Hasan Minhaj Takes the Stage in Light-Hearted Homecoming Comedy Show

Sammy Garcia, left, interviewing Hasan Minhaj during the first Q&A portion of the Homecoming Comedy Show (Nene Narh-Mensah/The Black Explosion)

Homecoming comedy shows at UMD are a big deal. The first virtual one ever was an even bigger deal as Hasan Minhaj was the featured comedian for this year’s homecoming show that took place on Tuesday night.

This event included a pre-show session of various games from the Jackbox video game series, Pictionary, and two Q&A segments. A departure for the usual stand-up special due to COVID-19 restrictions but a very chill show, coming off the cusp of a momentous couple of weeks of exams and lack of sleep. Watching senior supply chain management Sammy Garcia shoot the breeze with Minhaj was a nice destresser.

The visuals fit the relaxed tone of the event. Hasan wore a grey UMD hoodie and sat in front of a stone fireplace while Garcia sat casually dressed in front of a bedsheet background. It felt like watching someone stream their game night.

“Comedy is a release of tension ... It allows us to heal and cope with what we don’t understand,” said Minhaj during the opening interview.

The Q&A portions weaved between funny and serious moments smoothly. It flowed well from stories about Minhaj’s college roommate accidentally breaking his bunk bed while trying to wake him up to discussing the representation of South Asian people in comedy.

“What I’ve tried to do is put all my energy into speaking for us, [and] putting us on a pedestal,” Minhaj said.

He also delved into his experience making episodes of the “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj,” his Netflix talk show that explored the political and cultural climate of the U.S.

His goal with “Patriot Act” was to offer a different perspective on the most pressing topics facing the country.

“Issues aren’t as binary as we think they are,” said Minhaj. That approach is also the main reason why he avoids posting hot takes on Twitter as “life is way more complicated than 280 characters.”

Minhaj emphasized his reliability being his “superpower,” one that’ll create a lasting impact on his audience.

“I hope people say ‘he was super real and he brought our story from the margins to the mainstream’,” he reflected.

This year’s homecoming comedy show was far from the biggest or flashiest event but its low-key energy made it a much better watch.