Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King (2017 TV Special) User Reviews

Energetic, engaging, personal, accessible, and very funny

[bob the moo · 1 July 2017]

Minhaj's recent turn at the Correspondent's Dinner made me check out this special, although I was wondering if he would simply be taking political shots, which at the moment is very much like shooting fish in a barrel. Before seeing him in this special I had quite liked him as a correspondent on The Daily Show, even if he didn't manage to break out of the shadow of some better than him – plus if memory serves me, he came in at the end of Stewart's time, which was not long before I stopped being a regular viewer. All that said, I was surprised by how much and how consistently I enjoyed this special.

Delivered in his hometown, Minhaj has constructed a personal show that moves through a lot of ground, that serves as somewhat of an emotional roller-coaster, puts a lot of issues on the table, but remains consistently accessible and funny for those such as myself who do not have this frame of reference. Minhaj's timing and polish is of a very high standard, and he makes the show feel really professional and slick, but still keeps that sense of it being an honest performance with freshness and emotion. And it is a 'performance' more than a normal stand-up show. He moves around the stage well, and items such as screens and lighting are well timed around his performance. In the context of a filmed special, I also enjoyed the camera-work, as it knew how to move around him, when to go close etc – it was very well filmed and edited.

Main thing though is that it engages and is funny throughout. Very much one worth seeing.

A different kind of stand-up show

[throwntosafety · 24 May 2017]

This is more of a one-man show than your typical stand-up comedy special. Instead of 25 different bits, Hasan tells different stories about his life, both hilarious and heartbreaking. It wouldn't work if his storytelling ability wasn't so brilliant, but his timing and ability to connect with the audience at each point are spot on. Even if you didn't grow up with immigrant parents, anyone who has ever felt like an outsider will identify with his stories.

VERY good! Hasan has a bright future.

[SteverB · 10/10 · 1 June 2017]

You would have to be EXTREMELY humor-challenged if you find this stand-up special boring and/or unfunny. Many, many comics mine their lives for stand- up material and Minhaj does so with a realness that you seldom hear. To be able to take an audience from side-splitting laughter to tears with just a turn of phrase is astounding and Minhaj does so with aplomb. For the record, I'm lily-white and have almost no experience with the Indian/Muslim community. Those here that only watched "2-3 minutes" and then shut it off, you do yourself a disservice by not allowing different views than your own to enter your heads. Don't miss this!

A Comedy for the "Others" in the White Suburb

[heathcliff1019 · 10/10 · 25 May 2017]

Someone once said that satire occurs when one faces an absurdly unjust scenario that can't be changed but only laughed at. For those who find Homecoming King boring, the white suburbia must've been a perfectly normal place to be themselves. So congrats for not being able to enjoy the show.

For those of us who have different skin color and are possibly immigrants, Hassan Minhaj told our similar experience with veracity and gut. Being the "others" has helped colored immigrants developed a third-person's perspective to look at ourselves, or specifically the ability to see ourselves as the exotic and foreign creatures from white people's perspective. If you don't find Hassan Funny, probably you've looked at yourselves in the first perspective your whole life.

As a Chinese immigrant who went to high school in the suburbs, I'm drawn to Hassan's story even though I know little of Indian culture. After all, who doesn't have that "white princess(or prince)" complex?

Not your average stand-up

[natygance · 10/10 · 13 May 2018]

Even though I am white and only immigrated to the US when I was 27, I found Hasan's story extremely compelling and relatable. He is not only extremely funny, but a superb storyteller that keeps his audience engaged and entertained. The show has plenty of moments when you laugh your butt off while also giving important lessons through personal experience about life, love, bigotry, and trying to learn from our mistakes. I really, really hope we get to see more from this amazing comedian and I feel very sorry for the people who gave this 1 star.

Not What You Expected!

[hdzenis · 10/10 · 17 June 2017]

I just finished watching this Netflix show and all I can say is "AMAZING". It's original, smart, important. it's a MUST WATCH. Hasan is a genius for making this show the way it is. Some parts are even sad, but that's the part that makes this comedy special so different and special. He talks about racism in a very melodramatic way but don't get me wrong, it's still very funny and all the way entertaining.

Amazing, funny storyteller

[trimblecali · 10/10 · 24 October 2019]

This comedy special really just feels like you're hearing someone tell a story. He does an amazing job. Touches on important cultural elements but is still funny. So charming and great I couldn't recommend it enough

hilarious and soul-baring

[tsimshotsui · 29 May 2017]

Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King is an hour and fourteen minutes well worth spending. One second you're laughing so hard — the kind of laugh that's from your gut — and the next he hits you with stuff that will make your chest and/or eyes hurt. Certain truths are laid out and laid bare, a lot of which I suspect not everyone would be comfortable with but that's exactly the point. He shares a good portion of his life in such hilarious and engaging ways. You might find yourself trying to look for someone on facebook right after. My only criticisms are *spoilers* I don't quite buy that a certain person is completely OK (I need some sort of history), interracial marriage does not fix racism just like that, and can Hasan say that word?

The authentic American-Indian family, without the accent.

[talhabb · 9/10 · 24 May 2017]

This comedy special is Hassan's best work by far. The use of the screen behind him to aid in his jokes was helpful, and his storytelling is interesting.

I can definitely see how this would not be as funny for those that are not South Asian or have limited exposure to this community, but you have to view this from a different lens to appreciate it's comedic humor.

For South Asian-Americans, it is a validation that their stories are part of the American fabric. For those not from this community, take this comedy act as an educational tour in the intricacies of living a dual life as an American born immigrant child.

It doesn't rely on the classic "Apu-dad Indian accent" humor that Russell Peters is well known for. It is simply a story, and one that is told excellently.

By the end of it, maybe you'll see that his goal isn't necessarily to Americanize his experience, but to share it as authentically as possible. It is up to the viewer to take the humor as it is, and to perhaps see comedy from a new lens.

Not your typical stand up special, But special nonetheless!

[codybyarber · 10/10 · 8 February 2018]

This show is awesome! Not your typical stand up special, but Hasan has constructed a fantastic way to tell his story that is both hilarious and touching at the same time.

Try to ignore the zero star reviews from racist Fox News viewers.

Awesome!

[horton0913 · 9/10 · 1 June 2017]

Loved it! It was innovative, funny, and personal. The humor and the stories were heart felt and I loved his use of pictures in the background to illustrate his stories. One of the best comedy shows I've seen in a while. I love humor that comes from real life stories. Its more relatable and hysterical. Enjoyed every minute of it.

I would have voted more than 10 if I could!

[fjannatul84 · 10/10 · 23 December 2018]

Awesome, emotional, engaging, hilarious, brilliant story-telling, energetic & what not! Hats off to Hasan Minhaj :D

Minhaj at his Best

[halim-12043 · 10/10 · 6 June 2017]

I'm always optimistic about the future of stand-up comedy and what Minhaj has presented here with Homecoming King is nothing short of excellent. He delivers the emotional tone a stand-up of this sort deserves, but he also had the brilliance to make this extremely funny as well. I will be watching more of him in the near future if decides to continue this route. Well done to him.

Love Hasan's Work But This Takes The Cake

[pomagranite-47694 · 10/10 · 29 October 2020]

Gd I loved him at the correspondents dinner, I loved him at the daily show, I loved loved LOVED him on the patriot act. I was expecting this to be an entertaining 1.25 hour comedy special. Instead, it turned out to be a 2 and half hour long excursion of me laughing and pausing to cry. As an immigrant's kid, I relate to the stories Hasan presents, but I have white privilege, so my experience looks a little different from his. This special was a WORK OF ART and I sobbed for the 2nd half, completely empathetic to his story, knowing what it's like to start from nothing first hand, and also 2nd hand seeing what it's like to be brown. I was not expecting a whole performance but geez, I will be reflecting on this one for a while. Beautiful coming of age story.

Minhaj is special

[nemlemdi · 10/10 · 7 June 2017]

I think I have found my hero. This stand-up was some what of a prophecy to me, I myself am a first generation, brown, American Muslim so this stand was extremely relatable. I feel like I have gone through the same struggles as Minhaj did growing up with relationships and parents. This stand-up inspires me to be like Minhaj, but all in all, Hasan Minhaj is truly on the come-up to be a star!

Starts slow, but funny overall

[farwa-56374 · 9/10 · 3 May 2018]

The start of the show was slow, and had it not been for a friend's fierce recommendation, I would've stopped watching it after 10 minutes. But the slow start becomes irrelevant as the show progresses because it-is-funny.

I understand that it's a little harder to appreciate his comedy if you're not of a South Asian background, as many of his jokes were, in fact, catered towards the South Asian audience. But there's bits and pieces for everyone, and it was simply hilarious overall.Not a waste of your time for sure.

Absolutely loved it

[AlienByChoice · 10/10 · 12 June 2017]

You don't have to be a Muslim Indian immigrant to get Hasan Minhaj's Homecoming King. But you do have to be an immigrant.

I've laughed my head off to Bill Burr and Jim Jeffries, nodded in agreement to Bill Maher, George Carlin and Bill Hicks, scratched my head and thought "damn, that's clever" to Mitch Hedberg, smiled and thought "that's funny" to Daniel Tosh and Louis CK.

But never before was I able to relate to the comedian's narrative on such a personal deep emotional level, as I did to Hasan Minhaj. He is deep and insightful, able to focus on the little things that go unnoticed but that do matter so much. The flow of the show is impeccable, he goes from being emotional and almost philosophical to being funny just at the right moments, and he keeps you in the constant state of anticipation and curiosity. You don't feel like it's a comedy special you're watching. No, it feels like a good friend is telling you an amazingly interesting story, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always leaving you wanting more. And, most importantly, even though I don't agree with some of the stuff he says, I could relate to the things he was talking about. This lifted this show to a level much higher than a comedy special. It was a unique experience.

10/10

Killed it

[osoliman8 · 10/10 · 30 May 2017]

Amazing special. Beyond just comedy, this guy takes it to another level. Everyone in America would benefit from watching this. He has a lot of laugh out loud parts and then some deeper moments. All in all its am excellent special and he leaves it all out on the stage. The time flies by and you will be wanting to see his next one.

Excellent story teller

[chocka94 · 8/10 · 5 November 2018]

This isn't a regular standup, it's more an autobiographical sociopolitical commentary with humour sprinkled in. Hasan is an excellent and powerful story teller and he really paints out different life experiences and weaves them beautifully with sharp social commentary. I'm sure a lot of immigrants and especially South Asians might be able to relate to it. He's a good comedian too and the bit is definitely funny but it was definitely more commentary than humour and he doesn't quite have the Dave Chapelle flair of making the set as funny as it is powerful. And imo I think he mischaracterizes Bill Maher and the Ben Affleck fiasco but still a very good set overall.

Funny?

[ersbel · 28 July 2017]

The guy works hard. He has an act close to Chris Rock. Even better polished, but that should go without saying because there is one generation of comics between them. The stories are well linked. And they are sensible. But funny? Sick. To laugh at his private dramas seems so cruel. Yet maybe the audience is right: they were sold a comic show, so why not laugh?

Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

The best!

[prabhudev-45861 · 10/10 · 1 September 2019]

This show has the perfect blend of comedy, emotion and morals. Loved every bit!

Worth Watching

[prog_mwilson · 8/10 · 7 July 2020]

We're used to seeing comedians tie jokes into a central theme, or drift in and out around a central story.

Hasan Minhaj presents something a little bit different - a series of tightly written autobiographical vignettes all about the same event, , that of an immigrant's son navigating racism in America.

Every single story is relevant. Every story builds from the previous, and into the next.

Some of his jokes don't land. You'll notice the recording audience misses about a dozen or so of his jokes - and that's not necessarily because they're bad, but it's because the audience is wrapped up in the intense drama of his storytelling. Watching at home, you'll probably miss a few more.

Hasan is proving his chops here as a storyteller, not a comedian - and it's worth watching.

Just Excellent !!

[mohammadfaraz-52791 · 10/10 · 19 June 2017]

The perfect mix of comedy and emotions. His story telling style is just brilliant. Also watched his Radio and Television Correspondents' and White House Correspondents' Dinner speeches. He is an excellent speaker. A rising star. Looking forward to see more of stand-up from him.

Boring

[dougmacdonaldburr · 1/10 · 23 May 2017]

1 star might be a bit harsh, but, this had a 9.3 when I wrote this. I am now sure Netflix must make people create new accounts to give their material good reviews. Hasan does not seem like a bad person, but, this show sucks. It is basically just his life story. He is only 31. In summary; 1. his parents are from India. 2. they moved to the USA 3. they are very strict and have high expectations 4. he has a younger sister 5. Jocks at school were jerks 6. After 911 his family received a threatening phone call and their car was vandalised 7. He dated a white girl 8. He married a Hindu girl and he is Muslim. I had to stop here. 2/3's in and I can't take any more. I feel some sympathy. It must be tough being the only family in your area with dark skin and racists who commit crimes should be charged. However, the reason I give this such a low rating is It is not at all funny. Sure he peppers some jokes in here and there, but, there is far too much vanity for my taste. To think your life is so interesting it warrants a 90 minute public presentation, you'd better be James Bond to get away with it. Even then, that would not be stand up comedy. Take someone like Russell Peters. He is a Canadian with Indian parents. He tells stories from his life sometimes, but, they are hilarious. Peters is a master of accents and subtly good as a physical comedian. Also, with Peters the story is always in service of telling a joke and not the other way around. This guy just tells boring stories about his life in equally boring ways and every so often slips in some virtue signalling; 'I think racism is bad', everyone cheers. He never quite says that, but, you get my point. Everyone knows racism is bad, now where are the jokes? Very Bad :(

Great Comedian

[lunareflection · 10/10 · 2 June 2017]

The stand-up comedy was brilliant, and VERY hilarious. I could not stop laughing. Especially, the part where his high school crushed, that rejected him because he was an Indian, but ended up marrying an Indian later in life.Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King is not just for brown person or an immigrant, but anyone who is into comedy, and looking for a great laugh or two, or maybe three.