An Ohioan’s Guide to Buckeye TV
“To say it was a beautiful day would not begin to explain it. It was that day when the end of summer intersects perfectly with the start of fall.” – Ann Patchett
Labor Day— in every way that matters— is the end of summer, which means memories of summer adventures make way for the anticipation of fall delights. Late September brings the launch of the Fall TV Season. It’s a lot to navigate with hundreds of scripted TV shows on multiple networks and platforms. Grab a doughnut and glass of cider and let a wave of nostalgia wash over you as we explore TV shows set in the great state of Ohio.
Toledo
A.P. Bio (2018-present)
After his dream job falls through, Jack Griffin (Glenn Howerton) returns to Toledo to teach Advanced Placement Biology but, instead, utilizes the honor-roll students in his class to further his own agenda as Principal Durbin (Patton Oswalt) struggles to keep Jack in line. [stream season one on nbc.com; season two on Hulu or nbc.com with a free NBCUniversal profile; season three is coming to NBC Universal’s streaming service, which will launch in 2020]
Melissa & Joey (2010-2015)
Local politician, Mel (Melissa Joan Hart) and male nanny, Joe (Joey Lawrence) take care of Mel’s adolescent niece and nephew. [stream on Hulu]
Cincinnati
Harry’s Law (2011-2012)
Harriet “Harry” Korn (Oscar-winner Kathy Bates) shifts from patent to criminal law in this legal dramedy from Emmy-winning showrunner, David E. Kelley (LA Law, Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal).
WKRP in Cincinnati (1978-1982)
Created by Hugh Wilson, this American comedy is loosely based on Wilson’s own experiences working at a Top 40 radio station. The cast includes Gary Sandy, Howard Hesseman, Gordon Jump, Tim Reid, and breakout star, Loni Anderson. [available on DVD; season one is available on Amazon Prime Video]
Cleveland
Hot in Cleveland (2010-2015)
Three middle-aged women (played by Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick) flee the Los Angeles-based TV industry and relocate to Cleveland after the emergency landing of their Paris-bound airplane. TV legend, Betty White, plays their landlord. [available on DVD and Amazon Prime Video]
The Drew Carey Show (1995-2004)
Drew Carey plays a fictionalized version of himself as a worker at Cleveland’s also-fictional department store, Winfred-Louder. Supporting players include Craig Ferguson as Carey’s boss and Kathy Kinney as his nemesis, Mimi. Carey went on to host Whose Line Is It Anyway and The Price Is Right. [season one is available on Amazon Prime Video]
Columbus
Family Ties (1982-1989)
Steven and Elyse Keaton (played respectively by Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter) raise their three children (played by Michael J. Fox, Justine Bateman, and Tina Yothers) in suburban Columbus during the Ronald Reagan administration. Eventually Steve and Elyse have a fourth child, Andy (played by Brian Bonsall) , who is turned into the “Mini Me” of older brother, Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox, in a breakout performance), who delights in shaping Andy in his own image. Bonsall went on to portray Worf’s son, Alexander, on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Tracey Pollan portrays Alex’s girlfriend, Ellen Reed. Fox and Pollan married in 1988 and have four children together. [available on CBS All-Access, Hulu + Live TV, and Amazon Prime Video (all seven seasons included with Amazon Prime]
Lima
Glee (2009-2015)
Broadway’s Matthew Morrison (Hairspray, The Light in the Piazza) portrays Spanish teacher and glee club director, Will Schuester. Actors who portray students in the club include Lea Michelle, Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Darren Criss and the late Cory Monteith. Notable antagonists are portrayed by Hollywood Game Night’s Jane Lynch (track suit-wearing, cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester), Hamilton’s Jonathan Groff (Vocal Adrenaline’s Jesse St. James) and a pre-The Flash Grant Gustin (The Warblers’ Sebastian Smythe). The show became a pop-culture sensation, spawning a vast base of fans known collectively a Gleeks. The series was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan.
[available for streaming on Netflix and for purchase on Amazon Prime Video]
