Small Screen Scavenger Hunt: Stream Shows Filmed on Campus, Including ‘This Is Us,’ ‘Veep’ and ‘The Office’
Actor Shemar Moore of the show “S.W.A.T.” poses with junior biology major Marisol Castorena during a break from filming on the California State University, Northridge campus. Submitted photo by Genelyn Arante.
It has long been a sense of pride for Matadors to know that CSUN’s proximity to Hollywood and its extensive campus facilities make it an ideal set piece for feature films, TV shows, music videos and commercials. Now that CSUN students, faculty and staff, along with millions of other Americans, are staying home to help flatten the curve for COVID-19, it’s the right time to catch up on the many cameo appearances of iconic CSUN buildings. Thanks to streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, the CSUN community can “return” to CSUN from the comforts of their own living rooms — and while there, hang out with Steve Carell, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
This curated list of streamable TV shows can help pass the time that might have been spent commuting or running errands. And you’re in luck — our list includes some of the best series of this century.
Read on to find show titles, synopses, where to watch, and which CSUN locations are used in the show.
- “100 Humans”
Synopsis: One hundred individuals from diverse backgrounds participate in eccentric experiments exploring many different aspects of what it means to be human.
Watch on Netflix.
Various areas of CSUN’s campus serve as sets throughout the entire season of this new Netflix series, including the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center of the Performing Arts, Bookstein Hall and the Grand Salon of the USU.
- “The Good Place”
Synopsis: When Eleanor Shellstrop enters the afterlife, she’s accidentally sent to the Good Place instead of the Bad Place where she belongs. While hiding from the Good Place architect, she’s on a mission to make amends with her past grievances and earn a spot in the Good Place.
Watch on Netflix, Hulu, the NBC App or YouTube TV.
The Season 2 finale and Season 3 premiere both feature multiple glimpses of campus, including the seating area outside of Bayramian Hall, The Soraya courtyard, the Arbor Grill dining area and Cleary Walk. Eleanor Shellstrop (played by Kristen Bell), Chidi Anagonye (played by William Jackson Harper), and Simone Garnett (played by Kirby Howell-Baptiste) all spend screen time walking through campus.
- “Ballers”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson inside The Soraya’s lobby in a scene from HBO’s “Ballers”.
Synopsis: This series follows former NFL player Spencer Strasmore, played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, as he decides to become a financial manager to help his younger friends playing in the NFL.
Watch on HBO Now or HBO Go.
Find Dwayne Johnson inside the Soraya’s lobby on Season 5, Episode 5 of the hit series, as well as Matador Road between the Student Recreation Center and the SRC Soccer Field during episodes 4 and 7 of the same season.
- “S.W.A.T.”
Synopsis: Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, a lifelong Los Angeles local and former Marine, has been tapped to lead a new “last stop” Special Weapons and Tactics unit. As a Los Angeles native, Hondo feels deeply loyal to not only his “brothers in blue” but also the people they serve.
Watch on Hulu, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video and the CBS App.
Season 1, episode 4 reveals a thrilling conclusion with a hostage situation filmed inside the Johnson Auditorium along with additional scenes filmed on the Sierra Quad and on the rooftops of the CSUN Library and B3 parking structure.
- “The Office”
Synopsis: Still one of the most popular shows on Netflix, this mockumentary sitcom depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Penn., branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.
Watch on Netflix.
Find Jerome Richfield, Bayramian Hall and the CSUN Art Gallery in episode 16 of season 3, titled “Business School.” In this episode, Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, and Ryan Howard, played by B.J. Novak, are seen outside of Bayramian Hall and into Cleary Walk, as well as in Noski Auditorium. Pam Beesly, played by Jenna Fisher, and Oscar Martinez, played by Oscar Nunez, also appear on campus inside of the CSUN Art Gallery.
- “This is Us”
Synopsis: This Emmy nominated NBC show chronicles the lives of the Pearson family and their children through several different decades. The show stars Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chrissy Metz.
Watch on the NBC App, Hulu, Sling TV and YouTube TV.
Season 3, episode 9 of the series features Cleary Court behind characters Kate Pearson and Toby Damon, played by Chrissy Metz and Chris Sullivan, respectively. CSUN also cameos as the backdrop for the fictional Encino Community College.
- “VEEP”
Synopsis: Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars in this comedy series about a Vice President who attempts to leave a positive political legacy but is often involved in day-to-day political games with her political colleagues.
Watch on Hulu or HBO Now.
Two CSUN locations, the Plaza del Sol Theatre and Manzanita Lawn, are highlighted in Episode 3 of Season 7 and feature Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Hugh Laurie on campus.
- “The Orville”
The Orville Shuttle from the television show “The Orville” parked during filming on the Oviatt Lawn. Submitted photo by Genelyn Arante.
Synopsis: Planetary Union officer Ed Mercer must pilot the USS Orville, a mid-level exploration space vessel, through the 25th-century interstellar alliance of Earth and many distant planets.
Watch on Hulu.
Season 2, Episode 5 features the USS Orville’s shuttle parked on the Oviatt Lawn, as well as a glimpse at the Grand Salon. Seth Macfarlane, Adrianne Palicki and other members of the cast walk through CSUN within these scenes.
For more information about filming at CSUN, visit http://www.csun.edu/licensing.
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