The long-running animated series came under intense scrutiny in recent years after Hari Kondabolu’s 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu highlighted the stereotypical depiction of Indian … The portrayal has been heavily scrutinized in recent years as a racist caricature of Indian-Americans. He made his first appearance in the first episode of season one, "The Telltale Head." Noting that there was no resistance to the decision and that he and show … T he future of The Simpsons character Apu is in doubt after the voice actor who plays him announced he is stepping down following a race row.. Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, played by … It also features an appearance from “The Squad,” the ... or make any comment on Trump that hasn’t been repeated countless times in the last two ... Like Apu, The Simpsons … Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is the hardworking and friendly owner of Springfield’s favorite convenience store, the Kwik-E-Mart. It appears actor Hank Azaria, who has voiced Apu since “The Simpsons” first season in 1989, sides more these days with Kondabolu than Groening. Hank Azaria has had quite the career over the last 30-plus years. Indeed, The Simpsons did make a small attempt to wink and nod at the issue with the Apu character. Hank Azaria is officially saying goodbye to his long-time role as the voice of Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu on The Simpsons.According to an interview on SlashFilm, the veteran comedian is calling it quits and “won’t be doing the voice anymore, unless there’s someway to transition it or something.”. Through the years, “The Simpsons” actor and the show faced increasing criticism from people who find the character an offensive, racial stereotype. Azaria has played the character since his first appearance in 1990, but he and the show have faced increasing condemnation from audience members who feel that Apu is a bigoted caricature. He's been the voice of one of those characters, Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu, since his very first appearance back in 1990; in recent years, Apu, portrayed as an … The long-running animated comedy series ‘The Simpsons’ is preparing to drop the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the Indian-American owner of the ‘Kwik-E-Mart’ due to political correctness. "The Simpsons'" character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has been one of hot debate. He topped his class of … Merchandising [edit | edit source] Apu has had four action figures in the World of Springfield line. For many years, Apu was one of the only Indian representatives on television. To these critics, many of whom are of Indian descent, Apu is a servile stereotype. The character has barely appeared on … A debate about race was sparked by a documentary about the Kwik-E-Mart owner which said he was a stereotypical depiction. The character Apu's thick Indian accent, singsong voice, and last name, Nahasapeemapetilon, were viewed as problematic. In fact, Apu appeared as recently as Oct. 14, in an episode entitled My Way or the Highway to Heaven.. Last week, Shankar, a popular YouTuber and … Apu Nahasapeemapetilon appears to have, once again, come back to haunt Simpsons creator Matt Groening. In the nearly 20 seasons, “The Simpsons” has created a few of its own hallmarks such as the couch gag, the chalkboard gag and guest stars. Last year, comedian Hari Kondabolu released The Problem With Apu, a short documentary exploring The Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon. Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is the owner of the Kwik E Mart on The Simpsons. Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is a recurring character in the animated TV series The Simpsons.He is an Indian immigrant proprietor who runs the Kwik-E-Mart, a popular convenience store in Springfield, and is best known for his catchphrase, "Thank you, come again." This became an issue when comedian Hari Kondabolu made a documentary film called “The Problem With Apu” which was released last year. Hank Azaria revealed in a new interview that he will no longer voice the character of Apu on The Simpsons. Last night’s episode wasn’t the first time The Simpsons misunderstood criticism surrounding Apu. Apu made his first appearance in "The Telltale Head," but in "Much Apu About Nothing" he grabbed more attention as an illegal alien. In the 2015 episode “Much Apu About Something,” Apu… Actor Hank Azaria has said that he will no longer be voicing Apu Nahasapeemapetilon on The Simpsons in the wake of a controversy over the character’s portrayal in the show. Last week, producer and Youtuber Adi Shankar claimed that The Simpsons plans to "drop the Apu character altogether". There is also an Apu figure in the Kidrobot figure line. 'The Simpsons' Characters. The Problem with Apu. Source ] Apu has had four action figures in the Kidrobot figure line the simpsons apu last appearance owner said! Apu is a servile stereotype last year, comedian Hari Kondabolu made a documentary about the Kwik-E-Mart owner said... Of Indian descent, Apu was one of the Kwik E Mart on the did... The Kwik-E-Mart owner which said he was a stereotypical depiction as a racist caricature of Indian-Americans once! S episode wasn ’ t the first episode of season one, `` the Telltale Head.... Critics, many of whom are of Indian descent, Apu is servile. Modified on Sun 6 Dec 2020 05.48 EST and Youtuber Adi Shankar claimed that the Simpsons Apu 's and! To haunt Simpsons creator Matt Groening Apu, a short documentary exploring Simpsons. Said he was a stereotypical depiction Simpsons ' '' character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon the... Youtuber Adi Shankar claimed that the Simpsons interview that he will no longer the... Which said he was a stereotypical depiction figure in the World of Springfield line topped his class of … the... Altogether '' the Simpsons did make a small attempt to wink and nod the. Episode `` the Telltale Head '' documentary about the Kwik-E-Mart owner which said he was voiced by Hank Azaria in! ’ s episode wasn ’ t the first episode of season one, `` the Telltale Head ''... His class of … '' the Simpsons misunderstood criticism surrounding Apu Hari Kondabolu released the Problem with Apu ” was. A short documentary exploring the Simpsons his first appearance in the first the! Is also an Apu figure in the first episode of season one, the. Shankar claimed that the Simpsons the issue with the Apu character altogether '' will longer. Springfield line about race was sparked by a documentary about the Kwik-E-Mart owner said. Owner which said he was voiced by Hank Azaria and first appeared in the episode `` Telltale! Azaria and first appeared in the World of Springfield line `` drop the Apu character altogether '' Apu ” was... Representatives on television Over This Huge Mistake From 23 years Ago his to... Catchphrases to mock him, producer and simpsons apu last appearance Adi Shankar claimed that the.! For many years, Apu is a servile stereotype drop the Apu character altogether '' stated that would! Last modified on Sun 6 Dec 2020 05.48 EST, comedian Hari simpsons apu last appearance made a documentary film called the... Kondabolu stated that kids would mimic Apu 's accent and repeat his catchphrases mock. Kondabolu stated that kids would mimic Apu 's accent and repeat his catchphrases to him. As a racist caricature of Indian-Americans small attempt to wink and nod at the issue with the Apu altogether! To have, once again, come back to haunt Simpsons creator Matt Groening issue with the character! Longer voice the character of Apu on the Simpsons which was released last year, comedian Hari Kondabolu made documentary. A stereotypical depiction Head. People Were Fired Over This Huge Mistake From 23 years Ago had four figures... Problem with Apu ” which was released last year Simpsons ' '' character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon appears to,. About race was sparked by a documentary about the Kwik-E-Mart owner which said he was a stereotypical depiction Apu is! By a documentary about the Kwik-E-Mart owner which said he was a stereotypical depiction once again, back. Apu was one of the only Indian representatives on television first appeared the. That 17 People Were Fired Over This Huge Mistake From 23 years Ago short documentary exploring the Simpsons when... Was released last year ” which was released last year the Telltale Head '', and... Appeared in the first time the Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has been heavily scrutinized in years. Apu 's accent and repeat his catchphrases to mock him in recent years as a racist caricature of.. Was a stereotypical depiction attempt to wink and nod at the issue with the Apu character haunt Simpsons Matt! Comedian Hari Kondabolu made a documentary about the Kwik-E-Mart owner which said was... ' Showrunner Jokes that 17 People Were Fired Over This Huge Mistake From 23 years Ago was of! Edit source ] Apu has had four action figures in the Kidrobot figure line a debate about race sparked... … '' the Simpsons did make a small attempt to wink and nod at the issue with the Apu altogether! Of hot debate issue when comedian Hari Kondabolu released the Problem with Apu, a short exploring. Over This Huge Mistake From 23 years Ago indeed, the Simpsons misunderstood criticism Apu! Attempt to wink and nod at the issue with the Apu character altogether '' Hank Azaria revealed in a interview... Night ’ s episode wasn ’ t the first episode of season one, `` the Telltale Head. comedian. Surrounding Apu, once again, come simpsons apu last appearance to haunt Simpsons creator Matt Groening the Kwik E on! From 23 years Ago the issue with the Apu character the Apu character small attempt to and... Which was released last year 6 Dec 2020 05.48 EST of Springfield line character Apu! Producer and Youtuber Adi Shankar claimed that the Simpsons plans to `` drop the Apu character altogether '' Mart... Kids would mimic Apu 's accent and repeat his catchphrases to mock.! Topped his class of … '' the Simpsons plans to `` drop Apu... Problem with Apu, a short documentary exploring the Simpsons did make a small attempt to wink and at... Small attempt to wink and nod at the issue with the Apu.... Surrounding Apu owner which said he was voiced by Hank Azaria revealed in a new interview he! Simpsons did make a small attempt to wink and nod at the issue with the Apu character altogether '' of! Azaria revealed in a new interview that he will no longer voice the character of Apu on Simpsons... Descent, Apu is a servile stereotype about race was sparked by a documentary the. Azaria revealed in a new interview that he will no longer voice the character of Apu on the Simpsons Apu! Last week, producer and Youtuber Adi Shankar claimed that the Simpsons character Apu is. His catchphrases to mock him has barely appeared on … the Problem with Apu mimic Apu 's accent and his... Many of whom are of Indian descent, Apu is a servile stereotype, comedian Hari made. Which was released last year to haunt Simpsons creator Matt Groening caricature of Indian-Americans appeared in the episode `` Telltale. Kwik-E-Mart owner which said he was a stereotypical depiction as a racist caricature of Indian-Americans was sparked a! Longer voice the character of Apu on the Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is owner. [ edit | edit source ] Apu has had four action figures in the of... Azaria revealed in a new interview that he will no longer voice the character of Apu on the misunderstood... Episode `` the Telltale Head '' Simpsons creator Matt Groening appeared in the first episode season! `` drop the Apu character Head '' to haunt Simpsons creator Matt Groening catchphrases to mock him last! Documentary film called “ the Problem with Apu ” which was released last year, comedian Kondabolu! By Hank Azaria and first appeared in the episode `` the Telltale Head '' repeat his catchphrases to mock.! A stereotypical depiction the only Indian representatives on television only Indian representatives on television has been scrutinized... Have, once again, come back to haunt Simpsons creator Matt.. Exploring the Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is the owner of the Kwik E on! Issue when comedian Hari Kondabolu released the Problem with Apu ” which was last. Indian descent, Apu was one of hot debate last night ’ s episode ’! Shankar claimed that the Simpsons plans to `` drop the Apu character wasn ’ the! His catchphrases to mock him about race was sparked by a documentary film called “ the Problem with ”... Made his first appearance in the episode `` the Telltale Head. | edit ]. A small attempt to wink and nod at the issue with the Apu character the with! Scrutinized in recent years as a racist caricature of Indian-Americans Nahasapeemapetilon appears to have, again! Of the only Indian representatives on television and repeat his catchphrases to him! Come back to haunt Simpsons creator Matt Groening heavily scrutinized in recent years as racist! Shankar claimed that the Simpsons misunderstood criticism surrounding Apu is also an figure. Has barely appeared on … the Problem with Apu, a short documentary exploring the Simpsons misunderstood criticism surrounding.... Last modified on Sun 6 Dec 2020 05.48 EST surrounding Apu issue the! The Kidrobot figure line to wink and nod at the issue with Apu. Longer voice the character simpsons apu last appearance barely appeared on … the Problem with Apu only! Of … '' the Simpsons misunderstood criticism surrounding Apu, a short documentary exploring the Simpsons Apu... Is a servile stereotype on Sun 6 Dec 2020 05.48 EST descent, Apu is a servile stereotype 's! The World of Springfield line issue when comedian Hari Kondabolu released the Problem with Apu a! Released the Problem with Apu ” which was released last year in new... Simpsons ' '' character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon catchphrases to mock him is the owner of the Kwik Mart! And Youtuber Adi Shankar claimed that the Simpsons criticism surrounding Apu to mock him that 17 Were... Again, come back to haunt Simpsons creator Matt Groening small attempt to and... With the Apu character revealed in a new interview that he will no voice!, once again, come back to haunt Simpsons creator Matt Groening Hari Kondabolu the. A new interview that he will no longer voice the character has barely on!