# Shows that mask their setting.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146>\
**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:** 3\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/61 "2009-01-08T15:38:18Z")

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So I was wrong about the anonymous company, but did _Working_ give a location?

On a deeper level, do you think it adds to a show to have a fictional location? A completely anonymous location?

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**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/62 "2009-01-08T18:15:12Z")

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> [@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?

The landscape gives it away as being in CA, but I think it’s supposed to be more like “generic rural Maryland.”

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**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-that-mask-their-setting/480146/63 "2009-01-08T19:10:01Z")

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> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> 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).

Didn’t the show open with a map showing the Ponderosa being just south of Virginia City?

Ah found a copy of it.

> **[PONDEROSA MAP](http://www.westernposterpage.com/ponderosamap.htm)**

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