Top 5 TV Shows Set in the Philadelphia Area
Philadelphia isn’t just the home of the Liberty Bell and cheesesteaks; it’s also a backdrop for some of the most iconic and beloved TV shows. From hilarious sitcoms to gritty dramas, the Philly area has been the setting for stories that capture its unique charm, local culture, and rich history. Let’s dive into my top 5 favorite shows set in the Philadelphia area.
Top 5 TV Shows Set in the Philadelphia Area
1. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
This dark, irreverent comedy follows the hilarious misadventures of “The Gang,” five friends who own a dive bar in Philly. Known for its politically incorrect humor, ridiculous schemes, and chaotic energy, it’s become a cult classic since its debut in 2005.
- Philly Vibe: The show captures the gritty charm of the city, often featuring iconic spots like Paddy’s Pub (fictional), the Liberty Bell, and classic Philly streets.
2. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Okay, technically this show is set in California, but let’s not forget that Will Smith’s character, “Will,” is proudly from West Philadelphia (born and raised). The show’s intro with Will rapping about his Philly roots is iconic, making it impossible to separate the show from its Philly connection.
- Philly Vibe: The theme song’s shoutout to West Philly is legendary and gives the city a spot in one of the most popular sitcoms of the ’90s.
3. The Office (Scranton counts as greater Philly, right?!)
Sure, it’s technically set in Scranton, PA (just two hours from Philly), but The Office often references Philadelphia sports teams and culture. Plus, with the number of Philly residents claiming love for The Office, we’ll let this one slide.
- Philly Vibe: Characters like Jim and Ryan frequently reference Philly, and fans love the regional jokes about Scranton’s proximity to the city. Also, lets not forget that in the last few seasons, Jim and Darell moved part-time to Philadelphia for their new sports management jobs!
4. Boy Meets World
Although primarily set in suburban Philly, Boy Meets World captured the hearts of ’90s kids everywhere. Cory Matthews and his friends grow up navigating high school, friendships, and love with Philly always in the background.
- Philly Vibe: The Matthews family is quintessentially Philly—down-to-earth and full of love. There are frequent mentions of the city, and the characters’ relatable humor has a Philly feel.
5. Mare of Easttown
This gritty HBO crime drama set in the Philly suburbs took the world by storm in 2021. Kate Winslet stars as Mare, a small-town detective trying to solve a local murder while dealing with her own personal struggles. The show beautifully captures the close-knit, sometimes grim reality of life in a Pennsylvania town just outside Philadelphia.
- Philly Vibe: The accents, local diners, and references to Philly’s sports teams and blue-collar culture make this show authentically “Delco” (Delaware County), giving it a distinct Philly-area flavor.
Each of these shows brings out different aspects of the Philly area’s culture and character, from the gritty charm of the city itself to the quirks of the surrounding suburbs. Whether it’s crime-solving, laughter, or nostalgia, these shows put Philly on the map!
The Weirdest Things That Happened In Philadelphia In 2023
I-95 Collapsing
When this news came out, the entire city, collectively, gasped. Our jaws dropped. What do you mean a truck caught on fire and made I-95 fall down? What do you MEAN??? Thanks to dedicated construction crews, they got the road up and functional in record-breaking time.
Kelly Oubre Jr. And Conspiracy Theories
Kelly Oubre Jr. is a new member of the 76ers starting roster this season. He came out of the gate in October with an impressive showing and proved to be a stellar new squad member. Then, in November, news broke that Oubre Jr. was struck by a car in Philadelphia, and he sustained a rib break that would render him benched for a few games. As more news broke, and details didn’t seem to add up, people began to question the validity of Oubre Jr.’s story. In December, Oubre Jr. returned to the court and has continued to show the explosiveness he began the season with.
Side note: Two pro athletes playing for Philadelphia teams were struck by vehicles this year. A.J. Brown was on Instagram Live in May, biking for charity, when a car knocked him off his bike. He was okay and sustained a bruised ego, but dang! Let’s protect our athletes, Philly. Drive carefully!
Nick Castellanos' Favorite Superhero
This was strange. Castellanos was chosen to represent the Philadelphia Phillies at the All-Star Game this year, playing for the National League team. The All-Star break features baseball’s best players and a circus of media and interviews. After all, it’s not often you have the best-of-the-best all in one place.
When asked during an interview with KTZV NewsChannel 21 about who his favorite superhero is, he said, “Scooby Doo.” Huh?
“First off, he’s a dog who can talk,” Castellanos said. “So, I think a dog that can talk and can help people by solving mysteries is a superhero.”
This prompted tons of Scooby Doo costumes at Phillies games, especially during their *cough* playoff run. I know, too soon.
Hall And Oates Legal Battles
Welp, this was a surprise. Philadelphia’s own Rock/R&B duo are embroiled in legal battles.
Yes, they don’t like each other anymore! What? In November 2023, Hall filed a lawsuit against Oates and his trust due to contractual and financial disputes. Hall additionally issued a restraining order against Oates in the wake of the charges. When THAT news broke, our jaws dropped.
We have to stay updated on this because they’re our Philadelphia SONS! We hope they work it all out.
Dollar Dog Night
The fan-favorite game day took a messy turn in April. Dollar Dog Night is a special Phillies game in which hot dogs at marked stands in the stadium only cost $1. It’s a dang bargain.
It seems, though, that their cheapness contributed to a group of young people not being worried about wasting a bit of food. Well, a lot of food. A food fight broke out in section 112 and turned Dollar Dog Night into chaos that went totally viral.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Dollar Dog Night took a year off in 2024…
The Escaped Prisoner
Danelo Cavalcante was serving a life sentence in Chester County Prison for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend when he escaped by scaling two close-together walls. His escape sparked a huge manhunt that went on for two weeks in September.
During his time out of custody, he burglarized two homes in Pennsbury and South Coventry townships, stealing a firearm, clothing, and a shaving razor. He also stole a Ford transit van from a location in Pocopson Township.
This ordeal caused Longwood Gardens to close after he was spotted on security cams there. Many towns in Pennsylvania went on lockdown, or sprung into action to help the search, as he got spotted on Ring Camera footage or by eyewitnesses in the area.
He was captured with the help of dogs after 14 days wearing a Philadelphia Eagles sweatshirt. The state was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
A Security Guard Being Ejected?
A scuffle between a 49ers linebacker and the Philadelphia Eagles’ chief security officer resulted in both being ejected. Yes, a dude on the sidelines, in no way involved in play, got ejected from an NFL game.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw was ejected for putting his hand in the face of the Eagles’ chief security officer, Dom DiSandro.
“Big Dom”, as he is called, is a constant presence on the Eagles’ sideline and whenever players are out in public. He pulled Greenlaw off Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith after a reception and tough tackle in the third quarter. Greenlaw immediately popped up and reached over two officials to touch DiSandro’s face with a closed fist.
Greenlaw was ejected. DiSandro also was told to leave and walked to the locker room to a roaring ovation from Eagles fans.
Wildfire Smoke
Wildfires in Quebec, Canada in June generated large smoke plumes to the north. All of the smoke, for about a week in the summer, then another few days LATER in the summer, funneled right into the Northeast. Some really annoying weather patterns brought the smoke directly into our area, and there really wasn’t anything we could do about it.
The city was covered in a thick cover of smog and smelled like someone was having a campfire. It was a really unpleasant environment to be outside in. If you had any outdoorsy June plans, you may have had to hold off until it cleared.
Masks made a bit of a comeback as well, as people tried to avoid the smog going into their airways.
