Showtime chooses the native diner because the backdrop for brand new collection recordings in Pittsburgh – WPXI

PITTSBURGH – Hollywood was in town this week. Showtime is filming a series and they have chosen the local diner Don’s Diner to be a part of it.

“It’s amazing how they transform it. The size of this place doesn’t matter. When you see it on TV, it looks ten times bigger. I love it! “Said Marcie Kemmler, owner of Don’s Diner.

The diner in the Woods Run neighborhood of Pittsburgh is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with its 10th production. Owner Marcie Kemmler says the following movies / shows have been shot there over the years:

• warrior
• Bridge to nowhere
• 12/24
• American pastoral care
• Mindhunter
• Next three days
• Justified

There was also a lifetime movie, music video, and college documentary. It all started in 2009 when the first film, Warrior, was shot there.

“Nick Nolte and Tom Hardy were so amazing, down to earth,” said Kemmler.

How did Hollywood find Don’s Diner?

“A scout from the south side came in and said you were on the list. We wanted to look. You are the perfect place, ”said Kemmler. “They loved the structure, they loved the bridges, the trains, the lots to put their things on.”

The Showtime production teams set up the diner to their liking a few months ago and filmed it this week. Kemmler says it’s for a new series that airs this fall called American Rust. It is located in southwest Pennsylvania.

She takes good care of the productions they choose because she says they take good care of them: one added a window, another added new countertops, and the last replaced some lights and a doorknob.

On the day of shooting, Kemmler said it was organized chaos.

“You see people here, there, on the walkie-talkie, cameras,” said Kemmler. “And everything is done as it is, boom, boom, boom.”

She believes the cyclone will appeal to audiences in the years to come.

“It will really help us when people see us on screen. People will say, “Oh, I want to go there. I know where that is. ‘”

It’s just Marcie and her stepfather running Don’s Diner. They couldn’t afford to pay anyone else during the pandemic. Due to government restrictions, only six people could be accommodated at a time, and many of them are her regular guests.

“I can’t thank them enough for always being with us through these difficult times, and I really appreciate them all,” said Kemmler.