Bob Hearts Abishola is a sitcom on the CBS network starring Billy Gardell and Folake Olowofoyeku. The plot revolves around the relationship between Bob, a successful businessman, and Abishola, a Nigerian nurse who cared for Bob when he had a heart attack.
The show is a bit unusual, as it is filmed in a standard 3-camera style, but does not have a live studio audience. The show instead films on a closed set with a laugh track added in post-production. The series is filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.
The Wheeler House
The house used to depict the Wheeler house is located on the Warner Bros. backlot. It’s along a street of residential houses known as Warner Village. The houses are not just facades, but the interiors actually hold offices for the various productions on the lot.
Unlike many sitcoms that just use houses for establishing shots, this house has been used for various exterior scenes throughout the series. The street in front has also been used, particularly in season 1 when Abishola’s Uncle Tunde was spying on Bob.
Nigerian Village
Originally the show planned to film the first couple episodes of season 3 in Lagos, Nigeria. However the Covid travel restrictions made this impossible, so a Nigerian village was created on Warner Bros. midwestern street instead.
Stage 25
Bob Hearts Abishola uses Stage 25 at Warner Bros. This is where all the interior scenes are filmed. There is actually a plaque outside naming it The Big Bang Theory Stage, as that show also filmed there.
When I visited in May 2022, I was able to visit the interior sets of the show, which are set up throughout the stage. The interiors of the Wheeler house, the apartment of Uncle Tunde and Auntie Olu, and some of the Maxdot factory are all standing sets. The others are set up as needed for filming. As is standard for shows in production, I was asked not to share photos of the interior sets. But here is one fun photo I can share.
If you take a Warner Bros. Hollywood Studio Tour, you may get to see some of these locations or even the soundstage. Just let the guide know you are a fan, and they’ll usually be happy to point out these locations if they are available.
