Review: ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ is a Refreshing Look at … Well, That

12.03.21
Review: ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ is a Refreshing Look at … Well, That (Photo: HBO Max)

New Yorkby Sabrina Choudhary

This story was originally published on New York University’s Washington Square News.

I am an Indian girl who loves comedy, so I have to watch anything Mindy Kaling makes. Also, as a college student, any show about other college students instantly grabs my attention. And since I’m from Vermont, any fictional show set in the state becomes something I must consume. “The Sex Lives of College Girls” is at the center of that Venn diagram, so naturally I dropped everything to write this review. Fuck homework!

The HBO Max show, which was co-created by Kaling and Justin Noble of Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever,” premiered on Nov. 18. The first five episodes are now streaming, with the remaining five to follow in chunks through Dec. 9. The show follows the sex lives — and lives in general — of four freshmen at a fictional New England liberal arts school, Essex College. They bond, they fight, they make dumb choices and they have sex.

I know I’m the target demographic, so a mere 30 seconds into the pilot, the writers came for me directly. On the way to move her daughter into her dorm, a girl’s mom says, “Vermont? Why is it even a state? Bunch of potheads making maple syrup.” Five minutes later, another of the girls introduces her white roommate’s family to her Indian parents, and her roommate’s mom responds, “We’re Irish.” I’m Irish and Indian, and never have I ever felt targeted for it!

Read the rest of the story at Washington Square News.

Support the Next Generation of Content Creators
Invest in the diverse voices that will shape and lead the future of journalism and art.
donate now
Support the Next Generation of Content Creators
Invest in the diverse voices that will shape and lead the future of journalism and art.
donate now