The problem with Apu

[Nearly Sane]

Is there a problem?


https://www.thedailybeast.com/hari-kondabolu-on-why-the-simpsons-hank-azaria-wont-address-the-problem-with-apu

[Robbie]

Obviously a problem for some people and, much as I've enjoyed Apu, I am in sympathy with them.  Apu is perhaps a dated stereotyped caricature - though we mustn't forget that every character in the Simpsons is exactly that too. Perhaps I wouldn't find him funny if my ethnic origins were from the Indian subcontinent, yet I don't find him funny because of that but because of the exaggerated character, a feature common to all in the series. Nobody is really exactly like that but we see bits that we recognise. Like Alf Garnett.

I just checked and see that new episodes are going to be made up until 2019.  Perhaps Matt Groening could tone Apu down, make him more of an all-round person and introduce an Asian-American family.  Certainly the opinions of those offended by the current Apu need to be considered sensitively, it's not difficult to see this from a different point of view.

[Walter]

Is there a problem?


https://www.thedailybeast.com/hari-kondabolu-on-why-the-simpsons-hank-azaria-wont-address-the-problem-with-apu

NO. I spent a lot of time in the south of England earlier this year and had the piss ripped out of me on a daily basis for my Yorkshire accent and all that goes with coming from the north , didn't bother me at all.

mind you , at least I'm not Scottish .

[Nearly Sane]

NO. I spent a lot of time in the south of England earlier this year and had the piss ripped out of me on a daily basis for my Yorkshire accent and all that goes with coming from the north , didn't bother me at all.

mind you , at least I'm not Scottish .

Freeeeeeeedddddddoommmmmmmmm!!!!!! (Sorry, lapsed into Australian/American there)

[Walter]

Freeeeeeeedddddddoommmmmmmmm!!!!!! (Sorry, lapsed into Australian/American there)

I could hear you from here , not bad .

[Nearly Sane]

To be honest here, I thought Apu was an excellent piece of integration. Yes, it uses a stereotype but no more than the other ones, see the Italian American stereotype, or almost every character.

Yes, Apu isn't well developed but then hundreds of characters in The Simpsons are less developed and portrayed as worse.

Now I have to be careful of just not noticing the offence that might be caused just because I speak from a position of 'power' in such things but I haven't seen the case made here.

[Robbie]

I intend to watch tonight at 7pm on Ch4+1 and hope I don't start cringing and feeling embarrassed.
No-one could be more of a caricature than Homer!

[Walter]

 I love to watch Still Game and once you get your ear in ,it is so funny . One of may favourite characters is Navid at the shop , a good example of integration/non integration I think

His character should be developed a bit more I think

[Nearly Sane]

I love to watch Still Game and once you get your ear in ,it is so funny . One of may favourite characters is Navid at the shop , a good example of integration/non integration I think

His character should be developed a bit more I think

Surely, you mean Meena?

[Walter]

Surely, you mean Meena?

of course , what was I thinking ?

[Nearly Sane]

of course , what was I thinking ?

Thing is Navid is played by an actor from the sub continent and the accent is not removed from where he is. It's a great example not sure it works entirely.

[Walter]

Thing is Navid is played by an actor from the sub continent and the accent is not removed from where he is. It's a great example not sure it works entirely.

works for me though 

[Nearly Sane]

works for me though 

I think Navid may illustrate the problem of Apu. Or maybe he is just funny.

[Robbie]

Well tonight's Simpsons was very funny and particularly politically incorrect with Homer being suspected of having  'turned' and being a terrorist, which he turned out not to be. There were endless stereotypes (Apu featured), and it was hilarious (and I don't care).

[Nearly Sane]

Reaction to The Simpsons 'dealing' with The Problem of Apu. Since I started this thread, I've seen the film and the experiences that were covered have made me question my own perceptions. Also second link covers that Little Britain would not be made today.


https://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2018/04/09/600794630/the-simpsons-to-the-problem-with-apu-drop-dead



https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/apr/11/should-little-britain-and-the-simpsons-change-with-the-times

[Nearly Sane]

Hank Azaria willing to step aside from voicing Apu

https://nypost.com/2018/04/25/hank-azaria-addresses-the-simpons-apu-controversy/

[jeremyp]

mind you , at least I'm not Scottish .

Yes, at least Groundskeeper Willie is not portrayed as a stereotypical bad tempered red head Scot. Oh, he is.

And Chief Wiggum is not portrayed as a stereotypical donut eating corrupt lardy police officer. Oh, he is.

Hang on, everybody in The Simpsons is a caricature. Get rid of them all. Comedy is mean and must be stopped.

[Nearly Sane]

Yes, at least Groundskeeper Willie is not portrayed as a stereotypical bad tempered red head Scot. Oh, he is.

And Chief Wiggum is not portrayed as a stereotypical donut eating corrupt lardy police officer. Oh, he is.

Hang on, everybody in The Simpsons is a caricature. Get rid of them all. Comedy is mean and must be stopped.

which is precisely not the argument made in the film.

[jeremyp]

which is precisely not the argument made in the film.

What is the argument then?

I didn't watch the film, but I read the article and the main argument seemed to be that sometimes people are mean to Asians because of Apu. Well so what? The characters in The Simpsons are meant to be comic caricatures. It would be ludicrous to have an Asian in the show that is completely normal and not funny.

The people who are abusive towards Asians are not doing it because of Apu they are doing it because they are arseholes. If it there was no Apu, they'd find some other point to be abusive over.

[Nearly Sane]

What is the argument then?

I didn't watch the film, but I read the article and the main argument seemed to be that sometimes people are mean to Asians because of Apu. Well so what? The characters in The Simpsons are meant to be comic caricatures. It would be ludicrous to have an Asian in the show that is completely normal and not funny.

The people who are abusive towards Asians are not doing it because of Apu they are doing it because they are arseholes. If it there was no Apu, they'd find some other point to be abusive over.

That there isn't another view because there isn't a positive view. It's clear in the links  at the start.