When it comes to entertainment capitals, the Midwest states are not somewhere that immediately springs to mind. Yet the backdrop of everyday life that goes on in mid-America makes a fantastic setting. From sitcoms to thrillers, nothing works better than seeing everyday life shattered and upturned by an inciting incident, be that funny or shocking.
As a result, there have been several influential television shows set in Ohio. Below, we pick the top three that you can watch online.
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
This show was a trailblazer. It followed the exploits of Mary Hartman, a housewife who experienced weird and wonderful incidents happening around her. The writer, Norman Lear, set it as a satirical sitcom and used it to poke fun at consumerism and the American dream while ribbing popular soap operas of the time. At first, it was rejected by many major networks as far too controversial to be shown, possibly contributing to its short shelf life.
Entertainment has changed a lot since Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman was aired in 1976. Not only does streaming television exist, but other media forms have taken a slice of the viewership once solely occupied by television. Classic sitcoms themselves, from Golden Girls to Downton Abbey, have turned to iGaming licensing in the form of slot games, so they can maximize their income potential, enticing players with a bet365 bonus code. In a climate such as this, they just do not make them like Mary Hartman anymore and it is unlikely we will see this type of satirical sitcom again.
3rd Rock from the Sun
3rd Rock from the Sun was a sitcom that aired between 1996 to 2001. It focused on a group of aliens, who had landed in Ohio and disguised themselves as a human family to conduct a research experiment on human life. A sharp comedy, it uses the alien’s perspective of the human condition for comedic effect, often placing them in a position of arrogant superiority. However, as well as making funny observations the show can often be extremely heartwarming, casting its gaze over the joys of life and what humanity is.
It has a stellar cast, including John Lithgow as Dick Solomon, head of the house, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and French Stewart. Running for six seasons with 139 episodes, in 1997 it won the most Primetime Emmy awards for a television show.
The Drew Carey Show
The Drew Carey Show was written by the comedian himself along with Bruce Helford, a former writer for the sitcom Roseanne. It followed a similar premise, where Carey played a fictional version of himself who was an everyday Ohio guy. Working in a retail store, it follows his adventures both at work and home, with a recurring cast of friends and co-workers.
Hugely popular, it ran for a sizable nine seasons. Part of its allure was that Carey played an excellent man next door, based upon what he would have been like if he had not become a comedian. After the show ended, there have been numerous appearances by the characters and Carey has gone on to do great things as a television host.
