The Simpsons: 10 Classic Characters You’ll Never See Again
2. Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
The strength of The Simpsons was always in its extensive cast. Outside of the family, the show had buckets of brilliant and funny characters. From the gibberish blurting Professor Frink to the adorably slow-witted Ralph Wiggum, from the belligerent Krusty the Clown to the warmth of the Kwik-E-Mart’s Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
As the years went on however, Apu appeared less and less due to a rise in conversation about the character as a negative stereotype.
Despite being enjoyed by many fans, a lot of The Simpsons' Asian viewers found understandable issues with the character. They compared Apu’s stereotypical accent, performed by the caucasian Hank Azaria, as “brown voice”. Several Desi creators made comments across the years about the character, with Indian actors telling stories of being told to “do the Apu voice”.
In 2017, the controversy reached full peak with the release of Hari Kondabolu’s The Problem With Apu documentary. Hank Azaria himself went to the studio to ask to be relieved of the role in 2020.
Despite the show at first desperately trying to stick to its guns, it has in recent years started to correct its unconscious harm by recasting the likes of Karl and Doctor Hibbert with black actors.
As of March 2021, creator Matt Groening has said that he is looking for a new actor and a way to reintroduce the character of Apu but, more than a year and a half later, it remains to be seen.