In the first few seconds of Broad City‘s pilot episode you get a masturbation joke and a Skype sex scene. This wouldn’t be such a big deal if it were a dude-centric show. As its title suggests, it’s a Broad City — we’re just living in it. If you haven’t seen the irreverent and true-to-life Comedy Central show yet, now is the time. Here are nine reasons why.
1. Abbi + Ilana 4ever.
The only TV friendship that may be better than Abbi and Ilana’s is that of Finn and Jake from Adventure Time. Seriously, Ilana would do anything for Abbi (as she’s made pretty clear).
2. Lincoln.
Hannibal Buress as Lincoln is the epitome of a cute, well-adjusted, hilarious, grownass man. Who doesn’t want to date a guy that’ll fix your teeth for free?
3. NYC.
Much like Girls and any other show based in New York, the city itself is a character. Broad City uses it so well and so realistically, especially on the “Stolen Phone” episode where Abbi and Ilana are more terrified to go to the Upper East Side than Harlem. I feel you, ladies.
4. Gentrification Nation.
The show’s depiction of 20-somethings living in New York doesn’t come across as self-absorbed as much as self-aware. They’re able to be narcissitic assholes without taking themselves too seriously, which in turn comes across as very relatable.
5. Sex.
The sex in Broad City is great because I don’t think I’ve seen as much cunnilingus on TV until now. I definitely had never heard the line “you taste like sour straws before.”
6. Just for laughs.
Considering that both creators of the show were members of the Upright Citizens Brigade, it’s obvious they’d keep you laughing. The goofball antics of the show recall the physical hilarity in I Love Lucy and The Three Stooges for the 21st century. Especially here.
7. The greatest cameos.
Fred Armisen as a Craigslist creeper, Janeane Garofolo as a vet. The inimitable Rachel Dratch. When are we going to get Amy Poehler (who serves as the show’s executive producer)?
8. The “I can relate” factor.
As Ilana herself would say, Broad City feels like a lot of stuff that happens IRL when you’re young, broke, and living in Brooklyn. In the first episode, there’s a scene where she’s wearing a “FUCK ME WEEZY” t-shirt and puking her guts out. I recall one night in 2012 where I partied like Snoop and Dre and ended up doing the exact same thing wearing a sweatshirt that read, “THAT SHIT CRAY.” Indeed.
9. Feminism.
Watch this show in the name of feminism. There’s all the lady sexual pleasing going on, the non-catty true love of their friendship, and the fact that it surpasses the Bechdel test by including so many people of color and so little stereotypes. You go bounce‘em little titties for that hunky, quarter latino, grrrl.
Watch the first episode of Broad City over on Comedy Central.