If you ask someone about the USA, New York City will be the first town you’ll hear. Thanks to its presence on TV, its neighborhoods, its landmarks and the fast-paced energy of their avenues, providing the perfect setting for drama, comedy, and everything in between.
Friends
Friends (1994-2004) is one of the most iconic sitcoms set in New York City. The show follows the lives of six friends (Monica, Rachel, Ross, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe) as they navigate relationships, career changes and their personal growth in Manhattan.
The show is known for its humor, heartwarming moments, and relatable portrayal of friendship. Central Perk, the favorite coffee shop, became an emblematic spot, while Monica’s spacious apartment in the West Village showcasted the reality of New York City real estate.
How I Met Your Mother
After Friends, a different sitcom took over the ‘New York City show’. How I Met Your Mother is a new twist to the formula from it, just a year after. This time, Ted Mosby is an architect recounting to his children the convoluted story of how he met their mother. The journey spans several years, during which Ted and his group of friends (Marshall, Lily, Robin, and Barney) navigate their growth from young adults to their maturity.
Even though the series is set predominantly in Manhattan, the show doesn’t only show the Big Apple. Atlantic City is a different set that we can see in different defining moments. It’s while playing one of the casino games available in Jackpot City when Marshall discovers he’s about to be a father, for instance, and it’s not the only time these establishments will have a big importance in the plot.
Coming back to New York, the city itself plays as a character in its own right sometimes. Without spoilers, some of its landmarks are part of the plot, with huge consequences to Ted’s search for love around the town. After a nine-season run, HIMYM showed a humorous and heartfelt slice of New York life.
Other Honorable Mentions
While How I Met Your Mother and Friends stand out for its comedic exploration of friendship and relationships, these are not the only shows that use New York as their own set. Gossip Girl (2007-2012) portrayed a very different side of New York, focusing on the extravagant life of Manhattan’s elite teenagers. From the economic problems we can see from the characters of the other shows, here we have more luxurious settings, with penthouses on the Upper East Side and exclusive social events being something common.
Seinfeld (1989-1998) has played its part as well. Commonly known as the “show about nothing”, Seinfeld turned everyday occurrences (like getting lost in a parking garage or waiting for a table at a Chinese restaurant) into moments of comedic brilliance, all against the backdrop of the ever-bustling city.
All in all, New York City just works as a TV setting. It’s a very specific place in the world, but at the same time, is well-known all across the globe, making it a perfect place for an international audience and Americans.
