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A New Special Finds Hasan Minhaj Relaxed, Confident, and Ready to Move Past the Backlash

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A New Special Finds Hasan Minhaj Relaxed, Confident, and Ready to Move Past the Backlash

As a seasoned movie buff with over three decades of immersing myself in the rich tapestry that is cinema, I must say Hasan Minhaj‘s latest Netflix special, “Off With His Head,” left me thoroughly impressed and entertained. Having grown up watching the likes of Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, and Chris Rock, I can confidently assert that Minhaj has firmly established himself in their esteemed company.

Approximately eighteen minutes into his latest Netflix comedy special titled “Off With His Head,” Hasan Minhaj tackles the heated debate that stirred up the comedy scene and rippled into mainstream discussions last year, sparking debates about truth in narratives and the essence of artistic creation. As Minhaj eventually broaches the topic in this, his third special, live audience members in the Bay Area lean forward a bit more in their seats. Some even share a secretive glance.

Minhaj jokes with a smirk, “I’m not sure if you noticed this,” he continues, “Last year, The New Yorker fact-checked my stand-up comedy.” Mimicking the actions of a journalist typing on a keyboard, he chuckles and adds, “They essentially said, ‘Ahahaha.’ Big news: Magicians aren’t wizards.

In September 2023, an article in The New Yorker questioned the accuracy of some stories that Minhaj shared in his stand-up specials Homecoming King (2017) and The King’s Jester (2022). Minhaj admitted that he had creative liberties with the facts, but emphasized that these emotional accounts, which dealt with racism he experienced as an American of Indian descent and Muslim faith post-9/11, were based on real experiences. He criticized the article—which The New Yorker defended— for being misleading.

The interaction between the report and Minhaj’s reaction seemed to challenge the boundaries of what humor can encompass, as once defined by John Oliver, an ex-colleague from The Daily Show, when he said, “You’ll do anything for a laugh, even like a sociopath.” However, this was in July 2016, prior to the prevalence of terms like “alternative facts” and the rise of widespread disinformation shaping the broader media landscape.

During the time of the controversy, Minhaj was primarily recognized as a previous correspondent on The Daily Show and later the host of his own Netflix show, Patriot Act. Given that he is recognized for providing humorous yet insightful commentary on current events, akin to investigative journalism, being labeled a fabricator seemed devastating. Minhaj claimed that this scandal resulted in the withdrawal of an almost final offer to host The Daily Show following Trevor Noah’s departure—apparently, Comedy Central decided viewers would no longer trust him to deliver both funny and reliable news.

After the controversy, viewers have been eager to see Minhaj tackle the issue directly in his comedy. The title of the special suggests it might address the backlash, but surprisingly, it spends very little time on the article and subsequent uproar – maybe because he already addressed it extensively with a 20-minute video defense last October. In this new special, Minhaj coins a fresh term for the scandal: “dorky.” He jokes that it’s not a significant one; he didn’t have an affair with a porn star or abuse a boy, but was caught exaggerating for dramatic effect – something his aunt might be guilty of during Thanksgiving gatherings.

During the special, though only one aspect, the controversy, was discussed, its impact on the program’s structure and atmosphere was undeniable. In his defense last autumn, Minhaj clarified that there’s a difference between the comedy he presents on news programs and his stand-up performances. The former is labeled as “political satire,” requiring solid facts and meticulous verification, according to him. On the other hand, he described the latter as “humorous narration,” emphasizing its emotional focus.

A New Special Finds Hasan Minhaj Relaxed, Confident, and Ready to Move Past the Backlash

In the realm of comedic styles, Minhaj positions “Off With His Head” as a more politically inclined comedy piece, drawing upon the essence of traditional stand-up performances. This stands in stark contrast to “Homecoming King” and “The King’s Jester”, which felt more like intimate one-man shows or storytelling evenings similar to The Moth. These specials utilized dynamic camera movements, shifting in and out, occasionally zooming into Minhaj’s face, allowing him to speak directly to the audience, thereby intensifying the emotional impact of his narratives.

Instead of weaving epic stories for his audience in “Off With His Head,” Minhaj adopts a more observational approach, stringing together a series of witty jokes to express his views on topics such as politics, race, and Zillow. He intersperses these with personal anecdotes. It seems Minhaj was aware that his audience might anticipate a retelling of the New Yorker saga, but instead, he quickly mentions it and focuses on demonstrating his comedy skills in a unique style. The new special can be seen as a subtle rebuttal to those who questioned his stand-up abilities following the scandal: while he may have exaggerated, it was not for support. “Off With His Head” is just as good, if not better at times, than any of Minhaj’s previous work. Those skeptical about Minhaj’s stand-up talent should make way.

A significant aspect of Minhaj’s comedy special is his unique perspective as a millennial American, a viewpoint not commonly held by hosts of American late-night comedy, with the exception being the rotating cast on The Daily Show, who due to shared responsibilities, must maintain a more detached approach. In contrast, Minhaj has the freedom to present his personal thoughts and frustrations, often humorously expressing the deepest grievances of his generation. For instance, regarding the coronavirus, while others saw disaster, Minhaj saw a squandered opportunity. He humorously stated, “For years, millennials in the US have complained about a housing shortage. And then, in March 2020, God was like, ‘here,’ providing a disease that specifically targets the elderly.

One significant difference between “Off With His Head” and the first two specials lies in Hasan Minhaj’s demeanor during performance. In the earlier works, there was a sense of every joke being carefully rehearsed, making it feel polished but perhaps not entirely spontaneous. In contrast, the new special showcases a more relaxed and experienced Minhaj, who seems comfortable on stage. With his past controversies and stories now behind him, this special focuses more on his personal thoughts about our current state and future direction – something that we undoubtedly need guidance on.

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2024-10-23 06:06

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