"Patriot Act" is the best new show on Netflix right now
29 November 2018, 08:37
Netflix's 'Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj' is a smart and funny current events show that could be one of the streaming platform's sharpest new additions of 2018. From its killer theme tune to its take on subjects like "Amazon" and "Supreme", 'Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj' is as entertaining as it is informative.
Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj is Netflix's latest and greatest in infotainment programming. Hasan Minhaj comes to Netflix with an already impressive CV. Minhaj worked on The Wanda Sykes Show and the Daily Show before speaking at the 2017 White House Correspondence Dinner. His Netflix comedy special, Homecoming King, earned him a Peabody award and now the comedian is delivering the platform's sharpest content all year.
His new show Patriot Act landed on Netflix this autumn and could be the video streaming giant's best current events show to date. Netflix apparently had so much faith in the project and its format that they ordered 32 episodes of it.
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Watch a trailer for Patriot Act
Patriot Act is a weekly comedic deep-dive show that is tethered to current events, but offers a more focused view of topics often glossed over by cable news and late night programmes.
While rants about the President can still provide viral moments for late night hosts, Minhaj actually began his own foray into current events with a deeper look at Affirmative Action. That, in itself, is a risk, considering the enormous pressure to hook viewers in with flashy topics and biting political monologues.
How does Hasan Minhaj choose topics for Patriot Act?
In a bonus online clip, Minhaj explained how he and his staff come up with the topics for Patriot Act.
"We have a senior news team. They are journalists, former journalists. They collect a bunch of stories. We'll have a pitch meeting, they'll come into the pitch meeting. They'll go 'I have this idea, what do you think?' I'll have an idea. I'll be like, 'I think we should talk about this or we should talk about that'. And, sometimes, if those two things align, i'll be like, okay. How can we make this funny?"
"Is it significant or important or we have something that's new that people haven't seen before? Or do we have a take that needs to be added?"
Coverage of Donald Trump's administration can often feel like all the air is being sucked out of the room. Minhaj, however, rarely discusses the President directly, and simply refers to him by his initials, "DJT", when necessary. For news junkies, this will certainly feel like a reprieve.
Episodes like "Amazon", "Supreme", and "Immigration Enforcement" have been the series' best so far, because Minhaj employs necessary context, a unique observational and storytelling ability, engaging visual cues, and sharp commentary.
The 463% price increase is what makes it cool.
— Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj (@patriotact) November 19, 2018
How much longer will the hype last? https://t.co/ftHa6i5WcD pic.twitter.com/D7eRVqwLp8
Why should you watch Patriot Act?
Every episode of Patriot Act is different. Every episode will leave you understanding important topics in a way you didn't before. If you're curious by nature and you also think current events commentary should be accessible (and funny, if possible), Patriot Act will tick some major boxes for you.
Hasan Minhaj is also the son of Indian Muslim immigrants and someone who is doing a genre of television often dominated by straight white men. Hasan's perspective is deeply necessary, especially as he contextualises things like the rise of streetwear brand, Supreme or Affirmative Action in America.
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Who created Patriot Act's theme song?
Famed composer Ludwig Göransson created the incredible theme song to Patriot Act. He also worked on Hasan Minhaj's Homecoming King.
Göransson is also known for his work on Black Panther, Community, and New Girl.
Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj - Theme Song by Ludwig Göransson
Where to watch Patriot Act:
Watch Patriot Act on Netflix. The show also posts full episodes on its YouTube channel.
When to watch Patriot Act:
New episodes of Patriot Act drop every Sunday.
How many episodes of Patriot Act will there be?
Netflix has ordered 32 episodes of Patriot Act in its first season. It's unclear if Netflix intends it to be a one off run or if more seasons will be ordered.
