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Connections

Coming up on Connections: Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Hasan Minhaj speaks into a microphone during an appearance on The Blocks podcast with Neal Brennan.
Neal Brennan, CC BY 3.0
/
Wikimedia Commons
Hasan Minhaj speaks into a microphone during an appearance on The Blocks podcast with Neal Brennan.

First hour: Is it okay for comedians to lie about their lives as part of their act?

Second hour: Mark Assini, candidate for Monroe County Executive

Comedian Hasan Minhaj is at the center of controversy over parts of his act. Minhaj, who grew up as a practicing Muslim in an Indian family, has drawn on aspects of his life for his performances. His storytelling includes descriptions of racist experiences and commentary about social justice. But in a recent piece for the New Yorker, Minhaj acknowledged that many of the stories he has shared are untrue. He stands by the work, telling journalist Clare Malone, “Every story in my style is built around a seed of truth. My comedy Arnold Palmer is seventy per cent emotional truth—this happened—and then thirty per cent hyperbole, exaggeration, fiction.” Fellow comedians and fans have mixed feelings about Minhaj’s admission. What do you think? And what does it mean when a public figure embellishes the truth in ways that could defame people who are mentioned in those stories? Our guests discuss it:

  • Aamir Arshad, comedian
  • Chris Thompson, comedian, writer, engineer, and activist
  • Sharon Stiller, head of the employment law group at Abrams Fensterman LLP
  • Peter Gregory, attorney with McConville Considine Cooman & Morin

Then in our second hour, we sit down with Mark Assini, Republican candidate for Monroe County Executive. Assini is a former Gates Town Supervisor, a former county legislator, and former candidate for Congress. He joins us to discuss his priorities for the county and his goals as county executive, if elected. Our guest:

  • Mark Assini, candidate for Monroe County Executive
Connections
Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.
Megan Mack is the executive producer of "Connections with Evan Dawson" and live/televised engagement programming.

Connections with Evan Dawson

Connections is our daily, live talk show. It airs live weekdays, noon-2 p.m., and re-airs at 9 and 10 p.m. You can also find us wherever you find your podcasts.

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