Fictional Sitcom Towns Trivia Quiz

Answer: Raytown

Thelma Harper and her brood all lived in fictional Raytown on "Mama's Family" which ran from 1983 to 1990. We were never explicitly told where Raytown was located; however, there is a Raytown, Missouri. "Mama's Family" originated as a skit on "The Carol Burnett Show", with Vicki Lawrence as Mama.

Answer: Mayfield

The typical American family of the 1950s was represented on "Leave It to Beaver". The show aired from 1957 to 1963 and was set in the idyllic town of Mayfield. Father worked and dispensed wise advice, while mother vacuumed in pearls and high heels. Wally was the understanding older brother, and "the Beav" encountered problems as he learned life's lessons.

Answer: Fort Courage

Set in an Army outpost in the American west, Fort Courage was the setting for the sitcom "F Troop". Commanded by the inept Captain Parmenter, the encampment was filled with his subordinates who traded with the Hekawe Indians and bilked the tourists. The natives were often found proclaiming "We're the Hekawe" (say it aloud and you'll get the joke).

Answer: Springfield

Somehow I doubt that the Springfield of "Father Knows Best" was the same as Homer Simpson's Springfield. "Father Knows Best" was originally a radio program which began airing on TV in 1954. A paradigm for family sitcoms to follow, the show featured the wise father, the patient, understanding mother and their three kids. They lived in a tree-lined suburb, and their biggest problems were who to take to the prom.
FYI, Matt Groening 'borrowed' Springfield from "Father Knows Best" as the site for "The Simpsons".

Answer: Hilldale

"The Donna Reed Show" was yet another view of the perfect family of the 1950s. The show ran from 1958 until 1966, and was set in the quiet upper-middle class community of Hilldale. Father was a pediatrician and mother was housewife and childrearer. They even had the perfect 2 1/2 children, i.e., Mary, Jeff and (later) Trisha.

Answer: Rutherford

The premise of "3rd Rock from the Sun" involves aliens from another planet landing on Earth to learn about its customs and culture. They land in Rutherford, Ohio, and take on human form. The leader becomes a college professor while they all attempt to understand humanity and try to assimilate, with comical results. The show aired from 1996 to 2001.

Answer: Westbridge

Westbridge, Massachusetts is the home of 16-year-old high school student Sabrina, her two aunts and Salem, their sarcastic talking cat. On "Sabrina the Teenage Witch", Sabrina discovers that she and all her paternal relatives are witches. With the help of her aunts she learns to control her powers and studies to receive her witch's license. The show ran from 1996 to 2003.

Answer: Pawnee

Pawnee, Indiana is the setting for the Indiana Parks and Recreation Department in the 2009 sitcom "Parks and Recreation". We are introduced to a bunch of bureaucrats attempting to turn an abandoned venue into a park for the betterment of the community.

Some of the characters mirror real life politicians who use their positions for gain, while others are misguided, stifled by red tape or just bumblers. The last original episode was filmed in 2015.

Answer: Orson

The town of Orson, Indiana is the setting for "The Middle", a comedy about a somewhat dysfunctional middle-American family and how they deal with life's issues and each other. Frankie and Mike Heck face the problems and joys of raising their three children and watching as they grow to adulthood. "The Middle" ran from 2009 through the final episode in 2018.

Answer: Central City

Going back to early TV, on "The Adventures of Dobie Gillis" (1959-1963), we visit the hormonal teenager Dobie Gillis who lives with his parents in Central City. He sits like Rodin's "The Thinker" while he ponders life and love. The show focuses on Zelda's unrequited love for Dobie, and Dobie's unrequited love for Thalia, while introducing us to Milton Armitage, i.e., a very young Warren Beatty.

Answer: Point Place

"Hello, Wisconsin." To be specific, Point Place is the setting for "That 70s Show" about teenagers coming of age in Wisconsin in the 1970s. Six friends hang out in Eric Forman's basement, much to the chagrin of his father. They talk about the culture of the time, typical teenage problems, relationships and anxieties as adulthood looms. The comedy ran from 1998 to 2006.

Answer: Bluebell

In "Hart of Dixie" (2011-2015), New Yorker Zoe Hart had just graduated from medical school at the top of her class, intent on becoming a surgeon. When her plans fall through, she accepts an offer from a stranger, i.e., Dr. Harley Wilkes, to share a practice in the small town of Bluebell, Alabama.

When Zoe arrives, she finds that Dr. Wilkes has died and left her the practice in his will; sort of "Northern Exposure" goes south.

Answer: Danville

In the animated show "Phineas and Ferb", the Fletcher family lives in Danville where brilliant step-brothers Phineas and Ferb spend the summer creating amazing inventions. Their older sister Candace is constantly trying to rat them out to their mother, while the family platypus is a secret agent.

It sounds strange but it really is a wonderful show for kids. It ran from 2007 through 2015.

Answer: Star City

Star City, California is the setting for "Malcolm in the Middle". The show is about Hal and Lois (presumably, the dysfunctional Wilkersons) and their four sons. It focuses on the brilliant middle child Malcolm and his relationships both at home and at school. The show first aired in 2000 and ran through 2006.

Answer: Arlen

Conservative propane salesman Hank Hill, his wife Peggy, their son Bobby and their niece Luanne live in Arlen, Texas. The show revolves around Hank's family, his neighbors, his job and his love for the Dallas Cowboys. The animated "King of the Hill" was created by Mike Judge (of "Beavis and Butthead") who voices Hank. It ran from 1997 through 2010.