Wait, That Was a Set? 10 Iconic Shows That Had Us Convinced the Locations Were Real

Many factors contribute to a television show’s success and its place among the greats. Such factors may include characters, acting, plot, costumes, soundtrack, special effects, and more. But has anyone ever thought about the illusion involved in creating a realistic scene that actually takes place on set? Realizing that a favorite show or movie was not filmed in public but on a soundstage can be a mind-blower. Get ready to have your mind blown with 10 iconic shows that made viewers believe they were filmed in real locations.

1. ‘Abbott Elementary’

Four-time Emmy-winning mockumentary workplace sitcom “Abbott Elementary,” created by Quinta Brunson, is primarily filmed on soundstages at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California. In fact, the show’s main setting, Willard R. Abbott Elementary, is fictional, even though many believe it’s a real school in Philadelphia. From classrooms to hallways, the set recreates each location to mimic a school inspired by Brunson’s upbringing in West Philadelphia. With imperfections like scuffed floors, warped ceiling tiles, and outdated school resources, the show comes to life and leads viewers to believe it was filmed in Philadelphia. While the actors mostly film in California, the cast also shoots in a few real Philadelphia locations.

2. ‘Everybody Hates Chris’

Moving right along, Tyler James Williams, the star of the American Sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris,” is no stranger to filming on sets that look realistic. While currently known for his role in “Abbott Elementary”, Williams filmed “Everybody Hates Chris” with castmates on soundstages at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. The plot follows an African American family’s experiences growing up and raising children in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The brownstones, boomboxes, and characters’ clothing added to the authentic feel of the Brooklyn streets. “Everybody Hates Chris” was set in the 1980s and inspired by comedian and actor Chris Rock.

3. ‘Friends’

One of the most popular sitcoms to date is the iconic “Friends.” Known for its interesting plot, big personalities, and relatable scenes and dynamics, “Friends” achieved massive success. The show is set in New York City, with the famous Central Perk as a main location throughout the series. Often, the main characters gather at Monica’s apartment. But in actuality, the New York-themed world was created and filmed at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, rather than in the Big Apple. 

4. ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

With more than 20 years of continuous storylines and saving lives, it may be hard to believe that ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” is not shot in the show’s main location of Seattle. It may also be a shocker that Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital does not exist in real life. Most of “Grey’s Anatomy’s” interior hospital scenes are filmed on soundstages at The Prospect Studios in Los Feliz, California. However, the crew and cast use a real hospital in Los Angeles for exterior shots of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Real viewers may also notice the several scenes at Meredith Grey’s home; those scenes are shot in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood on Comstock Street. 

5. ‘Glee’

Holding it down for a total of 121 episodes, the jukebox musical comedy-drama “Glee” remained relevant for six seasons. What fans may not know is that, despite the show being set in Ohio, many scenes were filmed in Los Angeles. McKinley High School doesn’t exist in real life—it was created for the show “Glee.” It’s part of the production at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. Hallway, choir room, lockers and cafeteria scenes were all shot on sets. While many scenes were shot at Paramount Studios, some exterior scenes were filmed in real locations around California.

6. ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’

Based on the show title, many viewers can assume the hit show “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is mainly filmed in Brooklyn. But nope, that’s not accurate. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is certainly set in the 99th Precinct in Brooklyn, but it is actually shot in Los Angeles. The precinct that viewers watch is created at CBS Studio Center.

7. ‘Never Have I Ever’

“Never Have I Ever” is a series about a first-generation Indian-American high school teenager dealing with the loss of her father and growing up. With many different locations contributing to the plot, the show features real and fictional locations. The main character, Devi, attends a fictional high school, with production and studio sets.

8. ‘Martin’

When it comes to sitcoms that have impacted Black culture, it’s important to include “Martin.” The show’s comedy, characters, plot and famous one-liners make it iconic. Set in Detroit, Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, Carl Anthony Payne II, Thomas Mikal Ford and more made the show feel like it was actually shot in Detroit, despite it being filmed at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. The famous couch and the Payne home, in which characters Martin and Gina shot many scenes, were created for the show, in addition to Martin’s radio station.

 

9. ‘Moesha’

As we continue listing iconic shows that have impacted Black culture, “Moesha” is worth mentioning. “Moesha” helped shape many African American girls’ identities and even became the blueprint for Black sitcoms. Running for five years, six seasons and 127 episodes, the series starred singer and actress Brandy Norwood (Moesha). She made viewers feel like her home, school, The Den, Frank’s workplace and more were real places. “Moesha” was set in Los Angeles; however, production did not film entirely in real-world locations, instead on sets at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.

10. ‘The Office’

Many people recognize Scranton, Pennsylvania, as a town that the hit show “The Office” helped popularize. “The Office” made everyone feel like they knew Scranton’s atmosphere and characters. But “The Office” was not filmed in Pennsylvania. It was filmed across the country, in California, where fictional offices such as the Dunder Muffin Scranton Branch were created to bring the show to life. The show ran for nine seasons, with filming on soundstages around the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.

Featured image credit: Disney | InClub Magazine does not claim ownership of this image.