People Are Pissed At ‘The Simpsons’ For The Show’s Shitty Response To The Apu Controversy
"Man, I really loved this show. This is sad."
The Simpsons has come under fire for its sensationally shitty response to recent criticism of the show’s depiction of Indian-American character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
Last November, comedian Hari Kondabolu released a documentary titled The Problem with Apu, which examined the stereotypical manner in which the long-running series paints one of its few South-Asian characters (who, let’s not forget, is voiced by a white guy).
The response from the show’s writers? Not great.
In the series’ latest episode, titled ‘No Good Read Goes Unpunished’, Marge and Lisa allude to the controversy around Apu after Marge attempts to clean up a problematic bedtime story in order to make it less offensive.
“Well, what am I supposed to do,” asks Marge.
“It’s hard to say,” responds Lisa, turning to face the camera. “Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?”
The camera then pans over to a framed photo of Apu sitting on her bedside table.
“Some things will be dealt with at a later date,” says Marge.
“If at all,” replies Lisa.
The Simpsons goes after politically correct critics, singling out “The Problem With Apu” https://t.co/4QRHsUJnd9 pic.twitter.com/HZRYPWoqaI
— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) April 9, 2018
The gag (if you can even call it that) drew a fierce reaction from critics and fans.
The fact that The Simpsons had Lisa (!) be the one to slap down the legitimate conversation around Apu is maybe the grossest part of this
— Dana Schwartz (@DanaSchwartzzz) April 9, 2018
The Simpson’s using Lisa Simpson of all people to blast “political correctness” is a perfect example of why the show should’ve been cancelled about 15 years ago.
— Osman Faruqi (@oz_f) April 9, 2018
Boy, Lisa Simpson is going to have a hard time getting hired by the Atlantic now after that episode last night, huh?
— Sonny Bunch (@SonnyBunch) April 9, 2018
I love when a bunch of Harvard white guys tell us what’s racist
— osama bin eatin (@taIiban69) April 9, 2018
The Simpsons, 1989 – 2018 #RIP ? https://t.co/FLTsUwFBsQ
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
the simpsons: “what can you do?”
looney tunes: pic.twitter.com/8aFDaWQuoa— ? bob ? (@bobvids) April 9, 2018
Leaving aside all other issues about THE SIMPSONS and THE PROBLEM WITH APU, isn’t it a little weird that Lisa apparently keeps a signed photo of a casual acquaintance, a fortysomething man from her neighborhood, sitting on her nightstand? pic.twitter.com/fFBYcWwJJC
— Tasha Robinson (@TashaRobinson) April 9, 2018
Kondabolu also weighed in, tweeting that the response from the writers was “not a jab at me, but at what many of us consider progress”. He also sarcastically congratulated the show “for being talked about and seen as relevant again”.
Wow. “Politically Incorrect?” That’s the takeaway from my movie & the discussion it sparked? Man, I really loved this show. This is sad. https://t.co/lYFH5LguEJ
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018
In “The Problem with Apu,” I used Apu & The Simpsons as an entry point into a larger conversation about the representation of marginalized groups & why this is important. The Simpsons response tonight is not a jab at me, but at what many of us consider progress.
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018
TO THE JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE ASKED ME FOR A PUBLIC STATEMENT ABOUT LAST NIGHT’S SIMPSONS EPISODE, I JUST WANT SAY: “Congratulations to the Simpsons for being talked about & being seen as relevant again.”
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018