The debate over whether ultra-feminist, completely queer, modern New York City Jew Ilana Wexler would support Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders in this year’s election is over.
After posting a picture to Twitter in December that the Democratic frontrunner had visited the set of Broad City during filming of their third season, the co-creators and stars of the show Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer delved into far more detail about Clinton’s upcoming role at SXSW on Saturday, the Verge reports.
The candidate will be appearing as herself on the episode, unlike her more recent spots on New York-centered television shows. Clinton guest starred on Saturday Night Live as Val the bartender, consoling Kate McKinnon–who has been taking on the role of Hillary Clinton for the last several years–while the two bemoaned the rise of Bernie Sanders and his amassing following of millennial supporters who don’t find the Clintons “hip.” Of course, no one knew that Clinton would be stopping by SNL, but fans of Broad City had little more than that to work with in this situation.
Back in December and up until March, it was unknown what exactly the candidate would be doing. After all, Broad City has had its slew of guest stars in the past, sometimes playing themselves, sometimes not. Jacobson and Glazer finally revealed what exactly Clinton’s part would be on this Wednesday’s episode, and it doesn’t get simpler than herself.
The plot will revolve around Ilana (Glazer) as she somehow worms her way onto the Hillary campaign after finally losing her job at ‘Deals, Deals, Deals!’, a fictional business similar to Groupon. Up until then, Ilana’s boss had been absolutely afraid of firing her, but had no choice in last week’s episode after she posted a graphic bestiality video from the company Twitter account in an attempt to draw customers.
The episode will also guest star Cynthia Nixon (or Miranda from Sex and the City), Alan Alda (M*A*S*H, The Blacklist), and Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock). As of now, their specific roles are unknown, but will most certainly be made clear tomorrow night.
Though Clinton’s appearance now is confirmed, taped, and ready to air, there was a period of time where Jacobson and Glazer had no intention to have the candidate actually appear on the episode. The plot was still the same, but neither co-stars believed that they would actually be able to snag the busy frontrunner for the show.
It was through their fellow female comedian, Amy Poehler, that the Clinton cameo was made possible. Back in the 2000s and even now occassionally during the 2016 season, Poehler frequently played Clinton on SNL, and because of that, she was able to reach out to Hillary and present this opportunity. The director of this presidential-themed episode for Broad City also had a connection in the Clinton campaign, and together, the two were able to convince the candidate to stop by the show and play her part.
Some were frustrated by Jacobson’s and Glazer’s apparent backing of Clinton by inviting her on the show, as many believed that the two would more likely throw their support to Bernie Sanders. One woman asked the pair if this were true at SXSW.
“It was really more that this is something Ilana’s character would do,” said Jacobson, denying their endorsement. “And Hillary, regardless of where we stand — and we love Hillary — Hillary is such an iconic figure right now and she has been.”
The episode will air tomorrow night at 10pm ET on Comedy Central.