In a time where housing availability continues to be a problem across the country, Los Angeles has decided to fill a vacancy. Dozens of TV set apartments in Studio City are now being rented out to residents.
“It’s great to bring people over, but it’s hard to get used to some of the challenges,” Marco Central said. He lives in a famous TV doctor’s apartment. “More than once, I’ve had to stop someone from using the fake bathroom in the back of the apartment. It’s a maze to find everything back there. But I still have access to everything I need—bathrooms, showers, kitchens and those fun director’s chairs.”
Residents must keep the apartments looking TV-ready and vacate the premises whenever a show is being filmed. The rent is low, and sometimes they’ve even been asked to be extras.
L.A.’s housing authority sees the arrangement as a win.
“We know it’s a weird setup, but we have all of these furnished apartments that are mostly empty,” Marlon Brando (no relation) from the housing authority told us. “We wanted to be a part of the solution, and there are huge tax breaks for studios that participate.”
“It’s crazy seeing my bedroom on TV,” Becky Novak, whose bedroom is featured on an Apple TV show, said. “I think it looks better on TV than in person.”
There have been some mix-ups. One couple found themselves sleeping on Jimmy Kimmel Live’s set. The couple, who asked to remain anonymous, said they woke up to Jimmy staring down at them, asking why they were sleeping on his desk. They responded by asking if he would consider adding a futon to the set.
Jimmy Kimmel’s representatives did not respond when asked for comment.
With more and more shows being made outside of Hollywood, the biggest challenge is finding studios with sets for people to crash on. Still, it’s a match made in movies.
“I always wanted to be on TV,” Marco said. “Now, at least my bedroom is on TV.”