A decade after its release, one of the most unforgettable episodes of Broad City is back in the spotlight, thanks to a viral personal story from writer and film critic BJ Colangelo. In a recently published reflection, Colangelo revealed that the Season 2 episode titled “Knockoffs” made them laugh so hard during cancer recovery that it resulted in an unexpected medical emergency—and a five-day hospital stay.
Colangelo, who survived pancreatic cancer after being diagnosed at age 23, shared how comedy became a crucial emotional outlet during treatment. Though the illness left little room for humor at the time, Broad City broke through that barrier in an unforgettable way.
The now-legendary episode follows Abbi (Abbi Jacobson) as she embarks on an awkward yet empowering adventure after discovering her new boyfriend Jeremy (Stephen Schneider) enjoys being pegged. In the midst of the comedic chaos, Abbi calls her best friend Ilana (Ilana Glazer) for advice—leading to one of the show’s most celebrated scenes: Ilana’s ecstatic handstand-twerk celebration.
Colangelo watched the episode from a hospital room after a gastrointestinal surgery in 2015. As they tell it, the relentless hilarity triggered such intense laughter that it irritated the surgical area and caused pancreatitis. “My discharge was canceled,” they recalled, adding that the comedic relief was worth every second. The incident ultimately helped shift their approach to discussing illness with medical providers with more candor and humor.
The episode is widely considered one of Broad City’s best, written by Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs—who later created the award-winning series Hacks. Fans continue to celebrate Knockoffs not only for its iconic comedy but also for its progressive portrayal of sexual openness and female friendship.
Colangelo credits the show with restoring joy during a deeply frightening period. “It becomes much harder to find true moments of joy when you feel like your inner clock has been replaced with a ticking time bomb,” they said, explaining why this experience remains so meaningful one decade later.
Today, the episode stands as an example of the healing power of storytelling—and how comedy can land exactly where it’s needed most, even in a hospital bed.
