Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson Reveal How They Balanced Friendship and Work on ‘Broad City’

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Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson portrayed lifelong friends in their Comedy Central series “Broad City” for a span of five seasons. However, it was recently disclosed that they needed to establish limits during filming to maintain their personal space.

During the hectic production schedule for the show, Glazer and I recognized the importance of giving each other personal space when necessary. “We didn’t really socialize,” I said on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast this week, “I think during that time we would just say, ‘See you on Monday.’

“We weren’t like hanging out as friends during Broad City. We couldn’t,” Glazer added.

Jacobson clarified that establishing limits wasn’t a matter of personal preference. Instead, she explained, “After working 12 to 14 hours every weekday, by Saturday evening, we felt it was best to forgo dinner.

Previously in the discussion, Glazer and Jacobson cautioned Poehler about preserving their friendship while working on the show together. “Even as amazing as creating Broad City was, we would always set aside a bit of time to reconnect and chat, even if it had only been a few hours,” Glazer clarified.

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share how Elizabeth Olsen, the star of “The False Positive,” likened their catch-ups to an “after-school club.” She went on to describe that prior to diving into their show tasks, they would engage in about 45 minutes of friendly conversation.

Jacobson interjected, emphasizing the importance of them, Jacobson and Glazer, staying informed about each other’s personal lives while they were filming. “We understood that it was heavily influenced by us,” she explained, “so we needed to keep up with each other, almost like catching up and saying, ‘Alright, let’s note this down for later.’

Since they’re no longer working together as co-stars, Glazer mentioned that her interactions with Jacobson now seem more deliberate. “Back then, it was more like getting together to catch up, and humor often found its way into the situation, which is fun, but it’s not the same as creating something solely for its aesthetic value,” she explained.

On a humorous program, Glazer portrayed Ilana Wexler, while Jacobson took on the role of Abbi Abrams. They, along with Poehler, were not only stars but also co-creators of this series. The storyline chronicled their lives as they maneuvered through New York City, and Glazer, Jacobson, and Poehler served as executive producers for the show as well.

In 2024, Glazer looked back on the choice they made to conclude “Broad City” after five seasons instead of the initially agreed-upon seven. “Broad City was a major project,” she expressed during an interview on NPR’s “Wild Card with Rachel Martin” podcast. “We had committed to seven seasons, and then both Abbi and I felt it was time. Comedy Central seemed surprised by our decision.” She continued, “We were uncertain but, in hindsight, I believe that knowing when something should end is a sign of grace on my part.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter following the Broad City finale in 2019, Glazer and Jacobson expressed their satisfaction with how the series concluded.

Jacobson expressed his delight with how the series concluded, mentioning he’s very proud of it and feels creatively content.

Glazer expressed, “What a rare honor, particularly for us young women, to have the ability to conclude something when it’s at its peak and robust, and our decision to bring it to an end.

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2025-07-23 23:56