Anyone who is a regular of Netflix would have noticed that they have been trying to take hold of comedy the past year. However, whether the platform’s releases all hit their mark is up for debate.  

Its new romantic comedy series “Nobody Wants This” dropped a few months back. I’m generally not into modern rom-coms, but I committing to this one because I was intrigued by the trailer.

This story follows the relationship between Noah (Adam Brody), a rabbi, and Joanne (Kristen Bell), an agnostic sex podcaster, and the show is as much wild as that suggests. The main point of contention for the couple’s relationship is the two distinct cultures they come from. This concept gives the show a solid base for many effortlessly funny moments. 

Joanne runs the sex podcast with her sister Morgan (Justine Lupe), which is popular enough to support them. Joanne and Morgan both don’t believe in finding their one true love. To top that, Joanne has a track record of dating emotionally unavailable men, which is always a point of discussion amongst her family, which includes her divorced mother and recently openly-gay father. On the other side is Noah, whose girlfriend Rebecca pushes him to propose, which leads to their breakup when he falters.

While the radically different cultures Noah and Joanne come from makes it difficult for both to find middle ground, it only gets more complicated because of the naysayers for their relationship — namely, Noah’s mother Bina, his sister-in-law Esther and Morgan. As the show’s title suggests, “Nobody Wants” their relationship to progress nor succeed. 

The progress of their relationship has been captured, with inherent wit, in 10 short episodes and the show never fails to entertain. Noah’s Jewish background hooked me to the show. The close-minded nature of his community, his relationship with his parents and the way his mother treats Joanne is so very similar to the Indian culture and people I see around me.

I particularly loved watching Bell as Joanne; she is relatable, likable and frustrating. Brody is also delightful as Noah. He does his part very well and makes the audience root for him all the way. I was most entertained, however, by Tovah Feldshuh, who plays Bina; her antics and expressions land perfectly. 

The show comes to a head when Noah is offered the coveted head rabbi post but only if he is willing to let go of the “shiksa” — the non-Jewish Joanne. What will Noah do? Is there a way for him to get the best of both worlds?

“Nobody Wants This’” romantic and comedy elements land where they ought to. The show has already been renewed for a second season and I can’t wait to watch it to see where it goes further. 

It is a must watch for people who love this genre and a good choice for those who want to watch something short as a stress-buster. 

This show gets a spectacular 8 out of 10 stars.