Hasan Minhaj: The King's Jester

Usually, in mainstream standup, you'd get sex jokes, jokes based on racial/gender stereotypes with very little to no storytelling. Comedians getting up stage and talking about the above, IMO, is taking the easy way out. Sure it's get you some laughter but...that's cheap laughter and not sustainable in the long run.

Very rarely do you get comedy that's right on the edge of going too far but tends to stay on the "LMAO!! Nuh-uh, he did NOT just say that! Haha." Even better, if it's well written from a storytelling standpoint.

And this special is just that; the writers/Hasan have brilliantly written TH outta this show and wow, what flow to the story!!

Now, this isn't your straight-up ROFL kinda comedy, it's certainly not for everyone (especially if you get BHurt) and I'll be honest, I only laughed out loud a couple times, but there were a lot "Haha, he did NOT just say that!" I chuckled a lot but every time I do, the content made me think about the undertones and made me appreciate the writing.

Dude talks about his life, the ups and downs and turns the content around in his favor. That's not easy to do. He doesn't take the easy way out, and by simply telling you a (possibly relatable) story, he not only takes you on a journey and saying everything he wants to say indirectly.

Finally, I think people who want to get into standup could watch and learn a thing or two from this special on how to write a complex set while addressing something deep. This was a Masterclass.

Would totally recommend. Again, you may not like it for the comedy but you have GOT to appreciate the writing and the storytelling.

The special was alright. Somewhat entertaining but breaks down to him being a dangerous clout chaser who had to stop because he has a wife and kids now and she wants him to be less dangerous or something. Really trying to post W's and ending up mostly L's. Trying to take credit for speaking truth to power and getting push back but it was mostly toothless and he received regular hate mail. Some of it was funny but not much. I'm giving it a 5 because he did it all in his regular style of comedy and storytelling so he was true to form. It felt a lot like cover for his show getting canceled too. 5 stars.

1. Hasan Minhaj is one of my favorite comedians and I'm glad he's coming back for more after Netflix cancelled Patriot Act. A non-stop laughfest with a near flawless delivery and Hasan's signature captivating personality.

2. Hasan Minhaj is one of my favorite comedians and I'm glad he's coming back for more after Netflix cancelled Patriot Act. A non-stop laughfest with a near flawless delivery and Hasan's signature captivating personality.

3. Hasan Minhaj is one of my favorite comedians and I'm glad he's coming back for more after Netflix cancelled Patriot Act. A non-stop laughfest with a near flawless delivery and Hasan's signature captivating personality.

I didn't think Hasan could be more annoying than his Jeopardy appearance, but this special is worse. Hasan yells, and yells, and yells. He thinks if he yells loud enough then he'll reach the funny decibel. He doesn't. The crowd doesn't laugh much, they just cheer when he gets loud. The material is basic. Family stuff, Indian stuff, and a list of famous people he pissed off while clout chasing. Hasan is cocky, yet insecure. He talks a lot, but says little. He has energy, but not funny energy. It's the same energy he brought to Jeopardy, where they called him the most annoying contestant ever. That perfectly describes him on this special.

My first exposure to this comedian -- at the first 5 minutes I thought this special was a bit crude with the infertility jokes. But then, I saw it was talking about his real-life experiences, with him mentioning his daughter.

Each mention of Hasan's increasingly wacky stories made me laugh more. First, a wheeze; then, a chuckle; then, full-on belly laughing! You should also know as he is telling his biography, you get some insights on how the American governmental/economic system works from the perspective of an immigrant.

The sex jokes at the middle and end of the special were a bit uncomfortable, but I saw that was the point. The occasional call-backs to Hindi-Urdu were also fun, even as someone who barely can use the language.