A couple of weeks ago, my mom called me and urged me to watch Netflix’s new rom-com series, “Nobody Wants This.” I don’t get around to watching many shows, which she knows, but when she told me this one included Adam Brody as the show’s “hot rabbi” equivalent to Andrew Scott’s “hot priest” in “Fleabag,” I knew to give it a chance.
“Nobody Wants This” introduces Joanne (Kristen Bell), an individualistic and sarcastic 30-something who runs a crude sex and relationship-focused podcast with her sister, Morgan (Justine Lupe). On the other end, Noah (Brody), the sincere and lovable (and hot) rabbi, has just broken up with his long-term girlfriend, who, along with his entire family, was expecting his proposal imminently. Noah is lost in the mess of his love life, and Joanne is about ready to give up on first dates with jerks and cads she meets online when they find themselves at the same party. Immediately striking a star-crossed connection, Bell and Brody’s hilarious and electric chemistry begins to be painted across the screen.
Much of the show, dramatically or comedically, revolves around the couple’s family members and their rejection of Joanne and Noah’s “opposites-attract” relationship. Morgan dislikes Noah due to her fear of losing her sister and the dulling of their podcast’s quality without Joanne’s “bad-girl,” serial-dating persona. On Noah’s side, his strictly traditional mother, Bina (Tovah Feldshuh), rejects the idea of her son dating a non-Jewish woman or, worse, a risqué podcaster. His brother, Sasha (Timothy Simmons), brings a persistently hilarious relief as he is stuck between the decision of supporting Noah or his wife, Esther (Jackie Tohn), who strongly backs up her mother-in-law, Bina.
Across 10 half-hour episodes, Joanne and Noah navigate their contradictions and attraction through witty banter and circumstances. The show’s successfully cute, meet-cute, honest yet melodramatic characters and homing of nostalgia through the two leads resemble the now long-lost art of the “good” romantic comedy. The genre is meant to be fun and comforting rather than a spectacle. The genre you watch, blush and scream as Brody says, “I can handle you,” to a fearfully overbearing Bell. The genre your mom or friend calls you up about with a recommendation. It is not often (at least since the early 2000s) that you see a romantic comedy that is light yet has substance and hits the nail on the head with both romantic and comedic scenes. However, creator Erin Foster did it with this one.
“Nobody Wants This” incorporates modern elements (but not in a cringe-worthy way) while encapsulating the classic genre we all, to be honest, love and have missed. And beneath the “awws” and the swoons, there is something real in the themes of religion, families and relationships discussed. Long story short — thanks, Mom.
The show has been renewed for a second season, coming in 2025. Until then, don’t mind me rewatching all things Brody and Bell have ever been in.
