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Hank Azaria will no longer voice Apu on The Simpsons

Hank Azaria will no longer voice Apu on The Simpsons

What does this mean for the character's future on the show?
19 Jan, 2020

Hank Azaria says he has no plans to continue voicing the character of Apu on The Simpsons, according to an industry blog. But that isn’t to say the Indian immigrant convenience store owner Azaria brought alive for 30 years won’t live on.

Producers and Fox Broadcasting Co. wouldn’t confirm to The Associated Press Azaria’s exit or an end to Apu, a recurring character that has drawn criticism for reinforcing racial stereotypes. There was no immediate reply Saturday from Azaria’s publicist.

The actor, who is white, indicated Friday to slashfilm.com that there was no resistance to phasing out his voice.

“We all made the decision together,” Azaria said. “We all agreed on it. We all feel like it’s the right thing and (feel) good about it.”

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon runs the Kwik-E-Mart, a popular convenience store in the animated sitcom’s Springfield. Apu is known for his catchphrase, “Thank you, come again.” Azaria’s first turn as Apu came in the first season’s episode The Telltale Head in 1990.

Azaria speculated that among options going forward is transitioning Apu’s voice to an Indian actor.

In 2017, comedian Hari Kondabolu put out a documentary, The Problem with Apu, that examined the character’s cultural impact. Asked in the film’s aftermath if he had watched the documentary, Azaria said:

“Thank you for asking me. Yes, of course, I did see it, and let me see if I can tell you how I feel about that. The idea that anybody, young or old, past or present, was bullied or teased or worse based on the character of Apu on The Simpsons, the voice or any other tropes of the character is distressing,” he said. “And especially in post-9/11 America, the idea that anybody was marginalized based on it or had a hard time was very upsetting to me personally and professionally.”

Comments

Ibrahim S Jan 19, 2020 09:24pm
Self correction is a very healthy and meaningful approach for success and sustainability . I hope Pakistan media also learns from it.
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A Jan 20, 2020 12:35am
Amazing actor
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Dilip Jan 20, 2020 04:25am
Political correctness gone extreme. Not sure what is wrong with a less educated Indian immigrant working in a small store having an Indian accent. The actor who gave voice to Apu was brilliant. Its a pity he is made to feel guilty for his talent. Do we always want Indians to be portrayed as CEOs of Fortune 500? Many of them have noticeable accents. For the story line should we have doctorate educated Indian work in 7-11? I would ask a rethink. Apu character was delightful and will be missed. Just for the record I am an Indian immigrant.
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NodToFacee Jan 20, 2020 12:31pm
Pakistani media doesn't seems like they are willing to change when it comes to portraying other cultures like Pathans or other genders.
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Ibrahim S Jan 21, 2020 02:00am
@Dilip, as you live in US , you should be well aware of how people stereotype. It’s very similar to white blackening their face on Halloween or black Pete in Amsterdam. It’s a political correctness . Well people have accepted Raj’s role in Big Bang Theory because he’s Ethnically Indian with perfect US accent. Correction warranted that this role should not be played by a non Indian speaking person. Did you get it.
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