Top 5 Cities in the U.S. with Television Names

In the ongoing saga of weird and wonderful U.S. city names, this post's theme is: TELEVISION!  Whether or not these cities were named before the television show was on the air, they are now forever associated with pop culture.  They can gripe about their names or they can cash in--my advise is the latter.


1.  Bonanza, Oregon

Population: 415 (as of 2010)
While the population of this city may make it sound lame, it's wikipedia page actually sounds like the opposite. The median age of Bonanza residents is 31--while the median age of people who still watch the show "Bonanza" is 67.  Also, the city is nowhere near where the show took place, as you can see by the BONANZA opening title above.


2. Matlock, Washington

Population: Sporadically populated by loggers
While Matlock, Washington is just an "unincorporated community," the actual television show "Matlock" is well incorporated into the hearts and minds of geriatrics everywhere.  It makes me wonder why more people don't live there.  You'd think some old dude puttering along in his Oldsmobile would see a sign for Matlock, Washington and immediately go into hyper mode and gun it all the way there.  Unfortunately all the old coot would see is lakes and some loggers.  There is however, the Old Timer's Fair in May--the city name has spoken!  Old people of the world unite!


3. Twin Peaks, California

Population: Unknown--they were all trapped in snow globes and couldn't take the census.
Their motto should be: Twin Peaks, California: Where Everything is Just a Dream


4. Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

It's a bird!  It's a plane! No!  It's Superman on "Truth or Consequences"!

Population: 7,289 (as of 2000)
This town sounds like it should still be stuck in the radio days and everything is in black and white--a little like Pleasantville.  Their crime rate is non-existent, everyone says "golly gee," and the town is 99.5% white (except for the guy that pumps your gas or buses your table).


5. Becker, Minnesota

Population: 4,538 (as of 2010).
The city is populated with cranky doctors and sassy, female diner owners.  "Little people" are bad luck there as the cranky doctors find them bad luck: "All midgets are bad luck, whenever I see one, something bad happens to me." Watch out for sex addicts named "Bob"--they may lure you in with their good cooking, but there is danger lurking underneath.  Other than that, you should have no problem making friends, as blind African Americans and helpful nurses are there to lend an ear to your sorrows.