And, Now, A Few Reasons We're Excited For Lena Dunham's Girls

Lena Dunham (along with co-executive producer Judd Apatow) will bring Girls to HBO this April, and in what is finally, hopefully, a post-Carrie Bradshaw New York City, we're already counting down the days. Even if we haven't been sent a screener and have only seen teasers. Here's why:

1. The show is based in New York, and they actually shot (at least some of it) in New York, which isn't always the case. And we like it when palm trees aren't popping up in shots of "Brooklyn." True, we haven't seen what the character's apartments will look like, but we're betting on Dunham to keep it real.

See, the B48 is a real bus, not a Hollywood creation.

2. As Hello Giggles writer Clementine Ford (that's sort of just too precious) recently pointed out, 25-year-old Dunham is bringing realistic characters to the screen. She notes, "For the first time in a long time women in their 20s are seeing themselves reflected on screen, physically and emotionally. In a culture that has so devalued reading and personal connection, where else are young women to look for inspiration? For aspiration? Facebook? I think not, and thanks to women like Lena Dunham, they don’t have to." Dunham herself has said, “I felt like there wasn’t a pop culture mirror reflecting girls my age experiencing the trials and tribulation of being female at this specific time."

3. Which brings us to those other girls: the Sex in the City girls. That show wasn't created to mirror a super realistic subsection of the female population, it only created one. But, like, a clone one, where something was a little... off. Anyway, this army of Manolo-wearing ~~monsters~~ young women flocked to Manhattan thinking they'd be the next Carrie, somehow not realizing Carrie was a fictional character. And when they didn't land a sweet rent-controlled apartment in a desirable neighborhood, a writing gig, and, let's say, 3 really good friends, each with a different hair color? They threw actual tantrums. This won't happen with Dunham's shows, because her audience already exists, you know, IRL.

In conclusion, Fuck Yeah Girls, and here's a new glimpse at the show, and behind the scenes:

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on February 2, 2012 1:51 PM

Comments [rss]

bauer99

In Dunham's movie Tiny Furniture she basically WAS the young I-went-to-college-and-deserve-to-live-in-an-awesome-apartment-without-having-to-work girl. She even throws a tantrum at one point, in her mom's (approximately) 5 million dollar apartment. So I mean, be excited I guess.

A.Gale/Apex.Dujeous

Nothing says "real life New York" like another show with an all-white cast!

RammyH

The "Bored to Death" effect.

Couldn't watch a show set in Brooklyn where seemingly 98% of the population was White - and the same damn sort of White, if you know what I mean.

Not old-school Irish/Italian/Polish NY Dad was a Cop/Plumber/NYC Teacher Whites but Tweedy-I went to UVM and work in Media White.

TeddyNYC

You really expected things to change? Smart people know that New York isn't Portland, but Hollywood realizes that an all-white cast is more likely to be easier on the eyes of the typical young white viewer in suburban/rural America, or more to the point, the parents of those young viewers. In other words, an all-white cast increases the chances of getting to a second season.

A.Gale/Apex.Dujeous

I didn't expect things to change, but Gothamist is silly for applauding this show for its real-life portrayal of NYC. Looks like the bus going to Bed-Stuy is the closest this show is gonna get to a person of color. That was just a behind the scenes clip, so hopefully I'm wrong.

Pixelwhore

Sounds like what happened in the US during the 50s - 60s with rock and roll; most of the black acts were writing and performing songs for record labels, but when the time came for the band or artist to make a mark, they were replaced by white performers for what you say is "to be easier on the eyes of the typical young white viewer in suburban/rural America." More and more I'm depressed by the practices in our entertainment industry.

AlexTheOriginalPartyDog

You are spreading lies. Everyone knows that Marty McFly invented Rock and Roll, and that Marvin Berry stole it and gave it to his cousin Chuck.

jisnotused

judging from the top photo the stylist should be shot.

i know they're going for average girls look but still.

L Schwartzy

Another plus: Andrew Rannells.

DogtheBountyHunter

Lena Dunham is great. I saw her movie Tiny Furniture a few weeks ago. I loved it. I found it to be brutally honest and very well done.