Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson Share Secrets of Balancing Friendship and Work on 'Broad City'

Maintaining Friendship Amidst Professional Commitments

Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson, who portrayed best friends on their Comedy Central series Broad City, spent five seasons together on set. However, they recently shared insights into how they managed to maintain their friendship while working closely together. The demands of the show's production schedule required them to establish clear boundaries, ensuring that they had time apart when needed.

On Tuesday's episode of Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast, Jacobson reflected on this dynamic, stating, "We didn't, like, hang out. I think when we were doing it, we would be like, ‘See you on Monday.'" Glazer added, "We weren't like hanging out as friends during Broad City. We couldn't."

Jacobson emphasized that these boundaries were not personal but rather a necessary adjustment due to the long hours they spent on set. She explained, "It was just like, after 12, 14 hours of Monday through Friday, we were like, ‘Let's not do dinner on Saturday.'" This approach allowed them to preserve their friendship without overextending themselves.

Creating Space for Connection

Despite the busy schedule, Glazer and Jacobson made an effort to stay connected. Glazer described these moments as similar to an "after-school club," where she and Jacobson would spend about 45 minutes catching up before diving back into work. This brief period of connection helped them stay in touch with each other's lives and experiences.

Jacobson highlighted the importance of this practice, noting, "We knew that it's so derived from us, so we had to kind of like catch up and be like, ‘OK, write that down for this thing.'" These conversations often influenced the show's content, adding authenticity to their characters' stories.

Now that they are no longer co-stars, Glazer feels that their time together is more intentional. She remarked, "But at the time it was very much slotted in to catch up, and things would always make their way into the comedy, which is cool, but it's not the same as it being its own, just for the sake of its own beauty, you know?"

The Legacy of Broad City

Glazer played Ilana Wexler, and Jacobson portrayed Abbi Abrams on Broad City. The show, which they also co-created, followed the lives of two friends navigating the challenges of living in New York City. In addition to acting, both women served as executive producers alongside Poehler.

In 2024, Glazer reflected on their decision to end the show in 2019 after five seasons, despite having originally signed on for seven. She mentioned, "We had signed our contract of seven seasons and then, we both came to it, Abbi and I. And Comedy Central was like, ‘Huh?'" Glazer described the decision as something she considers elegant, stating, "I think that's something I would say is elegant about me knowing when things are at their end."

A Satisfying Conclusion

After the final episode of Broad City in 2019, both Glazer and Jacobson expressed pride in how the show concluded. Jacobson said, "I really love the way that we ended this show. I'm really proud of it, and I feel really satisfied creatively." Glazer added, "It's such a privilege, especially as young women, to be able to end something while it's strong and powerful and our choice to end it."

Their journey with Broad City not only showcased their talent as comedians but also demonstrated their ability to balance professional success with personal relationships. The show remains a significant part of their careers, leaving a lasting impact on both the comedy world and their friendship.