Initially, “Nobody Wants This” seemed like a pretty appropriate name for Netflix's new romantic comedy show about the surprising relationship between a sex podcaster and a Jewish rabbi Let's just say I didn't want this very much before it premiered on streaming last week (September 26)

Its core premise seemed giddy, and the first trailer suggested an overly glossy series that would make me cringe more often than laugh But I've learned by now not to judge a book by its cover (or a Netflix series by its trailer), so on a weekend when I had no plans thanks to a terrible cold, I clicked play on “Nobody Wants This” hoping it would go away relatively quickly Instead, I found one of my favorite shows of 2024

Not since “Baby Reindeer” has a Netflix show hooked me so quickly, and I'm happy to see “Nobody Wants This” suddenly making big waves on the streaming service In just a few short days, it has already become Netflix's No 1 show, and it deserves that title Here's why this easy-to-watch show is one of the biggest surprises of the year

The moment I started watching the first episode of Nobody Wants This, I was instantly reminded of another Netflix show, Love Starring Paul Rust and Gillian Jacobs, this romantic comedy series aired for three seasons between 2016 and 2018 and centered on an offbeat romance between two mismatched people in the hilarious setting of Los Angeles, California

The above is the same general outline as “Nobody Wants This,” so this new Netflix show is hardly original, but the similarity in tone and theme to what I considered one of Netflix's best efforts ever is not a bad thing It's not The budding romance between two very different characters has proven to be a successful formula for romantic comedies, and Nobody Wants This is the latest example of it being used to great effect

Naturally, chemistry between the leads is important in this type of show, and Kristen Bell and Adam Brody have it in spades Bell's quick-witted podcaster Joanne and Brody's charming and bubbly rabbi Noah fit the mold of fairly standard characters, and while the connection between the two odd couples isn't that unique, you quickly grow to care about them, making it It's easy to get emotionally invested in their relationship

“Nobody Wants This” has a real watchable charm Its comedic tone falls on the right side of playful banter without falling into the trap of being overly snarky, and most of the characters are likable Even the characters who are portrayed as obstacles to Joanne and Noah's relationship have understandable motivations and are not treated as cartoonish villains

Also, episodes run a maximum of 30 minutes, and some are only 21 minutes long In the current era of streaming TV, the art of the 30-minute episode seems to be being replaced by longer chapters that can even be feature-length (I'm looking at you “Stranger Things”), but there is something enjoyable and digestible about an episode that can be watched in under 30 minutes Furthermore, “Nobody Wants This” is very easy to binge, as you can watch several episodes in under two hours

“Nobody Wants This” has only been on Netflix for a short time, but it has already been quite a hit on the popular streaming service Over the weekend, it dethroned the true-life drama “Monsters” from the No 1 spot and received many positive reactions on social media

I'm not the only one swept away by this unconventional relationship On the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, “Nobody Wants This” received an impressive score of 93% from less than 30 reviews In addition, the audience score is off to an equally strong start at 91% These may fluctuate as more reviews come in, but initial ratings are very high

Tim Grunfield of The Times of London noted that “the old-fashioned chemistry between Bell and Brody keeps audiences on their toes,” while Mike Hale of The New York Times praised the show's “smooth romantic comedy fluency” Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times described the characters as “bouncy, comfortable, and likable or ultimately likable” All of these things I can very much agree with

It is not only the leads who have been praised by critics Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter says that “Bell and Brody are flanked by seasoned scene stealers, and creator Erin Foster further gives their story a specificity that sets it apart from the usual encounters between mismatched lovers”

Of course, not everyone is under the spell of this clever Netflix show; RogerEbertcom's Nandini Barial dismissed it as “a romantic comedy series that lacks both romance and comedy”

If you're looking for your next Netflix binge-watch, there's good news Nobody Wants This is, ironically, exactly what you're looking for right now: the short length per episode makes it very convenient to get through a couple of episodes when you're short on time, and the lighthearted comedic tone means that if you're in the mood for something light (or happen to be sick) Trust me, it's the best sick show out there It's a great Netflix show to watch when you're in the mood for something light (or if you happen to be sick, trust me, it's the best sick show ever)

Kristen Bell and Adam Brody are immediately likable as individuals, and they have more than enough on-screen chemistry to make you care about their relationship Even as many of their friends and family members are begging them to break off their budding romance, you'll be rooting for them to find a way to make it work And that is the essence of a great romantic comedy

All 10 episodes of “Nobody Wants This” are available on Netflix If you've already watched all the seasons, be sure to check out this great new Netflix original movie that hasn't gotten the attention it deserves And for what's new on the popular service, check out our guide to what's new on Netflix this week, including movies and shows

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