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Do you get a little excited when you hear somebody mention your hometown on television? Living in Philadelphia, this doesn’t happen as often as it does in other places. But it might happen more than you know. Philadelphia and the surrounding area have played a pivotal role in many sitcoms and dramas on television. It may have even been the setting for one of your favorite shows and you didn’t even know it. Here are some of the popular (and not so popular) programs in which the “City of Brotherly Love” has played a part.

American Bandstand

This iconic TV program was hosted for several decades by the immortal Dick Clark. It showcased the latest hits in pop music and local teens dancing to those hits. Each week, a popular act from the era would come on the show and lip-sync their latest hit. American Bandstand started out as a local Philadelphia show. It made its debut on WFIL-TV in 1952 and some of the biggest names in music graced the stages, ranging from Patsy Cline to Aerosmith and hundreds more in between.

American Dreams

Remember this short-lived drama that lasted from 2002-2005? The show was a fictional drama that had American Bandstand as a centerpiece to the daily lives and families of the characters. American Dreams focused on the Pryor family during the 1960s in middle-class Philadelphia. It took on tough topics like the Vietnam War, teen pregnancy and others. Popular actors and musicians played the part of iconic music stars performing on American Bandstand each week.

The Class

This 19-episode sitcom focused around a group of former classmates in their late 20s and living in Philadelphia. The characters attended third grade together, but had no connections to each other until a classmate gathers them all for a party. From there, they reunite and form lifelong friendships, each with their unique dynamics and situations. The Class only lasted for one season (2005-2006) before being cancelled.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Although the setting for the show doesn’t take place in Philadelphia, the main character (Will Smith) hails from the western part of Philadelphia. He was sent to live with his upper-class relatives in a mansion in Bel-Air where lifestyles collide. The characters mention “Philly” numerous times and it’s even mentioned in the opening theme song. This popular sitcom lasted from 1990 to 1996 on NBC and you can find it in syndication on several different channels.

Parking Wars

This show is set to premier in January 2008. It’s a reality-based show that follows workers from the Philadelphia Parking Authority around as they perform their normal duties. While it may not sound exciting, watching the reaction of the ticket recipients is often amusing if not downright hilarious. Check your local listings for this A&E Television program. Maybe if this show is a success, they’ll base a reality show on a local Philadelphia Mercedes-Benz dealer. Wouldn’t that be interesting?

Hearing your hometown mentioned on a nationwide television show instills a sense of pride to some viewers. Having an entire show dedicated to your city is even better. Philadelphia residents have many things to be proud of and these TV shows just add to that list.

Everybody knows that Philadelphia played a pivotal role in this nation’s freedom. Battles were fought in Philadelphia and many of the meetings that led to our current system of government were held in these hallowed buildings. You can even walk some of the same streets and visit some of the same Philadelphia haunts that American greats like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin frequented. But did you know Philadelphia has been the birthplace of many other inventions and ideas? Following are just a few of the more important innovations that started in this historic city.

Public Library

You can find one of these in almost every city in the nation. But the idea of the modern American public library system as we know it originated in Philadelphia. Although other cities claim this distinction, the Library Company of Philadelphia was formed by Benjamin Franklin in 1731. This was the beginning of the subscription library – an idea that allowed people to buy shares of the facility. They then used the money raised to buy more books and each shareholder could borrow those books in much the same way we do today.

Medical School

Many consider the Academy and College of Philadelphia the first medical school in the United States. Benjamin Franklin founded the facility in 1749, nearly three decades before the nation was officially formed. He also became its president and opened the academy two years later. The first commencement had seven male graduates. A few years later in 1765, two more prominent doctors founded the Medical School of the College of Philadelphia as well.

Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo was the first zoo in the nation. Although it was slated to open in 1859, the American Civil War postponed its opening for 25 years in 1874. The Philadelphia Zoo includes more than 40 acres and 1,300 animals, including common animals, endangered species and rare breeds. Families still frequent the Philadelphia Zoo to see the animals, take a balloon ride or enjoy one of the many other activities that it has to offer.

Children’s Hospital

Philadelphia is home to one of the oldest children’s hospital – not only in the United States, but in the entire world. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, or CHOP for short, is also consistently ranked as one of the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. In 2007, it even received the distinction of the #1 children’s hospital. Currently, the Philadelphia children’s hospital has more than 400 beds and admits at least 15,000 children every year. Over 600,000 are treated in the emergency room and through outpatient departments.

Stock Exchange

You might think the New York Stock Exchange is the oldest in the nation, but the Philadelphia Stock Exchange predates it. The PHLX was created in 1790 and the and has merged with some of the nation’s more prominent stock exchanges through the years, including the Washington Stock Exchange, the Baltimore Stock Exchange and more recently, the Pittsburgh Stock Exchange.

The residents of Philadelphia have many things to be proud of. It’s a beautiful town steeped in historical significance. The city has also been a birthplace for some of the most important things in our nation today. One more thing to be proud of is our local Philadelphia Mercedes-Benz dealer showrooms in three convenient area locations – West Chester, Fort Washington and Wilmington. If you’ve never owned a Mercedes Benz, stop in and create a “first” of your own.