Thank Grog It’s Firday!
As a long time Simpsons fan, I found myself in the unenviable place of being a “talking head” on a “hot topic” and not making myself completely clear during the last “Addicts Live.” If I was running for an elected office, I’d be toast. However, at the ripe old age of 64 10/12th old, I can assure you that I have undeniably said and done things that would/should have eliminated me from ever holding a public office. Of course, the rules of comportment and decency in public office have changed drastically. And that, in a sense, is exactly what I am writing about today.
I am angered by reports of Apu being removed from the Simpsons. There are myriad stories around this, none of them clear. The primary reason, is that those in charge at Gracie and Fox are pretty much taking a “we already handled this” approach to the whole controversy that has erupted around the documentary, “The Problem with Apu,” without actually handling it!
Look…I get it. Apu could be seen as a derogatory character in his portrayal of Indian American citizens. But, of all of the characters that we have in the game (most of whom are equally or more insensitive to a wide range of ethnicities and sexual orientations) Apu is one of the actual success stories. He is a proud business owner, who constantly “has one over” on the folks of Springfield. If you don’t think feeding Springfieldians overpriced junk food, Squishies and roller-hot dogs are revenge for their disrespect, then you haven’t read the latest health reports. But, more important, he is a first-generation American, who through his immigration and establishment as an entrepreneur, has done far more to bring praise upon his culture, than countless other “Born in the USA” lunkheads on the show and in our game.
Rather than just “write him out slowly,” which in a sense locks him and his family up in some sort of static purgatory, they had a far better option. They could have done an entire episode, revealing his back-story as a successful person in India, who actually wanted all of the benefits that America has to offer, and sacrificed it all to be here. An immigrant success story worth telling!
Apu is a fictitious character, but because he has been allowed to become an object of derision by lesser-minded bigots, and those who would exploit their own beliefs to make a buck, he has taken on a life that could and should be used as an example to others. Instead, the show runners, and “ownership” have taken a tact this is cowardly, small-minded, and un-creative (much like the last Treehouse of Horror Episode).
My part in this was taking the wrong approach, and not looking at the larger problems of racism and political cultural divide in our country, before shooting off my mouth at the loss (or disappearance) of a beloved figure. I’m bummed…but, not just at the loss, but how that loss transpired, as well as its greater ramifications.
In no way shape or form, was I saying, “Hey! We are all too sensitive these days! Get Over It!!” But I did say, “This is the Simpsons! They make fun of everybody!” Which when I read it, can easily be misconstrued, and in fact weaponized by those with a “less than empathetic approach” to the current political climate.
There is simply no doubt about it…this is dangerous stuff. And, being specific about your feelings when taking on someone who is pointing out inferred cultural harm, is an absolute imperative. Does Hari Kondabolu have the right to his opinion as to whether Apu is harmful to his cultural heritage? Certainly.
But, I would argue once again, that Apu is actually one of the most successful, steady, characters on the entire show, which seems to be missed in Hari’s documentary altogether.
But, as an American, he has the right to his opinion. And the “slippery slope” that we can encounter when we start singling out those whose feelings are hurt (or “butt hurt” as some like to say), is missing the danger in disregarding other’s feelings and opinions.
Yes. This is a political and moral topic. And this is a blog about a cartoon show. However, we opened the can of worms on our “Addicts Live” broadcast, and to ignore it now, would be no better than the way the creators just swept it all under the Persian rug.
You don’t think this is a “slippery slope” situation? Let’s take the term, “Snowflake,” which has become a popular way for extreme segments of the “Right” to deride those who espouse political correctness, or for that matter, simple civility, in politics. If someone doesn’t agree that our President should have the right to speak any way he chooses, and be in a state of “constant attack,” and playing loose with facts (yes, I could go on and on), they are labeled a “Snowflake.”
However, in the past two weeks, we have seen what happens when extremists become emboldened by rhetoric and “group think,” to the point where rational thought and action are thrown to the wind, and innocent lives are lost. It isn’t hard to draw a straight line from fiery, inflammatory rhetoric (some would argue as just thoughtless, mean-spirited words) to uncivil violence that threatens to place countless Americans in harm’s way through acts of bigotry, intolerance and political extremism.
This kind of behavior must be exposed, and rendered both impractical and unacceptable from both sides. Playing “fire with fire” only leaves scorched, unusable territory. Those who “give bullies a pass” because it makes their team feel empowered, are no better than the bullies. Those who would accept any argument that one race, one religion or one sexual orientation is “lesser than” and deserving of derision and prejudice, might just as well be handing the weapons to these feeble-minded zealots.
But even worse, standing by and not dealing with a problem head on, makes you just as culpable. It starts with having the courage to use your voice to do the right thing. Instead of shying away, or even worse, just ignoring the problem, The Simpsons writers, show runners, and producers owe Apu a far better outcome than simply being banished. Nobody wins there. No lessons are learned. And the arguments from both sides gain momentum by the perceived apathy of those who should know better.
This world is becoming less civil, and less empathetic every day. Every election cycle has devolved further into blood sport, with the “winner” not being held accountable for how they got there, or what they will do in office. Even worse, politics has become the new religion, and nothing is more dangerous than those who follow blindly, in defiance of facts or culpability. It takes courage to do the right thing. It is cowardice to turn away, when something could be done.
Apu should be a hero. Apu should be an example to every American, that hard work, and dedication to family are to be celebrated, no matter what your culture, religion, or skin color.
“Disappearing” Apu is a travesty and a tragedy. Bring back Apu…you feckless, cowards.
Oh. And VOTE! It is your right. It is your chance to let your opinion be heard. Tune out the clutter. Tune out the mayhem…and DO something that matters.
And This JUST IN… some friends from across the pond have the same opinion I do about Apu…and they are Indian!
CLICK HERE FOR STORY
So…everyone seems to want Apu…except for one comedian, and the gutless showrunners.
Have you all seen the tweet from Al Jean on this?
https://twitter.com/AlJean/status/1056684110867918848
Or read this article from CBS News?
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/simpsons-showrunner-responds-to-claims-that-apu-is-leaving/
To me it sounds like Apu is staying and that the report was false that Apu was leaving the show. But maybe I miss read it.
Uhm… read the article and tweet again. He is still dodging the question. All he responded to was that the original tweet was not from a producer.
The CBS story is pretty clear…about Jean not being clear.
I watched “The Problem with Apu” when it came out, and I had problems with several of his points as I was watching it.
First, he hated that Apu was an engaging in horrible business practices such as price gouging and not caring about the customer’s well being. I contend that this is the stereotype for any convenience store owner regardless of nationality. I just happened to see some Nick show the other day where a white convenience store owner was changing dates on milk and soaking his feet in the nacho cheese dispenser.
Second, he was upset that he was bullied by people saying “thank you, come again.” Do you really think that if Apu hadn’t existed, rasict kids would have not found some other way to make fun of you? Trust me, bullies find a way.
Third, he hated that Apu is voiced by a white man. John DiMaggio did a whole documentary, “I Know That Voice”, about how awesome it is that in the world of voice over, you can be anything. Which is it? Is it racist or awesome? I think it all lies in the intent. The bullies on the school yard using Apu’s catchphrase had the intent to cause harm. No one at The Simpsons does.
Lastly, I just want to mention how Apu is usually used to point out how stupid people are about his culture. There was that example of Apu mentioning how many Hindu there were when marginalized to being “miscellaneous”, the time they were bringing prescription drugs from Canada and we’re profiled, and his countless interactions with Homer.
I don’t want Apu to go away or be made into a saint to appease a few people or others who would use the controversy for their own gain. (South Park had an episode this year that called for the cancellation of The Simpsons for being racist. Bold move from a show with an Asian character voiced by a white guy who pronounces his restaurant City Wok as S****y Wok.) So many people here have stated many wonderful qualities that Apu has and Springfield would be much worse without him.
😎Interesting points… & DiMaggio’s ‘Bender’ is certainly a fun fave as well; loved his brief TSTO event teasing cameos…
Touching on the other my other fave show, Southpark for a moment… their profoundly sardonic irreverence for the ‘appropriate’ is quite relevant as well, as aptly displayed by ‘PC Principal’, the hysterically heavy-duty outstanding previous election shenanigans, Canada’s wall, 💩sushi, the recent new season’s ‘Cancellation’ jabs at both themselves & the Simpsons, & of course, Cartman’s continued magnificent inellectual inappropriateness… really best summarized in the 100th episode ‘I’m A Little Bit Country’, where the town is torn in division b/w Old Fashioned Conservatives & New Age Hippies, & Cartman saves the day after revisiting the Founding Fathers & confirming the best qualities of our freedom are based on “the ability to say one thing & do another; it’s called having your cake & eating it too”😜🤓✌
…Speaking of ‘intellectual inappropriateness’, can’t end w/out kudos my other new fave:
http://imgur.com/SDq1Igx
I absolutely agree with your view, Patric… which may or may not be attributed to both of us being *ageless* (if you catch my drift). 😇
Perhaps those in control believe they are doing this for the “good” of the show (💰)?
This whole situation seems to come from a (very) small minority of people – namely, “those who are offended on behalf of someone else” – …
These are the worse kind of bigots around.
I would’ve thought that the supposed “leading country of the free world” would have more balls to stand up to this kind of thinkng and tell the bigots exactly where to get off and to leave Apu and his family alone and let them carry on with their stereotypiclal lives with all the rest of the stereotypical cast members that have made this one of the longest (and greatest) running shows on TV
In this day… it’s safe to say that there is no easy way to deal with “old school humor” getting old. But again…no response is worse than the wrong one.
Great post Patric! Most of us feel the same way I’d imagine. While I may disagree with you politically, this issue to me is just common sense. As you pointed out Apu is a success story. Do they not want successful immigrants on TV? Anyway keep up the good work!
I doubt we disagree politically as much as you think. But in this point we agree.
If they would have named him anything other than Apu This likely would have been a non issue . The name triggers SJW’s. Here is a great video analyzing the situation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F68l9FozxJ8
Loads of theories…for sure. The real thing comes down to the creators having the courage to do more than just turn away.
😎☯️😎
Outstanding video blog w/ excellent intellect… perfectly examines the tangled web of issues of extensively, nonsensical mayhem we’ve woven as human beings🤓✌
Tks Patric for this post !
That’s a shame ! I’ve been watching the Simpsons since the beginning.
Honestly, the day Apu officially quit the serie, I’ll stop watching it and I’ll quit the game too !!!
Greetings from Canada
To our fingers to the eyes of those in control…
If the show’s writers continue to kowtow to every individual who is offended by a stereotype, we will soon be staring at an empty couch for 30 minutes every Sunday night.
Hahaha surprize? And not even a month ago we hear how the Muppets Bert and ernie, where lived in and what sexuality. Hahahaha then every one was informed by the company ahhhh excuse us but the Muppets are not alive they are muppets…. hahaha yep
And let’s not even start with the fact that muppets don’t have genitals…(unless they are in “Ave Q”)
I will miss Apu, but I understand why The Simpson’s Team isn’t going to feature him anymore – they’ve been bullied by bollocks to the point where there won’t be an Apu (no more relatives who could have been featured with guest voice work done by appropriate celebrities in future Episodes)!
And it’s a shame, because Apu (for me) represents those who come to America and are successful through honest hard work (such as the Pakistani shop owners I became friends with in Hollywood , and in the UK (Carnaby St), over the years as a customer)!
I will miss Apu, his Wife, his Children (who I was hoping would grow up to start their own Kwik-E-Marts like a franchise that takes over Springfield), his Brother (the schemer (lol), and that Guru at the top of the Mountain (even Homer Simpson was enlightened by)!
So, enjoy Friday, and keep on Tapping everyone (at least we still have Apu in this Game App until a % get butthurt and complain until he is removed!) 🍻🤷🏼♂️
I went to school with several second generation South Asian kids for the vast majority of my education (and indigenous and Asian), so maybe I’m coming at this from a slightly different angle than some, what with it being normal that close to a 3rd of any given classroom was a visible minority, and 2-3 kids with disabilities, myself included, and have had friends from other religions most of my life, but that some people insist on using race and religion or even ability as a point of division rather than a learning opportunity to make us all better has always boggled my mind.
As far as Apu’s characterization goes, what has always hit home the most for me was how hard he works, not the jokes made at his expense because of his culture or race… because they’re made at almost everyone’s expense. I know, it’s not all equal, but to the ‘attacked’ population? It can hurt if we let it. If we let the jokes meant as pure entertainment land as insults every episode, this show would have died in season one. I know for me personally there have been countless times that if I wanted to take things personally I would’ve stopped watching long ago. The show has never been very kind to people with special needs, or Canada, but none of it is meant to be taken super seriously.
To me Apu made a very scary choice to move to the other side of the world to make a better life for him and his eventual children and he works hard to provide that better life. It’s actually a decently positive representation and the bad taste jokes say far more about the characters saying them than they do Apu. Just like how certain politicians’ constant need to belittle says more about them than the people they attack. It is most definitely a travesty that they’ve essentially locked him and his whole extended family into a storage bin rather than seeing this as an opportunity to reinforce that.
As someone who has been bullied and picked on, literally knocked down at times, I know that choosing kindness, choosing to be open to new ideas and different opinions isn’t always the easiest thing in the world, but we are better for it in the long run.
And one last note on voting: don’t take it for granted. There are entire populations within North America alone that had to fight long and hard to be able to have the privilege to fill out those slips of paper. All the options suck? Vote for the one that sucks the least. Then at least you tried and earned the right to complain about the state of things. If you can’t be bothered, you’ve got no one to blame but yourself.
All great points!
Thanks! As a lot of your Friday Filler posts remind us, time brings perspective on some things, and one of the major ones I live my life by is that at the end of the day we all bleed red. Disliking someone because of their skin colour, religion, the nationality of their ancestors is as pointless as disliking someone because their eyes are a colour you don’t like. That, and always try to choose kindness, because people could be struggling with things I have no idea about. The last thing I would ever want to do is make that worse, and I know when I’m having a rough time a little politeness and a friendly smile can go a long way.
Absolutely.
Frankly Apu was the only stereotype that could have pissed someone off. Satire be dammed.
Homer. Middle class fat, bald man who loves Beer and bowling.
Chief Wiggum..Inept, fat, donut loving, bribe taking Officer
Luigi Risotto. Believe it or not he runs the Italian restaurant in Springfield.
Name a teacher in Springfield. Drink and smoke too much, hate their job and underpaid..
Ned Flanders. The most annoying Christian stereotype ever created
Ralph Wiggum. This poor kid has serious developmental issues! Still a punchline.
Any guest Celebrity cameo. Makes fun of themselves.
List goes on for days.
we need a petition for apu
I was just thinking about that. If enough people speak up about this not being a realistic solution,,,, that he’s an integral character on the show,,, Let’s SAVE APU!!!
Nothing that can’t be done with a good old hash tag: #saveApu 🙂
I really like your idea for an Apu episode outlined here, as well as Wookie’s scene idea from the addicts live episode. I think a combination of those in an episode would have pleased all parties.
It’s disappointing that the Simpsons team’s solution is making him disapear.
Real Simpsons fans love Apu. The perpetually offended with fake outrage over everything are NOT real Simpsons fans. I’ve been watching The Simpsons since I first saw them on Tracy’s show and hate to see them bow down to PC pressure.
Not exactly sure what that means…but, I’m not against more empathy…just a lack of common sense in the reaction.
Are you comparing people who get insulted/offended to women, because panties are women’s undergarments?
Uhm. That phrase is sure fire to hit the masogeny button…hard. Unless of course you wear panties yourself? What’s the story, Benchy?
Or boxers,,,,lol.
Thank you for this piece, Patric. I haven’t watched the show in years, but in my recollection, Apu was one of one of the most selfless, noble characters on the show.
I’d like to see Apu rehabilitated as well, but it sounds like it’s too late. What a shame. I hope that his retirement is not in vain – that it does help reduce prejudicial attitudes toward Indian-Americans. Though I suspect that the solution to that problem comes much more through the increasing representation of Indian-Americans in the media, which has come a long way since the late 80’s, and will continue to do so.
I read your article a couple of times to let it sink in and to ensure that my 100% agreement with you wasn’t just a quick nod to you. Fantastic write-up.
PS 66 9/12th and still kickin’!
LOL! Keep on Kickin’!!
Thank you Patric! You have nailed it completely, as you usually do. I hope someone is listening. Kindness, respect and compassion is essential for all of us to survive in this world.
Thanks! Totally agree with you!
I don’t think there are many people who see and acknowledge the problems that Apu presents ever actively wanted him out of the show. Quite the opposite, if anything. They just wanted racially offensive parts of him dialed back a ton, things like having him actually voiced by an Indian American and have people more culturally aware write for him and his jokes. He can still be “made fun of” to the same degree everyone else is, it just doesn’t need to be in regard to his race.
The argument that “everyone is a stereotype / everyone gets made fun of” has always been an issue I’ve had, because when they bring it up, it’s always in regards to stuff like fat jokes and jokes about white euro nationalities, which is a big step from actual racially insensitive jokes. There’s a big difference between the two, and you can still find ways to make stereotype jokes about Apu that aren’t connected to his race. After all, as said by people that argue Apu isn’t offensive, there are other aspects to him.
The fact that the showrunners chose to not only scrap his character but quietly write him out rather than give him a proper goodbye in an episode is cowardly, lazy, and downright insulting to both sides of the argument. Instead of branching out and giving more respect to a long time beloved character who represents a minority that barely gets decent representation in mainstream media as it is, they prefer to just drop him altogether, and it’s the worst choice they could’ve made.
Here here!
Man, reading all these comments about people missing the point of the issue, comparing complaints towards Apu to jokes against Caucasian characters and going “who’s next?!”, complaining about “PC culture”, and just overall proving my point is severely disappointing. I fully agree that he shouldn’t have been removed, but also there was still an issue that should’ve been addressed.
Yep.
Yes, this.
Great comment. Something many people seem to be missing is that Hari Kondabolu doesn’t actually want Apu written out. He has written as much in response to the first reports about Apu being written out. He’s not “butthurt”; he’s not a “snowflake.” Most of the people jumping down his throat haven’t even bothered to see what he has to say. (His Netflix special is hilarious.)
When the story came out last week, claiming Apu was being removed from the show, thousands of people actually posted sh*tty, hateful comment’s to Kondabolu’s Facebook page. It was horrible and uncalled for.
In one of the Twitter threads where people were piling on with their “Simpsons make fun of everyone, so stop being ‘offended'” tweets, one guy wrote something like “If you didn’t grow up as an Indian kid in the 80s/90s, you don’t know what it’s like to have kids call you ‘Apu’ and ask if your dad owns a Kwik E Mart.” He makes a good point. For a long time, there was little pop-culture representation of South Asians other than Apu….
But agreed with Patric, the writers should have enriched Apu’s backstory, expanded on his family, and brought in Indian voice actors.
Side note to Alissa: Kunal Nayyar does not “do an accent” on Big Bang Theory, that’s his actual accent. See his memoir, “Yes, My Accent Is Real: and Some Other Things I Haven’t Told You”:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23492688-yes-my-accent-is-real?ac=1&from_search=true
Rewatch addicts live, im not the one who initated the accent talk… but I get it
Oh, I know…. I just remembered you commenting specifically about Kunal Nayyar’s depiction of Raj on Big Bang….
Respectable points, however as a fellow Hollyweird member for many years I sincerely appreciate ‘appropriate & diverse’ casting, but, this offers perfect example of creative exceptions, due to the facts of ethnicity on Wikipedia:
‘Azaria was born in Queens, NY, the son of Eastern Sephardic Jewish parents, Ruth (Altcheck) and Albert Azaria. His grandparents on both sides hailed from Thessaloniki, Greece’s Spanish Jewish community established there after the 1492 exile from Spain.’
…So, this amounts to essentially Mid-Eastern, Greek & Spanish descent, entirely acceptable to portray numerous ethnicities, as has been amazingly established by Azaria’s plethora of true talent on both sides of the camera😉
Patric, I agree completely. Well said.
I already put in my 2 cents. I don’t like when people get hurt. But come on. I grew up watching worse….where i was like, this isn’t really funny. The Simpsons is pretty equal at who they stereotype i think. Its all in good fun. Bullies are everywhere. If they don’t pick on ethnicity, its race…its clothes…its your money status…..its WHATEVER.
For that guy to call out ONE thing cuz his feelings got hurt as a kid is just….silly. Growing up, i got picked on cuz i was tall and flat and had glasses. I turned out ok. I grew up and got over it.
Who will be next to go from the show then? Fat tony and gang? Then Willie? There won’t be any one left. Or if not, why do THEY get to stay? How is THAT fair then? Whatever.
Great write up, Pat.
Don’t poke fun at mobsters! Fat Tony: “I don’t get mad, I get stabby.”
Excellent post! Thank you for articulating my feelings on this subject.
Thanks for this post, Patric. The Simpsons without Apu are just not the same.
I wonder if he’ll be removed from the game? I just bought his wife.
I think removing him is more racist.
Well…if he goes…so does KEM farming. So, no. I don’t think they are THAT stupid…
BRAVO!
This argument of removal could be used for any myriad of characters on the Simpsons show. Cookie Kwan, Cletus, Smithers, the Lovejoys, Chief Wiggum to list a few. Is the caricature, spelled that way on purpose, not “character” (look up the dictionary meaning to be enlightened), I digress… Is the caricature of Smithers offensive to the LGBTQIA community? The Lovejoys offensive to the Christian community? Cletus offensive to the Yokel community? The implication of Wiggum being “pig like” offensive to police? Where will this critical analysis end for fictional “characters” appearing in a fictional “cartoon”? Doesn’t anybody remember that this is a show created for entertainment purposes? Hopefully the characters we have earned and even paid for in our games don’t get “vanished” too…
First they came for Apu, then Krusty, … and when then came for Homer and Bart all that was left was Lisa and Marge.
Well done, Patric.
What about Sanjay? What about Jay? What about Manjula? What about the octopolates?
I’m sick of American rhetoric.
Yellow supremacy is terrorism.
I know plenty of South Asian people and they have no issue with the character nor his extended family.
Banjot
Well, it is more than just one comedian and the show runners. Whoopie Goldberg said (after some prompting) on a show that Apu was an example of blackface – a white guy acting as a parody of a minority.
That being said, I do agree with you. Yes, early on in the show, there were numerous jokes aimed at Apu being Indian and/or Hindu. For the last decade or more, however, he has been treated just like any other character in the show. At this point, he’s an American, not a stereotype.
Then again, like you, I’m an old white guy. What the hell do I know?
Oh, and I’m sure you’re appreciating the printed word here (as opposed to the live podcast), where you have more time to fully choose your words and go back and edit.
For me…it just comes down to lack of respect from the originators. If they are going to start backpedaling on everything, without actually ADDRESSING the issue…they are culpable for the backlash.
Apu deserves better.
I think I remember correctly that in family guy they made a few comments in an episode about how cleavland is voiced by a white man.
Yeah, but their whole schtick is that Cleveland is the whitest black man ever – why wouldn’t he be voiced by a white guy?