The Simpsons, currently in its 29th season, responded to the row over the racial stereotyping of one of its characters, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon (voiced by Hank Azaria), which was brought to the fore by Hari Kondabolu, a stand-up comic who delved into this subject in the documentary The Problem With Apu.
The makers of The Simpsons, on Sunday’s episode, addressed the row by having Lisa Simpson break the fourth wall and wonder what can be done for ‘something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive, is now politically incorrect’. The episode, titled ‘No Good Read Goes Unpunished’, features a scene with Marge Simpson sitting in bed with her daughter Lisa, reading a book called The Princess in the Garden, and attempting to make it inoffensive for 2018.
#TheSimpsons completely toothless response to @harikondabolu #TheProblemWithApu about the racist character Apu:
“Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect… What can you do?” pic.twitter.com/Bj7qE2FXWN
— Soham (@soham_burger) April 9, 2018
The show’s response towards the criticism it faced for stereotyping an Indian character who ran a convenience store and spoke in a thick “Indian” accent, did not amuse several Twitter users.
Kondabolu was disgruntled with The Simpsons‘ response that the biggest takeaway from his documentary was that Apu’s characterisation was “politically incorrect”.
Wow. “Politically Incorrect?” That’s the takeaway from my movie & the discussion it sparked? Man, I really loved this show. This is sad. https://t.co/lYFH5LguEJ
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018
TO THE JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE ASKED ME FOR A PUBLIC STATEMENT ABOUT LAST NIGHT’S SIMPSONS EPISODE, I JUST WANT SAY: “Congratulations to the Simpsons for being talked about & being seen as relevant again.”
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018
Others slammed the longest running TV show for its ”toothless” response.
Extremely disappointed with how #TheSimpsons “responded” to the criticism on the last episode. It’s time to retire the character. https://t.co/2jdxyNr1ht
— Peter Trinh (@petertrinh) April 10, 2018
Half Indian myself. Kids used 2 ease me by calling me Apu. Never had a prob w/the character My Indian dad was a professor felt the same way. I understand Hari’s pts but very much still appreciate the character b/c he’s more layered than being given credit 4 #TheSimpsons
— Rahul Chatterjee (@AntonioBelisle) April 10, 2018
And this user even shared his story, of having an Indian father who moved to the USA and eventually ran his convenience store, much more than what The Simpsons had stereotyped.
Everybody has an opinion about Apu, but did they ever talk to someone who owned a convenience store or gas station or work in one or grow up in one? You know, like my dad and I? #simpsons #apu
— Amar Shah (@amarshahism) April 9, 2018
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