The Daily Show correspondent’s first stand-up special is much like the performer himself – it’s pleasant, charming and engaging, but falls short of being outright hilarious. With extended anecdotes on being first-generation American to Indian parents and the often-confusing and perplexing realities it entails, Minhaj’s material is delivered with sincerity, with Minhaj often making eye contact with the camera and breaking the fourth wall, in some ways managing to connect both with his in-person audience and the Netflix crowd watching at home. It’s an intriguing approach to comedy – buoyed by visual aids playing on the screen behind him that add verisimilitude to his material – but I’d be lying if I said I was completely satisfied with this first effort.
Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)
