Parents' Guide to

Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj

By Jenny Nixon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Comedian shares his satirical take on current events.

TV Netflix Reality TV 2018
Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Jjones123
Jjones123 Adult
December 30, 2019
age 7+

Explores Current World Topics

This show is is wonderful for you and your kids to watch. It explores current world topics that are important for your little ones to know. What is great about this show compared to other shows is that the host puts it in such a funny way it is appealing to all ages. It does have so me strong language that I wish the show could avoid, but as long as your kids don’t get influenced by it, they should be alright.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much swearing
Donald Dunkin
Donald Dunkin Adult
April 23, 2019
age 12+

The best!

I think this is a really great talk show, there may be a few bad words here and there but other than that is great for teens interested in politics. It is Hasan's take on current affairs in the world right now.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

PATRIOT ACT WITH HASAN MINHAJ is a half-hour weekly news program fronted by acclaimed comedian Hasan Minhaj, who is the first ever Indian American Muslim to host a late-night show. (It's being marketed as a "late-night" show, although it airs on Netflix, where new episodes drop in the morning and can technically be watched at any time of day.) Unlike many similar offerings, Minhaj doesn't sit on a couch or behind a desk news anchor-style, he works in front of a live audience while roaming a stage that is framed by large screens showing graphics and video segments relating to whatever story he's covering. The show explores world issues and events using footage from various media sources, as well as his own satirical pre-taped bits.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (4):

While the show isn't the first in this genre -- Samantha Bee and John Oliver's shows both spring to mind -- Minhaj's unique viewpoint and innate charisma make it one to watch. Mixing in-depth political critiques with comedy may not be a new thing, but the quality of the reporting (the show is staffed by journalists from the New York Times and ProPublica) and Minhaj's own under-represented perspective as an Indian American and a Muslim add a much-needed fresh voice to the late-night landscape. All that being said, none of this would work if its host weren't so funny -- but Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj wraps important information in a hilarious package, doing so in a way that feels both timely and long overdue.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what makes Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj different from similar shows in this genre. How does the format and approach set this show apart?

  • Hasan Minhaj is the first ever Indian American and Muslim late-night host. How might his background and upbringing help him bring a different perspective to the world events he's covering in his stories?

TV Details

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