Ilana Glazer discusses Hillary Clinton’s Broad City cameo and the political impact of the 2016 election.
Ilana Glazer, co-creator and star of the hit show Broad City, recently reflected on the 2016 presidential cameo of Hillary Clinton on the series.
As the 2024 election approaches, Glazer shared her thoughts with The Independent on how the appearance of Clinton on the show was received and how it impacted her understanding of the political weight of her work.
The episode in question, titled “2016,” aired on March 16, 2016, during the heated election campaign between Clinton and Donald Trump. In the episode, Glazer’s character, Ilana, finds herself unemployed but soon lands a job as a volunteer at Clinton’s campaign headquarters. The climax of the episode features a scene where Glazer and co-star Abbi Jacobson’s characters gush over Clinton during her visit to the office.
Reflecting on that time, Glazer admitted that she had genuinely hoped for a Clinton victory over Trump. “I did vote for Hillary Clinton. I did want Hillary Clinton to win over Donald Trump,” she stated. However, Glazer made it clear that her support for Clinton was not blind admiration, acknowledging that Clinton, like any other politician, is not perfect. “I don’t think she’s a perfect, flawless person or a perfect flawless politician,” Glazer explained. Her mixed feelings about Clinton as an individual were apparent, as she expressed uncertainty about how she feels about her on a personal level, landing somewhere “in the middle.”
Glazer also discussed the reactions to Clinton’s cameo, noting that it was a pivotal moment in realizing just how politically charged Broad City was perceived to be. “I’ve been told my whole career my work is political,” Glazer noted. She recalled how she and Jacobson were initially surprised to hear their show described as feminist, saying they hadn’t originally thought about it in those terms. The realization of the show’s political implications has only grown over time for Glazer.
Despite the political overtones, Glazer emphasized that her primary focus remains on comedy, not pushing a specific agenda. “If you’re not leading with comedy, it’s propaganda,” she remarked. Glazer expressed her dedication to exploring her own identity deeply through her work, rather than using it to promote a political platform.
Broad City started as a web series from 2009 to 2011 before being picked up by Comedy Central, with the backing of executive producer Amy Poehler. The show ran for five successful seasons from 2014 to 2019, becoming a beloved staple of comedy television and leaving a lasting impact on its audience.
As Glazer looks back on the series and its moments of political engagement, she remains committed to the idea that comedy should be at the forefront, even as it intersects with serious social and political issues.