As a lifelong Los Angeles resident with a soft spot for the northeast corner of the city and an insatiable appetite for all things podcast-related, I found myself drawn to Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This.” Having grown up just blocks away from some of the locations featured in the show, it was like stepping into a time machine, transporting me back to my millennial youth when shows like “Gossip Girl” and “The O.C.” ruled the airwaves.
Disclaimer: I find it challenging to maintain objectivity regarding the Netflix comedy “Nobody Wants This,” as it appears to have been primarily filmed in my local vicinity. The light-hearted romance, featuring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody as a chatty podcaster and the tender-hearted rabbi who captivates her, is loosely based on creator Erin Foster’s life, known for her roles in “Barely Famous” and current co-host of “The World’s First Podcast” with her sister Sara. The show seems to revive a TV mini-trend that gained popularity around ten years ago: shows focusing on the emotional and romantic lives of self-absorbed artistic individuals, set in a limited number of neighborhoods in northwestern Los Angeles. Although Bell and Brody’s presence brings to mind millennial favorites like “Gossip Girl” and “The O.C.,” these comparisons are more about shared actors than shared style.
Just like ‘Nobody Wants This’ mirrors shows such as ‘Transparent’, ‘You’re the Worst’, and others, the ‘indie sleaze’ revival echoes The Strokes and LCD Soundsystem in terms of aesthetics but lacks depth. Compared to heavyweights like ‘Catastrophe’ and ‘Fleabag’, it’s even less flattering. However, this might work more to its advantage than a disadvantage. Netflix has previously found success with shows as polished and effortless as ‘Nobody Wants This’. After binging through all ten episodes in two sittings, I found myself in a mindless state reminiscent of ‘Emily in Paris’. The initial rush eventually fades, but people will still find themselves drawn to watch ‘Nobody Wants This’. I’m just not sure it will leave a lasting impression.
Joanne Bell doesn’t offer much complexity in terms of plot or character development on her talk show with her sister Morgan (Justine Lupe from “Succession”), which sometimes struggles with success. As a former employee at Spotify, I must admit I have some reservations about the show’s portrayal of the audio industry. However, when she meets Noah (Brody) at a dinner party, it seems as though the challenges they face simply vanish. It’s quite fortunate that Noah has recently ended a serious relationship, and he appears to be unafraid of jumping into another one headfirst.
The great news is that the essential element of “Nobody Wants This” has been securely established. From the moment Bell and Brody first meet, they exude an effortless, friendly, and believable camaraderie. In fact, their connection could almost seem too natural. Noah is humorous, considerate, ready for commitment, financially stable due to his family, and more relaxed than his profession might indicate. However, the only significant flaw that Joanne can find in him is his excessive eagerness to win over her parents. While this sweet fantasy is appealing, it makes it difficult to develop Noah beyond a one-dimensional character and portray his relationship with Joanne as a bond between two equally complex individuals.
In essence, the main challenge preventing the couple’s perfect future seems to stem from their religious differences; Noah is Jewish while Joanne isn’t. However, it seems far-fetched that such a tension would exist in reality, especially for an adult resident of Los Angeles who might not have encountered terms like “shalom” or “Shabbat.” When used comically, this conflict appears implausible. If used dramatically, Noah’s religious beliefs aren’t portrayed as being significant enough to hold the narrative together. Furthermore, in the portrayal of Jewish women in the film “Nobody Wants This,” there is a concerning stereotype that paints them as overly clannish and harsh towards non-Jewish women. The soundtrack featuring many songs by Haim gives the impression that this story unfolds in the 21st century, but at times it feels like events take place in an era where such conflicts might be more prevalent.
A more relaxed approach works best for “Nobody Wants This.” At its core, it’s a sitcom that excels in comedic situations. For instance, Noah and Joanne encounter a church member at an adult store! Noah’s brother Sasha (Timothy Simons) finds himself assisting his teenage daughter with a love dilemma while high! These events arise and vanish swiftly, typically within 25 minutes, allowing for a smoother binge-watching experience without the distraction of heavier emotions.
The show “Nobody Wants This” appears to be at odds with fostering meaningful relationships between its characters. Despite Lupe’s talent for comedy, Morgan primarily functions as Joanne’s witty sidekick. Her divorce is mentioned, but the reasons behind it and its impact on her are never explored. Initially, Noah seems to struggle standing up to his controlling mother regarding Joanne, but this issue is quickly resolved without recurrence. The character of Joanne’s father (Michael Hitchcock) coming out as gay later in life is used humorously at first. It isn’t until the end of the season that we gain insight into Joanne’s familial background and romantic issues, which is presented as an information dump from another character.
Charisma and nostalgia hold strong appeal, propelling “Nobody Wants This” forward. To be honest, the series’ attempts to explore interfaith cultural conflicts are minimal, leaving one questioning their significance. However, if “Nobody Wants This” fails to establish a genuine relationship between Joanne and Noah, it does provide us with Bell, Brody, and an enjoyable experience instead.
All 10 episodes of “Nobody Wants This” are now streaming on Netflix.
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2024-09-26 17:17