2023-07-16 04:00:00
If New York and Los Angeles are often exposed in the series, Chicago also imposes itself in a beautiful way. The city of the winds is magnificent and adapts to all eras. It illustrates all social classes and offers a variety of atmospheres given its geographical location on the edge of Lake Michigan. We enjoy its beach, the structures of its suspended train, its modern skyscrapers, its historic buildings, its urbanity and its graffiti, its culinary diversity. Many talents, both in humor, in music, and in television come from Chicago. A look at the city in 10 series to televore the windy city, prepare your next stay or travel there by proxy.
The Oprah Show
Mural by Oprah Photo Emmanuelle Plante
Who says Chicago, says Oprah Winfrey. A veritable institution, the followingnoon talk show, which enjoyed 25 seasons, was recorded in the Near West Side neighborhood adjacent to West Loop where the producer and host founded Harpo Studio. It is on the list of the 50 most significant shows of the TV Guide and still holds the record for highest-rated daytime show. If the studio no longer exists and she has moved to California, a mural marks the importance of the great lady for the city and for television.
The Bear
Photo courtesy of FX
Recent success filmed in Chicago, The Bear takes place in an Italian beef sandwich snack. Camy is a young chef who sharpened his knives in top New York restaurants. The death of his brother brings him back to Chicago where he takes possession of his restaurant. The brilliantly scripted, authentically filmed and acted episodes quickly devour each other. If you pass by the River North district, take a detour to the famous Mr Beef on Orleans St. A real institution for more than 70 years, they serve the real Italian beef sandwich in a submarine for less than $10. This is where the two seasons of The Bear. You will recognize every corner of it.
The real restaurant Mr Beef in The Bear Photo Emmanuelle Plante
Available on Disney+
the 2e season arrives from July 19
Shameless
Photo taken from Instagram @shameless
For 11 seasons (2011-2021), we followed the troubles of the Gallagher family who live in the Canaryville district. Remember that Frank is an alcoholic and that the welfare money is burning through his fingers. Since his wife abandoned him, he has struggled to raise his family of six children. Fiona, the eldest, tries to be a pillar for others. It’s a raw series. It exposes the daily life of a disadvantaged neighborhood with characters who would probably live better without their father. In fact, the homes of Gallagher and Kevin and Veronica are on South Homan Avenue in North Lawndale. If a pilgrimage tells you!
Gallagher House in Shameless Photo Emmanuelle Plante
The Bob Newhart Show
Statue Navy Pier Robert Newhart
Photo Emmanuelle Plante
The Illinois-born actor and comedian rose to popularity in the ’70s when he had his own sitcom. He played Robert Hartley, a Chicago psychologist whose consultations we followed, but also the daily family life. Although the comedy was recorded in the studio in front of an audience, it was the facade of 5901 North Sheridan Road, in the Edgewater district, which was used to present his apartment. Fun fact: a statue of Dr Hartley, personified by Newhart, currently stands at the end of the quay (Navy Pier). A sofa allows passers-by to afford a consultation with the famous character.
IS
Photo provided by NBC
We forget it, but the reference in terms of medical programs, created by Michael Crighton, took place in Chicago. From 1994 to 2009 (15 seasons), we followed the daily life of a medical team at County General Hospital inspired by Cook County Hospital, which has since been transformed into a Hyatt hotel. It was this series that revealed the sexy side of George Clooney, raising him to the rank of superstar.
Available on Prime Video
The Chi
Photo courtesy of Disney+
The Chi, whose 6th season will be released on August 4, transports us to the South Side of Chicago where drugs, corruption and violence are present. The series also opens with a tragic event which claims two victims and which will upset the Afro-descendant community. We mainly follow four characters of different ages and backgrounds. Ronnie, a man with a troubled past who turns out to be the father of a victim, the young Kevin, witness to a murder, Brandon, a chef who dreams of opening his restaurant and Emmett, friend of the other victim, a great seducer whose responsibilities are set to change. This “choral” series addresses the harshness of their environment and mourning, but above all the desire to aspire to a better life and to find one’s place in it. Lena Waithe (Master of None) is the creator, the rapper Common, the producer. Both were born in Chicago.
The Good Wife
Photo courtesy of CBS
Alicia Florrick lives in the wealthy neighborhood of Cook County where her politician husband is caught in the heart of a sex scandal forcing him to resume his career as a lawyer. They moved to the suburbs, to Highland Park, to raise their children.
Available on Prime Video
Chicago Fire
Photo provided by NBC
The popular NBC franchise, whose 12th season is in the making, traces the daily life of firefighters at Station 51. Stories of explosions, arsonists and other dramatic incidents intertwine with the personal lives of these first responders who combine with stress, adrenaline, guilt and heroism. In real life, the series turns to Firehouse 18 on South Blue Island Avenue and Molly’s Pub, where the protagonists like to gather, which is actually Lottie’s Pub on Cortland Street West in the Bucktown neighborhood.
Available on Prime Video and on TVA+
Chicago P.D.
Two years following the success of Chicago Fire, the creators have developed its police counterpart. Ten seasons are currently available. We find Hank Voight there who heads the police department of district 21 where both patrol officers and investigators evolve. The team tours the Pilsen district regularly and the station is actually the university police department, the UIC Police Headquarters erected at 943 West Maxwell Street.
Friday 9 p.m. on Noovo
Available on Prime Video
Chicago Med
Photo provided by NBC
Faced with the success of the “firefighter” and “police” franchises, and just before the “lawyer” franchise, we bet once once more on doctors in 2015. Eight seasons later, the medical team of the emergency hospital center still raging at Gaffney Medical Center which is actually Rush University Medical Center on West Congress Parkway. It’s not uncommon for the characters of Fire, PD, Med, and Justice to cross paths at Molly’s. Living on adrenaline in a big American city requires well-deserved moments of relaxation.
Tuesday 8 p.m. on Noovo
Available on Prime Video
With the collaboration of Choose Chicago
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