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Hasan Minhaj was in 2019 one of the 100 most influential people in the world of Time magazine
Fans of Netflix’s current comedy show Patriot Act have expressed their disappointment after it was canceled.
On Tuesday, host Hasan Minhaj confirmed that the series would not return.
“Patriot Act has come to an end … what a run,” he wrote on Twitter, added his thanks to “everyone who saw”.
It was the first weekly U.S. talk show hosted by an Indian-American. One viewer praised the show as “really innovative”, with another saying “South Asians really need something”.
A petition asking Netflix to reverse its decision has received around 7,000 signatures.
What was Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj?
When Time magazine named Minhaj one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019, fellow cabaret artist Trevor Noah praised the ‘sweep-smart commentary, charisma and sincerity’ that the Muslim presenter used on Patriot Act.
“We have needed Hasan’s voice since Donald Trump came down that golden escalator and converted immigrants and Muslims into his targets,” Noah wrote at the time.
Minhaj’s series ran from December 2018 onwards for 40 episodes over six seasons, with the host on the news stories of the day.
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The show “explores the modern cultural and political landscape with depth and sincerity”, according to its website.
Topics covered by Minhaj, who previously worked on The Daily Show, included global obesity, the Indian elections, censorship in China, the legalization of cannabis, protests in Sudan, mental health and contemporary hip-hop.
The Patriot Act was one of only a few current talk shows on Netflix – a genre that has long been a staple of traditional broadcasters.
“There is nothing on the Netflix roster that will fill that has the flexibility to respond to ongoing events with the promptness that Patriot Act did,” IndieWire’s Steve Greene wrote.
Why was the show canceled?
Usually when a broadcaster cancels a series, it is because viewing figures are low. But Netflix never releases viewing figures unless they are good.
A source familiar with the decision told Forbes that Netflix viewers weigh in on costs when making renewal decisions, and have difficulty succeeding in the talk show category.
No other reason has been proposed. Earlier this year was a former staff member complained that the working environment on The Patriot Act made them unhappy.
What has been the reaction?
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A petition has been launched to try to save the show
Fans were quickly disappointed by her disappointment on Twitter, with many drawing attention to the way it dealt with important topics and their importance to Asian Americans.
“Nooooo, how can you not be there for the US elections in November? Or just not be there at all,” wrote film director Kunal Kohli. “Held from this show and all the comments you made about it. Only complaint was too bad episodes! Require a comeback.”
“It’s such a shame, wrote cultural critic Soraya Nadia McDonald. Hasan did something necessary and special, and spoke with such authority and clarity on issues that are central to South Asians.
“Hasan called Asian anti-blacks with passion and fervor. Such a valuable voice.”
“South Asians absolutely need something like his show,” agreed freelance editor Imaan Sheikh. “Even if it sometimes creeps into shrinking as a ministerial territory.”
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