Adam Brody: Resurgence

There’s not a Jewish bone in her body. Unless you put one in her....

The Hebrew Phrase 'Kol Hakavod' means Applause and Recognition, something actor Adam Brody has achieved this past year.  Although Brody's been the business from close to 30 years, I don't think he's had a year quite like 2024 before.  Sure, he was popular on The OC, but his role as Rabbi Noah Roklov on the Netflix series, Nobody Wants This, has garnered a huge amount of critical praise and attention. 

Nobody Wants This has been generally very well received, but not necessarily by Rabbi's and all Jews. The show does rely on many tired stereotypes, especially of Jewish women and Jewish mothers, but many believe you have to take the good with the bad.  I've read a few articles that focus on the response from Rabbi's.  

Even those that have a few issues with the show, and with Rabbi Noah's character, most agree there are positives.  Given all that's going on right now, they feel that the show came along at a good time, and humanizes Rabbi's in a way not usually seen in films and on television.  It's rare for Rabbi's to be seen as the main character and the romantic lead.  Most are usually supporting characters, and often depicted as 'odd' or for comic relief.
 

I love Nobody Wants This for the story and the characters, but mostly because of the smart and well paced dialogue.  The scenes where Noah meets Joanne's parents for the first time were brilliantly written.  The 'ick' factor jokes about the huge sunflower bouquet and sport coat were genius, and so well delivered by the cast.  If you watched, you know what I mean, if you didn't, you should.

Despite his length of time in the business this is only my second time enjoying Brody's work.  I actually have never seen any of The OC.  It's just a show that for some reason passed me by.  I knew it was on, but it premiered back in 2003, a time shortly after I finished University and was getting my career off the ground.  I am tempted to start though, especially after reading Thea Glassman's book, Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson's Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed.  The book had a lot of behind the scenes info, especially about the initial casting and the pilot, had me wanting to give it a look.

My crush on Adam Brody began watching him as Dave on Gilmore Girls. Brody was in his early 20's, but playing about 17.  Dave was such a cool character, and the show really should have used him more. As much as I love the show, they really did wrong by poor Lane Kim, she really deserved her Dave.

Gilmore Girls

The OC

The Kid Detective (2020)

Although he's had his fare share of shirtless scenes on television, Adam Brody has not shown a whole lot of skin on film. Except for a far off mooning scene in The Grind, I think 2020's The Kid Detective was our only real view of Brody's cute behind.