Hari Kondabolu Confronts Apu

In a live broadcast of The Brian Lehrer Show, Hari Kondabolu, comedian, actor, and host of the podcast “Politically Re-Active,” and Michael Melamedoff, director, discuss their new documentary "The Problem with Apu," where he confronts his cartoon nemesis and minority representation in the media.
Recorded live in The Greene Space at WNYC on Tuesday, November 21.

[@akhilaramesh6138]

As an Indian, I think he takes the character Apu to much to heart. It is supposed to be comedy, and we have to learn to laugh at ourselves. If a cartoon is the thing that causes so much pain to this man, then he lives a very easy life. People should just enjoy things instead of over analyzing them.

[@tenets128]

Thank you

[@BackToSquare1]

I can easily laugh at myself, but it's different when other make fun of me. And I have other problems besides this, but is it really that bad trying to fix a problem? Also yes, it eats away at you. I want to be Indian but I'm not Indian, and I want to be white but I'm not. It's better now but the scars of the conditions im which I grew up still haunt me to this day.

[@HollyJeanD]

@@BackToSquare1 That's why it's so hard to be 2nd generation, or bicultural. And yeah, people who are not familiar with the culture at all, it always feels cringey. That's why I applaud people who try to keep their culture..because it's so hard here.

[@peterman8848]

@@BackToSquare1 that's called growing up

[@Sarahmint]

I thought he was just a good, innocent character who could do no wrong.

[@niallbateman8572]

I think the problem people have with apu comes down to the lack of other representation. I don't think the Simpsons is racist because it pandered to every negative stereotype equally, and it still put Apu on top and treated him with love. Apu isnt the problem; everybody who thought every Indian was apu are the problem.

[@dennisbowen452]

THIS absolutely the correct take on this. Its not "SJWS RUIN SIMPSONS" or "RACISTS TELL ASIAN TO SHUT UP"

[@peterman8848]

So people who derive their entire representation from a comedic cartoons are the problem and possibly they need to change and not the Simpsons

[@peterman8848]

When we talk about how fragile people have become, "this cartoon character represented our entire community" might be one of them. If you think that a comedy character that owns his own business, has a doctorate, is an intelligent and reasonable person amidst a sea of clowns, is beloved by his community, and you reduce him just to his racial identity then you might actually be the racist.

[@CarynDPrescott]

This is great. I've been hearing so about this, I must watch it.

[@strazza555]

I like how they’re only offended by the one stereotype, not the Italian mobster, or the French gay guy, or the Scottish grounds keeper, or any of the other 100 in the show. Apu was lovable and a good guy. it’s a cartoon! Of course the character is an exaggeration, that’s how cartoons work. “Well homers baldness doesn’t accurately reflect the plight of bald men. I’ve never seen someone with 2 hairs combed over”

[@will.a.benjamin]

Exactly, why just bash Apu? Go for all the ethnic stereotypes. Knowing this schmuck that probably would have been too much work...had to just keep it personal.

[@dannythomas417]

I wonder if they got rid of Snake, since he loved to rob Apu's store.

[@AAAA-gj7tn]

probably not

[@AA_cowgomoo]

As a minority, it's easy to see who has close friendship with other ethnical groups that they're joking about. Many comedians, it's very obvious that they strictly hang out with their race and don't have any close relationship with ethnical groups they're making fun of.

[@Orf]

6:20 "I think it's important that we're critical of these things...I think it makes for better conversation, I think it makes for better art"

[@OfftoShambala]

For what it is worth, I am studying multi-culturalism and it is actually normal for the dominant group in any country, around the world, to stereotype other groups and view them FROM their own cultural perspective regardless of whether the micro/different culture is characterized by skin color or something like religion or other norms and characteristics, like filial respect just to name a few. With that said, I think it is great to criticize and challenge stereotypes and serves a valuable purpose. But, stereotypes are NOT happening in the USA because there is something inherently wrong with the USA, it is human nature EVERYWHERE. I suggest that people keep things in perspective. When a group is being consistently targeted unfairly by law enforcement, then there is a real problem.

[@dannythomas417]

I can't believe Hank fell for this bastard. He's done with Apu now. I'm so upset! But I'll miss Sanjay more, even though he's a Harry. Good thing Harry never complains this shit.

[@roguefox5171]

So basically he wants to be able to joke/satire at another group, but feels his group should be above satire or ridicule. Its ok for me to offend thee, but its not ok for thee to offend me

[@michaelbruce2699]

I remember in the mid 90s, I was at a bar in Providence with a friend from Ireland. We met a young woman who said to him, "You're like the Lucky Charms guy!" when she heard his accent. It was so absurd and funny and so insularly American, that the joke was really on HER, that her interpretation of reality was filtered through TV commercials.

[@Reddylion]

good..

[@ErichoTTA]

In the 1982 "Gandhi" movie, Gandhi was played by Ben Kingsley, a white guy. No one complained about that.

[@Raja1938]

Ben Kingsley was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji. He's half Indian.

[@Orf]

21:30 "Do I think it's better if a south asian actor did the voice?...Not really....But I think it'd be better if a south asian character got paid!"

[@Orf]

5:55 "It's a crippling thing when you only have one image"

[@pheemer]

Hari's standup act must be very, very funny, yet entirely inoffensive!

[@pizzaparker9464]

Yet he's always poking fun at white people in his shows lmao

[@AAAA-gj7tn]

@@pizzaparker9464 really? when did he make fun of white people?

[@RageIt]

The NY Mets are my favorite squadron

[@tstanmoysamanta]

AT LEAST SOME ONE TALKING ABOUT IT.

[@aetherswipeplus7301]

Hello, come again

[@DDarkestKnight]

6:35 Why ask for a definition for minstrelsy when it's perfectly laid out😂😂

[@Orf]

4:30 "I didn't feel like a minority bc I wasn't"

[@DDarkestKnight]

I understand. Being black growing up and watching cartoons you're limited or no options in characters you can gravitate to. We're either portrayed as the cool black friend, wannabe rapper, thug or (mainly with girls) they adultify them, give them nonkid like roles, and as you realize this ia how the world views people like you. On the Simpsons there's no one for black people to be interested in, most are celebrities or parody of celebrities or black tv show characters (Dr. Hibbert), the rest don't have personalities or sassy or thug and there's Carl who's at best boring and at worst nothing without Lenny. But I understand where Hari's coming from and things have gotten better since he's talk about this! Like there are so many shows with better representation than what the Simpsons put out.

[@Raja1938]

I'm Indian-born and grew up in the U.S., but older than Hari. I was teased for the movie Gandhi, as Apu was after my time. Hari was teased because he was different than other kids, not because of Apu which he uses as a scapegoat. It's not the Simpson's burden to properly reflect all the thousands of different ethnicities & languages of the subcontinent. He excuses the portrayal of Scots, Italians, Irish as being a diverse representation of white people even though surely those groups have a large spectrum of diversity within them as well. Indians aren't the only brown people on Earth and there were other brown characters on the series. As many as whites? No, but that's more a reflection of U.S. demographics.

[@PL70015]

I think I understand Mr. Kondabolu's ... reaction; while I think it's somewhat misplaced (while in my own shoes), I can put myself in his (shoes). But I don't understand how Apu - *in the context of the Simpsons* - "lacks *power*'. He owns his own business, works hard, is beleaguered and kind. As much as anyone in Simpsonville, he is running his own life. I remember feeling genuine empathy and love for Apu that I didn't feel for any other Simpson's character. You want a Simpson who lacks power (for a range of Simpsonian reasons)? Homer.

[@kf3696]

I can't wait for Apu to come back (which is reportedly in the works; they are looking for an appropriate voice actor). I wish it remained Hank Azaria, since he is the voice and soul of the character. We can then hopefully move past this ridiculously disingenuous documentary, which is to racism towards Indian Americans as Amber Heard is to victims of domestic abuse.

[@mikemc4340]

I’m offended over Willy!!!!

[@bobmason83]

love it . just needs a wee bottle of bucky !!! ho hoooooo lol fuckin pc brigade

[@AAAA-gj7tn]

Then fight to get him removed from the show

[@mikemc4340]

@@AAAA-gj7tn I am. My movie is coming out soon

[@AAAA-gj7tn]

@@mikemc4340 Awesome, good for you. I'll watch it!

[@TheRealFry2024]

@@mikemc4340 Neat

[@Orf]

23:25 "I'm okay with offense because offense is really it's subjective. And me, I like to offend people with power...I've had a lot of people walk out of my shows...I mean clearly I'm bothering some people, so I think offense is fine. It's just who are you offending."

[@Sarahmint]

No, he's not supposed to represent you. He represents convenience store owners, regardless of accent

[@Orf]

10:20 Dana literally said the exact opposite. That it's NOT a flaw.

[@carlosortiz2750]

The comedian didn't take the joke

[@Orf]

7:30 His definition of minstrel show is wayans bros in White Chicks

[@Orf]

9:20 Says Simpson writer / producer is his hero

[@HE-ei5ij]

Problem with the problem with Apu

[@helend7542]

Love Simpsons but hate Hari Kondapalu? You’re not alone!

[@tjmagix7281]

When you haven't been a victim to something for 5 minutes and remember a beloved cartoon character.

[@Orf]

9:50 "This is the problem...the idea of the "trappings of being a first-generation immigrant". Is that not a thing? Why is it a problem to tell such a story?

[@Orf]

6:40 Is it so bad to be singing and dancing??????

[@sixteennumberthree5544]

It's the Simpson's fault! It should be called "Apu's show"!!!

[@TheJokerRandall]

10:42 makes a 9/11 joke and no one laughs but him (at his own joke)

[@AAAA-gj7tn]

yeah, a lot of people didn't get it.

[@Orf]

14:00 Got called Ghandi, "Ghandi always overpresent"

[@Wongwongwong10000]

Hari Kondabolu is a so called comedian but can’t see humour in Apu. It doesn’t make sense The Simpson’s characters are mostly all based on famous people or stereotypes and that’s what made the show funny. If Richard Pryor took offence to every African American stereotype character comedy would be dead. Hari Kondabolu documentary didn’t help his career, he is still a nobody. Apu was a great character on The Simpson’s and it’s a shame that current producers of the Simpsons have to ban him.

[@CosmoShidan]

No comedy would evolve if racial stereotypes were done away with.

[@Orf]

5:00 "the biggest thing is that it was the only representation, and written by white writers"

[@peronkop]

Is there are problem that the his accent is funny? People can't control what they find amusing.

[@Orf]

20:10 So...It's all ok if it's a south asian actor...That makes a difference...

[@milladraros4383]

soon it will be rajesh in big bang, hari ?

[@AAAA-gj7tn]

rajesh is played by an indian.....

[@Raja1938]

@@AAAA-gj7tn Doesn't really matter, according to Hari's logic. Rajesh plays up just about every Indian stereotype there is, which Hari would see as the actor being complicit.

[@sixteennumberthree5544]

If it wasn't for Apu and the Simpson's, there wouldn't be any Indians on tv. #5 is alive!!

[@anthonytodd2771]

Why does he keep saying 'south Asian'? Does he have some sort of commercial agreement to limit the amount times he's allowed to say 'India'?

[@ramjirao5809]

Anthony Todd the reason is “Indian” excludes non-Indians while Apu is a caricature of South Asians that include Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, and Sri Lankans along with Indians.

[@Orf]

0:45 Calls last name "racist nonsense"

[@I.AM.JUPITER]

It is racist nonsense

[@DiegoEsteban1910]

APUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[@CuriousEarthMan]

the Problem with Apu, like his beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, Hari.

[@theultimateninja]

Why is this guy even getting attention?

[@pauldavidson2415]

The guy in tbe middle needs to stop beathing

[@thesalvadorianwarrior798]

Apu is an awesome character. Did you guys forget that his character was developed. Hard working American, loving father of eight children, was a firefighter, was part of the b-sharps, is bulletproof and was known as the sexiest of Springfield before he was married. I don't know what you guys want but, I don't think Apu is the problem. I think you guys are the problem. Let it go, i know we live in world of hate but this is a comedy. Apu is treated with love. I never found Apu voice funny. I found Apu funny because of his moments.

[@gunner9936]

Paul Cornejo yeah but you don't get at the time we Indians only had apu as representative on tv, the show insulted Hinduism. I know people that only knew of Hinduism and Indians through the Simpsons, for the longest time America had apu voiced and created by racist Jews in Hollywood. If you were Indian american growing up in the 90s all you were associated was this racist sterotype, we are not the only race to be but we finally get talk about how much this impacted our lives,

[@gunner9936]

Paul Cornejo when you say you guys are the problem, thank you for making me feel welcome, hey I take a joke but I still have a say when that joke is insulting

[@Mystrohan]

+Paul Cornejo - Sounds like you didn't listen to a word that Hari said.

[@randomlifts]

Paul Cornejo I agree with you and really not all Indians are offended. I being one of them think these guys who are like D grade actors trying to just make a name for themselves because they are just that. I don't see people lining up to complain about Raj on Big Bang Theory and he speaks with that accent I find annoying. What is annoying are the Indians who try to pretend they are sophisticated and talk to you in English because they are so un-indian.

[@dunemelange]

He's one of the characters that is actually a good person. Intelligent, hard working, owns a business. How does Apu not have power? He has way more power and respect than Cletus "the slack jawed yokel" Spuckler, or many of the other white trash characters. Scotsmen, fat dumb donut eating cops, barflys, senile eldery, crazy cat people. His accent, religion, and ancestry isn't even what makes him funny. I'm sorry that you didn't have more Indians in American media so that dumb kids and adults could have more than one name to call you, but how is that The Simpsons fault? Besides, I heard people call Indian folks "Kumar" way more than I ever heard them call anyone "Apu", but wheres the movie about how Kal Penn played a racist characterization of a second generation American in Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle? Can we only have characters of ambiguous European ancestry in our TV shows made by "racist Jews in Hollywood" (btw previous commenter, racist hypocrisy much?)?

[@genebandy]

So as a white male should I be offended by the stereotype that Homer plays? Should I feel like all children watching the Simpson's will automatically assume all white males are stupid, fat, bald, alcoholics? Apu sounds the way he does because that's how that fictitious character talks. Marginalized seems to mean that you spend more time worrying about what someone else does and not what you are doing. I'm starting to believe the conspiracy about estrogen in our water supply ...

[@lalolanda848]

en ni opinión ese comediante es una niña quejándose por 15 min fe fama

[@RobertStMarie]

Every character on the show is a stereotype. Get over yourself. "Apu's first name is an homage to the main character in The Apu Trilogy directed by Satyajit Ray.[8] His surname is Nahasapeemapetilon, and it was first used in the episode "A Streetcar Named Marge". It is a morphophonological blend of the name "Pahasadee Napetilon", the full name of a schoolmate of Simpsons writer Jeff Martin" wikipedia

[@ReGg4e10]

did you even listen to this interview?! He gives an answer for this "every character is a stereotype" bullshit!

[@RobertStMarie]

I tried to listen but I couldn't take anymore of the whining sound coming out of his face.

[@AAAA-gj7tn]

@@RobertStMarie it's ironic because you are whining like a little baby about all of this, lol.

[@danielstone7428]

A show which is a satire of American life and culture which portrays the immigrant as hard working, familial and mostly honest is “racist”. This guy is a total hack who is just trying to do anything to boost his career, which for him means attacking a cartoon character who is almost three decades old.

[@_lil_lil]

Sometimes people who are overly offended by something they love being critiqued is damn hilarious. Apu is a great character, but this doesn't make Hari's points or experiences invalid. If you bother to listen, he's not overly sensitive, he's analyzing a media representation of an Indian American and showing how many Indian Americans lack representation and this show does stereotype them. I don't see why people are so overly sensitive and offended about someone else's supposed over-sensitivity and offense. It's quite ironic though, and that's comedic in itself.

[@_lil_lil]

This is true. I think the Simpsons is the least guilty of all the shows that do stuff like this. It's almost part of the irony. This doesn't make it not correct though. Indians in the 90s weren't represented like now. I wonder how Kal Penn (Kumar) feels about this.

[@Joetheshow445]

Hari needs to stop speaking with a white accent, it’s offensive to white Americans. I feel like he’s making fun of us

[@zeng58]

I hate this guy why did he do this damn him

[@polarbearswag7342]

Boo-fucking-hoo....

[@2coixos]

The most pathetic job of this day an age; being a professional victim.

[@miguedro]

Political correctness is a cancer "comedian"? lol

[@arthurfleck328]

BLAH BLAH BLAH

[@P0licywonk]

It’s a goddamn cartoon. The show is chock full of stereotypes. I’m fat, and I don’t get pissed off because Ralph Wiggum and Homer portray the stereotype that fat people are stupid.

[@asma-mushtaq]

So fat-ness is a race/ ethnicity now?! 🙄 🤔

[@AAAA-gj7tn]

but there are fat smart characters on the show, too. so your point is invalid.

[@zeng58]

This politician comedian is not funny at all

[@nifralo2752]

One his guys pals in his doc is Kal Pen who in those Harold and Kumar where he dressed up as a member of the Taliban. Hypocritical much

[@m0nkey13]

Oh, Hari has his feelings hurt by a cartoon character... poor guy.

[@roshnibodkee7225]

Not a poor guy he intelligently remove imigrant from show

[@AAAA-gj7tn]

aww, did Hari hurt your feelings?

[@CosmoShidan]

Apu is an example of Orientalism, in which peoples from Asia and North Africa is seen as hedonistic, barbaric, exotic, decadent and weird, from the lens of white people. This was first covered as early as Frantz Fanon's The Wretched of the Earth and later on in Edward Said's Orientalism. Apu has all these qualities, from his accent that is funny to white people, how he shot at customers in with a rifle, his religious practices which are deemed as strange to white folk and his bachelorhood from earlier seasons to name a few examples. Repetitions of this imagery is used to reinforce white supremacy. Now with all that out of the way, I'm in favor of Kondalbolu, as a person of color descent who's own people have been given the same (mis)treatment in media, from comic books such as Fawcett publications' Spysmasher, Family Guy King of the Hill. Thank goodness the latter is no longer in production and the former has moved away from the racist stereotype that plagued the older version. However, Family Guy still perpetuates this upon not just my own people, but on all Asians. Trisha Takanawa is one example of this as she is portrayed as an emotionless Japanese woman with an exotic accent. Either the writers of said shows hire writers and actors of color to improve things or can them both. Otherwise, y'all who enjoy Orientalism can go and choke on blood and gold.

[@edhill4486]

I won't say that Apu hasn't been mishandled from time to time, and I can see how someone could be offended by some of the situations that have been depicted for him over the years, but that being stated, The Simpsons shows the whole of human civilization as being base and goofy, not just peoples of a single color or ethnicity. And much of comedy is about depicting over simplified generalizations of all stripes of people. Greed, lust, decadence, vanity, and other such unflattering traits are universally recognized as fodder for comedy by various ethnic cultures (not just filtered through white people's perceptions), and can help us to laugh at the collective flaws in ourselves as humans. The same negative traits you mentioned in your statement can be seen in just as many white characters, even more so actually. (especially on ''King of the Hill'') No one on the Simpsons is depicted as being Superior to anyone else, they are all equally silly and weird, doing dumb things and having to pay the price for it later. I'd like to see a comedy show that somehow manages to never offend anyone and still be funny. I'd be interested to know what comedy shows you find enjoyable that haven't ever drawn from unflattering stereotypes. I have yet to see one myself.

[@CosmoShidan]

@@edhill4486 I'm not going to go over what I stated earlier. Rather, here is a source in which a person of the Indian diaspora gives their two cents on the problem with Apu" kzbin.info/www/bejne/rme5pq2ti9uoi6s

[@ryano2232]

What a bellend

[@Sirenadeldia]

He lives in usa???? Christmas tree joke about how consumist americans are? Do i need to say more ? Not carisma for a comedian.

[@sinkingstone]

I love how he goes to Whoopi Goldberg for her opinion. Didn't Ted Danson have an affair with her, the guy who did a roast in black face? Yeah, look that up... Her opinion isn't very valid.

[@MultiBully23]

Millenials are too dam sensitive! Apu rocks! Nothing is funny anymore only offensive.

[@AAAA-gj7tn]

ok boomer

[@JohnBlackMD]

"comedian" lol, funniest part.

[@knocks88]

I'd have to agree, this dude begs for the laughs he gets. The pandering is real. Also I find it convenient that if you close your eyes, Hari sounds like a white guy. So an Indian guy who sounds white is upset over a white guy doing an Indian accent.

[@guydecervens]

Hari is anti-Semitic. Azaria is Jewish, NOT 'White'. There are lot of Indians in many areas of western society. Not all Indians own gas stations or convenience stores but how many petrol stations or convenience stores that you have been in were owned by south Asians?

[@CosmoShidan]

So there aren't Black, Brown or Arabic Jews?

[@jessec9576]

Hari Kondabolu sucks.

[@dannythomas417]

Even Hank succumbed to this dumb fuck. And I thought Harry nearly leaving was bad enough.

[@randomlifts]

A lot of rubbish by people who are too sensitive about nothing. Making a issue when there isn't one. As a Indian, I don't see any reason to find Simpsons offensive. It's a cartoon and supposed to be funny. You don't like it, watch something like I did as I never cared for it. I wonder how many of these 'proud indians' can read or write a Indian script.

[@jakesontiano]

randomlifts you're not Indian you FUCKIN liar!!

[@pimpmyconsole]

Jay Bird teri to. किसने कहा? यह पहली बार किसी ने aisa कहा है

[@pimpmyconsole]

Jay Bird kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHW4o4ybjpijfck

[@jakesontiano]

pimpmyconsole you can speak Chinese big woop ... bozo

[@pimpmyconsole]

Jay Bird been long time since I came across someine who is called bozo. Language is not Chinese.

[@sergeydc80]

Happy now? Hari, you’ve ruined a cultural icon. Get a life. The French never complained about “Surrendering Monkeys” and “My children, zey need wine”!

[@abhiallen83]

Being south Asian in America, I agree with Hari and glad he bought problem with apu out in public to discuss.

[@pimpmyconsole]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHW4o4ybjpijfck

[@bobmason83]

abhiallen83 , really ..... douchebag

[@pimpmyconsole]

uglybob the guys are just crying victim and blaming others because they can't reach the status they want to.

[@matthewmaguire71]

What about the ridiculous Irish and Scottish stereotypes over the years? Are the left going to cry about this? Oh no of course not, because they are white. This is more classic PC bullshit

[@_lil_lil]

God, people are so overly offended by someone merely agreeing that a character is a caricature. Sheesh people, this guy is just agreeing that this is an important conversation, stop trying to shut down intellectual dialogue and read a book or something.