The Problem with Apu (1 Viewer)

[Mr. Sparkle]

https://www.npr.org/sections/monkey...he-simpsons-to-the-problem-with-apu-drop-dead

The long-running Fox show addressed the controversy in a recent episode, receiving further criticism from some for brushing it off. In response, showrunner Al Jean vowed to make it "right."

Speaking to the Simpsons response on the issue, Azaria said, “I had nothing to do with the writing or the voicing [in that episode]. I think if anyone came away from that segment thinking they need to lighten up…that’s definitely not the message that I want to send."

When asked by Colbert about the future of the character, Azaria was open to change. "I’ve given this a lot of thought, and, as I say, my eyes have been opened," he said. "I think the most important thing is to listen to Indian people and their experience with it. I really want to see Indian, South Asian writers in the writers room…including how [Apu] is voiced or not voiced. I’m perfectly willing to step aside. It just feels like the right thing to do to me."

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/l...ng-step-simpsons-apu-role-controversy-1105496



Just so long as there is no problem with the send-up of Japanglish dish detergent advertising, I'm good....

 

[superchuck500]

To bring in the previous conversation: https://saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375934

 

[LombardiGras]

I'm outraged about Fat Tony, this character perpetuates stereotypes of Italians as mobsters and doesn't use body positive language.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

I'm outraged about Fat Tony, this character perpetuates stereotypes of Italians as mobsters and doesn't use body positive language.

huh, i figured you'd be more upset about Cleetus

 

[LombardiGras]

huh, i figured you'd be more upset about Cleetus

I appreciate the effort on this joke, but I've never lived in a city smaller than New Orleans

I think they got you and Oye with this one though

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[Heathen Saint]

huh, i figured you'd be more upset about Cleetus

That'd be us Scots-Irish deadbeats

 

[Saintman2884]

Family Guy has done voice characterizations of minorities, their communities, supposed stereotypes that come IMHO, across as potentially more offensive than Simpsons. There was one particular episode titled "Road to India", where Brian and Stewie went to India to meet Brian's new Indian call center girlfriend and they were several jokes that poked fun at Indian poverty, how terrible New Delhi smelled in contrast to how enlightened Indian religion and culture was. I don't remember any calls for boycotts from Indian-Americans, devout Hindus, protests, no prominent Indian-American actors, comedians, celebrities voiced any serious legitimate protests against it. There have been past FG episodes where they play on old Asian-American stereotypes like them being better at math and science, Asian "correspondent" Tricia Takanagwa saying that Stephen Hawkins was the only white man smarter at mathematics than me". No protests, not even a peep. Family Guy has been on for almost 17 seasons, they've included this brand of humor before, and they'll continue to include material that some might've conceivably see as more offensive then Simpsons' Apu ever could be. Frankly, Apu has never really been a major character focus on the Simpsons, compared to composite characters like Quagmire and Cleveland on Family Guy or Stan's CIA boss character voiced by Patrick Stewart. Quagmire and Cleveland are far more interesting supporting characters on their respective shows, arguably funnier too, then Apu on Simpsons.

And FWIW, I love Family Guy. It's one of my favorite shows precisely because though Seth MacFarlane is more liberal then I ever will be, he bashes almost everyone from both sides, politicians, celebrities, societal trends, fellow Hollywood actors/actresses, he's sort of American version of Ricky Gervais except more successful. He helped produce an excellent Cosmos series remake several years ago and it's coming back again next spring. With The Orville's success, he's proven he's more then just a one-trick pony in taking on a serious sci-fi Star Trek-ish lead drama role.

 

[GeauxWhoDats]

Bugs Bunny called, he said that The Simpsons and Family Guy are amateurs at portraying stereotypes. Listen to the names that he calls the soldiers.

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[guidomerkinsrules]

whenever i try to show my kids Bugs Bunny, my wife will bring up when it did blackface
i tell her "fake news! never happened! sad"
then she'll google it and try to show me
as long as i can keep avoiding the evidence, i'll have some deniability

 

[wnelson]

maybe stop wrapping people in bubble wrap. everyone and everything is on one level or another "problematic"

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

maybe stop wrapping people in bubble wrap. everyone and everything is on one level or another "problematic"

or how about this?
life is about dynamism - vibration/excitement/growth require a back and forth
the notion of "if it ain't broke" actually invites a stasis that atrophies thinking/action/whatever
these conversations are critical for social/cultural life (it's more important to engage in the discussion that to try to find the quickest "right" answer)

 

[wnelson]

or how about this?
life is about dynamism - vibration/excitement/growth require a back and forth
the notion of "if it ain't broke" actually invites a stasis that atrophies thinking/action/whatever
these conversations are critical for social/cultural life (it's more important to engage in the discussion that to try to find the quickest "right" answer)

is it not the responsibility of the writers to craft a show to illicit viewship? I wonder what the over/under is on white liberals finding an issue with apu than say.... indians

 

[livefromDC]

I'm outraged about Fat Tony, this character perpetuates stereotypes of Italians as mobsters and doesn't use body positive language.

Is it the only depiction of European ethnicities on the Simpsons? Like is Tony the lone representation of basically an entire continent of vastly different people? You have to try really hard to miss why this could be offensive to Asian/Indian-Americans.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

you didn't quote anything so I assumed you were continuing the "bugs bunny" tangent

is it not the responsibility of the writers to craft a show to illicit viewship? I wonder what the over/under is on white liberals finding an issue with apu than say.... indians

this is who made the documentary "The Problem with Apu" (he's Indian)

believe it or not there are a lot of people out there commenting about the silliness of his position without having seen the documentary or read anything about it
I know right!?!