While their hit Comedy Central show “Broad City” has been called progressive for its portrayal of women and sex, Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer -- the show’s stars and creators – say that wasn’t really their intention.
“Broad City” follows two New York transplants in their early 20s as they navigate jobs, dating and friendships. Jacobson and Glazer play fictionalized versions of themselves on the show.
Jacobson and Glazer were in Austin on Saturday for a panel discussion with Marie Claire editor-in-chief Anne Fulenwider.
Jacobson and Glazer say they don’t write the show with the intention of getting a message across; much of it is just based on their experiences, they say.
"The characters are inspired by us, then we blow out the absurdity for comedy's sake," Glazer said.
In one episode in an earlier season, Ilana and Abbi each ask out dozens of men over Facebook while declaring themselves “feminist heroes,” only to be rejected by all of them.
“We wrote that scene because we did that,” Jacobson said.
Like their characters, Jacobson and Glazer are real-life best friends. They watch new episodes of “Broad City” together, and talk via Facetime if they’re unable to meet up.
The duo met at improv comedy classes and became friends after college, a transitional time of life Jacobson called “very special.”
“(At that age) you’re just trying to figure out what you’re doing,” she said.
Aspects of early adulthood are key parts of the show, which might be why it’s so popular with young people.
“I get it,” Glazer said of the show's popularity with people in their early 20s. “I feel that (the show) is representative of a very specific millennial lifestyle.”
About the Author
