Chances are, when you tell people that you haven't seen Broad City yet, you get dumbfounded expressions in response. You deserve those. It's the funniest show on television. Seriously. And we're not the only ones who think so.
What began as a delightful YouTube series by two students of the Upright Citizens Brigade—Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson—has evolved into a smash-hit TV show entering its third season on Comedy Central. Endorsed by none other than Amy Poehler, Jacobson and Glazer have written almost half the episodes to date. Oh, and the show’s second season has garnered a rating of 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. To sum up, the site says, "Led by two of the funniest women on TV, Broad City uses its stars' vibrant chemistry to lend an element of authenticity to the show's chaotic yet enlightening brand of comedy."
Here are the basics: Ilana Grazer (as Ilana Wexler) and Abbi Jacobson (as Abbi Abrams) are two cash-strapped BFFs living in Brooklyn. Ilana is a 23-year-old with a strong affinity for marijuana, sex, and sexual liberation, and her own "racial ambiguity." Employed at some sort of sales company called Deals Deals Deals, she possesses zero work ethic, much to the chagrin of her colleagues. Her outrageous and flirty demeanor gets her out of any real responsibilities. Her best quality? She’s totally loyal to—and obsessed with—Abbi, her less confident friend. Aspiring artist Abbi works as a cleaner at Soulstice, a cycle-obsessed gym for bougie New Yorkers. Abbi tries to be promoted to a trainer at the gym, but is mainly tasked with cleaning up what remains of unfortunate grooming situations in the restroom. She returns home to her roommate’s omnipresent boyfriend, "Bevers," whose constant presence in the apartment has resulted in couch sores.
When the two besties aren’t stealing the show, Broad City features outstanding guest stars, including Kelly Ripa, Poehler, Fred Armisen, Patricia Clarkson, Seth Rogen, Alia Shawkat, and emerging comedians like Hannibal Buress as Lincoln, Ilana's devoted dentist, friend, and occasional lover.
Broad City, unlike countless other shows about 20-somethings, dares to be real. Some plot lines are absolutely disgusting; its two leads look like real women who have real (and terrible) jobs; the show celebrates female sexuality and curiosity without ridiculing it; and it's also genuinely sweet and completely absurd.
Here's how to binge your way through Broad City, a very funny show that highlights the increasing relevance of the web series to creative entrepreneurship, not to mention the fact that female comedians, in all likelihood, are going to rule the world someday.
Number of Seasons: 2 (20 episodes)
Time Requirements: One week!
Where to Get Your Fix: Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus
Best Character to Follow: Ilana. Sorry Abbi, but we're going to have to give it to your hedonistic friend. Llana is craaazy, which makes her all the more fun to watch.
Seasons/Episodes You Can Skip:
Season 1: Episode 1, "What a Wonderful World" There is no reason to skip a single episode, though, if you must, the pilot is the weakest of the bunch. (Except the opening scene, that's pretty funny.)
Seasons/Episodes You Can't Skip:
Season 1: Episode 5, "Fattest Asses" Abbi decides that she's too nice and Ilana decides that she's working too much, so they head to a fancy party in SoHo. Abbi snorts some coke from an adolescent boy. Ilana and Abbi hook up with two obnoxious DJs.
Season 1: Episode 6, "Stolen Phone" After trying to find datable guys on social media, Abbi and Ilana go out to find guys IRL. They end up at a bar where Abbi is thought to be "one of those hot girls who never texts back," but eventually she loses her phone. Ilana finds her sexual soulmate, who is, sadly, into improv.
Season 1: Episode 8, "Destination Wedding" The girls and Lincoln attempt to make it to a wedding outside the city, but encounter obstacles at every turn. Ilana becomes crazy-jealous when she meets Abbi's other friends.
Season 2: Episode 2, "Mochalatta Chills" Ilana hires a diverse army of unpaid interns at Deals Deals Deals to do her job for her. Abbi is excited to finally train a client at Soulstice, but it turns out to be her least favorite person in the world.
Season 2: Episode 3, "Wisdom Teeth" Abbi has to get her wisdom teeth removed, and since her mom can't take care of her, Ilana steps up. Ilana makes a weed smoothie to sedate her, but leaves Abbi unattended. Abbi ventures to Whole Foods with a new friend.
Season 2: Episode 5, "Hashtag FOMO" Ilana accompanies Abbi to a party hosted by Trey, a trainer at Soulstice. The two make their way to various parties throughout the night to ease Ilana’s FOMO. We meet Val.
Season 2: Episode 10, "St. Marks" The two head to St. Marks to celebrate Ilana's 23rd birthday at a restaurant, but are harassed by a runaway teen who is not who he seems. Abbi's purse gets stolen.
Why You Should Binge:
The show’s riffs on actual New York locations a la SoulCycle and the Chinatown bus are frighteningly accurate. But, more importantly, Broad City depicts a female friendship rarely seen on TV; and, absurdity aside, the two women are incredibly supportive of one another. This is most evident in their romantic and sexual pursuits, as Ilana encourages Abbi's romantic decisions at every turn. If you can't get enough, catch the duo at a live appearance in New York City, as they occasionally appear as their more memorable alter egos (OMG Val!).
Best Scene—Smile!
The best reaction to being told to "smile!" on the street ever.
The Takeaway:
Don't shop at Whole Foods when you’re stoned. And don't ever stay at one party when a '10' (in party value) could be one rooftop away.
If You Liked Broad City You’ll Love:
Portlandia, with its comedy sketch format, is a lot like Broad City. Louie, of course, features a comedian in unbelievable situations that often blur the line between reality and fantasy. And finally, another successful web series, High Maintenance, introduces us to lovable Brooklyn dwellers who, like Ilana and Abbi, just love to toke up.
