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A few weeks ago, I was hanging out with my partner and his roommate when they got excited they realized new episodes of Broad City were added on Hulu. I made the mistake of asking “What is Broad City?” This was naive for two reasons. The first being that this show is too good not to know about it. The second, being that my question was received with a frown and a response like “It’s about two broads in the city.” While this description is VERY short, it is still accurate. Here is the synopsis of the show as seen on Comedy Central;
“Broad City follows two women throughout their daily lives in New York City, making the smallest and mundane events hysterical and disturbing to watch all at the same time.”
I want to expand on the brief synopsis so you get a full picture of what this charming show is truly about. The show’s main characters are Ilana and Abby who try to make it in New York City. The women are best friends and spend much of their day together creating shenanigans and attempting to solve each other’s problems. Their friendship is what I strive to have in my life and watching their antics gives me hope. Abby’s Roommate has a boyfriend who is constantly at their apartment and is a major headache for them, but also me. Being completely transparent, my biggest fear with roommates is having to deal with a situation like that! Well, second biggest fear, as the first is having my Ben & Jerry’s disappear…
After watching the first two episodes, I left my partner’s apartment to binge most of the first season. I was supposed to do some gardening, but quickly decided that THIS was the better decision. I still stand by my decision and have never looked back (I still have not gardened…). As the show has progressed the antics having gotten crazier, but one of my favorite scenes is from the first season. The girls are trying to make extra money to see a concert, so they are hired to clean an apartment in their underwear for a man that is into voyeurism. Holy goodness! I could not stop laughing at the craziness of this scene coupled with Abby’s expressions.
This show also has a wonderful list of celebrity guest stars that add so much pizzazz and spunk to the drama and drawl of this show. Seth Rogen, Hilary Clinton, Rachel Dratch, Amy Pohler, and Fred Armison are just a few of the faces that have graced this show. In episode 3 of season 1, we encounter Rachel Dratch playing the boss of a temp agency with a lopsided haircut in desperate need of assistance. Every time Rachel comes on screen I am captivated and it was no different with her appearance on Broad City. The show recently got approved for their fifth season (Thank you Hollywood and Amy Pohler), and I cannot wait to see who makes a special appearance in the upcoming episodes.
One of the unique aspects of this show is its roots and how it got on the air. The show originally started as a web series from 2009 – 2011. The web series was created after one of the actresses received negative feedback on a project she was working on. The two friends decided that they wanted to create a show about their friendship and how they surivive in New York City. One of the reasons that I resonate so much with this show is the fact that it is based on friendship, written by friends, and played by the same people the show is written about. You know those amazing moments with your “bestie” that you want to share with the world, but when you tell your story it does not do justice to your adventure? Well, they have somehow figured out the magic of telling those stories!
What really sold this show for me is the layers of humor that this show has managed to build throughout the series. Most of the time I get the joke immediately and blow snot bubbles as I lose my mind (and mucus). Sometimes it takes me a minute to see all the comical bits that are in play and at that point, I just melt into my couch with excitement. The interactions that Abby has with men is just amazing for so many reasons including the sounds effects, daydreams, and even planning a life with someone who she has never gone on a date with. I do not understand why this show is so funny, like truly I can’t, but it is beautiful.
At this point, I hope you have gathered your cat, popcorn, snuggie, best friend, and start live tweeting your excitement about Broad City. While this may not be a show suitable for all ages, but if you are an adult and laugh at yourself frequently then this IS the show for you! All four seasons are available to stream on Hulu which means if you enjoy the show, you have many episodes that you can binge! As I mentioned earlier, there will be a fifth season so the party is not stopping any time soon! Take a seat, relax, and give these two broads a New York City chance!
