Nobody Wants This creator Erin Foster has responded to criticism claiming that the Netflix series perpetuates stereotypes about Jewish women and "villainises" them.
The recently released romcom follows an unexpected romance between Joanne (Kristen Bell), an agnostic serial dater, and Noah (Adam Brody), a progressive rabbi who has just ended a long-term relationship.
As they navigate their intense chemistry and differing values, Joanne faces the decision of whether to convert to Judaism to be with Noah.
In the show, viewers watch as Joanne and Noah frequently face critics of their relationship, especially from his mother Bina, sister-in-law Esther, ex-girlfriend Rebecca, and all of Rebecca’s friends, who are also Jewish.
In one scene, Esther confronts Joanne, labeling her a “wh**e,” while her friends exhibit a chilly demeanor towards Joanne.
Following the criticism, Foster, who based the series on her own love story with husband Simon Tikhman, addressed concerns regarding the portrayal of Jewish stereotypes in the show.
When asked about this, she told the LA Times: “I think we need positive Jewish stories right now.”
“I think it’s interesting when people focus on, ‘Oh, this is a stereotype of Jewish people,’ when you have a rabbi as the lead. A hot, cool, young rabbi who smokes weed.
“That’s the antithesis of how people view a Jewish rabbi, right?”
Foster then went on to discuss the challenge of balancing creativity with accurate character portrayal.
She continued: “If I made the Jewish parents, like, two granola hippies on a farm. Then someone would write, ‘I’ve never met a Jewish person like that before. You clearly don’t know how to write Jewish people, you don’t know what you’re doing, and that doesn’t represent us well.’”
Although Foster’s husband is a music executive rather than a rabbi, the storyline draws heavily from their own love story. The writer converted to Judaism prior to marrying Tikhman, and conceived the idea for Nobody Wants This during her conversion process four years ago.
Foster also emphasised in the interview that she intentionally collaborated with writers who are Jewish to ensure an authentic representation while creating the series.
As the show climbs the ranks on the streaming service’s top 10 globally, Glamour's Jessica Radloff said in a review of the show: “I can't imagine any guy who watches this show who would then say, ‘I really want to date a Jewish girl!’
“We come off as controlling, marriage-hungry women who want to plan dinner parties and alienate anyone who doesn't share those same dreams.”
In a Time review, Esther Zuckerman wrote that she “couldn't help but feel let down” after watching the show.
“While it offers up the fantasy of the ideal Jewish man in Noah, the series seems to loathe Jewish women, who are portrayed as nags, harpies, and the ultimate villains of this story,” Zuckerman penned. “I wanted to be swept away by a rom-com. Instead, I was faced with the reality that maybe this show actually hates me.”
Bloomberg News Tech Reporter Dina Bass wrote on X: “So do I want to watch Nobody Wants This? I love the two main actors - Veronica Mars and the OC are two beloved shows for me.
“But like I'm not dying to be bombarded by Jewish stereotypes and particularly not nasty and lazy ones revolving around Jewish women.”
