Broad City, a comedy television series that premiered on Comedy Central in 2014, shattered stereotypes by showcasing authentic and unapologetic female friendships. The show, created by Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, seamlessly blended raunchy comedy with heartfelt moments, presenting a realistic portrayal of friendship and mother-daughter relationships. By pushing the boundaries of what was deemed “acceptable” for women on TV, Broad City provided representation for both female and male characters, crafting well-rounded and relatable characters.
Before Broad City, female-led comedy shows were often tame, but HBO’s Girls in 2012 paved the way for more sitcoms featuring women being themselves. Broad City, in particular, openly discussed sex, scoring drugs, and bodily functions, presenting an authentic side to women that encouraged audiences to embrace their imperfections. The show’s portrayal of female friendship was revolutionary, as it showed that women could be just as funny, filthy, and sexual as male comedies.
One iconic episode, “The Last Supper,” showcased the authentic side of female friendship. In this episode, Abbi and Ilana share a birthday celebration at a nice restaurant, but things take a turn when Abbi accidentally pees out a condom and Ilana intentionally eats shellfish to which she’s allergic. The episode’s climax features Abbi and Ilana helping each other, despite their flaws and imperfections, demonstrating the power of true female friendship.
A Still From Broad City (Photo: Broad City)
Broad City also skillfully combined comedy with heartfelt moments, as seen in the episode “Abbi’s Mom.” When Abbi’s mother comes to visit, they share a special night, exploring their sex lives and discussing their frustrations. The episode beautifully portrays a real mother-daughter relationship, filled with laughter and excitement.
The show’s creators, Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, emphasized the importance of representing both female and male characters. They crafted their female characters in the same way they did their male characters, minimizing the differences between the two. This approach allowed the show to showcase the complexities of relationships and characters, making it relatable to audiences.
Broad City’s portrayal of millennial stoner women resonated with audiences, as they identified with the show’s quirky humor and relatable characters. The series earned a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its ability to capture the daily lives of these two women, who had not been seen on television before. Broad City is available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.
