# Shows that mask their setting. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 6, 2009, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146 "2009-01-06T22:41:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/41 "2009-01-07T17:25:25Z")
> [@Mahna\_Mahna](#): > > I was coming in to say this. > > (though it’s probably safe at this point to assume that Papen County is located somewhere in New England, based on the weather, the nearby rocky coastline complete with lighthouse, various accents, and other assorted details) You never know, though. Someone upthread mentioned Smallville, which is supposedly set in Kansas, and is within eyeshot of Metropolis, which has a seaport. And trying to place Papen County in our world or any fantasy analog of it may be futile, anyway. _Pushing Daisies_ is deliberately divorced from reality. I don’t think anyone on that show has ever actually mentioned any real world cities or states. The closest we come to it is the Chinese restaurant (and the noodle bar across the street) under Emerson’s office. And the Liberty torch on the building over the Pie Hole. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/42 "2009-01-07T17:27:31Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Jethro says he wants to be a streetcar conductor like he’s seen up in Springfield and Joplin. We all know that Springfield doesn’t have a streetcar - it has a monorail. ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/43 "2009-01-07T17:43:35Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > In the recently ended legal dramedy _Boston Legal_, the writers obscure the name of the town, though it seems to be a large eastern city, possibly New York or Philadelphia. > > Similarly, the cop drama _CSI: Miami_ never lets you know where the action is, though many shots show ocean views, suggesting L.A.. > > The popular '80s drama _Dallas_ kept its setting a mystery, but many fans of the show speculate that it might have taken place in either Seattle or Copenhagen. Um. 😕 I been whooshed.:o What a dork I am.:o Thanks for the laff!😃 ---
**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:** [January 7, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/44 "2009-01-07T19:04:49Z")
> [@Krokodil](#): > > I vaguely recall an interview where Buffalo was cited as the inspiration. The producers of “Hill Street Blues” were originally from Buffalo. Although the series wasn’t shot there, and never specifically named Buffalo, many of the street names were streets in Buffalo (North Forest, Maple Road, Elmwood Avenue; there’s even a “Hill Street” in Buffalo, though I don’t know if there’s a precinct house on it.) ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/45 "2009-01-07T19:27:59Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > I’ve read _Bewitched_ was suppose to take place in Westport Connecticut but I can’t ever remember them saying that in an episode. Cite anyone? Not on the show itself, but the original title of the Bewitched pilot was “The Westport Witch”. ---
**Author:** ![Poonther](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Poonther](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poonther)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/46 "2009-01-07T19:28:07Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > _My Name Is Earl_ is set in “Camden County” but exactly where that is isn’t specifically mentioned. > The short-lived _Working_ with a grown-up Fred Savage didn’t even name the company they were working at; I’m pretty sure no location was given, either. I always ASSumed that Earl was set in the central valley area of CA most likely Bakersfield or maybe Fresno or Vasalia? The landscaping and terrain give it away as “classic California.” Also in one episode if I remember correctly, didn’t they go down to L.A./Hollywood for something? And while you mention Fred Savage in another series, someone else did mention the Wonder Years. That one I always ASSumed was in suburban L.A. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/47 "2009-01-07T19:38:16Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > The Dukes of Hazzard lived in what seemed like Georgia, although they never said so. They sometimes had to beat Boss Hogg to “Capital City” rather than Atlanta. Back when the show was on the air, the cast did a celebrity edition of a gameshow of some kind (might have been “Family Feud”, don’t remember), and whazzizname, who played Boss Hogg, gave “Hazzard County, Georgia” as the location of the show. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/48 "2009-01-07T19:42:10Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I thought it was Philadelphia. I thought it was San Francisco. I could swear the show said that at some point. Wikipedia says I’m wrong and I probably am. Weird how many places we all placed it. The Brady Bunch never divulged its locale, did it? Just somewhere in CA. Hogan’s Heroes was somewhere in Germany, kinda near Dusseldorf, no? ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/49 "2009-01-07T20:08:21Z")
> [@Poonther](#): > > I always ASSumed that Earl was set in the central valley area of CA most likely Bakersfield or maybe Fresno or Vasalia? The landscaping and terrain give it away as “classic California.” Also in one episode if I remember correctly, didn’t they go down to L.A./Hollywood for something? I always assumed it was Alabama-ish (despite any signs of it being filmed in California). I’ll cite the Hurricane episode to back me up. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/50 "2009-01-07T20:10:08Z")
Petticoat Junction. I know it’s near Hooterville… ---
**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:** [January 7, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/51 "2009-01-07T20:31:37Z")
The Ponderosa Ranch. It’s near Virginia City, but there is no exact location (though a theme park was later set up using the name). ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/52 "2009-01-07T21:07:23Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > Similarly, the cop drama _CSI: Miami_ never lets you know where the action is, though many shots show ocean views, suggesting L.A. Funny you should mention that - I always kind of figured it was shot in the same location as _CSI: NY_, and wondered why the characters never bumped into each other while on a case. ---
**Author:** ![Poonther](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Poonther](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poonther)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/53 "2009-01-07T21:07:56Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > I always assumed it was Alabama-ish (despite any signs of it being filmed in California). I’ll cite the Hurricane episode to back me up. Great reasoning about the hurricane episode, but personally I don’t believe it’s set in the Deep South b/c of the lack of accents. I say this having an Alabama-ish accent myself. I always thought The Ponderosa was located outside Virginia City, Nevada. Besides Wiki says that too, so it’s got to be true. 😃 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponderosa\_Ranch](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponderosa_Ranch) ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/54 "2009-01-07T21:54:49Z")
But where was Bedrock, really? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/55 "2009-01-07T22:44:15Z")
> [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](#): > > The Wonder Years? Was definitely in L.A., & explained as such by the narrator in, I dunno, the 1st episode. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/56 "2009-01-08T05:39:33Z")
Didn’t The Simpsons “behind the music” episode say that they were from Kentucky? …although I may have missed the in-joke… ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/57 "2009-01-08T06:00:24Z")
Kentucky and Missouri IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/58 "2009-01-08T08:52:26Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > Was definitely in L.A., & explained as such by the narrator in, I dunno, the 1st episode. Thanks! I didn’t see the first few episodes. ---
**Author:** ![audit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@audit1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audit1)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/59 "2009-01-08T09:23:36Z")
> [@Mahna\_Mahna](#): > > I was coming in to say this. > > (though it’s probably safe at this point to assume that Papen County is located somewhere in New England, based on the weather, the nearby rocky coastline complete with lighthouse, various accents, and other assorted details) I have another candidate for PUSHING DAISIES. The episode with the cook off has as a guest star the muffin buffalo lady from WONDERFALLS. WONDERFALLS is set in Niagara Falls NY. So Papen county could be in upstate New York. Lake ontario could have lighthouses. Okay my reasoning is shaky, but it is possible. ---
**Author:** ![Galwegian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galwegian/32/3426_2.png) [@Galwegian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galwegian)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/60 "2009-01-08T14:50:03Z")
_TJ Hooker_ was an officer in the **LCPD** : I remember it drove me mad as a kid trying to figure out where it was based! ETA: God bless Google. [League City, Texas](http://www.ci.league-city.tx.us/index.asp?NID=573)! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146.md?page=4)