Back in 2013, before it became a cult classic, I urged everyone within a five-mile radius of my dorm room to watch an original little web series called “Broad City.” Once Comedy Central green-lit co-creators Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson’s brain child a couple years later, no one needed convincing. Broad City went mainstream, and suddenly women everywhere were chanting “yaaas queen” while feeling empowered to smoke joints on the streets of Manhattan. Jewish American women like myself were especially delighted by Ilana and Abbi’s fresh representation of two Jewesses tryin’ to make a buck in New York City.
But now it’s the end of an era. After five glorious seasons, the series finale of Broad City aired on March 28. And herein lies the big question — what the hell do we watch now? Seemingly nothing can compare to Abbi and Ilana’s greatest masterpiece thus far, but we’re not totally shit out of luck: Here’s a heavily curated list of streamable shows to watch that just might ease the Broad City mourning period.
1. Pen15
I cannot recommend Pen15 heavily enough. Co-creators and stars Anna Kronkle and Maya Erskine heard our prayers and blessed us with our newest favorite onscreen BFFs. Produced by the Lonely Island, Maya and Anna, both in their 30s, play 13-year-old versions of themselves in middle school. Set in the year 2000, ‘90s babies will relate to this comedy so hard. Between the masturbation scene, watching Anna handle her parent’s divorce, and instant messaging school crushes, Pen15 totally captured my 7th grade existence.
Stream it on Hulu.
2. High Maintenance
If your favorite part of Broad City was the copious weed-use, this one’s for you. Also set in New York City, High Maintenance follows “The Guy” — your local anonymous weed delivery service dude — as he drops off kush to a myriad of clients. The only recurring character in the HBO series is The Guy, played by Jewish actor and co-creator of the show Ben Sinclair, who meets a new cast of characters in each episode (including ex-hasids!). Similarly to Broad City, High Maintenance began as a web series on Vimeo and later got picked up by HBO. It’s a beautiful ode to New York, the beauty of strangers, and yes, marijuana.
Stream it on HBO.
3. Sex Education
Streaming services have been on a real sex education beat, and I’m so here for it. This British comedy-drama centers on high schooler Otis Milburn (played by Asa Butterfield), who, despite having a sex therapist as a mother, is sexually inexperienced and pretty awkward. Throughout the first season, Otis and his crush Maeve (Emma Mackey) set up a “clinic” and offer sex and relationship advice to conflicted classmates in exchange for money. Sex Education captures the universal trials and tribulations of sexually active teenagers, and destigmatizes topics like homosexuality, fetishes, and virginity. Oh, and queer Jewish icon Ezra Furman‘s music is featured throughout the show, and it’s so good.
Stream it on Hulu.
4. Schitt’s Creek
Although the Canadian sitcom just announced its final sixth season is around the corner, this quirky show about a riches-to-rags family is definitely worth investing time into. Created by Jewish father and son duo Eugene and Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek follows the formerly wealthy Rose family as they get their bearings in their last remaining asset, which the patriarch Johnny bought as a joke for his son David: a town called Schitt’s Creek. Throughout the seasons, each member of the Jewish family undergoes tremendous character growth — so you best binge the sitcom in order.
Stream it on Netflix.
5. Good Girls
If you’re into crime, comedy-dramas, and badass babes, Good Girls is the show for you. The new series follows a trio of moms, and trust that if you love Broad City or Sugar & Spice, you’ll be a fan of this, too. The plot is pretty simple: Three struggling Detroit moms in desperate need of quick cash rob a supermarket. I’m not going to spoil it, so you’ll have to see what unfolds for yourself. If you start right now, you can catch up to the second season, which is currently airing on NBC
Stream it on NBC.
6. Big Mouth
Big Mouth is yet another show about sex written by Jewish comedians — hurrah! Created by Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg, the adult animated sitcom is as equally raunchy as it is educational. Recently renewed for a third season, Big Mouth follows a cast of seventh graders who navigate their pubescent bodies with the help of “hormone monsters.” The show isn’t for everyone as the humor can be pretty gross, but it’s incredibly relatable and basically the cartoon version of Pen15.
Stream it on Netflix.
7. Man Seeking Woman
In my strong opinion, this is quite possibly the most underrated show currently on Hulu. Starring Jay Baruchel as Josh Greenberg, an awkward Jewish millennial looking for love, Man Seeking Woman is a quirky show that takes absurd to a new level. After his girlfriend Maggie (Maya Erskine from Pen15) breaks up with him, Josh sets out to find a new girlfriend. While his best friend Mike (Eric Andre) is lucky with the ladies, Josh’s flings generally don’t last for more than one episode. Man Seeking Woman is one of the funniest, most bizarre, and surprisingly Jewish shows available, so do yourself a favor and binge all three seasons.
Stream it on Hulu.
8. Broad City
Yeah, just binge it all over again. That’s what Ilana Glazer is doing, after all. “I can’t wait to binge watch this show,” she recently told Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show. “It was made for me — it’s the best show.” Same, Ilana, same.
Stream on Hulu.
