The ‘Simpson’s’ Weak Response To The Apu Problem Only Makes Matters Worse

We don’t normally do episode recaps on The Playlist, especially about an almost-30-year-old animated sitcom, but this week’s episode of “The Simpsons” should probably be discussed. However, the episode isn’t noteworthy about the voice-acting. There’s nothing particularly revolutionary about the animation or story. The reason last night’s episode of “The Simpsons” will be a topic of conversation today is about what wasn’t said.

The episode, titled “No Good Read Goes Unpunished,” had a subplot that included Marge trying to get her daughter, Lisa, to read a childhood favorite book. However, when Marge realized the book was horribly dated, with offensive language and problematic themes, a conversation occurred between her and Lisa that had far greater consequences.

After an attempt to figure out a way to modernize the book had failed, Marge and Lisa have a heart-to-heart about offensive material.

Marge asks, “Well, what am I supposed to do?”

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

At this point, the camera pans over to a picture of Apu, a character that we will discuss in a second.

“Some things will be dealt with at a later date,” Marge says to Lisa.

“If at all,” Lisa says. Then both characters stare at the camera, making it abundantly clear that the whole conversation was directed as the public, and had very little to do with the fictional book.

The clear message was about the character of Apu. The owner of the local convenience store has been the topic of much debate recently because of the stereotypical nature of the character, as well as the fact that he is voiced by Hank Azaria.

In fact, there was a whole documentary about the subject, titled “The Problem with Apu,” from filmmaker and comedian Hari Kondabolu. With renewed interest in the character, fans were waiting for “The Simpsons” to respond, however, this was unexpected. The response of “oh well, maybe next time” isn’t sitting right with many fans, who were hoping that “The Simpsons” would have a clear plan on how to approach the controversy.

One person who was extremely disappointed with last night’s episode was Kondabolu, and he was far from the only one talking about the episode last night. The filmmaker tweeted several thoughts about the episode, but his “official statement” posted to Twitter reads, “Congratulations to the Simpsons for being talked about & being seen as relevant again.”

He goes on to talk about it more in detail, in another tweet, “In ‘The Problem with Apu,’ I used Apu & The Simpsons as an entry point into a larger conversation about the representation of marginalized groups & why this is important. The Simpsons response tonight is not a jab at me, but at what many of us consider progress.”

Kondabolu’s opinion of the episode seems to be shared by many people in the industry and fans online. Ultimately, it looks like the people behind “The Simpsons” took an already controversial topic and threw some gasoline on the flames. Below we have included a few tweets that seem to show the general response online to last night’s episode.

TO THE JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE ASKED ME FOR A PUBLIC STATEMENT ABOUT LAST NIGHT’S SIMPSONS EPISODE, I JUST WANT SAY: “Congratulations to the Simpsons for being talked about & being seen as relevant again.”

— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018

In “The Problem with Apu,” I used Apu & The Simpsons as an entry point into a larger conversation about the representation of marginalized groups & why this is important. The Simpsons response tonight is not a jab at me, but at what many of us consider progress.

— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018

"WHAT COULD THE SIMPSONS POSSIBLY DO TO FIX IT?"

Dunno. I'm not as smart or funny as The Simpsons writers. But I do know House of Cards & Transparent are each doing AN ENTIRE SEASON w/o their main character, so I'm pretty sure The Simpsons could figure it out… if they cared.🤔

— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018

No this is the ultimate slap in the face. Delivering it through Lisa is their way of saying: “this *is* the reasoned, progressive and culturally sensitive perspective.” https://t.co/2naBrnAJi3

— William Mullally 🍝 (@whmullally) April 9, 2018

I now live in a world I never thought was possible, a world where @TheSimpsons let me down. Why did you choose to respond that way?! Ugh. https://t.co/MG48ia2kYt

— HUSEIN MADHAVJI (Huse) (@HuseM) April 9, 2018

They should and could have done an entire episode with Apu responding to @harikondabolu's movie. They wouldn't have to agree with him but they missed a huge opportunity to add in more layers and be topical. Instead, they went the lazy route and did this. https://t.co/ciUq39A4t6

— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) April 9, 2018