12 Reasons Why Apu Should Be Taken Off The Simpsons

Yes, it's true that many Indian Americans hate Apu. They had to experience racial bias and hear taunting things like, "Thank you, come again" repeatedly throughout their childhood. Yet, for many, Apu is a beloved character.

Kondabolu's doc does not provide answers on what the writers should do with Apu. The comedian does not even think that the character should just be killed off the series. However, Kondabolu argues that characters like Ned Flanders and Mr. Burns' right-hand man Smithers have evolved over the near 30 year run of the show, so why not Apu? Just because it's a cartoon, doesn't mean that a character cannot learn and grow. 

The Simpsons has been on the air for almost three decades. Although we can all agree that the accent is not authentic and offensive, Azaria cannot just start voicing Apu with a more precise dialect. If the show can't change the accent, then perhaps it should find a way to write Apu out of the series?   

The cultural and political landscape has changed a lot since The Simpsons first hit the air in 1989. We are a more sensitive and aware society. "He’s an example of a character who would never have been written if the show started today,” argues Kondabolu.

The exaggerated accent of Apu makes him hard to understand. He is voiced not by an Indian actor, but by Hank Azaria, a white male who voices several characters on the show. Kondabolu has said that Apu's voice reminds him of a "white guy doing an impression of a white guy making fun of my father."

Azaria has thought about Apu's ethnic significance on popular culture. "I’ve never really talked about it. I know it’s a touchy subject," says the voice actor. "I really do love the character and do try to do right by him accent-wise and character-wise, and that goes for all the characters I do. But I do understand why people could have been offended or upset, and I’m sorry for that."

On a Late Night with Stephen Colbert appearance, Hank Azaria responded to the harsh criticism of Apu. To the surprise of many, he agreed with much of what was being said. Azaria claimed he was just trying to be funny, but was unaware of the troubling nature of the character until the release of The Problem with Apu and the subsequent backlash. 

"The idea that anybody, young or old, past or present was bullied or teased based on the character of Apu, it just really makes me sad," Azaria said, "It was certainly not my intention."

Azaria also said he disagreed with the show's response to the controversy. In a 2018 episode, it was only briefly addressed during a conversation between Lisa and Marge. The pair mused on the fact things applauded during one point in history can be viewed as politically incorrect later on. He then said he would be happy to step aside and stop voicing Apu, and claimed The Simpsons writing room would benefit from more South Asian writers.