The Quarantine Stream: ‘Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj’ Deserved a Longer Run
Posted on Thursday, September 17th, 2020 by Ben Pearson
(Welcome to The Quarantine Stream, a new series where the /Film team shares what they’ve been watching while social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.)
The Show: Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj
Where You Can Stream It: Netflix
The Pitch: A weekly news show infused with energy and a millennial perspective, Patriot Act did deep dives into some news stories that all of the other big news shows often didn’t cover – everything from hype culture to Indian elections to fast fashion.
Why It’s Essential Quarantine Viewing: Netflix canceled this series earlier this year, which feels like a huge loss. Patriot Act not only had a vibrant, charming, personable host with a valuable and underrepresented perspective, but it was also the most slickly produced news show on television. Its giant screens and incredibly detailed customized graphics, swooping in with a chart or a statistic to highlight a point being made, became a defining characteristic of the show and another way for it to stand out in a crowded field of late-night shows. But while the show aired weekly, many of its topics are evergreen, and if your watch lists are running a little dry at this point in the pandemic, I encourage you to fill the gaps by catching up with this insightful and often hilarious whirlwind of a show. Read More »
