Lots of real Detroiters are among fans of "Detroiters," the Comedy Central hit series coming back for a second season next year.

But for at least a few homeowners and tenants on Avery Street in the Woodbridge neighborhood, watching the half-hour sitcom is more fun than watching its production team swarm their block for outdoor scenes this summer.



Co-star Tim Robinson on the set last season. (Comedy Central photo)

"Is anyone else not loving this visit from the Detroiters crew?" a resident posts in a Facebook group. "Seems like Detroiters wants use of our neighborhood, but doesn't want the neighbors," she added after a production assistant asked her to go back inside last Friday evening.

While a few others in the non-public social media forum also aren't charmed by the visitors, a larger number express tolerance -- as well as gratitude, in some cases. "I hope that the show runs for 20 seasons and grows like our city has," says a Monday morning post. "I hear so many people complain and want change. Well, kids -- this is change."

The "Woodbridge (Detroit, MI)" discussion forum, started in 2010, is visible only to its 2,435 members. So names of those commenting aren't used here -- except for location manager George Constas, who reached out late Sunday in an effort to smooth relations in the neighborhood where he owns a rental property used as co-star Tim Robinson's TV residence.

"We have at least four-five more filming days in Woodbridge between now and Sept. 15," he advises.

Residents received a heads-up, shown below this article, seven days earlier about the "scope of impact to the neighborhood." The notice said: "We will take great care and careful planning to minimize any inconvenience our filming activities may cause."

The return of actors, directors, producers, technicians, support services and their trucks doesn't ruffle everyone in Woodbridge, despite parking restrictions and 16-hour schedules last Friday and Saturday. One tweets:

Yesssss this is an awesome thing to find on your front door. Means more @Detroiters coming soon! pic.twitter.com/pBp5THqPDf — Brian Ambrozy (@primesuspect) July 8, 2017

In the "not loving this visit" thread, a mom says: "For my kids, the circus might as well be in town."

Some adults don't cheer the circus, though. "Everyone on Avery should have gotten an inconvenience fee," a Sunday comment says.

Below is a sampling with both types of sentiments, followed by excerpts from Constas' response.

Neighbors say :

"At first, I had actually thought the whole thing was kind of fun. That was until I had my own run-in today: When [husband] and I got home from work, we thought it would be fun to go out front and watch production. . . . [He] and I hadn't gotten more than two or three steps onto our own sidewalk when some jerk in an orange vest rushed up to us and said: 'No, no, no, no -- you're in the shot.' I'm not mad at that guy for doing a job. I'm just so disappointed that when I was ready to embrace their presence and support their efforts, they rejected us so harshly. . . .

"I was on the sidewalk in front of my own house. . . . Are we not supposed to use our front door at all while they're here? . . . I'll follow the rules and try to be helpful, but I don't know what the rules are in this case. These people just show up and take over! . . .

"I wouldn't have minded using the alley entrance and generally staying out of the way of the front of the house if I had known that was necessary before filming began." [From five posts.]

"I was on the sidewalk in front of my own house. . . . Are we not supposed to use our front door at all while they're here? . . . I'll follow the rules and try to be helpful, but I don't know what the rules are in this case. These people just show up and take over! . . . "I wouldn't have minded using the alley entrance and generally staying out of the way of the front of the house if I had known that was necessary before filming began." [From five posts.] "There will be minor inconveniences that come with filming, but this kind of work helps support Michigan's creative class, which is a good thing. . . . Sure, maybe the crew member who asked you to move could've handled it better. Perhaps moving to a different spot to watch would have worked for everyone."

"They need to be better about sharing info and how they engage residents. Got the same when we were trying to walk our dog last season. Happy they are here, love the show, but they were a little rude to us about walking in our own hood. I've lived in other places where they were filming and the experience was very different."

"A Detroiter, apparently, is a resident of a neighborhood where film crews come in and post NO PARKING POLICE ORDER signs on east, west, north [and] south streets where people utilize street parking, live their lives and are turned away at every opportunity by security, DPD, and WSUPD."

"We are complaining about not being able to interfere with workers and their scene while filming?"

"We've had movie scenes shot in Woodbridge before and I hope we have them again. . . . I live right across the street from the shoot and watch from my front porch with neighbors. When they're shooing, I know enough to keep quiet. It's not that hard. And it's great for local businesses."

"I feel bad for those that live on those blocks."

"My kids were out watching through much of the shooting. They loved it! Once, one of the people came and mentioned that they were about to film in our direction and asked nicely that we go inside during that portion."

"They bring jobs and money."

"Too many complainers. This is good for the D."



George Constas: " I am proud to show the beauty of Woodbridge."

(Stage32 photo)

Location manager reacts [excerpt] :

"We are a hassle. I know that. Parades are a hassle. Sporting events are a hassle. Farmers markets are a hassle.

"My team and my crew try very hard to do the right thing and be as little of a pain as we can. We will not make everyone happy, but I will try and do what I can. We have to control the environment we are filming.

"If in one shot there is a person in the background, that same person has to be in the exact spot in every take. We have to keep it consistent. Sometimes that means asking someone to move a bit out of the way or wait to park. It’s the nature of it.

"I have to park trucks full of gear to film. It’s a lot, but necessary to make the show.

"If anyone is rude to you, please call me immediately. Sometimes we make a mess. I am diligent with my crew to make sure we make it look nice when we leave. If an issue comes up, my team is there to make it right.

"With all that being said, we do have more filming this summer. I can estimate that we have at various times at least 4-5 more filming days in Woodbridge between now and Sept. 15. When I offered my house for the show, it was only a pilot. I had no idea that it would grow to this, but I do feel very proud of the show and the neighborhood. I am not cashing in on this. I get paid a union wage, and I offer my place for the amount I would make from my displaced tenants.

"I love film, and I am proud to show the beauty of Woodbridge to the world. My contact number is (313) xxx-xxxx .

-- George Constas

Constas has been in the film and TV industry since 2007 as a location scout, assistant and manager, including on "the Dark Knight," "Red Dawn" and "Lost River," his Internet Movie Database page shows.

His team from Central Productions, based in Los Angeles, distributed these notices July 7: