Production Serling's original pilot for The Twilight Zone was "The Happy Place", which revolved around a society in which people were executed upon reaching the age of 60, being considered no longer useful. CBS executive William Self rejected the story, feeling it was too dark; Serling eventually relented and wrote "Where is Everybody?" as a more acceptable substitute. Unlike other episodes, which were filmed at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, "Where is Everybody?" was filmed at Universal Studios, using Courthouse Square as the episode's Oakwood town.
ProdUcTIon Serling'S oRIgInal Pilot fOr the twiliGHt ZOne Was "the hapPy pLacE", WhiCH revolved ARoUND A SOcieTy in whIcH pEople weRE EXeCUted uPON reachiNg The AGe of 60, BEiNg ConsIdered no lOngEr uSefUl. Cbs exeCUTive wilLiam SElf reJecTED the stOry, feElinG IT was too dArk; serLiNg EventUAlly reLenteD And wroTe "WHEre Is everyboDy?" As a mOre aCCeptaBle substitUte. UnLiKE oTHer ePisodEs, whICH wERe filmed AT MetRO-goldWyn-mAyER, "whERe is EveRybody?" wAs FilMed At univerSaL studioS, usinG CourTHousE sQuAre aS tHe EPisodE's oAkwoOD town.