Ramy offers a much-needed funny and serious perspective of Muslim Americans

Ramy is a critically acclaimed dramedy that I had been meaning to check out since its launch in 2019. Having finished Season 1 on Hulu, I'm definitely looking forward to getting back to Seasons 2 and 3. The show offers the U.S. a much needed perspective of Muslim Americans.

This has been needed since before September 11, but especially since then, as Muslim Americans have rarely been presented culturally in a positive or even human light. And that topic is not avoided. In one poignant example, Ramy, lovably and somewhat slackerly played by The Daily Show's Ramy Youssef, deals with awful kneejerk and groupthink racism from his friends in a flashback to right after 9/11.

Throughout Season 1, Ramy struggles with his Egyptian roots as a first-generation Egyptian-American navigating his mid 20s in New York City. The central theme of the show deals with how he is torn between his religious faith and his desire to live a modern life.

Ramy dates the granddaughter of an orthodox rabbi, hangs with his wheelchair-bound buddy, his mom struggles with a midlife crisis while driving for Lyft, his 25-year-old sister just wants to be let out of the house (and when she does, she hooks up with an creepy white dude), and Ramy eventually makes a pilgrimage to Cairo. 

Really great stuff, and I actually didn't expect the show to be as entertaining as it is. I wrongly assumed it would be a little too heavy. Youssef, who created the show, is able to find humor in the most difficult situations, which makes for some enjoyable watching.

4.5 out of 5 stars