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MrPepsiMax1

I read this on Sky News app and I thought I’d share it to get your opinions on it.

http://news.sky.com/story/hank-azaria-would-step-aside-over-simpsons-apu-criticism-11345807

What do you think? Do you think he should be voiced by an Indian or do you think it should be left to the current voice actor. I think it should be left. It’s nearly 30years now and no one has complained (to my knowledge before) so why change?


Thread got derailed.

KrustyBrand

pepsimax1984 wrote: »

I read this on Sky News app and I thought I’d share it to get your opinions on it.

http://news.sky.com/story/hank-azaria-would-step-aside-over-simpsons-apu-criticism-11345807

What do you think? Do you think he should be voiced by an Indian or do you think it should be left to the current voice actor. I think it should be left. It’s nearly 30years now and no one has complained (to my knowledge before) so why change?

To my way of thinking, the decision at this point in time rests with Azaria and the show’s producers. If they feel more comfortable making a change, that’s fine and dandy with me.

There have been complaints about Apu over the years, but certainly Hari Kondabolu’s recent documentary has brought the subject to the fore. I would suggest that anyone interested in the issue check out the film (it’s pretty short) or least peruse the associated Wikipedia page. It’s a thorny issue that doesn’t admit of easy answers.

jofre_nash

I acknowledge the point of view from Hari Kondabolu (the creator of the documental The Problem with Apu), that Apu portrays a stereotypical role of South Asian culture. However I don't see how voices are related to cartoons. If Hank Azaria is doing a credible job giving a voice to Apu I think he should stay. An example is Diane Nguyen, an Vietnamese-American character from Bojack Horseman, voiced by Allison Brie (Trudy Campbel from Mad men), should Diane be voiced by a Vietnamese actress?

Staying with the Simpsons, Bumblebee man, is also voiced by Hank Azaria. As a Mexican I know how stereotypical Bumblebee man can be. But I don't think he should be voiced by a Mexican because Hank Azaria does a great job. Also, Hank Azaria has greek ancestry, should he only receive roles for white american and/or greek characters? Or then, what about homosexual characters, should they be voiced by homosexual actors/actresses only? I believe voice actors for cartoons should be casted blindly, and just focus on how credible, funny, and alive they bring that cartoon in the screen.

durarararara

Much Apu about nothing, really. The Simpsons’ characters are mostly parodies and should not be taken seriously. Don’t have a cow. Love The Simpsons’ show response to all the recent hoopla about it.

MrPepsiMax1

I can’t see why people are complaining Hank does a great job with all his characters and should be left to carry on with Apu.

jukan00

This is a great chance for the show to do something interesting again. In a similar way they should play with his backstory like they did with Principal Skinner. Let Hank still voice it but just talk in his normal voice from now on. Make an episode or a part of an episode about it and let Apu explain that while he had an accent at first, when he moved to America, he quickly mastered English and lost it. He's been using the accent as a screen and a way of making Yellow people (aka Caucasians) feel comfortable about themselves. Not challenging their preconceived notions etc. Use it as a way to make fun of the racist stereotypes that white people have against others back on themselves.

Of course Al Jean is a hack and has intentionally drained any creativity out of the writers room (per several sources, writers, ex producers etc) and isn't willing to tinker with the show at all. Thus giving us 15 plus years of mediocrity.

168sean168

Hank is doing a good job with Apu. Back in the days, Indians themselves might not have the language skills to pull it off. They may be speaking better now but they may have lost the native accents. The accent gives Apu his charm.

MrPepsiMax1

jukan00 wrote: »

This is a great chance for the show to do something interesting again. In a similar way they should play with his backstory like they did with Principal Skinner. Let Hank still voice it but just talk in his normal voice from now on. Make an episode or a part of an episode about it and let Apu explain that while he had an accent at first, when he moved to America, he quickly mastered English and lost it. He's been using the accent as a screen and a way of making Yellow people (aka Caucasians) feel comfortable about themselves. Not challenging their preconceived notions etc. Use it as a way to make fun of the racist stereotypes that white people have against others back on themselves.

Of course Al Jean is a hack and has intentionally drained any creativity out of the writers room (per several sources, writers, ex producers etc) and isn't willing to tinker with the show at all. Thus giving us 15 plus years of mediocrity.

That sounds good

jukan00

168sean168 wrote: »

Hank is doing a good job with Apu. Back in the days, Indians themselves might not have the language skills to pull it off. They may be speaking better now but they may have lost the native accents. The accent gives Apu his charm.

You don't think people from India could speak English in 1990? FOH

simp7fan

Hank can stop doing the voice when the Simpsons goes off the air. Everyone can praise him for his bravery! It will be just a couple more years.

Imagine if he cared before some guy made a doc. Imagine if he considered not voicing him back in the prime years, with the money and stuff. No one cares now, do they? I don't.

P.S. We've already had one thread about this. *snooze*

jukan00 wrote: »

168sean168 wrote: »

Hank is doing a good job with Apu. Back in the days, Indians themselves might not have the language skills to pull it off. They may be speaking better now but they may have lost the native accents. The accent gives Apu his charm.

You don't think people from India could speak English in 1990? FOH

According to some telemarketer and CS calls..... I think you know the answer to that.

adidas4fun68

simp7fan wrote: »

You don't think people from India could speak English in 1990? FOH [edited quote, original poster lost sorry]

According to some telemarketer and CS calls..... I think you know the answer to that.

Yes, they did.

The consensus was that American’s could do with some lessons in learning the English language!

MrPepsiMax1

@simp7fan really? Where is that thread as I wouldn’t have done this one. I’ve looked back on off topic and I can’t see it.

simp7fan

Speaking English is about pronunciation. Indians don't quite pronounce in a way that Americans can understand. Maybe it's more British. I think y'all know what I think about the Queen's English. Historians say that American pronunciation has changed less than the Brits from the point that they were one and the same.

@pepsimax1984 with the broken search here I don't think it's possible to find without going through every page. The other thread was more specifically about the doc. Though, Hank also replied back then.

stinkbugger

pepsimax1984 wrote: »

It’s nearly 30years now and no one has complained (to my knowledge before)

Increase your knowledge.

adidas4fun68

stinkbugger wrote: »

pepsimax1984 wrote: »

It’s nearly 30years now and no one has complained (to my knowledge before)

Increase your knowledge.

Thank you for your helpful and insightful reply.

Some say brevity is a form of wit.

In which case you have amply demonstrated the depth of your wit.

KrustyBrand

pepsimax1984 wrote: »

@simp7fan really? Where is that thread as I wouldn’t have done this one. I’ve looked back on off topic and I can’t see it.

https://forums.ea.com/en/the-simpsons-tapped-out/discussion/191297/the-problem-with-apu/p1

MrPepsiMax1

@KrustyBrand thanks mate I don’t remember that thread

jukan00

simp7fan wrote: »

Speaking English is about pronunciation. Indians don't quite pronounce in a way that Americans can understand. Maybe it's more British. I think y'all know what I think about the Queen's English. Historians say that American pronunciation has changed less than the Brits from the point that they were one and the same.

@pepsimax1984 with the broken search here I don't think it's possible to find without going through every page. The other thread was more specifically about the doc. Though, Hank also replied back then.

Bruh, you need to quit while you're behind.

simp7fan

jukan00 wrote: »

simp7fan wrote: »

Speaking English is about pronunciation. Indians don't quite pronounce in a way that Americans can understand. Maybe it's more British. I think y'all know what I think about the Queen's English. Historians say that American pronunciation has changed less than the Brits from the point that they were one and the same.

@pepsimax1984 with the broken search here I don't think it's possible to find without going through every page. The other thread was more specifically about the doc. Though, Hank also replied back then.

Bruh, you need to quit while you're behind.

Brevity is a sign of dimwit.

I do like being behind. You like being in front? Match made!

Serious reply: Oh, no, some people are hard to understand. I guess that makes me a racist, right? haha. *sigh*

MrPepsiMax1

Alright enough bickering

parkna1234

@ Pepsimax1984
"It’s nearly 30years now and no one has complained (to my knowledge before) so why change?"

Not to put to fine a point on it, but... just no. People have been debating it and complaining about these issues for a long, long time. People have had problems with the character of Apu for a long time.

Personally, I don't think I particularly agree with Hari Kondabolu's criticisms, although I think that because he's made it quite clear him and people he knows were bullied using Apu, something needs to change. Not necessarily the voice, but what Apu does in the show.

However, the 'response' to it by the writers was pathetic. It didn't address it, they instead chickened out of doing anything. They come off particularly bad. The writers came across as quite cowardly. It was quite spiteful and as a Simpsons fan, I don't appreciate that.

Indian Americans have been telling others of how they were bullied using Apu, and instead of addressing it the writers decided to bully them more.

I love what Hari said afterwards - to make the point that they aren't going to change Apu, they changed Lisa instead, and that is quite spiteful. Hari is clearly a massive fan of The Simpsons, and they shouldn't treat anyone, especially fans, like that.