Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard radiate on-screen and off, making them one of Hollywood’s most lovable duos. Though best known for their cute co-starring roles, recent reports suggest that the romantic comedy with which Bell has lately been involved might actually be winning her some real-life “extra credit” from Shepard. Indeed, the series in question is already a ratings hit well before its much-anticipated conclusion. Bell’s on-screen success is an even more pronounced pay-off given her relatively recent pivot back to the romcom game following the indisputable flop that was “The Good Place.”
A husband is not typically found extolling virtues of electric chemistry displayed by his wife with another man, but for Dax Shepard, it was all in good fun. The super-supportive spouse got the internet talking with his recent, let’s say, carefree reaction to tha show’s steamy scenes between Kristen and Adam Brody. “Even I can acknowledge it. Like, watching it, I’m like, ‘Whoa, that’s hot,'” Kristen said during her e-talk interview. “It was so funny when we were watching it. He was like, ‘Oh my God, I want you to kiss him so badly!'”
Dax’s juicy, candid, and humorous confession has sent social media into a tizzy. But it’s hard to say whether the excitement over the revelation has been matched by the tunefulness of the fans who are eagerly partaking in the new Kristen-centric narrative being spun for them. They (and I) are mostly just tuning in to watch the former “Chainsaw Sally” operate on what appears to be her own version of the “Sex, Love, and Relationship” Podcast. In it, she finds Sally-ous delight in trying on the eyes of her newly-single Rabbi Noah. These family-and-culture-dancing characters are, if you can believe it, making love work in the new series. Who knew?
Even though the vibrant chemistry between the stars is apparent on-screen, Kristen still insists that it isn’t as simple as it looks. “I guess I don’t want to be reductive, but I think there’s a bit of math to it,” she told me. “You have to have two actors that know how to stare dopily into each other’s eyes.” Of course, this is acting, and any resemblance to factors involved in real-life romantic relationships is purely coincidental. Still, the anticipation built into the smolder–the kind that Divergent just isn’t able to manage–is kind of like acting calculus. And the “math” that Kristen says is involved in simulating love is the reason that the love stories told in movies and on television just seem to work (if they work at all).
The remarkable popularity of the show, crafted by the brilliant Aaron Foster, is already etched into the Netflix phenomenon. The first season wraps up nicely and yet, at the same time, leaves you tentatively hoping for more. It appears that discussions are ongoing regarding a second season, and, if there is a second season, Aaron Foster promises that it will maintain the same breakneck pace that leaves you hanging and clamoring for more. The first season took its time and, in some places, really just dragged, so if there is a second season, Aaron Foster hopes that it will pick up the already established story and the already established pace, and just keep going.
As excitement grows and fans look to the future with hope for a second season, one thing is certain — whether dealing with the ups and downs of her real-life love story with her number one fan and partner in crime, or dishing up the drama in her small-screen relationships, Kristen Bell is a romantic force to be reckoned with. Together with the vastly likable Dax Shepard, this Hollywood power couple dishes out plenty of reasons to believe in love, mostly through the effortless way they seem to embody it.
Anticipation is running high in Tinseltown, and one question in particular is being asked: will the bewitching chemistry between Joanne and Noah hold audiences spellbound for another season? Only time will tell, but if the swoon-worthy performance by Kristen Bell is any indication, the answer promises to be a resounding “yes!” Until then, fans are on the edge of their seats, ready to enjoy the delightful drama and tension that only a really good romantic comedy can provide. In short, we in Brattleboro can’t wait to see what happens next!
