Nobody Wants This review: Kristen Bell and Adam Brody are pure bliss in 2024’s best new comedy

Nobody Wants This review: Kristen Bell and Adam Brody are pure bliss in 2024's best new comedy

As a gamer who’s been around the block a few times (and I mean that quite literally), let me tell you about my latest binge-watching obsession: Nobody Wants This. Now, I’ve seen my fair share of Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, but this time they weren’t just saving the world from an alien invasion or battling high school drama – oh no, they were falling in love, Jewish style!


Warning: This post contains minor spoilers from Nobody Wants This.

From the get-go, Nobody Wants This was custom-crafted to perfectly align with my TV preferences: A romantic comedy featuring none other than the charismatic Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. With that combination, there’s no need for further convincing – I’m already hooked! These two could be extraterrestrial beings or sentient household items, and the show would still be a top priority on my watchlist. Some actors just have an innate ability to captivate audiences regardless of the project they’re involved in.

Fortunately, “Nobody Wants This” is truly exceptional, and it’s not just because of its star-studded cast. Created and written by Erin Foster, whose personal experiences provided the basis for the show’s narrative, Bell portrays Joanne, an agnostic podcast co-host who finds herself smitten with Noah, a charming and hip Jewish rabbi played by Brody. Their budding relationship faces challenges due to religious differences and external opinions.

With sharp writing and even sharper acting, Foster has seriously struck gold with an inventive and personal take on the romantic comedy with two unbelievably lovable leading stars. It’s not hyperbole when I say that Netflix’s Nobody Wants This ranks as one of the, if not the, best new comedy series released in 2024.

Nobody Wants This review: Kristen Bell and Adam Brody are pure bliss in 2024's best new comedy

Nobody Wants This is the best comedy series of 2024

From the get-go, it’s tough to make a mistake with Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. Although their careers have diverged over the past two decades since they both gained fame in popular teen dramas, whether it’s action films, indies, or animated blockbusters, they still possess an understanding of what makes for a captivating romantic lead.

Back in the early 2000s, I was right there with everyone else, hopping for Veronica and Logan on Veronica Mars and Seth and Summer on The O.C. Fast forward to today, these two actors, now 44, still have that magnetic charm and built-in wit that had us smitten over Veronica and Seth. We rooted for their love stories, even during their setbacks, and I can’t wait to see what they bring to the table in their future projects!

Joanne and Noah continue to navigate the highs and lows of romance, revisiting familiar triumphs and setbacks since their initial encounter at a shared friend’s dinner party. The chemistry between them is evident – a rapport they rarely find with other potential romantic interests. Fresh from a breakup, Noah and Joanne, who has had her fair share of misfortunes on dating apps, seem to have stumbled upon a connection that feels exceptionally rare.

However, it’s important to note that things are complex for Noah due to his profession as a rabbi, which typically involves marrying a Jewish woman. Yet, he’s in a relationship with Joanne, who isn’t religious and is a popular sex and relationships podcaster. This doesn’t align well with the expectations of Noah’s traditional family or the congregation at his temple. Dating a non-Jewish woman (or “shiksa”) has become quite scandalous for them, but Noah and Joanne have never felt this way before – it seems like something new and exciting for them!

Nobody Wants This review: Kristen Bell and Adam Brody are pure bliss in 2024's best new comedy

Foster skillfully constructs a believable world and develops characters that make their more extraordinary traits seem genuine. The over-the-top aspects of both the world and the characters in Joanne’s portrayal strike a balance between humor and authenticity, mirroring the real-life dynamic of having a best friend who accepts you entirely without judgment.

In a unique twist, Foster has crafted a romantic comedy that carries real emotional tension (Will Joanne decide to convert to Judaism for Noah?), which might stem from a personal experience she has gone through herself. Many of us are familiar with the will-they-or-won’t-they romance trope – think Sam and Diane, Ross and Rachel, Mindy and Danny, among others – but Nobody Wants This feels innovative, urgent, and relevant to today’s times.

Without a doubt, Bell and Brody carry the majority of the show’s success on their talented shoulders. They are an ideal match for these characters and the narrative, and I’ve been a fan of their work for the past 20 years. There isn’t anyone who can deliver a line with more wit than Kristen Bell, a skilled comedian, and the same praise applies to Brody. He doesn’t need to strive to be appealing; he simply is.

From a script perspective, Nobody Wants This seemed perfectly poised to become an outstanding romantic comedy series, offering a much-needed dose of humor. It’s exhilarating to discover that the show was prepared flawlessly, running smoothly on all fronts and leaving no potential untapped. It’s challenging not to find yourself grinning while watching these 10 episodes, and if you manage to remain expressionless, I have my doubts about your viewing approach.

Ready for as many seasons as you’ll give me, Netflix!

Watch Nobody Wants This only on Netflix.

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2024-09-26 10:34