Why Cleveland's a Destination for All the Single Ladies, Even Betty White

30 Rock and TV Land love Cleveland. We love Tina Fey.
  • 30 Rock and TV Land love Cleveland. We love Tina Fey.

TV Land's new sitcom, "Hot in Cleveland," has brought our city back into national focus. With the initial favorable reviews and ratings, everyone is talking about Cleveland.

The Atlantic looks at why the city might be so appealing to all the single ladies out there who have failed in other cities. Well, at least why Cleveland is so appealing on TV.

The complete list, explanations, and supporting video are available at the above link, but here's the CliffNotes breakdown:


1) You feel like a celebrity. While in New York Tina Fey's alter-ego was lampooned for her love of donuts and cheese-slathered-anything, in Cleveland, she's embraced—complete with preferential treatment in line at food stands.

2) No looming natural disasters.

3) The rent is unbelievable, according to the ladies of Hot in Cleveland. Ditch the $1,087,577 average price tag for an LA home for a gem of a house in the Cleve for a steal at an average listing price of $119,087.

4) They love their sports stars. Like, they really, really love them. The campaign to keep LeBron James in Cleveland with the Cavaliers has escalated to the point where they'll do practically anything to keep him—that's how deep their love runs.

5) They have one heck of an official tourism video. Enjoy the smooth vocal stylings of Q-Nice set against views of the lush parks, beautiful Lake Erie, and booming city life of this fine city. Plus, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Atlantic wonders why Cleveland is so down on its portrayal on TV, too.

Cleveland might not think too highly of itself—a fragile city with a down-home, good-natured heart, and apparently a "defeatist attitude" among its residents—but the media sure loves to idealize and use Cuyahoga County as a model Middle America town that just might change the nation's perception of the heartland.

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Vince Grzegorek

Vince Grzegorek has been with Scene since 2007 and editor-in-chief since 2012. He previously worked at Discount Drug Mart and Texas Roadhouse.
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