By Anmoldeep Kaur
As one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2019, Hasan Minhaj is one of the foremost South Asian comedians in the world. Minhaj was a senior correspondent on “The Daily Show” but only entered the mainstream media circuit with his comedy special “Homecoming King” on Netflix. The pinnacle of Minhaj’s career was his weekly program “Patriot Act,” a Sunday special that provided social and political commentary with comedic relief.
“Hasan Minhaj himself brings Indian representation to the stage in Hollywood, especially when his show ‘Patriot Act’ included a unique blend of politics and comedy. The show, being interesting and funny enough to keep people invested while also educating them at the same time, made politics much less intimidating,” said junior Rachel Xie.
The Peabody Award and Emmy winning program ran for two years before coming to an abrupt end earlier this year in June. This unexpected cancellation is not all that surprising when taking into consideration Netflix’s track record with similar talk shows. Fans of the comedian and program took to social media to express their shock and disappointment in the streaming service’s decision. However, Minhaj took the opportunity to reflect on his journey during the show and express his gratitude towards viewers, staff, and his streaming partner.
Source by Sydney Hargrove, @sydneysscrapbook
Minhaj's "Patriot Act," was a big hit, covering many controversial topics such as Affirmative Action, drug companies, and COVID-19.
Minhaj may have lost the show, but new endeavors are just on the horizon for this 35 year-old comedian. In early November of this year, he announced his collaboration with the American luxury shoe brand, Cole Hann. The collection pays homage to Minhaj’s culture, family, and personal journey. The polychromatic shades of the waterproof hikers and sneakers of the collection resemble a color palette straight off the set of a Bollywood movie. This is one of the many tributes embedded in the collection to Minhaj’s background, the flamboyant and lively colors encapsulating the grandeur and energy of Bollywood. Other personalized features include the date “10.09.14” engraved in the sole of the shoe representing the date of Minhaj’s life-altering “The Daily Show” interview, and the words “survive” and “live” etched into the fabric of the shoe tabs to recognize and honor his father’s immigration story.
“As a representative of South Asian Americans, Hasan Minhaj’s collaboration with Cole Hann spreads the similar story of many immigrant parents: seeking a better life for their children and families in the United States. It is not easy immigrating to a different country and Hasan Minhaj’s primary goal was to shine light on a story that so many Americans experienced,” said junior Elisa George.
Making yet another triumphant stride in his career, Minhaj is expected to join the cast of the Apple TV+ series “The Morning Show,” an Emmy and Golden Globe nominated drama series that explores the inner workings of a fictional morning show. The comedian will be joining an impressive cast composed of celebrated actors such as Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell. Although an official release date for the second season has not been announced by Apple TV+, the season is currently being rewritten to incorporate more modern elements due to the myriad of issues the world now faces.
2020 has been quite an eventful year for Minhaj with unanticipated endings and hopeful new beginnings. Minhaj welcomed his newborn son with his wife, Beena Patel, in March. The comedian described the experience in an announcement on his Instagram, “Even in these crazy times there are so many beautiful moments.” Minhaj has established a name for himself in the world of comedy and media, along with a strong audience that eagerly awaits his new projects.
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