Abbi Jacobson Discusses Lack of ‘Broad City’ Revival Talks
Fans of the acclaimed series Broad City may be disappointed to learn that discussions for a revival are currently non-existent. In a recent interview with Us Weekly, co-creator and star Abbi Jacobson provided insight into the show’s future, stating, “We have not talked about doing a revival. I think we just love the show as it is. I don’t know if we want to mess with it.”
This sentiment echoes the views of her co-star Ilana Glazer, as the duo aims to preserve the essence of the original sitcom. Jacobson expressed concern over the trend of revivals, noting, “There’s so many revivals. People want to mess with it, but they don’t always land.”
Broad City, which aired on Comedy Central from 2014 to 2019, was inspired by the real-life friendship of Jacobson and Glazer. The series followed fictional versions of the pair navigating the challenges of daily life in New York City. With its unique blend of humor and authenticity, the show quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase.
Long Story Short: A New Chapter
While a revival of Broad City seems unlikely, Jacobson is open to collaborating with Glazer on new projects. Her latest venture, the Netflix series Long Story Short, which premiered on August 22, 2023, may provide that opportunity. The show features a diverse array of guest appearances and tells the story of a middle-class Jewish family through the experiences of three siblings: Avi, Shira, and Yoshi, portrayed by Ben Feldman, Jacobson, and Max Greenfield, respectively.
Jacobson shared her enthusiasm for reuniting with Glazer, stating, “That would be so fun. She has such a good voice. It would be so exciting. Ilana would be incredible.”
Despite the differences between the characters in Long Story Short and her own life, Jacobson finds commonality in the narrative. “I’m queer and I’m married to a woman. Then there is such a difference. This family is so specific and is actually really not my version of a Jewish upbringing, but I still could find so much commonality and so much in there,” she explained.
Jacobson appreciates the opportunity to portray relatable experiences, adding, “It’s always just a bonus when you’re playing a character where you’re like, ‘Oh, I totally understand that experience.’”
Exploring New Artistic Challenges
The actress has expressed excitement about branching into voiceover work, having previously collaborated with creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg on the animated series BoJack Horseman. She noted, “I feel so lucky. I’ve gotten to do a bunch of voiceover stuff at this point.”
In her latest projects, Jacobson has tackled the challenges of conveying emotion through voice alone. “When I’m doing a live-action thing, you can see everything. So a pause, you’re seeing my facial expressions or my body language. There’s a limitation here of obviously you’re just focusing on one singular part of my performance,” she said.
Jacobson’s work in animation has included roles in other popular series, but she is currently involved in a new animated film titled Tangles, which explores dramatic themes. “There’s a lot of drama in it, while most of the stuff I’ve done in voiceover has been comedy-focused,” she explained.
For now, fans of Broad City will have to wait for any potential revival news, but they can catch Jacobson in Long Story Short, which is currently streaming on Netflix. As she continues to explore new avenues in her career, both Jacobson and Glazer remain committed to honoring the legacy of their original creation.
