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The Indian-Americans

Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj

More Addictive Than Masala Peanuts!

If you haven’t watched Hasan Minhaj before, you have been forewarned – he is more addictive than a bowl of masala peanuts. Sundays in New York will never be the same again because they are now MinDays – they must include the very likeable comedian Hasan Minhaj and his new Netflix show ‘Patriot Act’. The hugely popular host has a lot to say on affirmative action, Amazon.com, the Vote and even Saudi Arabia. And when he talks, people listen. How can one not? Those big fierce eyes, that face? He’s the Brown Badshah with over 317 K followers on Twitter.

As the son of immigrant Muslim parents, he can take on touchy topics, being both outlier and insider.  He can take on the Administration but also gently rib Indian uncles and aunties for their foibles. He is the first Indian-American to host the late night talk shows, and using his special authentic identity, he romps on eggshells and gets away with it.

Minhaj who was the correspondent on Jon Stewart’s The Daily show totally turns the concept of talk shows on their head  – there is no desk, no guests, just the man himself walking back and forth on the stage, using his eyes, hands (and mouth) a lot. As a follower on Twitter tweeted about the first two episodes, “It’s like @Tedtalks meets smart infographics, creating the best use of visuals and space I’ve seen on TV. The set design and overall feel is surprisingly fresh in world where it’s all been done. You feel smarter.”

Minhaj can say just about anything and the audience laps it up. I remember a hilarious episode on The Daily Show where he asked Preet Bharara how his family felt about his having become jobless.  It was all in zany humor but done with such a straight face by both him and Bharara! One also remembers his superb roasting of the Trump Administration at the Press Correspondents dinner. And now again with a straight face, he takes on serious issues and makes you see the light.

Jen Cheny wrote in Vulture, “Patriot Act’s most crucial distinguishing factor is that it enables Minhaj to say things that no other current talk show host could possibly say. The affirmative-action episode focuses on the lawsuit filed against Harvard University by the anti-affirmative action group Students for Fair Admissions, which has garnered support from some Asian-Americans who believe that race should not be considered by college admissions officials. (He makes the very strong point that one of the most discriminatory admissions practices is letting in legacy applicants, who often tend to be white and wealthy.)

He takes on sacred cows and 800  1b gorillas with an innocent smile. So Sundays mean putting everything aside and giving one’s undivided attention to Minhaj.  It’s a show to watch to feel the pulse of the country through the stand-up proclamations of one cool brown dude who is smart as well as funny.

What do you think of Hasan Minhaj and Patriot Act?  Do share!

(This article first appeared in my column India in America in CNBCTV18.com)