Hasan Minhaj's 'Patriot Act' canceled

Comedian Hasan Minhaj

Netflix didn't renew Hasan Minhaj's Patriot Act for next season which is too bad. The comedian's political brand of humor that shows the absurdity of much that's going on today is needed more than ever.

No reason was given for the end of a show that won an Emmy and a Peabody Award.

The comedian tweeted the announcement Tuesday morning. “@patriotact has come to an end. I got to work with the best writers, producers, researchers, and animators in the game,” Minhaj wrote.

The show aired 29 episodes since it started in October of 2018.

Patriot Act was a rare show giving an Asian American perspective on news of the day. One of my favorite episodes (below) was aired after the killing of George Floyd where he called out Asian Americans for their their anti-Black bias.

Netflix has had problems with late night comedians.. Over the last few years, the streamer has ended series like "The Break With Michelle Wolf," "The Joel McHale Show With Joel McHale" and "Chelsea," a talk show with comedian Chelsea Handler.

Hasan Minhaj is not joking in a powerful message to Asian Americans, "We cannot stay silent about George Floyd

Hasan Minhaj, host of Netflix's Patriot Act, gave an impassioned plea aimed directly at Asian Americans and why AAPI need to support the George Floyd protestors and for equal justice for all People of Color, especially Black Americans.

The comedian wasn't joking when he dropped a Patriot Act Digital Exclusive episode on YouTube titled ‘We Cannot Stay Silent About George Floyd.’ that excoriated the anti-black sentiment that permeates through AAPI communities.

In the 12-minute long episode, that has since gone viral on social media, he starts in his typical style pointing out the absurdity of some situations:

“Asians, we love seeing Black excellence — Barack, Michelle, JAY [-Z], Beyoncé, the Travis Scott [Air Jordan] 4s. We spent the last five weeks praying at the altar of Michael Jordan. How could we be afraid? We love Black America. Yeah, on screen in our living rooms. But if a Black man walks in your living room or wants to date, God forbid, marry your daughter, you call the cops.”

Then he dives into the colorism that exists in Asian culture where lighter skin is coveted and dark skin is looked down on.

And to drive his point home, he shows of picture of former Minneapolis police officer Tuo Thao, one of the four officers who were involved in the arrest and death of Floyd. While three officers restrained Floyd, Thao stood in front of the onlookers videotaping the incident.

"That is America. A black man was murdered in cold blood, and we were on the f**king sidelines watching," said Minhaj, calling for non-black POC to take a more active role. "I'm not saying we were the ones who killed George Floyd. But we have to be the ones who pull that cop off his neck!"

"We think we're not a part of the story, but we're at the scene of the crime! That's why the full picture matters. This doesn't happen in a vacuum — it happens in a system," he continued.

"We have to donate our money and time to black organizations," said the second-generation Indian American. "We have got to get our civics law school nerd shit on right now."

He specifically challenged Asian immigrants: "America's story didn't start when we got here," said Minhaj. "When you became an American citizen you don't just get to own the country's excellence. You have to own its failures. That is the deal."

He concluded with a direct appeal to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who is on a first-name basis with his fellow Muslim American to aggressively prosecute the four former officers, "to set a precedent, so the next time we see a cop with a knee on a black man's neck, we see it for what it is -- murder.!"

'From a distance' -- Hasan Minhaj gives tips to brown families at home

Like most of us, Hasan Minhaj is sheltering in place and practicing social distancing, but -- also like many of us, he's getting a little stir-crazy.

With his Patriot Act on hiatus during the coronavirus crisis, the Indian American comedian has introduced "Hasan Minhaj - From A Distance" on his Facebook page and YouTube.

The best part is we get to watch Minhaj's parenting skills as his wife goes to work in the medical field.

Forsaking his Netflix format, Minhaj presents the simple things: From making peanut butter sandwich or telling the difference between Ranch drassing and masala, to reviewing chidrens' books, the comedian has us laughing providing a welcome relief from the news of the day.

Here are two sample episodes. Enjoy! Wash your hands and stay at home.

Seriously though, don't ignore the Asian American vote In 2020, says Hasan Minhaj

NETFLIX

Hasan Minhaj and Andrew Yang interview an Asian American voter.

Making someone laugh gets them to lower their walls and sometimes, insight breaks through. Hasan Minhaj's Patriot Act on Netflix does that in his latest episode released Dec. 1, "Don't Ignore The Asian Vote in 2020."

Using disarming humor, the Sacramento-born Indian American, jabs elbows in the ribs of Asian American voters and the major political parties of the US.

"It's pander season, baby," Minhaj opens.

“Despite our growing numbers, politicians and the media ignore us,” Minhaj says.

What a dilemma: Asian American voters have voter turnout because they are mostly ignored by the Democrats and Republicans. On the other hand, the Dems and GOP don't bother with Asian American voters because they don't vote.

Using statistics from AAPI Data, Minhaj points out how Asian American communities have turned elections in Virginia and Orange County, CA.

He interviews Andrew Yang's about his beef with MSNBC and Cory Booker about reaching out to his Asian American electorate in New Jersey. 

Minhaj points out the importance of immigration policy to the diverse Asian American communities and suggests that a good slogan for a candidates is "I'll let your cousing in."

With less than a year left before Americans pick their President, it behooves Asian American voters to pay attention to the primaries and the candiadtes. For Democrats and Republicans, they ignore Asian Americans at their own peril. That's no joke.

Patriot Act is available for streaming on Netflix.

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Hasan Minhaj, Padma Lakshmi celebrate immigrants in the arts at New American Festival, Sept. 14-15

Padma Lakshmi, Arturo Castro, Aparna Nancherla, Jonny Sun, Ronny Chieng, Marcus Samuelsson, Min Jin Lee, and Yasmin Khan to headline New American Festival in New York City

In a celebration of immigrants' contributions to American art, food, film, comedy, fashion and more, foodie queen and model Padma Lakshmi will give a keynote address.

New American Economy (NAE) has announced the complete lineup of events comprising the inaugural New American Festival, a groundbreaking event that brings together a wide range of immigrant cultural luminaries this weekend, Sept. 14-15.

The festival will take place at NeueHouse (Madison Square – 110 East 25th Street), in New York City.

Following its debut in New York, NAE will bring the New American Festival to cities across the U.S., including Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Kansas City, Nashville, Houston, and Oakland, among others.

“The New American Festival celebrates the visionary contributions that immigrants make to the fields of art and culture,” said New American Economy’s Katherine Steinberg. “Immigrants have revolutionized cuisine, and altered our perceptions through convention-breaking comedy, music, literature, and performance. The festival highlights how our cultural diversity is our national strength across each of these fields.”

According to NAE’s recent analysis of the 2017 American Community Survey, more than 400,000 immigrants are working in creative or artistic occupations, helping support the nearly $1 trillion creative industry sector in the United States. There are more than 25,000 immigrant actors, producers, and directors; nearly 23,000 immigrant musicians; more than 17,400 immigrant photographers; and more than 16,000 immigrant writers and authors nationwide.

Josh Wyatt, CEO of NeueHouse, said, “NeueHouse is honored to partner with the New American Festival to host its inaugural festival and call our space their home this month. The NeueHouse creative community thrives in an inclusive environment regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation and socio-economic backgrounds, a vision that is shared and celebrated by the New American Festival. NeueHouse deeply values and supports the diversity of members through thoughtful programming, community forums and business platforms that enable success for all.”

New American Festival headliners include established and emerging artists whose work has changed their respective fields and art forms.

New York Times best-selling author, host, and executive producer Padma Lakshmi will give the keynote address which kicks off the celebration Saturday morning.

In addition, the festival will also offer conversations with award-winning host, comedian, writer, and producer Hasan Minhaj (Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, Homecoming King) and sex therapist, radio and television show host and author Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer and a performance by America’s leading Latino dance organization, Ballet Hispánico.

Other headliners include renowned chef, restaurateur, and author Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster Harlem, Marcus B&P), Big Friendship co-author and Call Your Girlfriend podcaster Aminatou Sow, author Min Jin Lee (Pachinko, Free Food for Millionaires), and author, broadcaster and cook Yasmin Khan (Zaitoun, The Saffron Tales).

The festival will feature a panel discussion with Comedy Central talent and executives and a stand-up hour featuring comedians, including Ronny Chieng (senior correspondent for Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah), Aparna Nancherla (Comedy Central’s Corporate, Netflix’s The Standups, Bojack Horseman), Vladimir Caamaño (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Marvel’s Runaways, Jimmy Kimmel Live), and more.

BoJack Horseman writer, everyone’s a aliebn when ur a aliebn too author, and illustrator of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s New York Times best-seller Gmorning, Gnight! Jonny Sun will bring an interactive multimedia piece to NeueHouse with collaborating artist Hannah Davis.

The musical lineup features artists across genres, including Canadian singer-songwriter Ruth B, and Japanese Breakfast, the indie-rock solo music project of Korean-American musician Michelle Zauner.

Also joining the festival will be America’s leading Latino dance organization Ballet Hispánico, author Daniel José Older, The Splendid Table podcast host Francis Lam, 2018 James Beard Foundation Book of the Year winner, Michael W. Twitty, Chinese-American bilingual rapper and hip-hop artist Bohan Phoenix and many other guests.

All tickets can be purchased at www.newamericanfestival.com. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

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Asian Americans give impactful toasts at Time's gala

In a room full of luminaries from the fields of entertainment, sports, journalism and science, gathered together as Time's 100 Most Influential, three Asian Americans stood out when they gave their toasts: comedian Hasan Minhaj, journalist Maria Resa and actress Sandra Oh.

Time magazine's gala honoring the 100 was held Tuesday (April 23) at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

RELATED: Time names 20 Asians and AAPI named as 'most influential'

In his toast, the Hasan Minhaj paid tribute to Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul who also made this year’s TIME 100 list, but couldn''t attend the gala because she is in a Saudi Arabian prison. Minhaj call on Jared Kushner to use his special relationship with Mohammad bin Salman to help  help al-Hathloul,

“I was just hoping he could send a WhatsApp message,” he told TIME after his speech. “[It could say] hey, this person has been fighting for civil liberties for all people. Maybe you should let them out of prison.”

Beleaguered Filipino journalist Maria Resa took the opportunity to encourage journalist to continue to tell the truth.

“I think we’re living through a very unique moment where again it proves that information is power,” said the journalist in her toast.

“Its a completely chaotic time where technology has helped make facts disputable, eroded truth, and crippled trust.”

Resa and the online newsite that she co-founded, Rappler, has been a thorn in Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's side.

Sandra Oh gushing the Beyonce for her work on the Netflix documentary Homecoming, which is about Beeyonce's preparation for the now-legendary Coachella concert.

“It’s such an important piece of work,” Oh said of the concert documentary about her 2018 Coachella performance. “I encourage you all to see it because you’re witnessing an artist at her most potent and working on the deepest cultural level.”

Oh went . on to say, “It’s a good time to be making art. It’s an important time to be making art,” said the Killling Eve star. “I truly believe art evolves our hearts and our minds because it allows us to experience and understand another’s sorrow. It reminds us of universal truths. It connects us. Art can transform us and through us, our culture.”

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Hasan Minhaj kicks off his show with a bang

SCREEN CAPTURE / YOUTUBE

Hasan Minhaj tackles affirmative action and conservative Asian Americans in the premiered of his Netflix show

By Louis Chan,
ASAM NEWS

HASAN MINHAJ'S NEW SHOW on Netflix debuted Sunday, and if the premier episode is an indication, the former correspondent for The Daily Showwon’t hesitate to speak from his perspective as an Asian American and Muslim.
“Affirmative action as we know it, is about to die, and guess what Asian Americans, we are the ones who can kill it,” Minhaj says in the premiere episode of Patriot Act speaking about the lawsuit alleging discrimination against Asian Americans by Harvard.

“I find it hilarious that this is the hill were willing to die on,” Minhaj said continuing to speak to Asian Americans.

Born in Davis, California, Minhaj comes from a Muslim family. His parents were born in India.

With a graphic behind him, he points out Asian Americans are 5.8 percent of the population, but 22 percent of Harvard admits.

“In classic Asian-parent fashion, we’re like 22 percent, why not 100 percent?”

He goes on to address Yukong Zhao, the head of Asian Americans Coalition for Education, who took on Harvard after his two kids were rejected by the Ivy Leagues. Minhaj called Zhao the “Chinese Joe Jackson.”

Minhaj then talked about Ajay Kothari, who’s challenged affirmative action from his perch as a leader in the American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin. Minhaj labeled Kothari an “Indian uncle” who confused the movie Akeelah and the Bee with “blackwashing” an Indian story.

He painted Edward Blum, who filed the lawsuit against Harvard, as a White guy who failed in his effort to challenge affirmative action in Abigail Fisher v University of Texas. Fisher, Minhaj said, was a White student with bad grades.

You can watch the episode below:

TGIF Feature: Hasan Minhaj gets his own TV show

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Hasan Minhaj at the White House Correspondents' Dinner last year.

INDIAN/AMERICAN COMEDIAN Hasan Minhaj will be hosting a weekly talk show for Netflix.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Netflix family as the country braces for another election season — and like you, I cannot wait to find out who Putin picks this time,” said Minhaj. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show will be an “opportunity for the comedian to explore the modern cultural and political landscapes with depth and sincerity.” The not-yet-named show is expected to debut later this year.

Minhaj, 32, will be breaking new ground as the first Indian/American with his own show on American television. He is a seasoned comedian whose accomplishments include performing at the 2017 White House Correspondent’s dinner and releasing his first stand-up special, Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King, on Netflix. 

The streaming service has already committed to 32 episodes of the talk show is an indication of Netflix's confidence in the success of the new show. The news comes shortly after word that Netflix nabbed another of The Daily Show’s correspondents, Michelle Wolf, for a late-night series.

Minhaj was born and raised in California. His parents, Najme and Seema (née Usmani), immigrated to Davis, Calif. from India.

Minhaj joined the The Daily Show back in November of 2014, and will transition off of the show sometime this summer. While Minhaj will be gone from The Daily Show, the comedian still has one more gig with Comedy Central that includes his four-man comedy ensemble Goatface. 

Netflix’s vice president of content Bela Bajaria—who is also reportedly the highest-ranking Indian-American executive in the entertainment industry—is just as excited as I am. “I’ve been a big fan of Hasan’s for many years,” she said. “He’s a phenomenal writer with a distinct point of view [and] he is a brilliant performer, who is hilarious both onstage and off. And more importantly, he isn’t afraid to share his thoughtful voice and unique perspective.”

CORRECTION: Spelling of Hasan Minhaj's name has been corrected.

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