By Silvana Smith
The heavens have opened, the sun has reemerged, and darkness no longer descends at like 5 p.m. And although everyone who is lucky enough to enjoy the recent warm weather has felt the emotional benefits of increased vitamin D levels, this first taste of spring has definitely made me anxiously excited for the summer months to come. And with vaccine rollouts ramping up distribution more and more each day, a COVID-free summer filled with friends, adventure, and travel seems almost possible after a year of uncertainty.
However, even with happiness on the horizon, it will still be months until it’s safe to extensively travel again and feel the vibes and cultures of a city unencumbered by health risks. So to hold us over until we can explore the world to our hearts’ content, here is a list of cities that we can and all the shows that give you a feel for what the place is actually like. Below is a combination of personal recommendations as well as a few shows I’ve heard very good things about and are on my personal to-watch lists. Hopefully by the time you finish this list, you’ll have learned enough about the cities these shows are based in that you can act like locals when you visit in person (or at least you can recreate your favorite scenes).
Philadelphia//
;One of my favorites cities to run away to, Philly definitely has its own specific vibe. It’s artsy, historical, hella tattooed, and a bit gritty (wink). But before you experience it in person, binging the following shows will have you calling everything jawn in no time :)
+It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
One of the few cult classics that are actually still on air, Always Sunny “follows the exploits of "The Gang," a group of narcissistic friends who run the Irish bar Paddy's Pub in South Philly.” This show is easily the best way to get an authentic feel for the city.
+Dispatches from Elsewhere
This AMC drama created by and starring Jason Segel “follows a group of ordinary people who stumble onto a puzzle hiding just behind the veil of everyday life.” The scavenger hunt of sorts that takes them all across the city was actually based on a true story. *Fun fact: I actually ran into Jason Segel on Chestnut Street while they were filming Dispatches from Elsewhere right before eating some of the best Thai food of my life—you gotta love Philly.
+How to Get Away with Murder
Filmed partly at the Bryn Mawr campus in the suburbs of Philadelphia, this plot-heavy thriller drama is set in a fictional university similar to the many prestigious real-life colleges that surround the city of Philadelphia.
Seattle//
;Although I’ve never been, Seattle has always seemed like such a cool city to me. The nature, the eco-friendly crowds, the ‘90s Nirvana clout, the ‘00s Twilight clout — as an east coaster, I’ve always been drawn to the cool indie vibes of the pacific northwest. But alas, these four picks are the closest I’ll get until that sweet sweet vaccine hits my bloodstream.
+ iCarly
Is it really childhood nostalgia or trauma-induced regression? Either way, this TV show about the baby days of social media influencing and content creation is worth the rewatch.
+Twin Peaks (Technically set in North Bend)
This is a classic David Lynch story oozing with pacific northwest aesthetic and dark early 90’s moods. A cult classic cut too short with one too many reboots, this enigmatic whodunit is a slow burn but very captivating. It’s the show all your Tumblr friends were obsessed with and they weren’t wrong.
+Frasier
This is the show to watch if you’re in the mood for a spin off series of the classic sitcom Cheers and finally understand all the references your parents make. The show follows psychiatrist Frasier Crane as he moves back to his hometown of Seattle and starts a talk radio show (you know, like the OG podcasts but live).
+Grey’s Anatomy
This is the infamous hospital drama of our generation and Shonda Rhimes’ crowning glory chalk full of signature plot twists. Although I only really recommend the first nine seasons, the heart-wrenching scenes are very addictive, and the soundtrack includes a lot of Tegan and Sara.
NYC//
;One of the most popular settings for TV shows, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t seen a show that portrays the city in the stereotypical Sex-and-the-City-Friends, why-is-their-apartment-so-big, how-can-they-afford-all-those-lattes way. So, below I’ve made sure to include shows that try to portray the city a bit more authentically; more grit, less glam.
+Seinfeld
This show is for anyone who wants to know what the Upper West Side was like in the ‘80s. (Spoiler alert: a surprising amount of characters own and operate cars during multiple episodes, lol so weird). A cultural phenomenon to be witnessed; a surprising amount of episodes hold up comedy-wise, and this show is definitely worth a binge.
+Suits
Although a bit more glam than grit, Suits is about a scrappy outsider using his photographic memory and quick wits to infiltrate the highly elitist and rigged world of corporate law. It also stars Meghan Markle, whom we all love; dismantle the monarchy!
+Mad Men
Although there’s definitely a lot of glam, there’s also a good amount of 1960s counterculture grit. Visiting New York is a lot more gratifying when you can also appreciate its rich history—what’s a better way to learn the history than through one of the most awarded dramas in television?
+Broad City
This show stars a couple of modern working gals trying to kick it in present-day NYC. Developed from a web series produced by the show’s creators and stars, Broad City is hilariously authentic to their real experiences in the city.
+Nora from Queens
The oft forgotten borough, Queens is the setting of Awkwafina’s show on HBO, which is based on her life as a 20-something trying to be an adult while living at home with family. Although I haven’t seen it myself, I’ve only heard great things, and despite this only seeing the trailer, I do in fact quote the line “floating through life like a townie log” in my Instagram bio.
California//
;If you want the LA experience without the stereotypical LA crowd of Insta baddies or TV gimmicks, here are some shows that maybe show the more realistic and somewhat underwhelming underbelly of the land of dreams.
+Weeds
Nancy Botwin is not your typical LA suburban mom. The opening title song, “Little Boxes” by Malvina Reynolds, perfectly sets the tone for a show about a recently widowed suburbanite who begins selling marijuana to support her family after her husband's unexpected death. Weeds is a great comedy that exposes the unsightly underbelly of the picture-perfect image the upper middle class tries to project.
+Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
A musical comedy that more than delivers on its premise, CXG follows a successful lawyer, Rebecca, as she abruptly quits her high-paying job to move to the less than picturesque West Covina, California to follow her ex-boyfriend.
+Arrested Development
This is a cult classic about a family filled with terrible and hilarious people from Orange County. The show follows son, Michael, as he tries to keep the family afloat after they lose all their money when their father is charged with white collar crimes. Its dry wit and niche humor are addicting, and it’s honestly one of the few shows recently that genuinely makes me laugh out loud. 10/10. Having watched the series off the recommendation of fellow ‘Everything But..’ writer Setareh, I can guarantee this series is worth the watch.
+Barry
One of my favorite dark comedies I got into during the early lockdown days and one of the best written shows of recent years, Bill Hader’s Barry follows an ex-military hitman as he moves to LA and starts taking acting classes. With a somewhat random premise, this Emmy-winning show will have you hooked from the beginning.
+Party Down
Party Down is probably the most realistic portrayal of the entertainment industry in LA yet. And by that, I mean this show is about the food service industry. With a lot of recognizable cast members that went on to do great things (Adam Scott, Lizzy Caplan), this two season gem is a more cynical catering business version of The Office. It centers around a group of young people in LA who are trying to make it as actors but mostly working as cater-waiters waiting for their big break that will probably never come. (Stay on the lookout for its revival currently in development at STARZ).
D.C.//
;As a type of antithesis to the city of angels where every 40-year-old in the industry acts like they’re in their 20s, D.C. is known for being the city where every 20-year-old acts like they’re 40. With politics playing a huge role in our modern lives especially over the past year, why not take a look into the city where it all happens? As a hometown of sorts for yours truly, it was always a bit of a thrill to see places I grew up around being featured on TV. Although only some capture what it's like accurately, it’s always cool to see the city I know the best through a different lens.
+The West Wing
The West Wing, Aaron Sorkin’s brainchild, is a Bush-era hour-long drama about a fictional and liberal White House that follows the senior staff as they tackle trying to make the world a better place in the face of 2000s politics. More heartwarming than scandalous, the show features great writing and that classic D.C. dialogue.
+Veep
Probably one of the most authentic portrayals of D.C. politics, culture, and dialogue, this dark-humored and slightly wacky comedy stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as our less than charismatic Vice President; always a VP, never just the P. Written to be a bit of an exaggerated version of the politics in D.C., the absurdity and the show’s obnoxious characters end up mirroring quite a bit of the reality of American politics. This HBO show also manages to offer a hilarious but accurate satire without revealing their political party affiliation.
+The X-Files
Although there are more than a few cop procedurals set in our nation’s capital, my favorite is definitely The X-Files. Aliens, government conspiracies, and the ship that started it all? Yes, please.
+The Americans
Centering around two KGB agents posing as Americans living in the suburban D.C. Metropolitan Area, The Americans is set in Reagan era America during the contentious Cold War. Created by former CIA agent-turned-author, Joe Weisberg, this drama explores the complicated life of these undercover spies at odds with their identities. Although I’m pretty sure I didn’t grow up next to any Soviet spies, who knows?
With the help of various streaming services (and *ehem* illegal but free streaming sites), the world is at your fingertips. So grab a blanket, curl up in bed, and travel safely :)
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