Through its short two years of existence, Hasan Minhaj’s show Patriot Act had become one of the most popular shows on Netflix.
The show dove into the cultural and political landscape of America and deconstructed it through Minhaj’s incredible storytelling ability.
Its best quality was frequently diving in on global trends and subject matters and making them simple. It was just brilliant. Not only was it comedy, but it was always chock full of essential information about subject matters people encounter on a daily basis. And he frequently used journalism to do it.
And now, after six seasons on the platform, the show has been cancelled and it’s unclear why. Minhaj announced the news on Tuesday morning in a tweet.
What a run. @patriotact has come to an end. I got to work with the best writers, producers, researchers, and animators in the game. My 2 babies were born and grew up with the show. TY to @Netflix and everyone who watched. Now it’s time to return these screens to Best Buy 😎 pic.twitter.com/4s4TrsKWe6
— Hasan Minhaj (@hasanminhaj) August 18, 2020
The cancellation came out of nowhere despite. And, considering how critically acclaimed the show was, so many people had questions.
The internet went into a frenzy after Minhaj posted the news.
Wait, Patriot Act has been cancelled? This is such a shame. Hasan was doing something needed and special, and spoke with such authority and clarity about issues centering South Asians.
This sucks.
— Soraya Nadia McDonald (@SorayaMcDonald) August 18, 2020
This is some of the worst news ever.
— Alicia Goldstein (@Tiesonthewall) August 18, 2020
they got rid of the wrong patriot act lol
— zach silberberg (for hire) (@zachsilberberg) August 18, 2020
big congratulations to hasan for everything he accomplished on the patriot act. it was a truly innovative comedy show that offered something different than what other current events comedy shows were doing. cool to see a brown person doing it too. https://t.co/e0E1VAOSvG
— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) August 18, 2020
Huge mistake — a phenomenal show. https://t.co/zCDCtXaucQ
— Chuck Wendig (@ChuckWendig) August 18, 2020
I’m disappointed with @netflix. Those at the decision-making tables only want diversity that agrees with their point of view. If @LastWeekTonight can win awards on @HBO then I don’t see a reason why @patriotact can’t be funded. https://t.co/yYesDISrS6
— Zainab Mohsini (@zainabmohsini) August 18, 2020
This makes me sad. @hasanminhaj was doing amazing work on @patriotact. https://t.co/lYFgvvBfuX
— Cory Elia (@TheRealCoryElia) August 18, 2020
me: this year can't get any worse
hasan minhaj: 'patriot act' is ending pic.twitter.com/K44kGQmyN7— azhar ☭ (@azhar_arale) August 18, 2020
Netflix confirmed the cancellation to Deadline shortly after the news broke, but they didn’t give a reason for it.
Patriot Act was yet another foray into the late night talk show space for Netflix that they’ve been trying to crack for years. If this show’s cancellation is any indication, they’ve really struggled to get things to stick.
Hopefully, for us, though, Minhaj will be able to continue doing the work he was doing elsewhere at some point. We just have to wait and see until then.
‘Patriot Act With Hasan Minhaj’ Canceled After Six Seasons On Netflix