# Minimal Amount Of Sets On A TV Show **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 30, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525 "2009-11-30T21:54:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/21 "2009-12-01T19:56:14Z")
[Marion & Geoff](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0283760/) had one set, being filmed inside a car. Two sets if you want to get all nitpicky and point out that that the first series was done inside a taxi and the second inside a limo. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/22 "2009-12-01T20:02:59Z")
_Night Court_ had four regular sets - the courtroom, the corridor between the courtroom and Harry’s office, Harry’s office, and the cafeteria. On the rare occasion they visited a character’s apartment, seems to me the basic layout was always the same - entrance on the left, living room, kitchenette on the right, bedroom in the back somewhere - suggesting they just redecorated a generic set when required. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/23 "2009-12-01T20:03:22Z")
> [@WarmNPrickly](#): > > Cheers pretty much had the bar and a few rooms in the bar. How many sets did the Cosby’s have? > > Speaking of sets, do any houses actually have a living room with the stairs at the back and a couch in the middle or is that just a TV thing. > > Doh! Beaten by Blibliocat. Yes, that’s not an unusual layout for a Brooklyn brownstone, which I believe the Cosby’s house was meant to be. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/24 "2009-12-01T20:13:52Z")
> [@Monstera\_deliciosa](#): > > Yes, Fred and Ethel’s apartment and Ricky’s nightclub. Then there was the set for the trip to Hollywood. > > ETA: Chuck posted a classic. There was also the commercial set for Vita-Meata-Vegimin. The Ricardos’ Hollywood hotel suit was a redress of their (2nd) New York apartment. The layout was all but identical. Even the Hollywood bedroom was layed out like the NYC one. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/25 "2009-12-01T21:15:21Z")
I think the series **My Talk Show** starring Cynthia Stevenson, had a single set – the living room/bedroom of her house. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/26 "2009-12-01T21:19:47Z")
I believe _WKRP_ only had 4 standing sets: Carlson’s office, the waiting room outside (with Jennifer’s desk), the DJ booth, and the bullpen. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/27 "2009-12-01T21:42:12Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I believe _WKRP_ only had 4 standing sets: Carlson’s office, the waiting room outside (with Jennifer’s desk), the DJ booth, and the bullpen. There was one other: Andy’s office. If I’m remembering the commentary from the Season 1 DVD correctly, they started out with 4 sets (Mr. Carlson’s office, the reception area, the booth, and Andy’s office), and added the bullpen set after they started production (maybe when they got picked up for a full season). ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/28 "2009-12-01T21:43:08Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > There was one other: Andy’s office. > > If I’m remembering the commentary from the Season 1 DVD correctly, they started out with 4 sets (Mr. Carlson’s office, the reception area, the booth, and Andy’s office), and added the bullpen set after they started production (maybe when they got picked up for a full season). :smack: Yep. And I just remembered another: the hall outside the booth. :smack: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/29 "2009-12-01T21:51:15Z")
_Newsradio_ used a handful of sets over the years, but most episodes were done entirely in one set (or three- elevator/newsroom/Dave’s office, which for all I know were contiguous). ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/30 "2009-12-01T22:02:24Z")
The Ricardos moved to ‘the country’ later in the run of “I Love Lucy” and had a whole new set to represent their house. I always thought it was funny that they called what was probably meant to be the suburbs, ‘the country’. That may have been how Manhattanites regarded anywhere other than New York City. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/31 "2009-12-01T23:01:39Z")
_Sanford and Son_ seemed to only have two sets, the living room and the kitchen. I can’t remember more than one set from _Chico and the Man_. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/32 "2009-12-01T23:16:51Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > _Welcome Back Kotter_ had three main sets, I think. The classroom, the hallway, and Kotter’s apartment. I think the school exterior set was used fairly often - not as often as those three, of course, but fairly often. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/33 "2009-12-01T23:31:27Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > _Sanford and Son_ seemed to only have two sets, the living room and the kitchen. I can’t remember more than one set from _Chico and the Man_. Well, there was the main garage, and there was Ed’s office; maybe that was kind of all one thing. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/34 "2009-12-02T01:31:02Z")
There was a TV show in the late 60s called [Turn On](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn-On) that had literally **zero** sets - just a white backdrop. The show was a huge flop and canceled after one single episode though. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/35 "2009-12-02T01:48:40Z")
No, **Turn On** had sets – there were a series of blackout jokes (one, for instance, had a woman in front of a brick wall facing a firing squad). There were some jokes set on a white background, but others did have some sort of set. (I happened to watch the original broadcast). ---
**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:** [December 2, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/36 "2009-12-02T01:58:26Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > They probably opened up occasionally, but offhand I can’t think of a scene from _The Bob Newhart Show_ that wasn’t set either in the Hartleys’ apartment or Bob’s office. I can remember a couple of scenes in Howard’s apartment (which oddly, did NOT look just like Bob and Emily’s), Jerry’s office, and of course, the lobby where Carol’s desk was stationed. There were also a few scenes in restaurants, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/37 "2009-12-02T02:08:46Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I think the series **My Talk Show** starring Cynthia Stevenson, had a single set – the living room/bedroom of her house. Wow! I found the other person who watched this show! How you doin’? (What do you expect to find in Derby, Wisconsin?) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/38 "2009-12-02T03:51:23Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > _Sanford and Son_ seemed to only have two sets, the living room and the kitchen. And the salvage yard. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/39 "2009-12-02T05:05:57Z")
Murphy Brown had her living room at home, her office and water cooler area by her door, and the tv announcer set. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525/40 "2009-12-02T14:22:01Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Murphy Brown had her living room at home, her office and water cooler area by her door, and the tv announcer set. You forgot Phil’s bar. Also, they had sets for location – a hotel room where Jim and Corky were staying. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-amount-of-sets-on-a-tv-show/519525.md?page=3)