The television series Hometown, which aired on CBS from 1985 to 1986, presents a specific vision of American life through the lens of a returning journalist. While the narrative explores themes of nostalgia, family dynamics, and the clash between old and new values, the physical setting is equally important to the show's identity. Understanding what city is Hometown filmed in requires looking beyond the story's vague Midwestern origins to the actual locations that brought the fictional town of Hometown, USA to life on screen.
The Search for the Fictional Hometown
Hometown centers on the Wilcox family, specifically the return of journalist John Wilcox to his small town after a decade away. The show deliberately avoids naming the specific state or city, creating a generic "Middle America" that was intended to resonate with a broad national audience. This narrative choice often leads viewers to wonder about the exact location, prompting the question of what city is Hometown filmed in to find the concrete reality behind the fictional facade.
Pinewood Toronto Studios: The Primary Production Base
Production for Hometown was primarily handled by MTM Enterprises, a major television production company of the era. The series was filmed at the studios located in what was then known as the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) grounds in Toronto, Ontario. Specifically, the production utilized facilities that would later become part of the Pinewood Toronto Studios complex, which was not officially opened until 2009, but the land and infrastructure were active during the 1980s. This means that while the story takes place in a quintessential American setting, the visual creation of that world happened on Canadian soil.
Constructing Americana in Canada
Despite being shot in Toronto, the production design team worked diligently to disguise the Canadian location. They dressed sets with authentic American signage, specific period-appropriate props, and meticulously recreated the look of a 1980s Midwestern main street. The goal was to make the location indistinguishable from a real American town for the domestic US audience. This practice was common for American television shows of that era, allowing producers to access studio space and skilled crews at competitive rates compared to filming in the United States.
Comparing to Modern Counterparts
It is helpful to distinguish Hometown from the 2021 Apple TV+ series of the same name starring Samuel T. Herring. The modern revival is filmed in various locations across Georgia, including Atlanta and surrounding areas, benefiting from the state's robust film tax incentives. However, the original 1985 series operated under a different production model, relying heavily on established studio lots in Toronto rather than location shooting in the United States.
The Role of Location Scouting in the 1980s
While the primary filming occurred on soundstages in Toronto, it is possible that establishing shots or limited exterior scenes were captured in actual US locations. During the 1980s, it was not uncommon for shows to film limited B-roll footage in American towns to insert into footage shot on Canadian stages. However, the consistent interior sets and controlled environment of Hometown strongly suggest that the bulk of the filming was confined to the studio backlots in Toronto, minimizing the need for extensive location scouting.
Legacy and Viewer Perception
The fact that Hometown was filmed in Canada does not diminish the show's cultural impact or its portrayal of American life. For viewers watching at home, the setting felt authentic and relatable. The performances and writing anchored the series in emotional reality, which overshadowed the geographical origins of the production. The question of what city is Hometown filmed in is a trivia point for production enthusiasts, but for the general audience, the setting remained a successful illusion of small-town America.
