Lena Dunham
Allison Williams
Jemima Kirke
Zosia Mamet
Adam Driver
Alex Karpovsky
Andrew Rannells
Ebon Moss-Bachrach

Created by:
Lena Dunham

2012-
Comedy, Drama
HBO
TV-MA

“Girls” is a show about young white women who are just out of college (except for one character, Shoshanna, who’s still in college). They’re trying to find their way in the Big Apple. They’re privileged (though, not overly so, I guess), but they don’t know it. So, a lot of their challenges (but not all) would be laughable to the average person. Also, these characters, with a few exceptions, can be really annoying. They certainly need to grow up, but let’s not forget this show’s title.

Despite that, (actually, because of it) the success of “Girls” lies in its authentic depiction of its characters. The writing is incisive, and the acting is spot-on. This show is at its best when it handles heavy material with a light, comedic touch. Its first and third seasons are excellent examples of that. The second season (the weakest in my opinion) strayed a bit from that formula; it felt weighed-down by its subject matter.

As long as creator and star Lena Dunham keeps up that delicate balancing act, “Girls” will continue to be an entertainingly sharp and funny look at young, annoying, privileged white females and the people who have to deal with them.

(I wish she would stop throwing her nudity – actually, nudity in general – in our faces, though. I get her message about images of female bodies, but you don’t have to beat us over-the-head with it. We got the message a long time ago!) …

Thankfully, the fourth season doesn’t drop the ball. While its characters are in turmoil, the show itself is not. Dunham’s ability to balance the changing story lines is to be commended. (For example, the story arc that involves her parents is both hilarious and affecting.) Please, keep this up!

Verdict: Very Good

About: (Source: girls)

Created by and starring Lena Dunham (“Tiny Furniture”), the show is a comic look at the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of girls in their mid-20s. Dunham wrote and directed the pilot of the series, which she executive produces with Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner. The cast also includes Jemima Kirke, Allison Williams, Zosia Mamet, Adam Driver, Alex Karpovsky, Andrew Rannells and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Shot in New York, the 10-episode fourth season premiered in January 2015.