Iowa -- A Beautiful Land, but Not a Good TV Show Setting

Blogger Andrew Shears made a United States of Television map, naming each state for a TV show set there.

Iowa gets "American Pickers," which is apparently a History Channel show about a couple guys from Iowa who travel around hunting for treasures, antiques etc.  I've never heard of it. Doesn't mean it's not swell.  

Still, that's not much of a television identity. Surely there's a better example.

But it turns out there really isn't. We may be a Field of Dreams, movie-wise, but not on the small screen. Iowa's place in TV history is mostly as a place where characters are from -- Star Trek's Capt. Kirk, MASH's Radar O'Reilly etc., but not as the setting for a show.

According to Wikipedia, only six shows have been set in Iowa, including five network sitcoms. And there isn't a good one among them.

Apples Way CBS 1974-75:

The Apples, a family from Los Angeles, seek refuge from the hectic pace of city living and relocate to the father's hometown of Appleton, Iowa, which was founded by the father's ancestors. The Apples included George, an architect who relocated from Los Angeles, his wife, Barbara; their children, Paul; Cathy, Steven and Patricia; and their grandfather Aldon. There they must adjust to new culture, the climate, and the pace of life. The family lived in a working grist mill, which served as a backdrop for the situations played out on screen. George would often increase, while meaning well, his family's tensions by getting involved with some strange causes. The show did not gain the ratings CBS had hoped for, because it had to compete with NBC's Top 20 hit The Wonderful World of Disney and was hence canceled after two seasons.

Double Trouble NBC 1984-85 (I actually remember this one):

Double Trouble premiered in April 1984. The series was set in Des Moines, Iowa, and generally revolved around the twins' high school or their father's dance studio (thus giving the girls a chance to show off their real-life dancing skills). Most of the show's comedy was generated from the fact that one twin was serious while the other more laid-back and happy-go-lucky.Beginning as a mid-season replacement, the show also starred Donnelly Rhodes as the girls' father, Art Foster. The show did not generate high enough ratings in its initial debut to be included in NBC's fall schedule, however it was brought back for a second go-'round as a mid-season replacement in December 1984. After some retooling, the setting of the show was relocated to New York City.

Beginning as a mid-season replacement, the show also starred Donnelly Rhodes as the girls' father, Art Foster. The show did not generate high enough ratings in its initial debut to be included in NBC's fall schedule, however it was brought back for a second go-'round as a mid-season replacement in December 1984. After some retooling, the setting of the show was relocated to New York City.

Drexell's Class Fox 1991-92

Drexell's Class (two working titles of the show were "Oh No, Not Drexell, and "Shut Up, Kids!") starred Dabney Coleman in the role of Otis Drexell, a fifth-grade teacher at fictional Grantwood Elementary School in Cedar Bluffs, Iowa. In the backstory, it was revealed Drexell was a famous corporate raider who lost a large amount of money on a failed venture, to which he dodged his taxes and was subsequently arrested. At his court case, he was told that he would get a suspended sentence on the basis he work as a teacher in the undermanned school until he pays his back taxes.

Geez, it's really odd why none of these great concepts caught on.

The other two were "Julie,"a 1992 show starring Julie Andrews as a TV personality who marries a veterinarian and moves to Sioux City, and "Nancy," a 1970-71 sitcom produced by Screen Gems. Nancy also meets a veterinarian. Go figure. Small world.

Maybe Wikipedia is wrong (gasp) and you remember others. There's got to be a show I'm forgetting. Fill us in.