Picture this: you’re eating cheese curds and binging Netflix when your favorite TV show mentions the grand old state of Wisconsin… if you don’t immediately start singing “On Wisconsin” can you even call yourself a true Wisconsinite? If you haven’t been blessed enough to experience this, check out these shows immediately!
1. Liv and Maddie
For those Disney Channel fans, you probably already know that Liv and Maddie is set in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Follow the story of these twin sisters while enjoying Culver’s custard — or Belt’s if you’re close enough to Point!
2. That 70’s Show
While Point Place is fictional, the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin is very real! Follow six friends as they grow up over eight seasons on Netflix. (If that doesn’t convince you, watch the show for a young Ashton Kutcher!)
3. Scandal
If Olivia Pope doesn’t make you excited about watching Scandal, the mention of Wisconsin surely will! A Russian spy says that she is from Wisconsin in her cover story. This would be more convincing if she was then able to name five Wisconsin crafted beers, but that’s just my take on it!
4. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
Everyone’s favorite dog and crime-solving team head to Rhinelander, Wisconsin in the episode “The Hodag of Horror.” While the Hodag monster might be unfamiliar to Southern Wisconsin folks, the Hodag Music Festival is a common rite of passage for those of Northern Wisconsin!
5. Parks and Recreation
There are two types of people in this world: The Office fans and Parks and Recreation fans. If you find yourself falling into the latter category, you’ll be ecstatic to know that Wisconsin is mentioned multiple times in the show! Leslie is set up on a blind date with a UW-Madison alumni (go Badgers!) Chris’ mom also lives in Wisconsin, and Ben Wyatt says to never mention the Green Bay Packers to his parents! Talk about the ultimate trifecta of references!
6. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Unfortunately, Thor doesn’t make an appearance in the grand state of Wisconsin, but Agent Coulson and Cal both call Wisconsin home! The episode “Frenemy of My Enemy” features Cal’s hometown of Milwaukee where he shows Skye the sights of the city! In the episode “One of Us,” the team visits Coulson’s hometown of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Now you know that Manitowoc is not just famous because of Charlie Berens or Steven Avery!
7. The Vampire Diaries
Everyone’s second favorite vampires (after Twilight, of course) head to Library Mall in Madison, Wisconsin where there’s a glimpse of the Red Gym in the background! While Madison wasn’t credited in the show, every Wisconsinite knows the image of the historic building by heart!
8. Houdini (Mini-Series on History Channel)
For those of us who channel our inner nerd, Houdini is about Harry Houdini who grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin. What could be better than super cool magic tricks and the Fox Valley?
9. American Horror Story
Wisconsin is mentioned multiple times throughout the series! Check out the “Murder House,” “Coven,” “Cult,” “Freak Show,” and “Hotel” seasons to find mentions of the Badger State!
10. Friends
Just when you thought the classic 90’s show couldn’t get any better, Wisconsin is mentioned! In the episode “The One With The Blackout,” Phoebe mentions that the weirdest place she hooked up was Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “The One With the Rumor” features Thanksgiving, Brad Pitt and a classic Packers vs. Lions football game in the background!
Now that you have a (semi)complete list of shows that feature Wisconsin, grab your squeakiest curds and get watching!