Since Sex and the City stopped airing, it seems that HBO hasn't quite found their equivalent...until now. And while the group of girls in the new drama called, well, Girls are quite different than the label loving, perpetually brunching ladies of SATC, we're sensing a relatability that will win over a similar demographic. Plus, the Judd Apatow produced show is guaranteed to produce plenty of laughs, albeit with a different type of humor than shoe-obsessed Carrie Bradshaw or uber dry Miranda Hobbes. In anticipation of the show, we hooked up with an old FOK of ours, Lesley Arfin, who also happens to be the Story Editor for Girls, to get the inside scoop on the upcoming series. Read on to get Lesley's take on HBO's new foursome, and don't forget to tune in on April 15th at 10:30 PM.
Kanon Vodka: We're super excited for the premiere of Girls--why will we love it?
Lesley Arfin: I think most people--girls and guys--will be able to relate to it. It's a very honest, relatable show.
KV: The show is based in NYC--your old stomping grounds. What are the top 3 places you miss most in Manhattan?
LA: You're making me homesick! I miss little things like bumping into people on the street, picking a friend up in a cab, sitting at a restaurant for hours and hours. I miss Mogador, Shake Shack, and my favorite pizza place on Metroplitan Ave. Weirdly I also miss Topshop even though I never really get anything there. Walking into Topshop is always a very promising feeling.
KV: Girls is about 20-somethings growing up and getting by in the city--how much of it is autobiographical?
LA: I don't think any of it is. Of course, there are some stories and situations that are "autobiographical," but the characters we've written are very different than who I was at that age. They're less concerned with being cool. It is a show of fiction ultimately and while I can identify with what the characters do and say, I don't think any of it is autobiographical--at least not for me. Lena Dunham, the show's creator, probably has more parallels but again, her characters, especially the one she plays, is VERY different than who she is in real life.
KV: Are there any characters on Girls that you identify with most?
LA: I mostly identify with Hannah and Jessa. I think my own character would be split down the middle. I relate so much to Hannah's drive, entitlement, laziness, low self esteem, and self awareness but I also relate to Jessa's "try everything once" attitude. Hannah is introspective and I relate to that, while Jessa fights all forms of introspection... which I also relate to!
KV: Now that you live in LA, how do you feel the two cities stack up against one another?
LA: They don't in any way. The only similarities I find is that there are a lot of Jewish people in both cities. Otherwise they are different on every level. The businesses are different, style... there's no comparison.
KV: What in your opinion are the best places to get great hangover meals in NYC and LA?
LA: I guess if you have a hangover, don't leave your house? Maybe in NYC The Smile. I think they appreciate a good hangover. In LA, Cafe 101.
KV: On any given weekend in LA, where would we most likely find you hanging out?
LA: UCB theatre, Kibbutz Room, a house party, home watching bad movies with my boyfriend, at the Arclight movie theatre...
KV: You've done a lot of different writing (for magazines, personal, etc) -- how has your experience been working on Girls?
LA: The best ever. The staff have become like family to me and I have never learned more about writing. I love the show and feel so grateful to be a part of it. Really a blessing. I can't say enough good things. It has truly been one of the best experiences of my life.
