[1] The sitcom, like the web series, is based on Glazer and Jacobson's real-life friendship, and their attempt to "make it" in New York.

[5][6] The series focuses on the lives of best friends, Abbi Abrams and Ilana Wexler, as they attempt to navigate day-to-day life in New York City.

Glazer and Jacobson met in New York City, where they both attended courses at the Upright Citizens Brigade and were part of a small improv comedy group, Secret Promise Circle.

[9] Amy Poehler became aware of the series and mentored Glazer and Jacobson, becoming executive producer when the show came to TV.

[9] For the first season, Jacobson and Glazer were paired with Tami Sagher, an experienced showrunner, with Downs, Aniello, and Chris Kelly completing the writing room.

[12] Throughout its run, the show featured notable guest stars including Wanda Sykes, Kelly Ripa, Amy Poehler, Fran Drescher, Shania Twain, Hillary Clinton, and RuPaul.

Club critic Caroline Framke wrote that Broad City was "worth watching" despite its "well-trod premise", and that the series is "remarkably self-possessed, even in its first episode".

[1] Critics have compared the show to Seinfeld, especially due to the characters' perceived lack of personal development as well as humor involving the minutiae of daily life.

[19][20][21] Season one of the show received a 96% rating from Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews from 23 critics, with the site's consensus stating, "From its talented producers to its clever writing and superb leads, Broad City boasts an uncommonly fine pedigree.

[27] Rotten Tomatoes gave the second season a rating of 100%, based on reviews from 11 critics, with the site's consensus: "Led by two of the funniest women on TV, Broad City uses its stars' vibrant chemistry to lend an element of authenticity to the show's chaotic yet enlightening brand of comedy.

[33] Ben Travers from Indiewire summarizes what he sees as the strengths of the first two episodes of season three: "Each half-hour feels as free-wheeling and wild as Ilana so boldly is, but also as meticulously put-together as Abby [sic] strives to be ... the integration of its two creators attitudes into the core makeup of the series helps to illustrate how groundbreaking Broad City really is".

[41] Rotten Tomatoes gave the season a rating of 100%, based on reviews from 25 critics, with the site's consensus: "Glazer and Jacobson give the people exactly what they want in Broad City's final season – relatable content, questionable intimacy, and ingenious escapades through the glorious squalor of IRL NYC.

[54] Despite initial commercial success and ongoing positive critical reviews, by March 2016 the show was receiving well under 1 million viewers, with fewer than 600,000 tuning in during the second week of the month.