Broad City was originally a web series created and produced by -- and also starring -- both Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson. Along with the help of Amy Poehler, it was picked up to be transformed into a TV show for Comedy Central. Poehler is one the executive producers behind the stations new hit. Broad City is now in the early airings of season two and has already been renewed for season three due to the comedic genius of the duo, Glazer and Jacobson.
The couple stars as alter egos of themselves: Ilana Wexler and Abbi Abrams, two self-professed Jewish feminist women experiencing the adventures New York City has to offer. Ilana is a slacker in the workplace who aggravates her coworkers by rarely doing work and has a lazy attitude. Ilana is also a marijuana aficionado and could care less what other people think about her attitude toward life. She is somewhat romantically involved with a dentist named Lincoln, and will never admit it but does care for him.
Compared to Abbi, Ilana is much more free spirited and adventurous, but always convinces Abbi to go along with whatever she is doing. Abbi works as a cleaner at a gym named Solstice, and would much rather be a trainer, but she can never reach that goal. However her real life’s ambition is to become a well-known artist. Abbi strives to be a well balanced individual while being responsible and free-spirited, like her best friend Ilana.
The importance behind the show is its authenticity; the situations the two encounter are very likely glamorized for comedic effect on television, but yet very realistic for two, twenty-something girls in the prime of their lives. The shows also weaves in responsibilities that creep into daily adult life, like trying to do your taxes for the first time, and real situations that are encountered within relationships. The show also poses many situations which twenty-something girls face all the time, like awkward sexual experiences and the aftermath, all with a good laugh at the end.
With all the different directions the show takes you in, it also explores scenarios like reconnecting with old friends on the way to one of their weddings, which is very common among this age of women. One of my favorite moments is when Ilana is drunk and she is video chatting Abbi for support, as she is vomiting into the toilet, and says to come over because she just got pizza. To be honest, ladies, we have all been there -- needed our best friend to help us through a rough night.
The show truly explores all the different challenges, as well as accomplishments women in their twenties can battle and overcome. At the end of the day, the show stays true and exemplifies what a true friendship really looks like -- and that is Abbi and Ilana.
Catch Broad City on Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. EST on Comedy Central.
