Topic: The Simpsons - The Blurst of thread

[Riquende]

I wouldn't say the episode is great but one of my most fondly remembered scenes is from the episode where Bart and some friends are formed into that boyband and Lisa goes to confront the producer about subliminal messaging:

Lisa peels the dot of the L.T. Smash nameplate
"Huh.... Lieutenant Smash"!
"That's right, Lieutenant L.T. Smash"

Then a minute later...

Lt. Smash looking out the window
"Now that you know Lisa, I'm afraid I can't let you leave"
Sees Lisa outside walking calmly down the street

[rafathegaffa83]

Last Exit to Springfield is a classic.

[bradders1011]

Oh gosh. You know, I'm not much on speeches, but, it's so gratifying to leave you wallowing in the mess you've made. You're screwed. Thank you. Bye.

[Ray K]

Oh gosh. You know, I'm not much on speeches, but, it's so gratifying to leave you wallowing in the mess you've made. You're screwed. Thank you. Bye.

'He's right, he ain't much on speeches'

[courty61]

Oh gosh. You know, I'm not much on speeches, but, it's so gratifying to leave you wallowing in the mess you've made. You're screwed. Thank you. Bye.

Possibly the last time they had a special guest (Steve Martin) not playing themselves?

Was better for it.

Dustin Hoffman
Christina Ricci
Kathleen Turner
Albert Brooks
Johnny Cash

Probably loads more

[bradders1011]

Possibly the last time they had a special guest (Steve Martin) not playing themselves?

Was better for it.

Dustin Hoffman
Christina Ricci
Kathleen Turner
Albert Brooks
Johnny Cash

Probably loads more

Probably one of the last truly great episodes. Homer was intelligent in classic Homer's way, not so it could introduce the week's wacky story designed to shoehorn in the celebrity flavour of the month.

[killer-heels]

Not that anyone gives a shit about the new episodes but Apu is to be dropped following that stupid racism fiasco.

[jooneyisdagod]

Not that anyone gives a shit about the new episodes but Apu is to be dropped following that stupid racism fiasco.

Yeah. It seems a number of 2nd generation South Asian-Americans (particularly Indian-Americans) were seriously wound-up by the character. I'm not too comfortable with it especially having watched the documentary that led to all of this. If anything, I thought the guy making the documentary came across as a tiresome prick.

[ScouserAtHeart]

I'm Indian and I think it's bullshit. Tons of characters on the show are stereotypes. Groundskeeper Willie, Bumblebee Man, Cletus...

People just looking for a reason to get offended and ruin it for everyone else.

[BobPaisley3]

I'm Indian and I think it's bullshit. Tons of characters on the show are stereotypes. Groundskeeper Willie, Bumblebee Man, Cletus...

People just looking for a reason to get offended and ruin it for everyone else.

Agree, I know people of German, French and Italian heritage who all thought Allo Allo was one of the funniest things they’d ever seen, it wouldn’t even be made now.

[killer-heels]

Maybe the will just remove Apu from old episodes and stop showing Friends episodes that have any gay reference.

[TepidT2O]

I'm Indian and I think it's bullshit. Tons of characters on the show are stereotypes. Groundskeeper Willie, Bumblebee Man, Cletus...

People just looking for a reason to get offended and ruin it for everyone else.

fat Tony, Chief Wiggum.  And Homer is probably the biggest stereotype of them all.

[ScouserAtHeart]

Maybe the will just remove Apu from old episodes and stop showing Friends episodes that any gay reference.

Or Chandler's dad. Oh and Ugly Naked Guy. Better not to show any episode, really. I'm sure there'll be something to offend someone

Sad part is, this is like the boy who cried wolf, isn't it? Basically calling anything and everything as racist or sexist or transphobic will take away their impact for when it's really needed.

[ScouserAtHeart]

fat Tony, Chief Wiggum.  And Homer is probably the biggest stereotype of them all.

The pizza parlor owner is named Luigi FFS and talks in such a heavy accent

He has one of my favorite lines of the while show btw:

Luigi: Seymour, you want your usual table?
Skinner: No, Luigi. I’d like one with two seats. I’ll be dining with a friend tonight.
Luigi: Hey, good for you!
Skinner (to Bart): They treat you real nice here.
Luigi (offscreen): Hey, Salvatore, guess who’s here! Mr. Kookalamanza and-a some real ugly kid.

[Jake]

Simpsons is dogshit now anyway, but dropping Apu is ridiculous.

[killer-heels]

Or Chandler's dad. Oh and Ugly Naked Guy. Better not to show any episode, really. I'm sure there'll be something to offend someone

Sad part is, this is like the boy who cried wolf, isn't it? Basically calling anything and everything as racist or sexist or transphobic will take away their impact for when it's really needed.

It was basically that stupid shite comedian trying to get airtime and a load of celebrities jumping on the bandwagon.

The person who got it worst was Hank Azaria. It was ridiculous how he was almost forced to apologise about it on the Colbert show. Lost a lot of respect for Colbert on the back of that.

[Sheer Magnetism]

I imagine there'll be some kind of plotline involving Apu being replaced by a one-dimensional character artificially engineered to please the people getting annoyed about this all. That's the likeliest outcome because it's the only way they could come up with a solution that pisses off everyone at once.

[S]

Someone told me about this Apu news and I honestly thought it was a joke. What a ridiculous decision.

The person who got it worst was Hank Azaria. It was ridiculous how he was almost forced to apologise about it on the Colbert show. Lost a lot of respect for Colbert on the back of that.

I’ll have to look this up but I already know it’s going to wind me up.

Why are American talk show hosts suddenly acting like they’re the arbiters of all that is good and correct in the world?

[Hazell]

Or Chandler's dad. Oh and Ugly Naked Guy. Better not to show any episode, really. I'm sure there'll be something to offend someone

Sad part is, this is like the boy who cried wolf, isn't it? Basically calling anything and everything as racist or sexist or transphobic will take away their impact for when it's really needed.

I did get offended sometimes when I watched Friends. I felt they shouldn't have shown some episodes for crimes against comedy.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

I always thought Apu was somewhat fleshed out for the stereotype characters: he's not just the Indian store owner. We learn that he's a bit of a Playboy and a ladies man before he marries manjula, he's vegan, he likes to sing, he's a volunteer firefighter, and generally well intergrated into the community. He has development beyond his race in the fact that he gets married, has kids, has an affair. He's not serve tile as the documentary states, he is polite but does have a wider range of emotions when pushed.

It's more than the likes of Groundskeeper Willie (and drunk Scotsman) Fat Tony (Italian American Mobster) Lindsey Naegle (cold, stern, caonniving business woman with commitment issues)

It all seems ridiculous and to be honest, of the stereotype Apu seems the most human and real

[El Lobo]

They’re pretty much all stereotypes aren’t they? 

Bizarre that they’d actually pay any attention.

[gamble]

Do people still watch the simpsons??

[J_Kopite]

Annoying woke Americans being offended over nothing and spoiling people's fun? Nah, don't believe it.

[killer-heels]

Do people still watch the simpsons??

Not the new ones.

[killer-heels]

Annoying woke Americans being offended over nothing and spoiling people's fun? Nah, don't believe it.

Politically they still have a point and I am fully supportive of them but in terms of culturally and especially in media, comedy and entertainment, the left have lost the fucking plot.

[AndyMuller]

Load of shite. Offended by everything.

[cloggypop]

This is worse than when they stopped making It Ain't Half Hot Mum.

[Alan B'Stard]

In few years after dropping Apu, people will be complaining that there isn’t enough racial diversity in the show.

[iamnant]

Hope those offended by Apu don't ever watch Family Guy...

[Scottish-Don]

I was going to write a strong worded email to the Simpsons producers regarding the stereotyping of "Groundskeeper Willie", however I've never been sober enough to do so.

[Austin Powers]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Vbcr7UbmfEg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Vbcr7UbmfEg</a>

[west_london_red]

In few years after dropping Apu, people will be complaining that there isn’t enough racial diversity in the show.

Who is this fucking tool complaining about Apu and who died and made him spokesman for the 1.2 billion Indians on the planet because I didn’t receive a voting card, and if I did I wouldn’t vote for that fuckwit. What’s next, Rupert Murdoch is upset about the portrayal of billionaires in Mr Burns?

And is is a stereotype if it’s true? Because when the show first started, a lot of Indians did own stores and like anyone who owns their own business they don’t like taking days off, they do talk with an accent and a lot of them work with their brothers. It’s nothing new, it’s a well trodden path by immigrants across the world and isn’t something we should be ashamed of or try and hide. It’s what makes us what we are.

[ScouserAtHeart]

Who is this fucking tool complaining about Apu and who died and made him spokesman for the 1.2 billion Indians on the planet because I didn’t receive a voting card, and if I did I wouldn’t vote for that fuckwit. What’s next, Rupert Murdoch is upset about the portrayal of billionaires in Mr Burns?

And is is a stereotype if it’s true? Because when the show first started, a lot of Indians did own stores and like anyone who owns their own business they don’t like taking days off, they do talk with an accent and a lot of them work with their brothers. It’s nothing new, it’s a well trodden path by immigrants across the world and isn’t something we should be ashamed of or try and hide. It’s what makes us what we are.

A successful immigrant entrepreneur is a bad thing, apparently

[ScouserAtHeart]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ik0BPKM9WQg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ik0BPKM9WQg</a>

[So… Howard Philips]

A successful immigrant entrepreneur is a bad thing, apparently

Certainly is to Trump's supporters!

[Straw hat pirate]

I'm Indian and I think it's bullshit. Tons of characters on the show are stereotypes. Groundskeeper Willie, Bumblebee Man, Cletus...

People just looking for a reason to get offended and ruin it for everyone else.

Luckily, it doesn't affect you then. I'm Indian as well and why you are getting outraged at an AMERICAN TV show is being forced to be more respectful because AMERICANS of Indian decent took issue to it is baffling to me. I mean it's not surprising that the BJP and their message of Hindustani pride is so popular when some Indians seem to follow a cookie cutter approach based on American cultural wars. But that is besides the issue.

following that stupid racism fiasco.

From a White POV maybe

Politically they still have a point and I am fully supportive of them but in terms of culturally and especially in media, comedy and entertainment, the left have lost the fucking plot.

The one place where the left has remained relevant is the media. Western media (maybe excepting British) is unbelievably racist and seems incapable of reforming. Whilst there are places in the world like Russia, Middle East and North Africa that seem to lean towards media products from India, America comprehensively conquered the West and now because of sitting on large stockpiles of cash they are making in roads to other countries which is why the blow back you are seeing now is going to get more and more severe.

China has just banned Hollywood movies without Chinese actors in them, looking forward to India doing the same.

The person who got it worst was Hank Azaria. It was ridiculous how he was almost forced to apologise about it on the Colbert show. Lost a lot of respect for Colbert on the back of that.

Absolutely, as he should. In fact he should be sacked without having a job ever again. A white man playing an Indian mans voice which isn't even accurate. How bloody ridiculous and typical western nonsense

[Straw hat pirate]

Who is this fucking tool complaining about Apu and who died and made him spokesman for the 1.2 billion Indians on the planet because I didn’t receive a voting card, and if I did I wouldn’t vote for that fuckwit. What’s next, Rupert Murdoch is upset about the portrayal of billionaires in Mr Burns?

And is is a stereotype if it’s true? Because when the show first started, a lot of Indians did own stores and like anyone who owns their own business they don’t like taking days off, they do talk with an accent and a lot of them work with their brothers. It’s nothing new, it’s a well trodden path by immigrants across the world and isn’t something we should be ashamed of or try and hide. It’s what makes us what we are.

Aren't you British? So not sure why you're getting wound up over an American who took issue to this character or speaking for 1.2 billion Indians I do not know.

The interpretation of this character is also hilarious. Most of the other accents are on point but his is ridiculously over exaggerated. Which Indian speaks like that - a Malyali maybe but even that is pushing it and there aren't many Malyalis in Los Angeles.

I once had a White British girl tell me my accent was 'attractive' for an Indian. She didn't understand why I just walked off. Had another Canadian tell me they learnt so much about Hindu culture from Apu.
Lol, baffling people.

It is clear as day now that the only people who can write stories about us will be us, not even Indian Americans or British Indians and we will slowly exert our influence all over the world just as the RSS has made in roads into American universities. There can be no negotiation on this

[El Lobo]

I'm making an early pyro claim here

[JerseyKloppite]

Absolutely, as he should. In fact he should be sacked without having a job ever again. A white man playing an Indian mans voice which isn't even accurate. How bloody ridiculous and typical western nonsense

This is one of the most absurd things I've ever read. I just wrote a long post about this setting out why the comment is so ridiculous but it's not worth fanning the flames of this debate. The portrayal of ethnic minority characters by white actors is a difficult subject and one that as a white westerner it's difficult to comment on, in a greater part because of a lack of cultural understanding that makes any strong opinions challenging. So I won't say that your opinions are invalid or unreasonable.

I will however defend Hank Azaria. He is a voice actor who was asked to play a part. Furthermore, he's a talented voice actor. He did not create Apu, he did not write Apu, and he did not ultimately make the decision to cast himself as Apu. Let alone the fact that this started 3 decades ago when this really wasn't considered to be an issue. It's clearly something that makes him uncomfortable now as time and attitudes have changed. Moreover, Azaria won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1998 for his performance as Apu. You might not like that he was lauded for his voice work, but clearly it was respected and admired, and to suggest that because of attitudes now that he should not have undertaken the work at the time is farcical. The voicework is not malicious or intentionally offensive, however poor you may find the impression.

Please consider the tone in which you post. You're relatively new to RAWK but this is a football forum and if you feel so passionately about an issue that your remarks get personal or become sweeping generalisations about "western nonsense" then you should probably find a more suitable or focused place to have this discussion.

[ScouserAtHeart]

I once had a White British girl tell me my accent was 'attractive' for an Indian. She didn't understand why I just walked off.

Maybe someone should tell her it was to take that stick out of your ass in private

I mean it's not surprising that the BJP and their message of Hindustani pride is so popular when some Indians seem to follow a cookie cutter approach based on American cultural wars. But that is besides the issue.

This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever

It is clear as day now that the only people who can write stories about us will be us, not even Indian Americans or British Indians and we will slowly exert our influence all over the world just as the RSS has made in roads into American universities. There can be no negotiation on this

Jawohl, mein fuhrer

China has just banned Hollywood movies without Chinese actors in them, looking forward to India doing the same.

Yeah let's ban anything without Indians in them.

I'm assuming that means you'll stop watching Liverpool, then?