TV in Texas: Here are a dozen shows set in the Lone Star State
John OlivaHBO recently released a post-apocalyptic drama television series titled "The Last of Us," based off a 2013 video game.
The series is set 20 years after a fungal infection sparks a global pandemic, causing the infected to transform into hostile, cannibalistic creatures similar to zombies. Part of the show also takes place in the Lone Star State.
So, what other TV shows are set in Texas?
Here are 12 other series that feature animated characters, more zombies, a Tejano singer and a Jack Russell terrier.
'Beavis & Butt-Head'
Created by Mike Judge, the series follows teenager slackers Beavis and Butt-Head and their apathy, lack of intelligence, lowbrow humor and love for hard rock and heavy metal music.
The show ran for seven seasons from 1993 to 1997 and was revived with an eighth season in 2011. A second revival premiered on Paramount+ in 2022. The series produced a theatrical film, "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America," in 1996 and a second film, "Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe," in 2022 on Paramount+.
Where does it take place? The fictional town of Highland, Texas.
Where can I watch it? The TV series can be streamed on Paramount+.
'The Client List'
Based on the 2010 Lifetime film of the same name, "The Client List" stars Jennifer Love Hewitt as Riley Parks, a woman who is left in financial debt after her husband abandons her and their children. She accepts work at a day spa and learns some masseuses earn extra money by providing more to certain clients during massages.
The TV series ran for two seasons from April 2012 to June 2013. A third season was set but after creative differences between Hewitt, Lifetime, Sony Television Pictures and production company ITV Studios America, the show was canceled November 2013.
Where does it take place? Hewitt's character lives in Beaumont, but travels to Sugar Land for work. Yes, nearly a two-hour drive.
Where can I watch it? The TV series can be streamed on Tubi.
'Dallas'
The series revolves around a feuding Texas family, the Ewings, who own an oil company and cattle-ranching land. "Dallas" originally focused on the marriage of Bobby Ewing and Pamela Barnes, whose families were sworn enemies, but as the series progressed, Bobby's older brother J.R. Ewing's schemes and dirty business became the show's trademark.
The series ran from April 1978 to May 1991 and won four Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1980 for Barbara Bel Geddes. The show spawned a spin-off series "Knots Landing" and a revival series that ran for three seasons on TNT.
Where does it take place? Take a guess.
Where can I watch it? Season one is available for purchase on Apple TV+, but seasons two through 14 are available on Prime Video.
'Fear the Walking Dead'
"Fear the Walking Dead" is a spin-off of AMC's "The Walking Dead," and is the second TV series within the franchise. The first three seasons serve as a prequel to the original series, focusing on a family's experience at the start of the zombie apocalypse. The series has taken place in Los Angeles, Canada, Mexico and Texas.
The show premiered in August 2015 and spawned eight seasons. The current eighth season is set to premiere on May 14, 2023 and will be the series final.
Where does it take place? Seasons four and five take place in Texas, but aside from the state's capital, other cities and towns aren't mentioned by name.
Where can I watch it? The TV series can be streamed on Hulu.
'Friday Night Lights'
The sports drama was inspired by a 1990 nonfiction book by H.G. Bissinger, which was adapted into a film by the same name in 2004. "Friday Night Lights" follows a high school football team and addressed issues including family values, school funding, racism, substance abuse, abortion and the lack of economic opportunities.
The series ran for two seasons on NBC and then for three more seasons on DirecTV's 101 Network. It ended its run in February 2011 and won several accolades including a Peabody Award, a Television Critics Association Award and several Emmy Awards.
Where does it take place? The fictional town of Dillon in West Texas.
Where can I watch it? The TV series can be streamed on Hulu.
'King of the Hill'
The animated sitcom centered on the Hills, their neighbors, co-workers, relatives, classmates and friends. Hank Hill, the series protagonist, worked at Strickland Propane and lived with his wife Peggy, son Bobby, niece Luanne and their bloodhound Lady Bird. The show approached certain topics with humor including blue-collar workers, substitute teachers, puberty and political correctness.
"King of the Hill" ran from January 1997 to May 2010 with 13 seasons. It was one of Fox's longest-running series and won two Emmy Awards.
Where does it take place? The fictional town of Arlen, Texas.
Where can I watch it? The TV series can be streamed on Hulu.
'The Lone Ranger'
The series followed a Texas Ranger who was the sole survivor after he and five other Rangers were ambushed and shot. He is found by Tonto, a native Indian, who tends to the survivor's health. The two travel throughout Texas to assist those challenged by the lawless elements.
The western drama aired from 1949 to 1957 with five seasons. The character of The Lone Ranger first appeared in a 1933 radio show and then premiered in a series of books, the TV series and several films, including a 2013 version that was one of the biggest box-office bombs.
Where does it take place? No cities or towns are named, just that it takes place in Texas.
Where can I watch it? The TV series can be streamed on Tubi.
'Reba'
The series stars Reba McEntire as a middle-aged woman whose life is thrown upside when she finds her husband of nearly 20 years wants to divorce her after getting his dental hygienist, who is half McEntire's age, pregnant. With the new chaos and dysfunction in her life, the show tackles the star as she attempts to get through life one day at a time.
"Reba" aired from October 2001 to February 2007 for six seasons, with most episodes filmed in front of a live audience. The show scored McEntire the People's Choice Award for Favorite Female Performer in a New Television Series in 2001.
Where does it take place? The suburbs of Houston.
Where can I watch it? The TV series can be streamed on Apple TV+, Hulu and Prime Video.
'Selena: The Series'
"Selena: The Series" tells the story of Tejano singer Selena's rise to fame and the journey she and her family took along the way. The Netflix program was produced with Selena's father, Abraham, and her sister, Suzette.
Split into two parts, the first season premiered in December 2020 and the second in May 2021. In January 2021, Netflix announced the series was watched by 25 million households for the first 28 days after its debut.
Where does it take place? The series shows depictions of several Texas cities including San Antonio, Eagle Pass and Corpus Christi.
Where can I watch it? The TV series can be streamed on Netflix.
'Walker, Texas Ranger'
Inspired by the 1983 film "Lone Wolf McQuade," "Walker, Texas Ranger" is centered on Sgt. Cordell Walker, a member of the Texas Rangers. He and his partner, James "Jimmy" Trivette, make it their business to battle crime in Dallas.
The show aired for eight seasons from September 1993 to May 2001. It spawned a 2005 TV film, "Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire," that ended on a cliffhanger that was never resolved.
Where does it take place? Around the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas.
Where can I watch it? The TV show is currently not available to be streamed.
'Wishbone'
The half-hour live-action children's TV show stars a Jack Russell Terrier, Wishbone, who relives famous literature. Some stories include "Oliver Twist," "Romeo and Juliet," "Frankenstein" and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."
"Wishbone" inspired a book series and a 1998 TV film, "Wishbone's Dog Days of the West." The show produced 50 episodes over the span of two seasons from 1995 to 1997. Announced in 2020, a film adaption from Universal Pictures and Mattel Films is in the works.
Where does it take place? The fictional town of Oakdale, Texas.
Where can I watch it? The TV series can be watched on YouTube.
'Young Sheldon'
Set in the late 1980s and early 1990s, "Young Sheldon" is a spin-off prequel to "The Big Bang Theory" centering on Sheldon Cooper as he goes to high school at age 9. The show follows Sheldon as he tries to fit into a world of more socially normal people who do not quite understand how to deal with his unique capabilities.
The series premiered in September 2017 and has been renewed to a seventh season. Currently, "Young Sheldon" is in its sixth season where the titular character is in college.
Where does it take place? The fictional town of Medford, Texas in East Texas.
Where can I watch it? The TV series can be streamed on HBO Max.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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