New Girl captured audiences with the shenanigans the five roommates fell into or created by trying to fix a problem. From the shenanigans, the roommates created a drinking game called True American. While the rules of the game aren’t outlined in the show itself, Spoon University has created a how-to guide for audiences and fans at home who are itching ti play. Should you be tempted, the game is physically demanding and can get quite loud. The most important rule is: the floor is lava. As Jess says, “So, [True American] is 50% drinking game, 50% life-size Candy Land” (Season 1, Episode 20). Though if you’re underage and want to play, don’t lose hope.
The roommates played True American half a dozen times throughout New Girl’s run on TV. Each time they played, something pivotal happened, like two people sharing a kiss or a bet being settled. Some games happened before a special event or with new people, giving the game a theme. One of the themed editions was before a wedding where the bride was honored with a First Lady’s theme. True American naturally evolved, showcasing how each character can or will evolve through the series. Here’s every time the characters of New Girl played the game, ranked.
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6 “Mars Landing” (Season 3, Episode 20)
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By season 3, Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Nick (Jake Johnson) had been in a relationship that was beginning to crumble. Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) had moved back into the loft and was warming up to Jess. CeCe (Hannah Simone) and Schmidt (Max Greenfield) had broken up, for the final time, and she started dating someone younger. When the roommates wake up, they are hungover from playing True American the previous evening night. Even though this episode doesn’t show the game being played, the mere mention of it suggests something is bound to shift. Indeed, the big shift was one of the most heart-wrenching break-ups in the show.
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5 “Normal” (Season 1, Episode 20)
The introduction of the game comes at the cost of a date cut short in this episode of New Girl. Jess, a school teacher, was being pursued by one of her student’s fathers. Of the times True American is played, this episode begins with the transition from hiding from your emotions to telling the truth. Jess was reluctant to date Russell (Dermot Mulroney) and despite the reason she gave, she went on the date, but stopped it to return to her roommates. By going home, Jess was hiding from her true feelings about Russell: the hope of new love and the confirmation that she moved on from her ex-boyfriend. Inviting Russell to play a game that her roommates created allowed Jess to cross the threshold from denial to truth.
4 “Cooler” (Season 2, Episode 15)
When Nick realizes Jess is his cooler, he asks Winston and Schmidt to go out with him to pick up women. Nick explains to Jess that a cooler is someone who diffuses someone’s chances of getting lucky. As Jess is alone in the loft, she becomes scared and begs her roommates and her boyfriend, Sam, to come rescue her. When her roommates arrive, they bring two additional people and the game True American: Clinton Edition begins. In this version of the game, teams are chosen and the element of stripping was added. A shocking twist was when Sam, played by David Walton, showed up. At this point in the game, everyone is encouraging Jess and Nick to kiss, including Sam.
3 “Wedding Eve” (Season 5, Episode 21)
When Schmidt and CeCe finally reunite and decide to get married, of course, chaos ensues. Jess finds a ring among Sam’s things the night before CeCe’s wedding, so she assumes he is going to propose. In an attempt to avoid the assumed situation, Jess suggests a game of True American with the theme of First Ladies. Instead of yelling “JFK” and “FDR”, they yell “Decorate!”, “Rushmore!”, and “Seneca Falls Convention: Women Only!”. According to History, the Seneca Falls convention was the first women’s rights convention held in 1848. In honor of CeCe, a fervent and outspoken woman, to play True American in such a way is truly remarkable.
2 “Engram Pattersky” (Season 7, Episode 8)
Season 7 of New Girl takes place 3 years after the Season 6 finale. Nick and Jess remain in the loft while Winston and Schmidt have their own respective places. One day, a flyer appears that viewers would miss in the blink of an eye, but is a clue towards what’s to come. The flyer is from a company called “Engram Pattersky,” which is evicting all the tenants. When Nick and Jess call Winston, CeCe, and Schmidt to come help pack at the apartment, Jess insists they play True American one last time in the loft. They yell out, “Manifest destiny!”, “I like the look of that ox!”, and “Almost to Utah, Uncle Brother” in the Packing Edition of the game. The surprising twist of this episode is that Engram Pattersky is an anagram from Winston, the prank master, that says, “My greatest prank”, which is revealed before the final game of True American is played.
1 “Engram Pattersky: Kid Edition” (Season 7, Episode 8)
Though it’s a glimpse into the future, the game of True American lives on through Winston, Schmidt, Nick, and Jess’ children. For those who are intrigued by the game, but do not wish to drink, the flash forward provides a solution: using juice boxes or soda. In addition to the game being kid-friendly, the children of the roommates playing symbolizes how much the roommates changed throughout New Girl. To end the show with their children playing the game makes it the most heartfelt moment the roommates share.
