As a fan who grew up watching comedies and romances on television, I’ve seen my fair share of stereotypes and clichés, but none quite like those presented in Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This.” While the series has been praised for its hilarious cast and charming leads, it’s hard to ignore the persistent Jewish stereotypes that seem to overshadow the plot.
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been reflecting on some feedback about my show’s portrayal of Jewish characters. Following its debut on September 26th, an opinion piece titled “Netflix’s Nobody Wants This and the Persistent Jewish Stereotype” was published by Glamour, penned by their senior West Coast editor, Jessica Radloff. Although she appreciated the series (to be clear, more details about that later), she did express some concerns over how Jewish women are depicted in the romantic comedy. From an unsympathetic mother figure to the stereotypical controlling/annoying wife who constantly clashes with her partner, these portrayals were a point of contention for Radloff. Lately, I’ve had the opportunity to discuss this criticism with the Los Angeles Times, where I shared my thoughts on the backlash.
“It’s crucial for us to share uplifting stories about Jews at this moment. I find it intriguing when characters challenge stereotypes, such as the lead being a young, hip, and cool rabbi who smokes marijuana. This character goes against the typical image of a Jewish rabbi, don’t you agree? If I portrayed the Jewish parents as laid-back, free-spirited hippies living on a farm, some might argue that they’ve never encountered Jews like that before, and claim that I lack understanding of Jewish characters or am incompetent. They may also say that my depiction doesn’t accurately represent the Jewish community.
In an unexpected turn of events, the story unfolds around the relationship between Noah, a charismatic young rabbi, and Joanne, a woman who hosts a sex podcast with her sibling. At first glance, it might seem that these two are mismatched, but their romance develops rapidly and they become deeply enamored, to the dismay of some of their nearest friends and relatives. The main opposition comes from Noah’s female relatives, his mother, who surprisingly grows fond of Joanne, yet staunchly opposes their union, and his sister-in-law, whose allegiance lies with Noah’s former partner.
Nobody Wants This Has Been Criticized for Its Jewish ‘Stereotypes’
Radloff contends that the novel “Nobody Wants This” portrays Jewish women as women who are overly controlling, eager for marriage, and obsessed with hosting dinner parties, while shunning anyone who doesn’t align with their dreams. Additionally, Radloff points out an instance at the temple where these women are unfriendly towards Joanne, a character in the book, which he finds inconsistent with the teachings of Judaism.
In contrast to the teachings we receive as Jews, which emphasize welcoming one’s neighbor, this temple scene is strikingly different. Radloff further notes that in a time when antisemitism is alarmingly high, reminiscent of levels not seen since the Holocaust, such scenes have a profound impact on him.
As stated by Foster, the conflicts depicted between Joanne and Noah’s family on the show are entirely fictional, as the showrunner has consistently maintained a positive relationship with Tikhman’s family. Prior to marrying Tikhman (who is not a rabbi) in 2019, Foster adopted Judaism.
Although she had some reservations about Nobody Wants This, Radloff found the romantic comedy series genuinely amusing and enjoyed it. Many others share her sentiment, as the series debuted at the second spot on Netflix with a staggering 10.3 million views within four days of its release. The show has received widespread acclaim, with critics admiring Foster’s writing, the humorous cast, and the chemistry between Bell and Brody that lights up the screen. Moreover, it’s a delight for millennials and fans of early 2000s television to see Bell and Brody together on-screen.
Nobody Wants This
is available to stream on Netflix.
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2024-10-02 14:31