The 400 Most Notable TV Shows Set in New York City
What we now consider the City of New York was founded in 1624, as a trading post, eventually called "New Amsterdam" by the Dutch who were running things for awhile, before it became the Megalopolis it is, now. Of course that ignores the fact that people were likely living on that land centuries before Julius Caesar led the Roman Empire, but hey, it doesn't count until the Europeans do it, right?
That 1624 date means that 2024 is the 400th Anniversary of New York City and to celebrate that historic year, I have compiled a list of the 400 Most Notable Television Shows that were set in NYC.
The Ground Rules:
New York City needs to be a primary location for the action. So, for example, even though "The Simpsons" visited New York in an episode, that wouldn't count. It's not about visiting the city; it's about being here.
Also, some shows change their locale; they may either move from or to NYC. We can consider those programs, presuming at least one season of the show was New York based.
And some shows split focus between two or more locations within their episodes. If one of those regular settings is a part of New York City, that qualifies it to be considered.
NOTE: This list is in reverse order. The show listed as 1 is, in fact, show #400.
Also - the list expands during the year, to reach 400 before the end of 2024.
That 1624 date means that 2024 is the 400th Anniversary of New York City and to celebrate that historic year, I have compiled a list of the 400 Most Notable Television Shows that were set in NYC.
The Ground Rules:
New York City needs to be a primary location for the action. So, for example, even though "The Simpsons" visited New York in an episode, that wouldn't count. It's not about visiting the city; it's about being here.
Also, some shows change their locale; they may either move from or to NYC. We can consider those programs, presuming at least one season of the show was New York based.
And some shows split focus between two or more locations within their episodes. If one of those regular settings is a part of New York City, that qualifies it to be considered.
NOTE: This list is in reverse order. The show listed as 1 is, in fact, show #400.
Also - the list expands during the year, to reach 400 before the end of 2024.
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- CreatorDamon WayansDean LoreyJanine Sherman BarroisStarsShari HeadleyJesse L. MartinKelly Coffield Park413 Hope Street is the physical address of a crisis center, catering to inner city youth and their families. The doctors, surgeons, psychologists, and social workers work together to provide the best possible support to anyone walking in their door. The show is a drama, ranging in issues from a girl getting gonorrhea who had an affair with her father; to a kid who repeatedly witnessed his cop-father abuse his mother; to characters living up to the responsibility of caring for their infant children.#400
- CreatorCharles J. CorrellFreeman F. GosdenStarsAlvin ChildressSpencer WilliamsTim MooreStories mostly centered on The Kingfish's schemes to get rich, often by duping his brothers in the Mystic Knights of the Sea Lodge. Andy was particularly dupable. Amos mostly narrated.#399
- CreatorChristopher KeyserAmy LippmanStarsJennifer Love HewittJennifer GarnerPauley PerretteIn a spin off from "Party of Five," Sarah leaves the Salingers behind to search for her birth-father in New York.#398
- CreatorMark GanzelRobin SchiffBarry KempStarsJulie HagertyFran DrescherTwiggyThree very different women share a penthouse apartment in Manhattan.#397
- StarsBill DanaJonathan HarrisGary CrosbyThis NBC spinoff of "The Danny Thomas Show" featured the character of Jose Jiminez, a nasally sounding Latin American bellhop at a New York hotel.#396
- StarsRay BolgerKay ArmenStubby KayeRay Bolger is a Greenwich Village based Talent Agent (who also happens to dance pretty well). Elaine Stritch serves as hostess.#395
- CreatorJoseph BolognaRenée TaylorStarsJames CocoCandice AzzaraPeggy PopeJoe Calucci is a kind-hearted office supervisor working for the New York State Unemployment Department. Weekly, he must deal with his frustrations with his girlfriend, employees, bureaucracy brass and the unemployed coming to his department seeking help.#393
- CreatorFredi TowbinStarsDiana CanovaJonathan PrinceJane LeevesGenial sitcom about a young record company exec and his attempts to discover new talent, while scouting his own "talent".#392
- CreatorDick WolfStarsOliver PlattLili TaylorHope DavisOliver Platt plays Wallace Benton, a journalist for a New York tabloid magazine, "The NY Ledger," working alongside his soon-to-be ex-wife and various other people, using his journalistic instincts to get the story no matter what it takes. He drinks heavily and curses, so he's clearly an average guy, with no superhuman qualities about him. On the side, he teaches a class full of journalism students, who sometimes go along on his researching "missions," and he frequently uses them to get information on stories he has done, or is doing, to save himself some time. Benton is a smooth talker with many tricks up his sleeve, always searching for more information to add just the right touch to his articles, and he sometimes finds himself using somewhat devious tactics to get that information.#391
- CreatorAlan ShayneStarsHelen HayesMildred NatwickLou AntonioA spinster and her widowed sister, who are also mystery writers, try to solve mysterious murders.#390
- CreatorBarbara WallaceThomas R. WolfeStarsRocky CarrollAnthony DeSandoMary BirdsongJim Gaffigan is a popular Indiana weatherman, becoming a fish out of water when he becomes a meterologist on a NYC network morning show. Producer Marsha Bickner thinks she can duplicate Jim's success but then tries to change him.#389
- StarsBob RutanRobert W. WilsonElana SimonReality series that gives a behind the scenes look at events, activities and the day to day business in a year at "The World's Largest Store," Macy's Herald Square at 34th and Broadway In New York City.#388
- CreatorDavid CassidyJonathan PrinceBilly RibackStarsAnthony Tyler QuinnLisa WaltzWillie GarsonWhen Jack Cody loses his job, to get it back he must dress up as a woman.#387
- CreatorAllan KatzBob RandallStarsAndrea MartinTeresa GanzelMitchell LauranceAndrea Martin is Roxie, Producer of the oddball local programming on WNYV-TV, UHF Channel 66. But what is stranger, the unusual people who do shows, or Roxie's life both on and off the air in the West Village?#386
- CreatorNancy MeyersCharles ShyerStarsKate JacksonDaniel BardolJoy BeharA stylish, single, Harvard-educated lawyer aggressively pushing her way up the executive ladder at a large corporation. Then on her doorstep appeared baby Elizabeth, left to her by a recently deceased English relative.#385
- StarsJack LemmonNeil HamiltonCynthia StoneFranklin Westbrook is a snooty theater critic who relishes showing disdain for everything. Midwestern Harold is his eager valet who thinks his job will help him become a successful actor and become more worldly.#384
- CreatorBarry FanaroMort NathanStarsRichard JeniRon OrbachDenise MillerZany sitcom about the host of a cookery show who equates all of life's woes (specifically, his own ineffectual relationships with women) with the problems of cooking dishes.#383
- CreatorDavid W. DuclonBob IllesJames R. SteinStarsJean SagalLiz SagalJames VallelySitcom about the antics between two twins, Kate and Allison. Allison was always the serious outgoing sister, while Kate was more fun and laid-back.#382 - (Season Two Only)
- CreatorBob RandallStarsBess ArmstrongLynnie GreeneJohn Christopher JonesA short-lived sitcom centering on Julia Peters and Maria Teresa Bonino, two career women living in New York City. The two work for the Bedford Advertising Agency and episodes revolve around their personal lives and their work lives.#381
- StarsWilliam ShatnerHoward Da SilvaLonny ChapmanDavid Koster is an obsessive New York City assistant district attorney who gets into trouble because of his passion for justice. His boss, Anthony Celese, tries to keep him under control while New York police detective Frank Malloy helps him solve cases. Koster's wife Phyllis is a viola player in a string quartet and her own life's priorities come into conflict with David's.#380
- CreatorPeter OckoStarsKen WhartonMark FeuersteinArmando RiescoAn arrogant neurosurgeon takes on a new partner.#379
- CreatorEric SchaefferEfrem SeegerDonal Lardner WardStarsEric SchaefferDonal Lardner WardPortia de RossiEric, a writer that hardly ever writes, and Donny, a photographer that refuses to show his work in public, struggle with things like steady jobs and promotions that will ultimately interrupt with their dreams of being a writer and a photographer.#378
- CreatorSusan BeaversStarsDudley MooreJoanna CassidyHarley CrossDudley Moore plays a divorced, cabaret pianist who struggles with his ex-wife to raise his 14-year old son.#377
- CreatorJerry BelsonGarry MarshallStarsWill HutchinsSandy BaronMichael ConstantineA short-lived sitcom (1966-1967) about a young man from Ohio who inherits a New York City brownstone apartment building from his uncle and shares his apartment with an up-and-coming stand-up comedian.#376
- CreatorDavid J. BurkeStarsPhilip BoscoJoe MortonAntonia JonesVarious stories about various people living in Tribeca - the famous New York neighborhood.#375
- CreatorSam BobrickRon ClarkLeonard SternStarsDiana RiggRichard B. ShullBarbara BarrieAfter a divorce, beautiful Brit Diana Smythe (Dame Diana Rigg) decides to begin a new life by moving from London to New York City and starting a new career as a fashion coordinator at a Fifth Avenue department store. Living in her brother's empty apartment (to which many young ladies still have keys), Diana learns a new American way of life, assisted by friendly neighbor Holly Green (Carole Androsky), copywriter Howard Tollbrook (Richard B. Shull), window decorator Marshall Tyler (Robert Moore) and new pal Jeff Harmon (Richard Mulligan).#374
- StarsHannah JelinovicPaul WhartonWhile top models are built to be the picture of perfection, the modeling industry is anything but perfect. Now, for the first time, meet the people who brave the world of high-stakes modeling on a quest for pure beauty: the booking agents of the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency. In the words of one Wilhelmina agent: if people ask me what I do, I give a pretty simply answer, it's like, we sell flesh.#373
- CreatorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsArnold StangMaurice GosfieldMarvin KaplanTop Cat is the leader of a group of alley cats, always trying to cheat someone.#372
- CreatorSylvester L. Weaver Jr.StarsMilton DeluggDagmarRay MaloneTelevision's first late night entertainment broadcast, presented live from New York. The show featured comedy, music, and a raucous audience every weekday night.#371
- CreatorJohn MarkusStarsKristin ChenowethJon TenneyLarry RomanoHeart of gold southern secretary working in the big city.#369
- CreatorChristian TaylorStarsVictoria JusticeCasey DeidrickHarvey GuillénA New York woman suspects that one of her online dates is a serial killer.#368
- CreatorJaffe CohenRyan MurphyMichael ZamStarsJessica LangeAlison WrightNaomi WattsAn anthology series centering on famous feuds, including Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and Truman Capote and the New York elite.#367 - Season Two: Capote vs. The Swans
- CreatorDavid WilcoxStarsRachael TaylorDave AnnableRobert BuckleyAt the 203 apartments Drake, NYC, residents are granted one wish - any wish. But beware of the price. There's something supernatural and evil about The Drake that only the owners, Gavin and Olivia. know about/control.#366
- CreatorDiana GouldStarsJonelle AllenLaura AshtonClaudia ChristianSimon Berrenger is the ruthless, head of the high-class store that bore his name. His two sons are both working for him: Paul, the president of Berrenger's, who is trapped in a loveless marriage to Gloria and is having an affair with Shane Bradley, the chain's merchandise V.P. and Billy, who is in charge of P.R. and is battling addictions to both alcohol and gambling. Simon's daughter, Barbara, is a divorcee who had spent her entire life trying to win her father's love and approval. Barbara's daughter Melody is married to ambitious Todd Hughes, who ran the only Berrenger's branch store.#365
- CreatorAdam DiVelloStarsWhitney PortOlivia PalermoSamantha SwetraWhitney Port from "The Hills" (2006) leaves California for New York City to work as an image coordinator for the design house of Diane Von Furstenberg.#364
- CreatorAllan SloaneStarsBurt ReynoldsWayne GriceLeon JanneyThe crime busting techniques of Iroquois detective John Hawk of the New York City District Attorney's office.#363
- StarsGene KellyDick YorkLeo G. CarrollFather O'Malley is sent to a parish in lower class New York City to assist old, crusty pastor Father Fitzgibbon. When he arrives, Father O'Malley meets his boyhood friend Tom Colwell, who is running the local community center.#362
- CreatorKimberly HillTom PatchettStarsSandra BullockGeorge NewbernAnthony Tyler QuinnThis situation comedy based on the popular film featured more of the adventures of secretary Tess McGill in the office setting.#361
- StarsNorman FellDeirdre LenihanSandra DeelThis series revolved around women's clothing manufacturer Nathan Davidson and his employees, including his new designer Wendy, who just arrived in New York City from Nebraska.#360
- CreatorJohn MulaneyStarsJohn MulaneyNasim PedradSeaton SmithJohn's desire to be a good person challenges his friendship with his roommates Jane and Motif.#359
- CreatorMichael JacobsEhrich Van LoweStarsDoug E. DougFlex AlexanderShaun BakerThe TV series focused on New York City high-school student Doug and his two best friends., Reggie and Malcolm. Most of the stories revolved around their neighborhood and involved Doug, his friends, and his family--mother, father, and younger sister.#358
- CreatorDon NichollMichael RossBernie WestStarsGeraldine BrooksGeorge FurthJames CocoFat married couple Joe and Angela Dumpling own a New York deli.#357
- StarsDorothy ProvineDonald MayGary VinsonThe adventures of a newspaper reporter covering the world of cops and gangsters in 1920s New York.#356
- CreatorDiane EnglishStarsJay ThomasJoanna GleasonJoel MurrayA comedy about a woman running a bar in New York City while maintaining a romance with an egotistical opinion columnist.#355
- StarsPeter CookMimi KennedyOliver ClarkTelevision talk-show host and single mother Nan Gallagher needs help managing her home, so she places an ad in the newspaper for a housekeeper and English butler Robert Brentwood answers it. He's arrogant and pompous and not particularly fond of Americans, but Nan decides to give him a try, and he decides to give her, and American life, a try.#354
- CreatorAlan SpencerMel BrooksStarsCloris LeachmanHarvey KormanBrian McNamaraThis short-lived comedy dealt with the day to day lives of the staff and (rare) guests in a New York hotel that had fallen on hard times.#353
- CreatorTom FontanaJulie MartinStarsPenn BadgleyVictoria CartagenaTiffany DupontThe Bedford Diaries explores the excitement and intensity of New York City college life through the eyes of six students with different backgrounds, experiences and ages, who are brought together in a provocative sexuality seminar#352
- StarsBill MurrayHoward CosellChristopher GuestVariety series starring ABC's famed sportscaster as host and broadcast from The Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway.#351
- CreatorJon GlaserStarsJon GlaserEugene MirmanJacob KoganA man who's in the witness protection program creates a TV reality show about his situation. He has to wear a black ski mask all the time, but other than that he and his family try to live a "normal" life in front of the camera.#350
- CreatorSam DenoffBill PerskyCarl ReinerStarsDom DeLuiseKathleen FreemanWynn IrwinSitcom about Stanley, his family and his work life.#349
- StarsStephen DunhamDavid Alan BascheJohn DuceyThree guys who were friends in college are still close and living together as adults. Construction worker Hunter is a womanizer who discovers that he has a teenage daughter, Chloe, who is going to school in his city. Norris is a struggling artist. Ford is a lawyer whose revelation of being gay ended his marriage to Suzanne, who is having trouble accepting that he's gay and wondering how she could have been married to him.#348
- StarsBeverly GarlandFrank CampanellaJoseph SullivanNew York City policewoman Casey Jones' assignment to fight crime often entails her going undercover in some of the seediest and most dangerous parts of the city.#347
- StarsGeorge C. ScottElizabeth WilsonCicely TysonIn this weekly drama show, George C. Scott plays a dedicated social worker trying to solve the problems of his clients in the fascinating mix of cultures that makes up New York City.#346
- CreatorMichael CaleoCollier YoungStarsBlair UnderwoodPablo SchreiberSpencer GrammerCenters on Robert T. Ironside, a tough, sexy and acerbic police detective relegated to a wheelchair after a shooting who is hardly limited by his disability as he pushes and prods his hand-picked team to solve the most difficult cases.#345
- CreatorJane MilmoreBilly Van ZandtRichard DimitriStarsRichard LewisDon RicklesSydney WalshA single father's angry and cynical father moves in with him. Hilarity ensues.#344
- CreatorBrian RobbinsPhil BeaumanAlonzo BrownStarsRondell SheridanAngela MeansMeagan GoodFollows a boy who has come to live with his cousin and his family. Both of them get into all sorts of funny situations.#343
- CreatorRosie O'DonnellStarsRosie O'DonnellJohn McDanielCaroline RheaComedian Rosie O'Donnell produces and hosts her first daytime talk show that focuses on interviews with celebrities about acting, writing, charity work, and family life.#342
- StarsTed KnightNorman BurtonTom LeopoldShort lived (six weeks) show about Roger Dennis running an escort service in New York City. Roger and Burt Dennis own Dennis Escorts, a high-class escort agency. Dottie was the receptionist, Winston Dennis was Roger's 20-something son and Hobart Nalven, the mailman.#341
- CreatorRobert L. CollinsStarsDavid BirneyTom AtkinsNick CorelloFrank Serpico was a maverick New York City detective who, after turning in a large number of "bad" cops and later being shot in the face, often went undercover to expose corruption in the city. The scruffy-looking, long-haired officer used unorthodox means to get results, and reported to Lieutenant Sullivan.#340
- CreatorMadeleine SmithbergLizz WinsteadStarsJon StewartTrevor NoahStephen ColbertA comedy news show featuring humorous takes on top stories.#339 (Craig Kilborn's tenure 1996-1998)
- StarsBruce McGillDavid HasselhoffMarkie PostBilly Clyde Pucket and Shake Tiller are fun loving roommates who play professional football. Their team is the win challenged NY Bulls with Cooper the exasperated coach. Barbara Jane is their platonic friend and subject to their pranks.#338
- CreatorBob ComfortRick KellardStuart SheslowStarsRedd FoxxRosanna DeSotoPamela AdlonAn American sitcom starring Redd Foxx as a newsstand owner who adopts a street smart teenage daughter, played by Pamela Adlon. The series premiered January 18, 1986 on the ABC television network and was canceled after 13 episodes.#337
- CreatorDarren StarStarsMädchen AmickJohn BarrowmanMelissa ErricoAmbitious New Yorkers maneuver against each other as they pursue their passion for money, sex, and power.#336
- CreatorPrudence FraserRobert SterninStarsRay AranhaBess ArmstrongMegan GallivanThree married couples live in a New York City apartment building. Nick and Olivia Williams are a 60ish couple who own the building and lease out the top two floors. Russell and Elizabeth Meyers live on the second floor; he is a writer who works at home and she is a high-powered lawyer. Allen and Cindy Campbell live on the top floor; he is a college student and she works as a waitress to put him through school.#335
- CreatorSusannah GrantStarsPatrick WilsonJennifer EhleMargo MartindaleCenters on an ultra-competitive surgeon whose life is changed forever when his ex-wife dies and begins teaching him what life is all about from the here-after.#334
- CreatorSidney LumetStarsJoseph Lyle TaylorManny PerezPhyllis NewmanThe lives and work of the staff of a New York City courthouse.#333
- CreatorJenny BicksStarsSarah PaulsonLisa EdelsteinRegina KingA woman in her 30s cancels her wedding plans and embraces being single again, supported by her close friends.#332
- CreatorBill PerskyStarsJane CurtinStephen CollinsKyndra Joy CasperSarah and David are divorced single parents who are content to live that way until they meet in a cooking class in Manhattan. The episodes depict their courtship.#331
- StarsWilliam ConradLee HorsleyGeorge VoskovecThe short-lived adventures of portly detective Nero Wolfe, who would rather eat and tend to his orchids than hit the streets tracking down leads. That's why he hired hunky Archie Goodwin, who provides the brawn that complements Wolfe's brains.#330
- StarsTimothy HuttonMaury ChaykinColin FoxGenius detective Nero Wolfe and his right-hand man: Archie Goodwin, solve seemingly impossible crimes, in 1950's New York.#329
- CreatorLennon ParhamJessica St. ClairStarsLennon ParhamJessica St. ClairLuka JonesAfter a divorce Jessica goes to live with her best friend Lennon, not realizing she would have so many problems with her boyfriend Joe.#328
- StarsJake FogelnestKevin SmithJoey Lauren AdamsMTV version of the popular Manhattan Public Access show.#327
- CreatorMichael RauchStarsDaphne ZunigaSarah ForetTorrey DeVittoAn academically-gifted teen, her model-beautiful older sister, and their newly-single mother leave small-town New Mexico in search of a new life in New York City.#326
- CreatorJim GaffiganPeter TolanStarsJim GaffiganAshley WilliamsMichael Ian BlackComedy about a husband and wife trying to raise their five kids in a New York City two-bedroom apartment.#325
- CreatorTracy GambleJerry PerzigianDon SeigelStarsMalcolm-Jamal WarnerCharles BrownDaryl MitchellGraduate student A.J. volunteers at a youth center that helps troubled kids.#324
- CreatorSteve GordonStarsDanny ThomasDavid SpielbergDena DietrichJules Bedford and son David are both doctors who often clash. The dad living working class, the son in a wealthy neighborhood. Jules is assisted by longtime nurse Molly and receptionist Helen. Jenny is David's wife and they have two sons.#323
- CreatorJames L. BrooksStan DanielsCharlie HauckStarsWilfrid Hyde-WhiteMartin ShortAlley MillsThe working lives of three neophyte lawyers.#322
- CreatorAllan LeichtTom KingMillee TaggartStarsLori PettyKelly BishopLisa RieffelPublicity agent Sloan Thorn and his wife Ginger are nouveau-riche trying to ascend the social ladder quickly. The pretentious behavior extends to their offspring Chad, Joey, and Edmund. Even their maid Toinette is snobby.#321
- CreatorMichael S. ChernuchinStarsAlicia CoppolaIan KahnGeorge NewbernAbout the life of stockbrockers in their financial firm, and out of it.#320
- StarsMerry AndersBarbara EdenLori NelsonMotherly Mike, ditzy but sexy Loco, and sensible Greta move to the big city to find themselves wealthy men to turn into husbands. After the first year Greta gets married with Gwen the new roommate in this syndicated series.#319
- CreatorArnold PerlDavid SusskindStarsJack WardenRobert HooksFrank ConverseThe three detectives fight every kind of criminal all over New York City. The show featured many actual New York City locations, as well as episodes based on real New York City police cases.#318
- CreatorSue GraftonStarsMichael LearnedRobert ReedHattie WinstonA widow, Mary Benjamin, a supervising nurse at Grant Memorial Hospital in New York City, returns to work after her husband dies and learns to live as a single woman again.#317
- CreatorDavid EpsteinStarsJoseph CaliAdrian ZmedVincent BufanoThe comic misadventures of a Brooklyn gang called the Fungos.#316
- CreatorRobert CochranJoel SurnowStarsKiefer SutherlandMary Lynn RajskubCarlos BernardCounter Terrorism Agent Jack Bauer races against the clock to subvert terrorist plots and save his nation from ultimate disaster.#315 (Day 8)
- CreatorElliot ShoenmanPaul WolffStarsMary Tyler MooreDenis ArndtEileen HeckartNewlyweds Annie and Nick McGuire are both bringing plenty of personal history into their marriage. They both have kids from previous marriages and are trying to balance their respective jobs (she's in politics, he's in engineering). They must also deal with his father and her mother, who are political polar opposites.#314