Does being a background actor count as an on-campus job?

One of the most exciting parts of living in New York City is never knowing what you might stumble upon. For me, that was a TV show being filmed at V&T on Amsterdam Avenue. Naturally, I had to ask what they were working on. Unfortunately, the crew member I approached couldn’t tell me much, except that it was for Apple TV. So, while we wait to find out what mystery production has made its way to our neighbourhood, here are a few familiar shows that have already put Barnumbia and Morningside Heights on the map.

Gossip Girl: Columbia University

If you’ve ever walked through campus feeling like you’re in an episode of Gossip Girl, you wouldn’t be far off. The Upper East Side drama brought Serena, Blair, and the rest of Manhattan’s elite to Morningside Heights, with Columbia and its surrounding streets making several appearances throughout the series. Columbia even doubled as Yale during the show’s second season. Dodge Hall became the backdrop for the characters’ college visit, long before Columbia became part of their actual storyline.

Other familiar locations include Union Theological Seminary, which stood in for parts of Columbia’s campus, and the corner of 116th and Broadway, right outside Barnard. So, the next time you’re walking to class, remember that Blair Waldorf might have stood in the exact same spot. 

Seinfeld: Tom’s Restaurant, Broadway and 112th Street

It’s easy to forget that the diner you’ve probably walked past hundreds of times is one of the most recognisable locations from Seinfeld. Throughout the sitcom, Tom’s exterior stood in for Monk’s Café, the favorite hangout of Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer.

Before you rush inside hoping to recreate your favourite scene, however, there’s a slight catch: the restaurant’s interior was never used for filming. Those scenes were filmed on a soundstage in Los Angeles. Still, Seinfeld turned Tom’s Restaurant into an iconic TV landmark. And as a bonus fact, Tom’s was also the inspiration for Suzanne Vega’s song Tom’s Diner. 

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Havemeyer Hall and 404 Riverside Drive

Havemeyer hall 309 is a campus celebrity itself, having been the set of Spider-Man and Kinsey. It is also where Midge’s father, Abe Weissman, teaches mathematics in the show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The show’s Morningside Heights connections don’t end there. The exterior of the Strathmore, an apartment building at 404 Riverside Drive, served as the home of Midge and her family. 

So, the next time you’re sitting through a lecture in Havemeyer or walking down Riverside Drive, take a moment to appreciate your surroundings. You might be standing in the middle of a television set.

Image via Bwarchives