1970-71 [Double Trouble](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Trouble_(American_TV_series)), 1984-85 [Julie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_(TV_series)), 1992 [Drexell’s Class](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drexell%27s_Class), 1991-1992 - New Mexico: [Guestward, Ho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guestward,_Ho!), 1960-61 - Oklahoma [The Torkelsons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Torkelsons) 1991-93 [Sugar and Spice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_and_Spice_(American_TV_series)) 1990 ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2022, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/183 "2022-03-25T10:59:25Z")
> [@Kimble](#): > > > [@xizor](#): > > > > For Tennessee: > > > > > _Delta_ (Delta Burke’s show after she was canned from Designing Women), 1992-1993 > > _Filthy Rich_ (Dixie Carter, Delta Burke and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason before Designing Women) was set in Memphis from 1982-83. Those two and _Still the King_ were the only Tennessee sitcoms I found in the appropriate Wikipedia category. ( _Gun Shy_ is listed there, but it sure seems to be set in California. I assume the confusion arose because Delta Burke appeared in it.) We have two comments that mention Designing Women. We also have Designing Women from Georgia, which is later than the one on the chart. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2022, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/184 "2022-03-25T17:45:34Z")
I’ve never watched it, but I think “Atlanta” is listed as a comedy. To be clear, it seems to be set in Georgia. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/185 "2022-03-25T18:06:24Z")
I watch _Atlanta_ and I’m not sure how much it qualifies as a “situation comedy.” I was also thinking about the show _Baskets_ and I don’t know that it’s a sitcom either (it’s set in California, but ended in 2019). They both have the same feel. _Joe Pera Talks With You_ is also kind of in the same vein, which I mentioned before for Michigan. All 3 are comedy shows with a recurring cast, but are they sitcoms? I guess we need to determine what constitutes a sitcom! Although everyone has been pretty much in agreement so far. Is it the level of depth? The broadness of appeal? The way the show is shot? The type of stories presented? Standalone episodes? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/186 "2022-03-25T18:45:41Z")
There have been two TV versions of _ **Blondie** _ (1957 and 1968) that lasted 26 and 13 episodes, respectively. (A 14th episode of the latter was filmed but never aired.) In 1946, creator Chic Young was cited in _ **The Joplin Globe** _ as saying the Bumsteads live in the suburbs of Joplin, MO. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/187 "2022-03-25T21:09:49Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > > [@Spoons](#): > > > > For Louisiana, there’s _Frank’s Place_ (1 season, 22 episodes, 1987-1988), and set in New Orleans, LA: > > Wikipedia calls that a “comedy-drama”. Is there a distinction between comedy-drama and sitcom? If so, I’m not sure what it is. But if there’s no distinction, then add this one > > Alaska: _Northern Exposure_, 1990-1995, which it also calls a comedy-drama. > > Similarly, Wikipedia calls this one an “action comedy”: > > Georgia: _The Dukes of Hazzard_ 1979-1985. Don’t know if that counts or not. Wikipedia can call it a ham sandwich. _Northern Exposure_ was not a situation comedy. Or even really a comedy. It used the hour long drama format. It was a quirky mostly lighthearted drama which was funny at times. But mostly aimed for quirky and amusing. _Franks Place_ was a sitcom that used the 30 minute 1 camera sitcom format. It never deviated from that format although at times it took a look a serious issues. _All in the Family_ took on serious issues too but nobody is saying it wasn’t a sitcom. _Franks Place_ was fantastic and should have been given a longer run. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2022, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/188 "2022-03-26T03:55:52Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > _Twin Peaks_ was…something (but definitely not a sitcom). Dunno. Made me laugh. ---
**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 28, 2022, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/189 "2022-03-28T10:46:16Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > There have been two TV versions of _ **Blondie** _ (1957 and 1968) that lasted 26 and 13 episodes, respectively. (A 14th episode of the latter was filmed but never aired.) > > In 1946, creator Chic Young was cited in _ **The Joplin Globe** _ as saying the Bumsteads live in the suburbs of Joplin, MO. That’s a rather tenuous connection—in the 91 years the comic (and its spin-off movies, TV shows, etc.) has been in existence, has the only record of the setting really been a one-off comment made to a minor regional newspaper? I’d feel a lot better about adding either of the two TV shows to the list if there was some explicit on-screen reference to the setting. ---
**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 28, 2022, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/190 "2022-03-28T10:50:30Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > _Franks Place_ was a sitcom that used the 30 minute 1 camera sitcom format. It never deviated from that format although at times it took a look a serious issues. Can you find any published reference to it being a sitcom? Some Google searches turn up writers calling it a “dramedy” or “comedy–drama” but I didn’t find any calling it a sitcom. By contrast, I did find _Joe Pera Talks With You_ being referred to as a sitcom. ---
**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 28, 2022, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/191 "2022-03-28T10:56:30Z")
Here’s an updated table. I’ve left off _Frank’s Place_ and _Blondie_ for now pending resolution of the questions above. A few other shows, such as _Northern Exposure_ and _The Dukes of Hazzard_, I think we can discount on the grounds that they’re not sitcoms, but rather comedy–drama or action–comedy series. Let me know if I’ve forgotten to add any shows, or if anyone can supply years for the nominations that lack them. | State | Earliest sitcom | Starting year | Latest sitcom | Ending year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Alabama | Hart of Dixie | 2011 | Hart of Dixie | 2015 | | Alaska | The Great North | 2021 | The Great North | ongoing | | Arizona | Alice | 1976 | The Last Man on Earth [first season only] | 2015 | | Arkansas | Evening Shade | 1990 | Evening Shade | 1994 | | California | The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show | 1950 | Fuller House | 2020 | | Colorado | Mork & Mindy | 1978 | South Park | ongoing | | Connecticut | I Love Lucy [last season only] | 1956 | B Positive | ongoing | | Delaware | | | | | | Florida | I Dream of Jeannie | 1965 | Fresh off the Boat | 2020 | | Georgia | Carter Country | 1977 | Designing Women | 1993 | | Hawaii | The Little People | 1972 | Big Wave Dave’s | 1993 | | Idaho | The Grinder | 2015 | The Grinder | 2016 | | Illinois | The Chicago Teddy Bears | 1971 | The Conners | ongoing | | Indiana | One Day at a Time | 1975 | The Middle | 2018 | | Iowa | Nancy | 1970 | Drexell’s Class | 1992 | | Kansas | The Phil Silvers Show | 1955 | The Phil Silvers Show | 1959 | | Kentucky | Call Me Kat | 2021 | Call Me Kat | ongoing | | Louisiana | | | | | | Maine | The Ghost and Mrs. Muir | 1968 | The Ghost and Mrs. Muir | 1970 | | Maryland | Hot l Baltimore | 1975 | Cuts | 2006 | | Massachusetts | Cheers | 1982 | Wings | 1997 | | Michigan | Home Improvement | 1991 | Bob Hearts Abishola | ongoing | | Minnesota | The Mary Tyler Moore Show | 1970 | The Louie Show | 1996 | | Mississippi | Tammy | 1965 | Tammy | 1966 | | Missouri | AfterMASH | 1983 | The John Larroquette Show | 1996 | | Montana | | | | | | Nebraska | Bless This Mess | 2019 | Bless This Mess | 2020 | | Nevada | Blansky’s Beauties | 1977 | LA to Vegas | 2018 | | New Hampshire | Willy | 1954 | Ichabod and Me | 1962 | | New Jersey | Charles in Charge | 1984 | Bob’s Burgers | ongoing | | New Mexico | Guestward Ho | 1960 | Guestward Ho | 1961 | | New York | Mary Kay and Johnny | 1947 | Ghosts | ongoing | | North Carolina | The Andy Griffith Show | 1960 | Bless the Harts | 2021 | | North Dakota | | | | | | Ohio | Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman | 1976 | United States of Al | ongoing | | Oklahoma | The Torkelsons | 1991 | Center of the Universe | 2005 | | Oregon | Delta House | 1979 | Everything Sucks | 2018 | | Pennsylvania | The Tony Randall Show | 1976 | The Goldbergs | ongoing | | Rhode Island | Doctor, Doctor | 1989 | Family Guy | ongoing | | South Carolina | | | | | | South Dakota | | | | | | Tennessee | Filthy Rich | 1982 | Still the King | 2017 | | Texas | The Rounders | 1966 | Young Sheldon | ongoing | | Utah | | | | | | Vermont | Newhart | 1982 | Newhart | 1990 | | Virginia | The Millers | 2013 | American Dad | ongoing | | Washington | Here Come the Brides | 1968 | Tacoma FD | ongoing | | West Virginia | The Real McCoys | 1957 | The Real McCoys | 1963 | | Wisconsin | Happy Days | 1974 | That '70s Show | 2006 | | Wyoming | | | | | ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2022, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/192 "2022-03-28T11:02:18Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > Here’s an updated table. I’ve left off _Frank’s Place_ and _Blondie_ for now pending resolution of the questions above. A few other shows, such as _Northern Exposure_ and _The Dukes of Hazzard_, I think we can discount on the grounds that they’re not sitcoms, but rather comedy–drama or action–comedy series. Let me know if I’ve forgotten to add any shows You’ve got _American Dad!_ beating _The Millers_ in one direction, but not the other. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2022, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/193 "2022-03-28T13:01:07Z")
Northern Exposure (my favorite TV show of all time) was definitely not a sitcom. Comedic elements alone don’t make a show one. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2022, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/194 "2022-03-28T16:09:11Z")
I found it hard to believe that there are no ongoing sitcoms set in California (given where almost all of them are produced). Found **[Grown-ish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grown-ish)**, which is ongoing (renewed for 2022-23) ---
**Author:** ![RobotDevilDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@RobotDevilDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobotDevilDog)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/195 "2022-03-28T16:57:28Z")
There’s an animated comedy called “Whatever Happened to…Robot Jones?” that takes place in Delaware. It aired on Cartoon Network from 2000 to 2003. ---
**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 28, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/196 "2022-03-28T21:19:48Z")
Wikipedia says the short-lived 2009 ABC sitcom _Hank_ was about a family that had moved to River Bend, Virginia. ---
**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 28, 2022, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/197 "2022-03-28T21:38:02Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > In 1946, creator Chic Young was cited in _ **The Joplin Globe** _ as saying the Bumsteads live in the suburbs of Joplin, MO. Green Acres and Petticoat Junction have a better claim of being set in Missouri or Arkansas (via The Beverly Hillbillies) and their creator very specifically never located them in any particular place. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2022, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/198 "2022-03-28T21:41:52Z")
The same is true of _ **The Beverly Hillbillies** _, also from the same creator. But I assume Chic Young knew what he was talking about, if we can believe the cite in _ **TJG** _. ---
**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 28, 2022, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/199 "2022-03-28T21:43:17Z")
_The Last Frontier_ (1996) was a short-lived sitcom (it was cancelled after six episodes) set in Alaska. ---
**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 28, 2022, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311/200 "2022-03-28T21:50:24Z")
_Best of the West_ (1981-1982) was set in the Montana Territory, if that counts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-latest-sitcom-set-in-each-us-state/961311.md?page=11)