ABC’s Good Morning America on Tuesday slammed The Simpsons, fretting about the “racist,” “stereotypical” portrayal of the character Apu. The show joined the chorus of liberal outlets unhappy with how the veteran comedy dealt with complaints about the Indian American Apu.
With no evidence that fans at large are unhappy, George Stephanopoulos breathlessly insisted: “We’re going to begin with the backlash against The Simpsons.” Reporter Eva Pilgrim lectured, “The show under fire over concerns of racism with one of its oldest, most popular characters, finally responding.”
Pilgrim underlined the accusations of bigotry, saying, “Apu, the convenience store clerk in The Simpsons, long the focus of allegations of racism for a stereotypical portrayal of Indians.” With no attribution, she touted the idea that Apu should just be removed from the show:
The call is for the show to retire Apu, the character. But more than that, to make sure that they strive for diverse voices around the table to have those discussions about what is acceptable and to make sure all the different voices are heard at those discussions.
On Sunday night, The Simpsons responded to complaints and a documentary attacking the show by having Marge reread an old children’s book that is no longer politically correct:
“MARGE”: Well, what am I supposed to do?
“LISA”: It's hard to say. Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?
“MARGE”: Some things will be dealt with at a later date.
“LISA”: If at all.
What these liberal outlets don’t seem to understand is that almost all the characters on The Simpsons are stereotypes. There’s the uptight evangelical Christian neighbors, the Jewish entertainer, the evil businessman, the corrupt politician with the Ted Kennedy accent. The show, when it was in its prime, would subvert these stereotypes in humorous ways. Hence the comedy.
On Tuesday, The New York Times whined that the Simpsons response was a hurtful “dismissal.”
A transcript is below. Click "expand" to read more:
Good Morning America
4/10/18
7:31:39 to 7:35:02
ABC Graphic: The Simpsons Under Fire for Apu Response: Criticism Over Show’s Handling of Stereotypical Character
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: We’re going to begin with the backlash against The Simpsons. The show is under fire for how it responded to criticism of one of its most famous characters and ABC’s Eva Pilgrim is here with the story. Good morning, Eva.
EVA PILGRIM: Good morning. The Simpsons feeling the heat this morning. The show under fire over concerns of racism with one of its oldest, most popular characters, finally responding. But what they did and how they did it is not sitting so well with some fans.
“APU”: Please pay for your purchases and get out and come began.
PILGRIM: Apu, the convenience store clerk in The Simpsons, long the focus of allegations of racism for a stereotypical portrayal of Indians. On Sunday the show acknowledging the controversy but not apologizing.
“MARGE”: Well, what am I supposed to do?
“LISA”: It's hard to say. Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?
“MARGE”: Some things will be dealt with at a later date.
“LISA”: If at all.
PILGRIM: Al Jean, of the show's original writers, predicting a backlash on social media, tweeting before the episode, “New Simpsons in five minutes. Twitter explosion in act three.” The episode coming after the TRU TV documentary The Problem With Apu spotlighted the issue last fall.
HARI KONDABOLU: How many were bullied in any capacity as a child? Raise hands. How many had to deal with, like, being called Apu or that being referenced.
PILGRIM: Hari Kondabolu, the documentary’s creator, tweeting, “wow, politically incorrect? That's the takeaway from my movie and the discussion it sparked? Man, I really loved this show. This is sad.” “The Simpsons response tonight is not a jab at me but what many of us consider progress.” Actor Utkarsh Ambudkar known for his roles in The Mindy Project and Pitch Perfect played Apu's nephew on the hit show in 2016. His character calling out Apu as a stereotype.
NEPHEW: You're my uncle and I love you, but you're a stereotype. Take a penny, leave a penny. I’m Indian.
PILGRIM: He says the episode failed to address the larger issue.
UTKARSH AMBUDKAR: It just seemed like The Simpsons has been a cutting everyone show and seemed like a lazy copout and basically them saying, you know, “Yeah, we had problems, you know, things used to be inoffensive and now they are.” When the fact of the matter is in 1989 when Apu was wring it was offensive then.
PILGRIM: Overnight, Twentieth Century Fox telling ABC News the producers prefer to let last night's episode speak for itself.
REBECCA SUN (Senior reporter, The Hollywood Reporter): The Simpsons sort of responded to it with a shrug like, “Oh, well, it was fine before. Now you guys decided it's not okay. But whatever.” That was sort of the way it was taken.
“HOMER”: Hey, Ganesha want a peanut?
“APU”: Please do not offer my God a peanut.
PILGRIM: Hank Azaria who voices the character has not commented about the episode but spoke to TMZ about the documentary last December.
HANK AZARIA: I think it's an important conversation, one definitely worth having.
PILGRIM: The call is for the show to retire Apu, the character. But more than that, to make sure that they strive for diverse voices around the table to have those discussions about what is acceptable and to make sure all the different voices are heard at those discussions.
STEPHANOPOULOS: That makes a lot of sense.
