“In the future, the Simpsons will no longer voice non-white characters of white actors,” Fox spokesman Les Eisner said on Friday.
Thirty years since the launch of the animated sitcom, as Harry Shearer Julius Hibbert and Hank Azaria also used White actors to play a number of non-White characters, including Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
In January, Azaria announced that she would stop singing Apu 30 years after reviving her thick accented Indian-American character. Azaria is not South Asian.
/ According to the film, Azaria’s decision to voice Apu was mutual, he said. “We all agreed,” he said. “We all think this is true and good.”
Kondabolu, “Documentary was made not to get rid of a cartoon character dated ‘Problem with Apu’, but to discuss my race, representation and community (which I love very much).” It was also about how you can love something (like Simpsons) and still be critical about its aspects. (APIs). “
He interviewed celebrities from South Asia, including Aziz Ansari and Kal Penn, to discuss how characterizations such as Kondabolu, Apu can be seen as racism.
“Something that started decades ago, applauded and humble is now politically wrong. What can you do?” Said. Lisa then looked at Apu’s framed photograph with the message “No cows”.
“I really upset the idea that everyone, young or old, past or present, is the subject of bullying or ridicule based on the Apu character,” said Azaria, voicing other characters on the show.
“It was definitely not my intention,” he said. “I wanted to spread laughter and joy with this character, and the idea that it brought pain and suffering in any way, used to marginalize people, is sad.”
CNN’s Frank Pallotta, Brian Lowry and Leah Asmelash contributed to this article.
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