XPost: rec.arts.tv
From: weberm@polaris.net

(CNN)Are we losing Apu Nahasapeemapetilon?

There's speculation that could happen, after "Castlevania" executive
producer and show runner Adi Shankar recently told IndieWire "The
Simpsons" has decided to drop the controversial character.

"I got some disheartening news back, that I've verified from
multiple sources now: They're going to drop the Apu character
altogether," Shankar said. "They aren't going to make a big deal out
of it, or anything like that, but they'll drop him altogether just
to avoid the controversy."

Shankar told the publication he'd gotten the info from "two people
who work for 'The Simpsons' and a third source who works directly
with creator Matt Groening."

"Simpsons" executive producer Al Jean weighed in Sunday.

"Adi Shankar is not a producer on the Simpsons," Jean tweeted. "I
wish him the very best but he does not speak for our show."

Shankar responded with a tweet of his own.

"I wish you well too. Let's work towards common ground," he tweeted.
"Ignoring only fans the flames. The world is polarized & getting
more so, and the onus is on us to bring people together. Engage in a constructive way and this matter will go to bed. I see you, now I'm
asking you to see me."

Comedian Hari Kondabolu's documentary "The Problem with Apu" debuted
last November and looked at Apu as a negative stereotype of South
Asians.

Nahasapeemapetilon is Indian-American and operates the Kwik-E-Mart
convenience store in Springfield. The animated character is voiced
by actor Hank Azaria, who is not South Asian.

In his doc, Kondabolu interviewed celebrities of South Asian
descent, including Aziz Ansari and Kal Penn, to discuss how
characterizations like Apu can be viewed as racism.

In April, the show took on the controversy. Mother Marge reads a
book to daughter Lisa, referring to the heroine as a "cisgender
girl" and trying to modernize the action.

The characters discuss changing times and being more sensitive to
them.

Lisa says "Something that started decades ago and was applauded and
inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?" before
looking at a framed photograph of Apu inscribed, "Don't have a cow."

Weeks later, Shankar announced his contest, "Apu Screenwriting
Contest: Crowdsourcing the Cure for The Simpsons."

"We are looking for a screenplay centering on the character 'Apu'
set in the world and canon of 'The Simpsons' that takes the
character of Apu and in a clever way subverts him, pivots him,
intelligently writes him out, or evolves him in a way that takes a
mean spirited mockery and transforms him into a kernel of truth
wrapped in funny insight aka actual satire," according to the site
promoting the competition.

"This contest is open to people of all ethnicities and cultures,
however, if you don't have any experience with Indian culture in
America then you may not have the perspective and experience to
write well on this topic." [In other words, whitey need not apply]

Earlier this year, Azaria said on "The Late Show with Stephen
Colbert" that he'd be willing to abandon the role.

"I really want to see Indian, South Asian writer, writers in the
room, not in a token way but genuinely informing whatever new
direction this character may take, including how it is voiced or not
voiced," Azaria said. "I'm perfectly willing and happy to step aside
or help transition it into something new.

"I really hope that's what 'The Simpsons' does and it not only makes
sense, but it just feels like the right thing to do to me."

--
Dems & the media want Trump to be more like Obama, but then he'd
have to audit liberals & wire tap reporters' phones.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: www.darkrealms.ca (1:229/2)