Hasan Minhaj: The King's Jester

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source: Hasan Minhaj: The King's Jester

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.

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.

As an avid watched of Patriot Act , I missed Hasan's presence from TV after the show ended. I loved his Netflix special, Homecoming, and wished for something like that. Well, this is not like that. While Homecoming told a coming of age tale of Minhaj growing up post 9/11, this special tells a hilarious tale of his adventures after he gained fame, and all the white-hat comedic journalistic efforts that he embarked on. It's an excellent, thought-provoking, funny, heartfelt, deep, and surprisingly somber-at-times special that brings us Minhaj at his finest. An absolute treat to watch! In the span of a single show, he enthralled me, made me laugh, made me cry, and go through the entire spectrum of emotions.

Hasan Minhaj tried really hard to make us laugh but most of his jokes were not landing well. Next time he should prepare better jokes because I can see Netflix spent a lot on his stand up set. He was jumping,seating, laying down, dancing still he was unable to make me laugh out loud. It's really uncomfortable when you want to laugh but laughter doesn't come. I think he should learn from Vir Das shows where in a particular show he was just sitting sipping tea and making the audience laugh like hell. All the PPT presentation and lighting effects doesn't work if your jokes are not good enough. Watching Hasan Minhaj's standup act after watching any of the Vir Das standup act is like if you are served veg biryani just after you had a delicious mutton biryani.

I dont know how much of what he was saying is true... if it is, then damn bro im sorry ... if not.. then it was just making me sad for you... i kept on watching not because i know you can be funny ... but because i felt pity for you... and it was just making me sad.. if i watch a stand up.. then i want to be laughing.. but with this ... the bits that made me laugh where overshadowed by all the sad stuff.. even at some points i felt there were the 'laugh at anything person' sprinkled all over... make me feel like you are only good at comedy when someone else is writing stuff for you to say on screen. U were awesome in patriot act... but this was just like... well let me say it like this.. it was like i was the plane going into the tower and this is what it felt like.

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.

5 years after Homecoming King, Hasan Minhaj is back at it again, this time with The King's Jester. He talks about being a father and the difficulties of it aka sucking the snot out of your own daughter's nose with a Starbucks straw. Not to mention how just a couple hours after he visits a Saudi embassy, a reporter is murdered in a Saudi consulate. He mixes the perfect blend of sincerity and satire while still being "I'm laughing so hard I can't breath" funny. He also talks about becoming an internet sensation and how it can take over people, even with this heavy topic he still manages to stay light hearted and funny. All in all I think this is an amazing comedy show that is essential for anyone who like his other special "Homecoming King".

'The King's Jester' is not quite the 'Homecoming King' but it is brilliant nonetheless. Hasan Minhaj is a master storyteller, an excellent comedian, and the way he holds onto your attention--never to let it go--is a rare ability indeed. He has weaved the personal with the politic here again, the satire with the sincere, and the ecstatic with the horrific. You learn when you listen to him, and you laugh, you cry, and you feel. You feel all the joy, the anger and the grief, the irony and the stupidity, and everything and anything else he wants you to feel. I loved this piece nearly as much as I loved his 'Homecoming King', and I cannot wait to watch and listen and learn when he does another special. Here's hoping he does it soon.