Three weeks after an episode of “The Simpsons” tried — and failed — to quell criticism of the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Hank Azaria, who voices Apu on the animated series, says he is willing to step down from the role to make things right.
Appearing on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to promote his IFC series “Brockmire,” Azaria said he’s “given this a lot of thought, and as I say my eyes have been opened. I think the most important thing is we have to listen to South Asian people, Indian people in this country when they talk about what they feel, how they think about this character, and what their American experience of it [is].”
Also Read: Colbert Has a 'Fun Fact' for Trump: 'Not All Women Are Under Legally Binding Agreements About What They Can Say' (Video)
Azaria added that “listening to voices means inclusion in the writer’s room. I really want to see Indians, South Asian writers in the room. Not in a token way, but genuinely informing whatever new direction this character may take. Including how it is voiced, or not voiced.”
“I’m perfectly happy and willing to step aside,” Azaria continued. “or help transition it into something new. I really hope that’s what ‘The Simpsons’ does, it not only makes sense, it just feels like the right thing to do to me.”
Watch the clip below:
.@HankAzaria addresses the controversy surrounding the character ‘Apu’ from @TheSimpsons. #Lssc #Apu #TheSimpsons pic.twitter.com/pkmYgcX4Il
— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) April 25, 2018
Criticism of the character intensified in 2017 with the release of “The Problem With Apu” a documentary by filmmaker Hari Kondabolu that studied the effects of negative stereotypes perpetuated by the character.
On Twitter, Kondabolu thanked Azaria for his remarks.
Thank you, @HankAzaria. I appreciate what you said & how you said it. https://t.co/Otmxygf3DP
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 25, 2018
Also Read: 'Simpsons' Showrunner Promises to Seek 'Popular' and 'Right' Solution to Apu Problem
This isn’t Azaria’ first time addressing the criticism. Earlier this year at TCA’s winter conference, Azaria talked about having seen the documentary and said at the time “The idea that anybody, young or old, past or present, was bullied or teased or worse based on the character of Apu … it’s distressing.”
Read original story Hank Azaria Says He’s ‘Happy and Willing to Step Aside’ as Voice of Apu on ‘The Simpsons’ (Video) At TheWrap...
Appearing on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to promote his IFC series “Brockmire,” Azaria said he’s “given this a lot of thought, and as I say my eyes have been opened. I think the most important thing is we have to listen to South Asian people, Indian people in this country when they talk about what they feel, how they think about this character, and what their American experience of it [is].”
Also Read: Colbert Has a 'Fun Fact' for Trump: 'Not All Women Are Under Legally Binding Agreements About What They Can Say' (Video)
Azaria added that “listening to voices means inclusion in the writer’s room. I really want to see Indians, South Asian writers in the room. Not in a token way, but genuinely informing whatever new direction this character may take. Including how it is voiced, or not voiced.”
“I’m perfectly happy and willing to step aside,” Azaria continued. “or help transition it into something new. I really hope that’s what ‘The Simpsons’ does, it not only makes sense, it just feels like the right thing to do to me.”
Watch the clip below:
.@HankAzaria addresses the controversy surrounding the character ‘Apu’ from @TheSimpsons. #Lssc #Apu #TheSimpsons pic.twitter.com/pkmYgcX4Il
— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) April 25, 2018
Criticism of the character intensified in 2017 with the release of “The Problem With Apu” a documentary by filmmaker Hari Kondabolu that studied the effects of negative stereotypes perpetuated by the character.
On Twitter, Kondabolu thanked Azaria for his remarks.
Thank you, @HankAzaria. I appreciate what you said & how you said it. https://t.co/Otmxygf3DP
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 25, 2018
Also Read: 'Simpsons' Showrunner Promises to Seek 'Popular' and 'Right' Solution to Apu Problem
This isn’t Azaria’ first time addressing the criticism. Earlier this year at TCA’s winter conference, Azaria talked about having seen the documentary and said at the time “The idea that anybody, young or old, past or present, was bullied or teased or worse based on the character of Apu … it’s distressing.”
Read original story Hank Azaria Says He’s ‘Happy and Willing to Step Aside’ as Voice of Apu on ‘The Simpsons’ (Video) At TheWrap...
- 4/25/2018
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Similar News
“Better than the official Dbs Season 1”: Mappa Pays Homage to Dragon Ball and Goku in a Way that No Fan Saw Coming
- 4/24/2024
- by Tarun Kohli
- FandomWire
“Bad number for a sequel, lost audience”: Netflix Stats Settle the Debate on Rebel Moon 2, Zack Snyder’s Movie Fails to Beat Gal Gadot’s Latest Flop
- 4/24/2024
- by Lachit Roy
- FandomWire
The Film Stage Show Ep. 535 – Civil War (with Ryan McNeill)
- 4/24/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Stephen Colbert Once Laughed So Hard at ‘Tropic Thunder’ His Wife Thought He Was Dying
- 4/24/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Jo Ann Ross, First Woman to Lead Broadcast TV Ad Sales, Plans to Exit Paramount Global (Exclusive)
- 4/23/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
“No. I touched em!”: Deadpool Creator Sets the Record Straight on Hugh Jackman’s Muscles at 55 as Fans Still Doubt Wolverine Star’s Dedication to the Role
- 4/23/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
“We even thanked them at the ceremony”: Alan Burnett Revealed The Batman: The Animated Series Episode That Won a Primetime Emmy after The Simpsons Bowed Out
- 4/23/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
Sunday Ratings: On-the-Bubble Equalizer Returns Low After Multi-Week Break
- 4/23/2024
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
BBC Three Greenlights First Animation In 20 Years
- 4/23/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
‘Wednesday’ Season 2 Casts Thandiwe Newton (Exclusive)
- 4/23/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Terry Carter, ‘Battlestar Galactica’ and ‘McCloud’ Actor, Dies at 95
- 4/23/2024
- by Lexi Carson
- Variety - Film News
‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ Trailer: Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds Fight to the F—ing Death in Raunchy MCU Debut
- 4/22/2024
- by Diego Ramos Bechara
- Variety - Film News
Netflix to Present Sneak Peek of New Wallace & Gromit, Zack Snyder’s ‘Twilight of the Gods’ at Annecy
- 4/22/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Lord of the Rings’ Owner Embracer to Separate Into Three Standalone Publicly Listed Entities
- 4/22/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran and K.J. Yossman
- Variety - Film News
Meg Bennett, Soap Opera Actress and Writer, Dies at 75
- 4/21/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chuwi Is the Voice of a New Puerto Rican Generation
- 4/23/2024
- by Juan Arroyo
- Popsugar.com
Camila Mendes on Why We Need More Latine Representation in Rom-Coms
- 4/22/2024
- by Brenda Barrientos
- Popsugar.com
Saraciea Fennell: "The Black Girl Survives in This One" Is the Representation I Didn't See in Horror Books
- 4/22/2024
- by Saraciea Fennell
- Popsugar.com
Tell Me Más: Bodine Talks New Album "Quemo Lento" and Growing From Hardships
- 4/22/2024
- by Juan Arroyo
- Popsugar.com
Stephen Colbert Once Laughed So Hard at ‘Tropic Thunder’ His Wife Thought He Was Dying
- 4/24/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
The 10 Best Teen Rebellion Films: ‘Pump Up the Volume,’ ‘Heathers,’ and More
- 4/23/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Tarantino’s ‘The Movie Critic’ Could Have Included Olivia Wilde & David Krumholtz, But Probably Not Tom Cruise
- 4/23/2024
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
2 Crew Members Hospitalized in Accident on Set of Eddie Murphy Film ‘The Pickup’ for Amazon MGM
- 4/23/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Jerry Seinfeld Calls ‘Mad Men’ Finale the ‘Greatest Final Moment of a Series I’ve Ever Seen’
- 4/23/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson and Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ Trailer: Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds Fight to the F—ing Death in Raunchy MCU Debut
- 4/22/2024
- by Diego Ramos Bechara
- Variety - Film News
2024 film festivals and markets calendar: latest dates
- 4/24/2024
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Quintessentially Irish review – Pierce Brosnan weighs in on scattergun study of Irishness
- 4/24/2024
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
Palestinian Director Elia Suleiman to Be Honored by Sarajevo Film Festival
- 4/24/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety - Film News
German Blockbuster ‘Chantal and the Magic Kingdom’ Boarded by Picture Tree Intl., Market Premiere Set for Cannes (Exclusive)
- 4/24/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety - Film News
‘Wednesday’ Season 2 Casts Thandiwe Newton (Exclusive)
- 4/23/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Terry Carter, ‘Battlestar Galactica’ and ‘McCloud’ Actor, Dies at 95
- 4/23/2024
- by Lexi Carson
- Variety - Film News
Netflix to Present Sneak Peek of New Wallace & Gromit, Zack Snyder’s ‘Twilight of the Gods’ at Annecy
- 4/22/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘One Piece,’ ‘My Hero Academia,’ ‘Chhota Bheem,’ ‘Jai Jagannath’ in the Mix as Warner Bros. Discovery South Asia Unveils Kids Summer Slate and Strategy (Exclusive)
- 4/24/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - TV News
Read a List of FCC Complaints Made About Saturday Night Live
- 4/24/2024
- by Jennifer M. Wood
- LateNighter