American comedian and television host Hasan Minhaj has recently opened up about nearly securing the role of host for "The Daily Show" before it slipped away. In a recent interview with Esquire, Minhaj discussed how he was poised to take over the hosting duties from Trevor Noah, but allegations about fabricating stories for his stand-up comedy led to the offer being rescinded. "We were in talks, and I had the gig, and we were pretty much good to go," Minhaj shared.
However, after The New Yorker published a profile alleging that Minhaj had exaggerated some of his onstage anecdotes, the comedian was informed the job was no longer his. Jon Stewart eventually stepped in to replace Noah, making weekly appearances on the show. Minhaj described the moment he learned the gig had been taken off the table: "It went away.
That's part of showbiz." In addition to the professional setback, Minhaj noted the personal toll the controversy took, especially on his family. "The most painful thing is my wife and my parents," he said.
"To see them engage with, 'So I'm reading on the internet...
' — that is so painful. I feel really, really sad that I let my parents down." Following The New Yorker article and the public scrutiny that ensued, Minhaj released a 20-minute video to clarify the stories in question.
These included experiences of racism, encounters with undercover law enforcement surveilling Muslim communities, and an anthrax scare at his home. "There were omissions and factual errors in .
