Will try to find right answer, says ‘The Simpsons’ creator amid Apu controversy

Team Udayavani, Apr 15, 2018, 11:49 AM IST

Los Angeles: AI Jean, “The Simpsons” creator, has said he would try to find a “popular” and “right” answer to the controversy over the stereotypical portrayal of the character of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.

His response comes in the aftermath of the furore over the show’s tone-deaf addressal of Apu, voiced by actor Hank Azaria, in a recent chapter.

“I truly appreciate all responses pro and con. Will continue to try to find an answer that is popular & more important right (sic),” Jean wrote on Twitter after several fans criticised the episode.

The longest-running American animated sitcom, “The Simpsons” had recently addressed the criticism over Apu’s characterisation.

In the episode “No Good Read Goes Unpunished”, Marge and Lisa indirectly discuss the portrayal of Apu. Marge has edited a new version of ‘The Princess in the Garden’ to make it more acceptable in the year 2018.

Marge reads the story of a South American girl fighting for wild horse rescue but Lisa says the character lacks emotional journey. Marge, who has made the book as inoffensive as possible, says, “What am I supposed to do?”

Lisa replies, “It is hard to say, something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive, is now politically incorrect. What can you do?”

The response did not go down well with many fans, including comedian Hari Kondabolu, who stars in and has written the documentary, “The Problem with Apu”.

The documentary is scheduled for a re-telecast on April 15, TruTV channel had announced.