The Simpsons' Apu branded 'a racist stereotype' in new documentary

[Cpt. Rishwat]

One thing I have noticed recently is that Apu images have been airbrushed. Now when you see google images of Apu you see various shades of skin. What is that about?

 

[sweep_shot]

One thing I have noticed recently is that Apu images have been airbrushed. Now when you see google images of Apu you see various shades of skin. What is that about?

Are they looking to make Apu look less darker? Reminds me of "Fair & Lovely" cream.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Are they looking to make Apu look less darker? Reminds me of "Fair & Lovely" cream.

Seems that way. He is the Indian role model in the US though, I guess Indians must be sensitive about skin colour over there.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/09/arts/television/the-simpsons-responds-to-criticism-about-apu.html


This article a good example. Apu seems to have gotten lighter skin tone while he's been off the tv screens. Some people must really care about this stuff.

 

[Robert]

Does this Indian guy have a point or is he simply another woke trying to reinvent America?

America constantly reinvents itself as culture develops.

Bring Apu back and hire an Indian actor to voice him. Deconstruct the stereotype.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

America constantly reinvents itself as culture develops.

Bring Apu back and hire an Indian actor to voice him. Deconstruct the stereotype.

The problem is it won't be funny if an Indian does it. They just don't get why it's funny.

 

[Robert]

The problem is it won't be funny if an Indian does it. They just don't get why it's funny.

So Apu is there for Pakistanis to laugh at?

 

[Robert]

Maybe Kohli can be the new voice of Apu - he needs a second career! )

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

So Apu is there for Pakistanis to laugh at?

He's an American creation so I guess he was made for the Americans to laugh at. Same as Homer and Marge were to be fair. Obviously we Brits share a similar sense of humour so British Pakistanis will also find Apu funny.

I was wondering why American Indians get so touchy about the character, then I realised it's probably because Apu is THE quintessential portrayal of American (male) Indians. I mean who else is there?

 

[Robert]

He's an American creation so I guess he was made for the Americans to laugh at. Same as Homer and Marge were to be fair. Obviously we Brits share a similar sense of humour so British Pakistanis will also find Apu funny.

I was wondering why American Indians get so touchy about the character, then I realised it's probably because Apu is THE quintessential portrayal of American (male) Indians. I mean who else is there?

The fella off The Big Bang Theory?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The fella off The Big Bang Theory?

I never really watched the show, am I missing much?

I know the girl was fantastic in 8 Simple Rules.

 

[Robert]

I never really watched the show, am I missing much?

I know the girl was fantastic in 8 Simple Rules.

Didn’t watch it much either so couldn’t comment. It ran for a long time and had a lot of fans. I prefer edgier uncomfortable comedy like Peep Show.

I do rate Kaley Cuoco. Sh’s a producer now. Her show Flight Attendant is very good. Also she voices the main character in the animated show Harley Quinn. Much better than that Australian actress.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Didn’t watch it much either so couldn’t comment. It ran for a long time and had a lot of fans. I prefer edgier uncomfortable comedy like Peep Show.

I do rate Kaley Cuoco. Sh’s a producer now. Her show Flight Attendant is very good. Also she voices the main character in the animated show Harley Quinn. Much better than that Australian actress.

Never heard of any of those shows. Harley Quinn Aussie version was Margot Robbie right? She got that role because she's a knockout but then that's probably why she gets a lot of roles, suited or not.

 

[Robert]

Never heard of any of those shows. Harley Quinn Aussie version was Margot Robbie right? She got that role because she's a knockout but then that's probably why she gets a lot of roles, suited or not.

Flight Attendant is on Sky.

Harley Quinn is on Channel 4.

 

[James]

Every character in The Simpsons is some kind of stereotype or lampoon to be honest. Including the “western” characters with their oafishness, gluttony, selfishness, conceitedness, addictive personalities and obesity. It is a comedy after all.

 

[SalimBhai]

He's an American creation so I guess he was made for the Americans to laugh at. Same as Homer and Marge were to be fair. Obviously we Brits share a similar sense of humour so British Pakistanis will also find Apu funny.

I was wondering why American Indians get so touchy about the character, then I realised it's probably because Apu is THE quintessential portrayal of American (male) Indians. I mean who else is there?

Indian Americans are the most educated and well off people in the US. So the character is a bit dated dont you think. Also Americans can't distinguish between Indian or Pakistanis. So if you are taking a dig ( riddle man) you are taking a dig at yourself also.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Indian Americans are the most educated and well off people in the US. So the character is a bit dated dont you think. Also Americans can't distinguish between Indian or Pakistanis. So if you are taking a dig ( riddle man) you are taking a dig at yourself also.

I've never argued that Indians of America aren't educated or well off, we are talking about a tv show and film stars here. Now the CEO of Google might be very successful in his/hers own field, but he isn't going to be the next Brad Pitt is he? That's just reality which US shows reflect, you can't really blame them for it, what have they got to work with?

Also we have heard plenty about the lower education level of British Pakistanis, which I have no problem with accepting, but by the same token you would have to accept that they come from a different demographic than your Apus, so no we mostly don't identify with him at all. Check which regions of the subcontinent your Bollywood heroes hail from.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

https://youtu.be/cJb77ggFgTE

Asian Boss showed a few reactions of Indians in India to this so called controversy and what really stands out is the wide diversity of opinions. Literally, no 2 opinions are the same.

It's highly likely that Indian American views are even more diverse than this. None of my relatives or friends in the States even care about such portrayals .

The only ones who seem to have time to even make a mountain out of this molehill are the likes of the OP which is quite understandable.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

An anonymous Indian on a Pakistani forum claims no Indians in America care about this issue, yet the most famous Indian character in the US got dropped from one of their most iconic shows. Maybe because the OP cared about it. This is the logic we are supposed to follow here.