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Back in action: Acclaimed comedy 'Broad City' cranks up the laughs

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Author: 
Andrew Warren / TV Media
Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson star in "Broad City"

Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson star in "Broad City"

Back in action: Hold on tight. One of the most acclaimed comedies on TV is back, and it boasts an incredible lineup of guest stars. Comedy Central's "Broad City" maintains an impressive 98 percent fresh rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, and its success has drawn in all manner of high-profile guest stars for its fourth season, premiering Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Abbi Jacobson ("Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising," 2016) and Ilana Glazer ("Rough Night," 2017) created the show as a web series back in 2009, and both return to star in the comedy that has made them famous. "Broad City" follows the two women as they go about their day-to-day lives in the Big Apple, trying to "make it" in their careers and in their love lives as they navigate life's many currents and undertows.

But what about the guest stars? Season 4 has a fair few. Actor, singer, songwriter and TV host RuPaul ("RuPaul's Drag Race") joins the cast for a multi-episode recurring role this season. Other guests lined up include Steve Buscemi ("Boardwalk Empire"), comedians Susie Essman ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") and Mike Birbiglia ("Orange Is the New Black"), Amy Ryan ("The Wire"), Wanda Sykes ("Black-ish") and Jane Curtin ("3rd Rock from the Sun").

Even country music superstar Shania Twain is set to make a cameo appearance sometime this season; fans of the show know that her name pops up occasionally, and now her face is finally popping up, too.

It started out as the little web series that could, and became one of the most acclaimed comedies on television. A fifth season has already been greenlit, and the fourth gets underway this week. "Broad City" returns Wednesday, Sept. 13, on Comedy Central.

 

A 'Better' comedy: What could be better than the return of "Better Things?" Not much, I think. The comedy returns to FX for a second season Thursday, Sept. 14, with 10 new episodes and loads more laughs.

Series creator and star Pamela Adlon ("Californication"), who won an Emmy for her voice acting in the animated series "King of the Hill" back in 2002, was nominated for another Emmy for her performance in the first season of "Better Things," which she created with comedian Louis C.K. ("Louie"). She stars as Sam Fox, a divorced single mother struggling to raise her three daughters while also dealing with the pressures of Hollywood.

For the second season, Adlon steps up to the plate and directs all 10 episodes -- she directed only two last season. Mikey Madison ("Imposters"), Hannah Alligood ("Allegiant," 2016) and Olivia Edward ("Crazy Ex-Girlfriend") all return as Sam's daughterly trio, with Celia Imrie ("Bridget Jones's Diary," 2001) also back as her frequently addled mother.

"Better Things" isn't Adlon's first time working with C.K. -- far from it. The two serve as co-writers for the series, but their relationship goes back to C.K.'s own comedy, "Louie." Adlon served as a producer for "Louie," wrote several episodes, and even appeared on screen as a guest star on several occasions.

She's a writer, director, Emmy-winning voice actor, and now an Emmy-nominated actress. When it comes to comedy, Pamela Adlon is the real deal. "Better Things" returns Thursday, Sept. 14, on FX.

 

Britton's back: Here's some news that shouldn't be too shocking: Connie Britton has already found a new role. The veteran actress left the cast of "Nashville" in its fifth season earlier this year, but she didn't take much time off. The four-time Emmy nominee heads back to comedy with a recurring role in Showtime's upcoming "SMILF," scheduled to premiere Nov. 5.

It's a return to scripted laughs for Britton, who starred in the ABC sitcom "Spin City" for four seasons alongside Michael J. Fox ("Back to the Future," 1985) and Alan Ruck ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off," 1986). The versatile actress's other credits include "Friday Night Lights," "American Horror Story," "24" and "Beatriz at Dinner" (2017).

Still early on in production, "SMILF" is based on the 2015 short film of the same title starring, written by and directed by Frankie Shaw ("Mr. Robot"), who also headlines the cast of the new semi-autobiographical series. In it, Shaw plays Bridgette, a 20-something single mother juggling her career and relationships, with hilarious results.

Britton's recurring role is Ally, Bridgette's boss who has issues with boundaries. Other actors signed on for the project include Rosie O'Donnell ("The View") and Miguel Gomez ("The Strain").

Connie Britton's been a screen presence for so many years that it's no surprise that she won't be missing from television for very long. "SMILF" premieres this November on Showtime.