David Farnor | On 19, Aug 2020

Netflix has cancelled Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj after six seasons.

The topical Netflix series, which first premiered in 2017, has won a fan base around the world with its unique approach to topical satire, tackling a wide range of subjects, from immigration enforcement and Amazon to oil production and content moderation and free speech. Along the way, it picked up an Emmy and Peabody Award.

That success wasn’t even halted by the coronavirus pandemic, with Minhaj returning after a short postponement to film new episodes under lockdown using a green screen. That sixth run, however, will be the show’s last, the comic has revealed.

“What a run,” Minhaj wrote on Twitter last night. “Patriot Act has come to an end. I got to work with the best writers, producers, researchers, and animators in the game. My 2 babies were born and grew up with the show. TY to @netflix and everyone who watched. Now it’s time to return these screens to Best Buy.”

The series’ cancellation marks another talk show getting the axe at the streamer, after the failed attempt of Chelsea Handler’s Chelsea and the brief runs of The Break With Michelle Wolf and The Joel McHale Show With Joel McHale. It also comes ahead of the US election season, with the loss of Minhaj’s perspective lamented by many on Twitter.

Minhaj spoke to Variety recently about the programme and said that working with Netflix was a “no brainer”, given the platform’s reach – beyond “the late-night world with multiple Jimmy’s”.

“If you’re a creative of color, now is the time,” he added. “If you have a definitive voice or a project or thing that you want to put forward, I would say, just be unapologetic. Go for it.”

 

Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj is returning to Netflix this Sunday

17th May 2020

Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj is returning to Netflix this Sunday.

The topical Netflix series, which first premiered in 2017, has impressed with its unique approach to topical satire, skipping weekly headlines to tackle a wide range of subjects, from immigration enforcement and Amazon to oil production and content moderation and free speech.

You might expect that be halted by the coronavirus pandemic, but like topical comedy series The Mash Report and Have I Got News for You in the UK, Patriot Act is gearing up for new episodes, filmed and produced in lockdown. Minhaj’s show has always used a giant screen behind the comic to effective use, and now, that stripped-down approach to its set design is being replicated with a green screen and what is presumably Hasan being filmed in his own house.

Episodes will arrive weekly on Sundays from 17th May – and you can get a glimpse of the playful use of tech in the witty new trailer for the show’s sixth volume:

 

Hasan Manhaj’s Patriot Act returns to Netflix in February

10th January 2018

Hasan Minhaj’s Patriot Act will return for Part 2 this February.

The topical Netflix series, which first premiered last year, has impressed with its unique approach to topical satire, skipping weekly headlines to tackle a wide range of subjects, from immigration enforcement and Amazon to oil production and content moderation and free speech.

The first Indian-American host of a weekly comedy talk show, Minhaj is no stranger to Netflix, with his one-hour stand-up special Homecoming King enjoying a positive response on the streaming service. After hosting the 2017 White House Correspondents’ Dinner and working on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in November 2014, he then joined Netflix’s fledgling line-up of talk shows, which has included Joel McHale, Michelle Wolf and Chelsea Handler. With little success at trying to replicate the popularity of traditional TV’s late night circuit, Minhaj’s Patriot Act has fared better than most of Netflix’s efforts, with an order of 32 episodes giving it the chance to find its voice.

That voice, though, was silenced to some degree this month, when Netflix pulled an episode following a legal complaint from Saudi Arabia, which had issues with an instalment that questioned Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and addressed the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Nonetheless, Netflix remains committed to the show, with a wave of new episodes arriving on Sunday 10th February and then debuting weekly.

 

Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj is available on Netflix UK, as part of an £9.99 monthly subscription.

 

Netflix orders new talk show from Hasan Minhaj

2nd March 2018

The late night talk show scene is getting a welcome dose of diversity, as Netflix commissions a new weekly series from Hasan Minhaj.

Netflix has committed to a 32 episode order, making Minhaj the first Indian-American host of a weekly comedy talk show.

Minhaj’s series will explore the modern cultural and political landscape with depth and sincerity. Each week, Minhaj will bring his unique comedic voice and storytelling skill to investigate the larger trends shaping our fragmented world.

Hasan Minhaj says: “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.”

Bela Bajaria, Vice President of Content for Netflix, adds: “I’ve been a big fan of Hasan’s for many years. He’s a phenomenal writer with a distinct point of view. He is a brilliant performer, who is hilarious both on stage and off, and more importantly he isn’t afraid to share his thoughtful voice and unique perspective. We are so excited to bring his new talk series to Netflix members around the world.”

The order follows rave reviews for the comic’s one-hour Netflix comedy special last year, Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King, and for his performance hosting the 2017 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He joined The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, where he was Jon’s last hire, in November 2014 as a correspondent and continued on in that role after Trevor Noah took over as host the following year. He will remain with The Daily Show through the end of July, before beginning work on this new project.

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