Matt Groening Has Responded To The Apu Controversy In The Worst Possible Way
Dig up, dude.
The Simpsons creator Matt Groening has delivered perhaps the shittiest response possible to the recent controversy around the show’s depiction of Apu.
Apu is an increasingly touchy subject among fans of The Simpsons, with many coming around to the view that the character is a racist stereotype. It’s become such a big talking point that the series recently addressed it on air, with Marge and Lisa attempting to play off the issue by invoking the spectre of “political correctness”. It sucked.
Giving how badly the show’s writers botched their response, I guess it shouldn’t be that surprised that their boss cooked it as well.
Asked whether he had anything to say about the controversy during an interview with USA Today, Groening was dismissive. “I’m proud of what we do on the show,” he said. “And I think it’s a time in our culture where people love to pretend they’re offended.”
Needless to say, his comments did not go down well.
Matt Groening literally did the “kids are out of touch” meme on himself.
I don’t think there can be a higher level of self-ownage https://t.co/QKiw04tdz7— Ukrainian Ironbelly (@Insomnia1995) May 1, 2018
And Matt Groening loves to pretend his show is still within megaphone distance of “good”. We all have our problems. https://t.co/B8csEP5gHO
— Tilly (@TillyWoden) April 30, 2018
It’s cool, everybody. Matt Groening says you weren’t really offended. ? https://t.co/kLW1rJEXEt
— ☠ Maggot welcome to the dystopia McFear ☠ (@tankgrrl) April 30, 2018
Matt Groening rn pic.twitter.com/J7DzOjTMSL
— free drinker (@Dill_Wodd) May 1, 2018
The Simpsons approach to dealing with criticism. pic.twitter.com/LYXd3GYmVD
— Mathew Buck (@FB_BMB) April 30, 2018
Matt Groening chiming in on @TheSimpsons controversy. pic.twitter.com/cRpA7pNUFE
— Americo Alvarenga (@americo76) May 1, 2018
Current feelings on matt groening’s response pic.twitter.com/CEVIB6AG16
— Just Fek’lhrin Wit U (@lelandradburn) April 30, 2018
Comedian Hari Kondabolu, whose documentary The Problem with Apu helped bring the debate around Apu in the public spotlight, also expressed his disappointment in Groening’s response.
Well, that seals it. Matt Groening finally responded & sounds like every other troll on the internet who didn’t see the documentary. No one is offended by this character. It was, at times, insulting & was frustrating to many of us who were solely represented by that one image. https://t.co/AfYNAeaU7Z
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 30, 2018
For future reference, Groening might want to take a leaf out of the book of Hank Azaria, the white man who voices Apu. During a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Azaria said he understood why people were upset by the character, and even said he’d be willing to give up the role. It was a thoughtful, respectful and heartfelt response.
So… y’know… the opposite of what Groening did.