Posted on 04/25/2018 6:33:31 AM PDT by Ennis85
Hank Azaria says he is "willing to step aside" from his role voicing Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
It follows a documentary made by Indian-American comic Hari Kondabolu that argued the Indian character is based on racial stereotypes.
Speaking on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, theactor said his "eyes have been opened" by the debate and that he never intended to cause offence.
He also distanced himself from the show's controversial response.
Shopkeeper Apu has been part of the long-running animation series since 1990, with Azaria adopting an Indian accent to voice him.
The character is one of several voiced on The Simpsons by Azaria - he is also the voice of Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy and bartender Moe Szyslak.
There has been a focus on the portrayal of Apu since Kondabolu's 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu.
The director told the BBC last year that the character was problematic because he is defined by his job and how many children he has in his arranged marriage.
He added Apu was one of the only representations of South-East Asians on US television when he was growing up and that other children imitated the character to mock him.
Azaria told Colbert: "The idea that anyone young or old, past or present, being bullied based on Apu really makes me sad.
"It certainly was not my intention. I wanted to bring joy and laughter to people."
When asked about the future of the character, Azaria said he was open to change and called for the South Asian community to be better represented in the industry.
"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.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Apu is less of a stereotype than Raj on The Big Bang Theory
Who doesn’t like Apu!?
>>It follows a documentary made by Indian-American comic Hari Kondabolu that argued the Indian character is based on racial stereotypes.
Every character on The Simpsons is based on a stereotype.
Leftists are miserable people. They inflict their misery on everyone around them.
L
Ding! Spot on, sir!
But the officer that looks like a pig is hilarious and the Italian with the switchblade, pure genius...they are all stereotypes / caricatures ... this comedian needs to lighten up.
They still have arranged marriages over there. So how is this portrayal a stereotype?
every character on The Simpsons is a STEREOTYPE!..............
Trey Parker and Matt Stone (South Park) would kill off Apu in the most degrading, stereotypical way available. I hope Matt Groening follows suit.
Be gone with your logic and facts!!
Back when Americans had a sense of humor, and some ability to reason there were lots of stereotypes on TV. Stereotypes for Italians, Irish, Eastern Europeans, Blacks, old people, etc. We knew they were stereotypes and laughed.
Now, people search for the slightest thing to which they can take offense. And get their 15 minutes.
I hate what we’ve become.
Whatever.
Apu is a well-developed character whose life, goals and adventures have been written out thoughtfully.
Contrast that with Cleetus, who has moved from an endearing bumpkin to the victim of every bit of anger and frustration the show’s writers feel.
Forget moonshine and loafing — Incest, paedophilia, scrounging for roadkill are his new portfolio.
..and if it were funny it would be OK.
But it’s not. When he is the only Demo that can be skewered the jokes land.
Maybe that’s the worse problem, and Apu the tip of the iceberg. It could have been something else.
“every character on The Simpsons is a STEREOTYPE!..............”
Satire is beyond the ken of most modern people.
Here are his characters and inspiration http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Hank_Azaria
Oh most definitely rednecks should protest too.
“When he is the only Demo that can be skewered the jokes land (sic) flat.”
It’s based on CULTURAL stereotypes.
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