Apu from The Simpsons Drama

[Walken]

From that Hank Azaria seems like a really good guy.

As others have hinted at I doubt there was any ill intent with the creation of the character, you might be able to make the same argument with when love thy neighbour came out or something of that ilk, what was once was deemed acceptable no longer is in the wider reaches of society, usually in the name of progression and equality, as much as that seems to upset certain people, it wouldn't be the end of the world if the simpsons moved with it, and to be honest it stopped being a relevant show a long time ago

 

[Bungle]

Absolutely disgusting that he even still exists as a character in a modern forward thinking society. I'm all for them taking the piss but I think people have a point with this one. Same goes for stereotyping the Scottish fella in it as well, utterly bizarre that they can continue to get away with it.

 

[Toast]

Carla Lane's 'Bread' and Harry Enfields 'Scousers' created some stereotypes that have stuck since.

The Simpsons used to be boss, don't think many even still watch it do they ?

 

[Tubey]

Just dont get why a cartoon character that speaks in an accent close to real life in Merica is offensive.

I have given up remembering how many times I have been the butt of scouse based "observations", and been asked to "Calm Down".

That'd be because you're somewhat normal mate.

What really gets under my skin about these rent-a-mob faux outrages is that when something legitimate comes up to actually get up in arms about, it's diluted because "they're just kicking off again and they'll forget about it in 10 minutes when something else comes up."

The Tories in particular are masters at it currently. This Windrush thing genuinely could have been enough to topple the government 10-20 years ago, but now it's just a "whoops our bad, we'll sort it, nevermind eh - quick, something else is trending on Twitter, go moan about that, it's very important."

 

[Frang]

Absolutely disgusting that he even still exists as a character in a modern forward thinking society. I'm all for them taking the piss but I think people have a point with this one. Same goes for stereotyping the Scottish fella in it as well, utterly bizarre that they can continue to get away with it.

absolutely mate. well said.

life has a lot to answer for.

 

[Frang]

frank out of shameless should also be banned

oh...


hang on...

 

[Tubey]

It's a weird mix of right and wrong. The Simpons came out in 1989, and while Apu was still offensive then, that was part of the joke. Current cultures no longer tolerate the joke. And the show is still running, but it's not like the show is really "current" so far as culture is concerned--none of the characters have aged and so few have changed from how they were originally cast.

So Apu is clearly offensive today, but it's unreasonable to ask The Simpsons to change the show. It will probably just go away (unfortunately).

American Dad came out well more recently - let's look at the 'offensive' stereotypes in that.

* Uptight socially conservative, religiously fundamental republican father
* Blonde bimbo wife
* Hippie stoner liberal daughter
* Nerd son
* Overtly effeminate gay male news presenters who make gay innuendo jokes constantly
* Jewish kid who is physically weak and has a stereotypical 'jewish' accent
* A German characters who makes Nazi references

etc. etc. etc.

Comedy can be and usually is offensive. It's not meant to portray the culture; it's intended to send it up and be laughed at. It's not a documentary!

 

[Gwladysstreetlad]

Strawmanning it a bit there mate, plenty of Indian people have complained over the years but at the same time that doesn't mean all of them or even a majority of them are offended by it or care. One of the main people behind the current criticism (Hari Kondab0lu) is Indian American as well... ironically he got tons of racial abuse for bringing this up.

Anyone absuing the guy is absolute scum.

I really dont see how Anyone could seriously be offended by the stereotype though. Just about everyone in the Simpsons is one big stereotype. Seriously, Homer is a big fat American slob. Barney is an Irish drunk. Grounds keeper Whillie is an overly aggressive Scotsman and pretty much every country this visit they is portrayed in an OOT caricature. You'd have to be more then a touch delicate to be offended by anything in the Simpsons. The most offensive thing about the Simpsons these days is how vanilla it is.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Just dont get why a cartoon character that speaks in an accent close to real life in Merica is offensive.

I have given up remembering how many times I have been the butt of scouse based "observations", and been asked to "Calm Down".

I think it's the idea that a plastic portrayal of minorities (by majority actors) isn't funny in the current culture. Self deprecation is ok, but not portrayals like this.

Most Yanks don't care (hell, half of the Trump-voting Yanks are burning swaztikas in Georgia right now, what the feck do they care about Apu?), and the outrage is from a vocal few, but that's not to say the complaint isn't real or appropriate for cultural discussion. And I think Azaria's comments are on point.

But basically, this is the cultural split in America right now, boiled down into protests over a popular bit character in one of TV's most successful shows of all time. Tail wagging the dog stuff, this.

 

[Frang]

American Dad came out well more recently - let's look at the 'offensive' stereotypes in that.

* Uptight socially conservative, religiously fundamental republican father
* Blonde bimbo wife
* Hippie stoner liberal daughter
* Nerd son
* Overtly effeminate gay male news presenters who make gay innuendo jokes constantly
* Jewish kid who is physically weak and has a stereotypical 'jewish' accent
* A German characters who makes Nazi references

etc. etc. etc.

Comedy can be and usually is offensive. It's not meant to portray the culture; it's intended to send it up and be laughed at. It's not a documentary!

should be taken of off telly and replaced with a beige page

 

[roydo]

That'd be because you're somewhat normal mate.

Thanks mate. I think.

 

[longers]

That'd be because you're somewhat normal mate.

What really gets under my skin about these rent-a-mob faux outrages is that when something legitimate comes up to actually get up in arms about, it's diluted because "they're just kicking off again and they'll forget about it in 10 minutes when something else comes up."

The Tories in particular are masters at it currently. This Windrush thing genuinely could have been enough to topple the government 10-20 years ago, but now it's just a "whoops our bad, we'll sort it, nevermind eh - quick, something else is trending on Twitter, go moan about that, it's very important."

How do you know its faux outrage ? 20 odd years of faux outrage ? surely at that point you realise its not faux outrage and some people do actually find it offensive ?

I think its poor form to just dismiss anyone taking offense as faking it just for the attention.

Im not saying there aren't people like that as there clearly are but it's pretty weak to just straight up dismiss everyones views as that.

 

[Frang]

Anyone absuing the guy is absolute scum.

I really dont see how Anyone could seriously be offended by the stereotype though. Just about everyone in the Simpsons is one big stereotype. Seriously, Homer is a big fat American slob. Barney is an Irish drunk. Grounds keeper Whillie is an overly aggressive Scotsman and pretty much every country this visit they is portrayed in an OOT caricature. You'd have to be more then a touch delicate to be offended by anything in the Simpsons. The most offensive thing about the Simpsons these days is how vanilla it is.

you need to get with the times friend

 

[Bungle]

absolutely mate. well said.

life has a lot to answer for.

They're American so I suppose they need to keep it simple - Indian = Corner shop and funny accent, Scottish = Drunk, crazy and funny accent, Irish = Leprechaun, Drunk and funny accent. Starting to see a theme develop, absolute monsters that need shutting down.

 

[SerenityNigh]

American Dad came out well more recently - let's look at the 'offensive' stereotypes in that.

* Uptight socially conservative, religiously fundamental republican father
* Blonde bimbo wife
* Hippie stoner liberal daughter
* Nerd son
* Overtly effeminate gay male news presenters who make gay innuendo jokes constantly
* Jewish kid who is physically weak and has a stereotypical 'jewish' accent
* A German characters who makes Nazi references

etc. etc. etc.

Comedy can be and usually is offensive. It's not meant to portray the culture; it's intended to send it up and be laughed at. It's not a documentary!

Can't argue with that, but context matters in comedy as well as everything else. It's not like South Park isn't terribly offensive. Good comedy will always tread all over social issues, that's the point. It's how they handle it that is funny (or not).