Upamanyu Biswas
In ‘Mid-Century Modern,‘ three gay friends affected by the recent passing of a close one decide to move in together in a palatial villa in Palm Springs, California, owned by the wealthiest among them – Bunny Schneiderman. Subsequently, the three besties must learn to live together while navigating a catalog of misadventures that make their life interesting. As much of the narrative unfolds in the Schneiderman villa, it brings a familiar touch to the house’s spacious interiors and old-school design. However, the show also delves into an assortment of arenas outside the villa that are equally eye-catching and dazzling to behold – like the Starlight Sands casino in episode 2. It adds to the magical quality of the region while also bringing a different take on the central setting at the heart of the narrative.
The Schneiderman Villa is a Fictional House in Palm Springs
Although ‘Mid-Century Modern’ takes place in Palm Springs, the show is mainly shot in other places in California, namely Los Angeles and Burbank. This includes the Schneiderman villa and its artistic interiors, which is a fictional locale crafted by David Kohan and Max Mutchnick. Each room and hall depicted within the series is a set crafted on soundstages in LA and the Walt Disney Studios at 500 South Buena Vista Street in Burbank. Shooting also took place in front of a live studio audience, similar to the taping of sitcoms like ‘Friends,’ ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ and ‘I Love Lucy.’ However, the exterior/background shots of the villa were likely taped in the vicinity of Palm Springs to bring a layer of authenticity into the mix. As such, the production team combined all the resources available to create a house that felt heightened but remained immersed in the comedy of its inhabitants.
The sitcom uses a multi-camera approach in its direction, touching upon an old-school vibe that complements its warm and yet modern appeal. Over the course of the narrative, the house becomes as much a standout addition as any other character within the series, adding to the familiarity and tone. To that end, ‘Mid-Century Modern’ uses a tried and tested formula while subtly reinventing it for a newer audience. The villa also enhances the roommate and chosen family themes at the heart of the story, especially as the main trio goes through a variety of challenges and misunderstandings. As the owner of the fictional house, Bunny has spent years feeling lonely in the palatial abode despite his successful career. However, with his friends moving in, the dynamic shifts to a new, positive territory.
Starlight Sands: A Casino Where Opportunity Meets Failure
In the second episode of ‘Mid-Century Modern’ titled ‘Working Girls,’ Jerry and Bunny decide to go on an outing together for separate reasons. Their destination is a casino named Starlight Sands, where the former is excited to attend a concert event by the great Donny Osmond. While it plays an integral role in the narrative, it is a fictional setting brought to life by the show’s creators, David Kohan and Max Mutchnick. As mentioned before, the interiors of the casino are likely recorded on soundstages in Los Angeles and Burbank, while its outer shell may have been filmed in Palm Springs, keeping it close to its narrative setting. As the casino has an entirely different look to the villa, the production team had to craft a completely unique design that contrasted their main location.
The casino serves as the background for a series of amusing interactions in episode 2, specifically relating to Bunny. The rich business owner ends up losing a fortune while gambling at a table, leading to a war of words with the dealer. Eventually, the pit manager named Sal stops by to clear up the situation. Bunny quickly learns that his money is gone unless he manages to pimp out his friend Jerry for a night with Sal, mirroring the central conceit of ‘An Indecent Proposal.’ It sets the stakes for a hilarious set of outcomes as Bunny struggles with the ethics of his decision and his worth as Jerry’s friend. Ultimately, his moral scruples prove to be futile as Jerry and Sal end up hooking up despite Bunny playing no role in bringing them together. It showcases how life can work in mysterious ways and the magic of the fictional casino.
