film / tv / substack / social media / lists / web / celeb / pajiba love / misc / about / cbr
film / tv / substack / web / celeb

Screenshot (1570).png

Hasan Minhaj Enlists Marques Brownlee To Review New Tech

By Andrew Sanford | TV | March 2, 2023 |

By Andrew Sanford | TV | March 2, 2023 |


Screenshot (1570).png

When I was 14, I attempted to clean my laptop screen with Windex. It resulted in half of the screen being unusable. When I was 18, I purchased a Zune from the last Circuit City in NYC. Last week, I had to quickly remove a VR headset because I was suddenly plagued by intense motion sickness. I have not had the greatest relationship with technology. Watching Hasan Minhaj clown on new tech for almost six minutes gave me a sick sense of pleasure.

Minhaj, currently guest-hosting The Daily Show, visited tech reviewer Marques Brownlee. I want to say right away that Brownlee seems like a nice dude. He’s cordial, enthusiastic, and loves what he does. I can see why he’s so popular. Every explanation he gives makes sense to some degree. Marques also doesn’t seem like he’s talking down to anyone in this segment. There’s a wholesomeness to him that I dig. I also enjoyed Hasan being the antithesis of that.

Minhaj appeared in over 100 episodes of The Daily Show. I like him and have always found him funny. Where he shines is during in-person, in-the-field segments like this one. He’s quick on his feet, challenging, and almost unshakeable. Any “blow-ups” feel intentional and precise. Hasan is talking down here but to cut through the sheen. Marques doesn’t deserve the attitude he’s receiving (though I’m sure he was prepped for it), but it’s necessary when addressing new tech that claims to be effortless and then requires… copious amounts of effort.

We live in an age of technological grifters. AI is threatening to remove artists from art. I can’t get my computer to start sometimes. All of this is the same, and because of that, I will happily watch Hasan Minhaj make fun of hover shoes as much as he wants.