It’s been years since Broad City aired its final episode, yet one image remains burned into the collective memory of the internet: NBA star Blake Griffin in a hotel bed with Ilana Wexler, wearing each other's shoes. It was weird. It was raunchy. Honestly, it was one of the most brilliant bits of guest casting in the history of Comedy Central.
If you’re revisiting the series or just saw a clip of a 6'9" power forward doing "the helicopter" on TikTok, you’re probably looking for the specifics of the Broad City Blake Griffin episode. The episode is titled "B&B-NYC" (Season 3, Episode 7). It first aired in March 2016, a time when Griffin was still a superstar for the Los Angeles Clippers and Broad City was at the height of its cultural powers.
How Ilana Actually Met a 6-Foot-9 NBA Legend
The plot of "B&B-NYC" is peak Abbi and Ilana. The duo decides to list their apartments on a site called B&B-NYC (a thinly veiled Airbnb parody) to make some quick cash. Predictably, things go sideways immediately. Abbi gets scammed by a charming European who steals her identity, and the girls end up trying to sleep in a tent on their roof.
After the tent literally blows away—causing a massive car pileup—the girls end up at a high-end club. This is where the magic happens. While Abbi is busy having a minor breakdown, Ilana spots Blake Griffin across the room.
In a classic Broad City move, Ilana doesn't treat him like a celebrity. She treats him like a target.
The Scene That Defined the Episode
Most athlete cameos in sitcoms are stiff. You get the sense they're reading off a teleprompter three inches behind the lead actor's head. But Griffin? He was fully committed to the bit. He and Ilana end up back at a hotel room for a one-night stand that takes "creative" to a whole new level.
The central gag of their encounter is that Blake is, well, too "gifted" for traditional intercourse. Instead of giving up, the two engage in a series of bizarre sexual maneuvers that look more like a Cirque du Soleil rehearsal than a hookup.
- They wear each other’s shoes in bed.
- They engage in a high-intensity "shadow boxing" sex session.
- Blake uses Ilana as a literal human weight for bicep curls.
It’s absurd. It's also surprisingly sweet? There’s a moment where they’re just chatting about the WNBA, and Griffin’s comedic timing is genuinely sharp. He isn't just the butt of the joke; he's in on it.
Why Blake Griffin on Broad City Worked So Well
A lot of people wonder how they even got him for the show. According to an oral history of the series by the Television Academy, Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer found out Blake was actually a fan of the show. When they were outlining the Season 3 scripts, they swung for the fences and asked him to do it.
He didn't just say yes; he pitched ideas.
The "specimen" comment from the show—where Ilana marvels at his physique—wasn't just for the cameras. Glazer later noted in interviews that Griffin walked onto the set and was totally comfortable being nearly naked for 90% of his scenes. That lack of ego is what makes the Broad City Blake Griffin appearance stand out from the typical "pro athlete plays himself" trope. He was willing to look ridiculous.
Factual Breakdown of Season 3, Episode 7
- Episode Title: B&B-NYC
- Original Air Date: March 30, 2016
- Director: Lucia Aniello
- Other Notable Cameos: This episode also features a subplot with Trey (Paul W. Downs) and Abbi getting intimate, involving a very specific DVD collection including Babe and Ratatouille.
The Lasting Legacy of the "B&B-NYC" Hookup
We see a lot of celebrity cameos these days, but few feel as organic to the show's DNA as this one. Broad City was always about the chaotic, sometimes gross, but always honest reality of being a twenty-something in New York. Even when that reality involves sleeping with an NBA All-Star.
The episode also served as a turning point for the characters. While Ilana is off having the weirdest night of her life with a professional athlete, Abbi is dealing with the total violation of her home. It balanced the high-concept comedy of the Griffin cameo with the grounded, gritty reality of the city.
If you're looking to watch it now, the episode is available on Hulu and Paramount+. It’s worth the 21 minutes just to see Blake Griffin’s deadpan delivery when he realizes he can't find his own shoes because Ilana is wearing them.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the world of Broad City guest stars, you should check out the Season 3 episode "2016" (Episode 5). It features Hillary Clinton in a cameo that was arguably the most talked-about moment of the entire series. Alternatively, look for the "Philadelphia" episode (Season 3, Episode 6) to see Tony Danza playing Abbi’s dad.
The show’s ability to weave massive stars into their low-stakes, high-energy world is a masterclass in TV production. You can usually find behind-the-scenes clips of the Blake Griffin filming on Comedy Central’s YouTube channel, which shows just how much of that hotel scene was improvised.
