The curse of 2020 seems to be going strong with Netflix cancelling Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, after six successful seasons.
What a run. @patriotact 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 😎
Twitter obviously had thoughts about how Hasan wonderfully represented Asian-Americans and how he especially did a fine job of bringing issues plaguing South Asians to light:
Wait, Patriot Act has been cancelled? This is such a shame. Hasan was doing something needed and special, and spoke with such authority and clarity about issues centering South Asians. This sucks.
it was incredibly powerful, seeing an Asian American host a show that did not take obvious pains to "appeal to a wider audience" (aka a whiter audience) and instead enveloped so much of @hasanminhaj 's experience unapologetically, authentically into each episode. https://t.co/FnDXTcrjbi
Hasan’s stories about growing up Asian-American were formative to finding my pride in being one. I felt represented watching Hasan and Patriot Act. I really hope this isn’t the end... Hey @LastWeekTonight, get your buddy on @HBO! I can’t lose him. 😭 https://t.co/B6xCg1HpVV
It is especially concerning given the fact that the show has been cancelled mere months before the presidential elections in the United States:
2016: Comedy Central cancels The Nightly Show, one of the only comedy news shows hosted by/focused on people of color, in middle of election year 2020: Netflix cancels Patriot Act, one of the only comedy news shows hosted by/focused on people of color, in middle of election year
Netflix just canceled @hasanminhaj’s vital PATRIOT ACT at a time of global pandemic and racial reckoning, in the middle of the most critical election in modern history, right after the unveiling of a Dem ticket whose VP is Indian American. That is to say: When we needed it most. https://t.co/aVKXZX2Q2o
While a lot of us are broken-hearted, here are just some of the MANY brilliant and downright hilarious moments from the show for you to savour:
This exchange with the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau:
And, while chatting about climate change, Hasan had the balls to say this to Trudeau:
When, in an episode about fast fashion, he spoke about the ridiculous number of clothes that retailers come out with every week, while throwing shade at the platform that hosted his show:
And this subtle burn:
When, in an episode about billionaires, Hasan made this pretty solid statement:
When he explained the intricacies of the Harry Potter universe to Bernie Sanders:
When he had this to say about cruises:
When Hasan got roasted by an Indian Uncle:
Burnnn!
Continuing with the roasts, when desi uncles and aunties actively dissuaded him from working on an episode about the Indian elections:
And when, in the same episode, he had this to say about the Indian politician Shashi Tharoor:
When, in a follow-up episode to the elections, the same uncle was back with his burns:
Followed by a different uncle (top left) telling him this:
And when this guy wrathfully rebuked Hasan for his political beliefs and then...ASKED HIM FOR A PICTURE!
And finally, when Hasan addressed anti-blackness within the South Asian community, in the most powerful way:
