Over the holidays I was surprised to discover there is a big problem with Apu. Comedian Hari Kondabolu has decided the portrayal of an Indian character on the Simpsons is racist and made a documentary along those lines. He has Whoopi Goldberg comparing Hank Azaria's portrayal of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon to a minstrel in black face. Azaria seemed to agree that those calling for his removal from the television show should be listened to and made it sound like there is some discussion along those lines. What do you guys think? Should Apu be forcibly removed from everyone's game along with KEMs or should there be an option for social just warriors to pay donuts to have his character excised from their individual towns? Will probably need to get rid of Sanjay and Manjula as well. I figure a 100 donuts a head ought to cover it.

It is a joke? Maybe it is a joke. I hope it is a joke. Maybe it is true. Maybe it is Trump's fault. Maybe all the white heterosexuals should move to another planet. Maybe we should all stick to our own etnical groups and not interact with each other, or make fun of each other or love each other. Oh no, that is probably racism...I live in Scandinavia, this discussion is going too far, nobody dares to say or do anything now. Always someone who can claim discrimination.

Comedy relies on stereotypes... it's not racism. :/

I wondered if it was satire too, in the old days it would have been satire and good satire in the Jonathan Swift/Andy Kaufmann vein, but these days I don't think so… they all seemed pretty serious and wounded in the trailer I watched. You know how things are… winter is here.

Another example of political correctness going entirely too far. Apu has been around for roughly 30 years, it was fine for 29+ years, and now all of the sudden its a problem? Bull.Some people have nothing better to do they go out and hunt for things to be offended about.

The Problem with Apu | EA Forums

mystery2mi
Seasoned Newcomer
7 years ago
There are so many stereotypical characters on the Simpsons that if they got rid of them all, there wouldn't be a show. Are Scottish people offended by Willie? Are LGBTQ people offended by Smithers? Are French people offended by the French Waiter? Are Italian people offended by Luigi? Are alcoholics offended by Barney? Well, you get the idea. This is a huge part of the popularity of the show. They make fun of everybody. Apu is one my favorite characters. I really hope they don't go in this direction because in my opinion, it would be the end.
0Brooders0
7 years ago
Well said @mystery2mi :)
zutroy69
7 years ago
"ArmpitAttack;c-1868873" wrote:
Each of my multiple personalities sees this issue from a different side.

You can't do a similarly stereotypical Asian character voicing.

Sure they can, Evil Shop Keeper, Yakuza Boss, Cookie Kwan, Akira all have stereotypical voicings

"mystery2mi;c-1868911" wrote:
This is a huge part of the popularity of the show. They make fun of everybody.

Well…. almost everybody ;) As Bart pointed out last event, even the Simpsons, who make fun of everybody, intentionally overlooked one group in the 'representatives of every faith' dialogue. And that should be very telling for all of us.
jmlgg
7 years ago
Why cant hindu man be work at store thought?! Guess Apu shouldve been making ridiculous documentaries instead
abc1939593565
7 years ago
"mystery2mi;c-1868911" wrote:
There are so many stereotypical characters on the Simpsons that if they got rid of them all, there wouldn't be a show. Are Scottish people offended by Willie? Are LGBTQ people offended by Smithers? Are French people offended by the French Waiter? Are Italian people offended by Luigi? Are alcoholics offended by Barney? Well, you get the idea. This is a huge part of the popularity of the show. They make fun of everybody. Apu is one my favorite characters. I really hope they don't go in this direction because in my opinion, it would be the end.

I agree 100%
mystery2mi
Seasoned Newcomer
7 years ago
"zutroy69;c-1868923" wrote:
"mystery2mi;c-1868911" wrote:
This is a huge part of the popularity of the show. They make fun of everybody.

Well…. almost everybody ;) As Bart pointed out last event, even the Simpsons, who make fun of everybody, intentionally overlooked one group in the 'representatives of every faith' dialogue. And that should be very telling for all of us.

I noticed that "omission" in the last event also. It troubled my all-inclusive nature but I understand why they had to do it that way.
Gwarrior56
7 years ago
Are the people complaining about Apu being voiced by someone other than a Hindu also offended by Bart being voiced by a woman?
draco2tiam590
7 years ago
The complaint is not actually about Apu, it is about he is the only representative of Indian culture in television. So when Indians go for interviews they are stereotyped as "why don't you act more like him"
doh1886
7 years ago
"Gwarrior56;c-1868992" wrote:
Are the people complaining about Apu being voiced by someone other than a Hindu also offended by Bart being voiced by a woman?

There are plenty of roles filled by women but how many Indian voices are there? I love Apu and think Hank Azaria is excellent but the lack of representation is a valid complaint.
Annathewicked
Rising Traveler
7 years ago
So, Aziz Ansari, Mindy Kaling..... there are Many representations of Indian-American society people in tv now days... the point was More valid when the show started with Apu... there were Far less Indian represented people then than there is now. They don’t count in the point of view this argument was started from?