Kim Lessing

The North Star of Millennial Comedy When Broad City transitioned from a scrappy web series to a Comedy Central powerhouse, it didn't just capture a demographic; it codified a specific brand of platonic intimacy that had been missing from the screen. Amy Poehler, who served as the show’s executive producer and mentor to creators Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, views the series as more than a sitcom. To her, and to the executives at Paper Kite Productions, it remains the company's "North Star." The show’s brilliance lies in its refusal to pit women against one another. While previous generations of television relied on the trope of the "frenemy" or the competitive social circle, Abbi and Ilana introduced a world where the primary love story was the friendship itself. This wasn't a sanitized version of life in New York; it was messy, sweaty, and financially precarious, yet it remained anchored by a radical, unconditional support system. For Kate Arend and Kim Lessing, co-presidents of Paper Kite, the show represents the ultimate "scrappy underdog" ethos that continues to define their creative output. Cosmic Timing at the Upright Citizens Brigade The origin story of Broad City is a study in serendipity. Jacobson and Glazer met 19 years ago in an improv practice group at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). At the time, Jacobson had just graduated college, and Glazer was still a student at NYU. The connection was instantaneous, sparked by a shared social circle and a mutual sense of "otherness" in a male-dominated comedy scene. They recall their early days at McManus, a legendary Chelsea bar where UCB performers would gather post-show. In that hierarchy, the "important" people sat in the back, while the newcomers occupied the front. Jacobson and Glazer were decidedly in the front, but they were already building the creative shorthand that would later define their show. This period was characterized by a specific work ethic—a desperation to "make a spreadsheet" for their ideas. They weren't just waiting for discovery; they were actively structuring their own business when the industry wasn't offering them one. The Sexual Politic and the Mirror of Friendship Poehler highlights a critical shift in the show’s narrative: the way it handled the "sexual politic." During the pilot, Poehler, acting as a protective producer, questioned whether the stars felt comfortable performing a scene in their underwear. Their response—that they had written the scene themselves and felt entirely empowered—reminded Poehler that she was dealing with a new generation that had bypassed old programming regarding body image and shame. This confidence was infectious. Jacobson admits that while she played the more "insecure" character, the process of filming helped her grow into the bravado displayed by Glazer. Female friendship, in this context, acts as the opposite of a funhouse mirror. It provides a "beautiful mirror" where you see the version of yourself your friend sees—sexy, capable, and hilarious—even when you don't feel it yourself. This "pumping each other up" wasn't just a plot device; it was the engine of their comedy. Navigating Industry Rejection and the FX Fallout The path to Comedy Central was not linear. The project was initially developed at FX, which eventually passed on the script. Poehler describes the role of a producer during these moments as a ship captain who must keep the vessel in the water, even when the destination is unclear. She famously told the duo that FX was like a "cold boyfriend" they didn't want anyway. This rejection led them to a home that was much better suited for their voice. At the time, Comedy Central was entering a golden age of creator-driven comedy, hosting talent like Key & Peele, Amy Schumer, and Nathan Fielder. Within this ecosystem, Broad City flourished because it was allowed to maintain its specific, New York-centric grit without being polished into a traditional multi-cam sitcom. The Legacy of the Baton Pass The series finale of Broad City is remembered for a poignant "passing of the baton." In the final moments, the camera leaves Abbi and Ilana and follows other pairs of friends walking through Union Square. This vision, credited to writer Paul W. Downs, was intended to show that while the audience had been following these two specific women, "Abbis and Ilanas" exist everywhere in the city. This ending served as a gift to the fans, validating their own friendships as the lead narratives of their lives. It underscored the show’s central thesis: that your early twenties are a period of "piecing together a life in real time," and that the people you do it with are more important than the destination itself. The show’s DNA continues to resonate because it doesn't treat friendship as a placeholder for marriage or career, but as the primary achievement of adulthood. Life After Broad City: Motherhood and Fine Art In the decade since the show began, both creators have moved into new creative phases. Glazer has centered much of her recent work on motherhood, notably in her film Babes. She describes motherhood as something that has "correctly organized" her heart, allowing work to be a context for her life rather than the sole source of her identity. Jacobson, meanwhile, has expanded into the world of fine art and prestige drama, recently starring in and executive producing A League of Their Own for Amazon. Jacobson’s move toward more complex, ensemble-driven storytelling reflects the growth she experienced during Broad City. She also continues to pursue painting, a meditative outlet that provides a reprieve from the "heady" nature of comedy. Despite their separate paths, the two remain deeply enmeshed in each other’s lives, continuing to fill their "friendship cup" even as they navigate the demands of the industry as established women rather than the "girls" the media once labeled them.