Where was The King of Queens filmed?
1998
City Locations
Culver City, California; New York City, New York
Location Types
House, Clubs/Bars, Film Studio, Retail
Location Styles
Americana/Anywhere, Cape Cod, Mid-century Modern
About The King of Queens
The King of Queens is a long-running American television sitcom aired on CBS from 1998 to 2007. Michael J. Weithorn created the show, with Kevin James starring as Doug Heffernan, a package delivery driver. Leah Remini portrays Carrie Heffernan, his wife, and Jerry Stiller plays Arthur Spooner, Carrie's recently widowed father. The series follows the misadventures of Doug and Carrie as they try to navigate their lives and marriage, struggle with Arthur's outrageous behavior, and enjoy the company of their friends and neighbors.
While Doug dreams of an uncomplicated, carefree life, Arthur's eccentric behavior often gets in the way. Nevertheless, with the support of their friends and neighbors, Doug and Carrie manage to survive life's little mishaps and enjoy the day-to-day routine of suburban living.
The King of Queens ran for nine seasons and 207 episodes. During its run, the show earned one Emmy nomination and two Golden Globe nominations. It also won two People’s Choice Awards, one for Favorite Comedy Series in 2002 and one for Favorite Male TV Star for Kevin James in 2005. According to the review aggregator Metacritic, the series has received a score of 55 out of 100 based on the assessments of 26 critics. This score suggests a consensus of "generally mixed reviews."
The King of Queens Locations
The King of Queens was filmed in California, primarily at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. The opening montage included shots of landmarks in and around New York City, including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Sbarro Pizza. The majority of scenes were shot in a single-family home. Still, other locations were used, including Doug and Carrie's workplaces, the Coopers restaurant/pub, and the residences of friends and family.
The region's backdrop for The King of Queens was varied and exciting. In addition to the iconic New York City landmarks featured in the opening montage, other locations used included a Verizon garage in the Flatlands neighborhood of Brooklyn, Yerman's Irish Pub in Glendale, and Queens Center Mall on the intersection of Queens Boulevard and Woodhaven Boulevard.
A trip to these The King of Queens locations would be worthwhile. Not only would it provide a chance to see the iconic New York City landmarks featured in the opening montage, but also a chance to take in the atmosphere of places like Yerman's Irish Pub and the Queens Center Mall, both of which were essential locations in the series.
Arthur and Sara move into the Heffernan house scene in The King of Queens
519 Longview Ave, Cliffside Park, NJ 07010, USA
The pilot episode sets the stage for the series' unique dynamics. The episode features Doug and Carrie in pure bliss. Doug is ecstatic about his newly finished basement, which boasts a large TV and a foosball table. Unfortunately, their joy abruptly ends when Carrie's father, Arthur Spooner, unintentionally starts a fire in his house while using a supposedly "lucky" hot plate. As a result, Arthur and Carrie's sister, Sara (Lisa Rieffel), find themselves in a predicament that necessitates them moving and living with Doug and Carrie. This eventually leads to Doug reluctantly giving up his cherished basement to Arthur.
While the series takes place in Queens, New York, most scenes were filmed in California, specifically at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. However, the exterior of the Heffernans’ house, which can be seen in several episodes, is situated at 519 Longview Ave, Cliffside Park, New Jersey. Notably, just a few blocks away lies another iconic filming location, the house featured in the Tom Hanks movie Big. Nevertheless, it is essential to remember that this is a private residence and not accessible to the public. While fans may feel tempted to visit, respecting the residents' privacy and avoiding causing any disturbance is crucial.
To reach this destination, from New York City, you can traverse the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey and continue along Palisade Avenue until you arrive at Cliffside Park. The residence is on Longview Avenue, a tranquil residential street within the town.
Arthur answers the phone scene in The King of Queens
Sony Pictures Studios, 10202 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, USA
Season three episode "Deacon Blues" features an amusing standoff between Arthur and Doug. Doug is attempting to check his home messages remotely, but Arthur picks up the phone each time he calls. Despite Doug's increasingly frustrated pleas for Arthur not to answer, the older man continues to pick up, leading to an escalating comedic situation. This scene perfectly encapsulates Arthur's eccentric character and his knack for unintentionally aggravating Doug, offering viewers a classic dose of the show's humor.
As stated before, much of the series was filmed on the other side of the country at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, Los Angeles. This historic studio, founded in 1912, has been home to many film divisions, including Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, and Screen Gems. It served as the original studio of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from 1924 to 1986. For fans wishing to visit, Sony Pictures Studios offers guided tours that take visitors behind the scenes of the iconic studio where The King of Queens was filmed.
Located at 10202 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, California, the studio can be reached by car or public transit if you're in the Los Angeles area. The journey will take approximately 25 minutes by car from downtown LA. However, remember that tour tickets must be purchased in advance through the Sony Pictures Studios' official website.
Doug loses his wallet scene in The King of Queens
Queens Center, Queens, NY 11373, USA
Season 7's episode "Silent Mite" presents a hilarious situation in a shopping mall. Doug and Carrie are out Christmas shopping when Doug loses his wallet. He is convinced that it was stolen by a little person who happened to be flirting with Carrie at the store. However, Carrie dismisses Doug's accusations, thinking he's simply jealous because the little person was hitting on her.
The shopping escapade of the Heffernans takes place at Queens Center, where these scenes were filmed. Situated in Elmhurst, New York, Queens Center stands as a bustling shopping haven, housing an array of esteemed retailers for the urban explorer. As the largest mall in Queens, it offers a wide range of shopping options.
Fans of the show can still visit Queens Center today. You can take the train to the Woodhaven Boulevard station, or take Exit 19 off the Long Island Expressway if you're driving.
Access Queens Video Shoot Locations
Doug bumps into Joyce at the stadium scene in The King of Queens
Citi Field, 41 Seaver Wy, Queens, NY 11368, USA
One hilarious scene sees Joyce (Concetta Tomei) invite Spence (Patton Oswalt) to a luxurious section of Shea Stadium. During this episode, Doug, accompanied by Deacon (Victor Williams), accidentally bumps into Joyce in the refreshment section near their box seats. As a result, he spills mayo from his hot dog onto her business suit. This leads to a heated argument between the two, with Joyce expressing her indignation to Carrie later, exclaiming, "Who puts mayo on a hot dog!?" and "I could've killed that fat nut!".
Some scenes from this episode were shot at Shea Stadium, now called Citi Field. Citi Field opened in 2009, and serves as the home ballpark for the New York Mets, one of the most legendary teams in Major League Baseball. This stadium replaced Shea Stadium, where the Mets had played since its opening in 1964. Citi Field stands out for its unique architectural design, featuring an overarching bridge motif.
To get to Citi Field, if you're in New York City, it’s a 15-mile journey via FDR Drive.
Queens Film Shoot Locations Finder
Cooper's bar scenes in The King of Queens
Yerman's Irish Pub, 7026 88th St, Queens, NY 11385, USA
In The King of Queens, Cooper's is a bar in Queens frequented by Doug and his fellow IPS drivers. Owned by a former Jets player, this spot serves as their regular hangout where they unwind and indulge in hearty meals. Fans might recall the episode "Sandwiched Out," where Deacon earns a sandwich named after him at Cooper's due to his popular food combination. However, Doug realizes that he is the actual creator of the sandwich, leading to comedic tension.
Interestingly, the real-life location for Cooper's has transformed since the show ended. As of 2013, the bar, located on 88th Street near the intersection with Cooper Ave in Glendale, Queens, is now called Yerman's Irish Pub. While it may not look the same as on the show, you can still spot the telephone lines and chimney in the same places as seen in the series. Although fans won't find the exact decor from the show, they can still experience the spirit of the iconic Cooper's at this location.
You can get to this location by car or public transport, and it's about a 10-mile drive from the heart of NYC.
Conclusion
The King of Queens is a beloved sitcom that centers around a blue-collar couple. The series received praise for its natural humor, excellent writing, and standout performances, particularly from Kevin James, often cited as an underrated comedian.
The show's script was celebrated for its authenticity and relatability, as it portrayed the everyday life of a working-class couple. Jerry Stiller, who played George Costanza's father and now Doug Heffernan's father-in-law, was also a notable highlight of the series, bringing a unique comedic flair.
Despite being set in New York, The King of Queens was primarily filmed in California, specifically at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. However, the opening montage includes shots of landmarks in and around New York City, providing viewers with a sense of the show's setting.
The King of Queens is highly recommended for viewers seeking a sitcom with a natural sense of humor, relatable characters, and excellent performances. It’s a classic sitcom that offers a unique and entertaining view of everyday life in Queens, New York.