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Old 08-02-2018, 07:18 PM
 
Location: SC
8,793 posts, read 8,127,212 times
Reputation: 12991

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I was thinking about the controversy...

On one hand, I really liked Apu when I USED TO WATCH the Simpsons. Not because he was a stereotype, but just because he seemed to be one of the coolest characters on the show.

On the other hand, if I were to practice what I preach, then I'd have to say that if he does indeed offend someone (a large group of someones), then something should be done I suppose. Since I don't watch the show anymore, I have an easy out, I wouldn't miss him - or any of the characters if the eliminated him.

But after thinking about it a little more, I have this question.

Isn't just about every character on the show a stereotype?
  • Ned Flanders - A bible beater who annoys his neighbor.
  • Miss Crabbapple - A stereotype of a spinster teacher or librarian?
  • Diamond Jim Quimby - A corrupt politician.
  • Nelson Muntz - A low class bully who takes his frustrations about his station in life on everyone else?
  • The Bowling Team: The Stereotypes
    • Luigi Risotto - The Italian pizza maker
    • The Sea Captain - Never have met one, but I am sure he is a parody
    • Cletus Spuckler - A hick
    • Groundskeeper Willie - A very stereotypical Scotsman?
  • Fat Tony and his henchmen - All Italian Mobsters
  • Bleeding Gums Murphy - The Black Jazzman
  • Krusty - Hits almost every Jewish stereotype there is

I could go on. Aren't almost all of the Simpson's characters defined by stereotypical prototypes? What makes Apu special enough to be singled out for protest? Maybe I have not paid close enough attention, but I think it is overblown when you consider the entire show is made up of offensive but likable characters.

Last edited by blktoptrvl; 08-02-2018 at 07:32 PM..
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Old 08-02-2018, 07:26 PM
 
Location: NJ/NYC
862 posts, read 517,932 times
Reputation: 1391
Of course its a show of stereotypes.

I will never understand how this was a thing. Actually its 2018, and everything is offensive to someone these days. It makes perfect sense.

The real outrage is that arguably the best show in tv history for its first 9 seasons has been kept on life support for 20 plus years of absolute mediocrity. That's the real crime.
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Old 08-02-2018, 07:27 PM
 
Location: Here and now.
11,904 posts, read 5,559,675 times
Reputation: 12963
Quote:
Originally Posted by blktoptrvl View Post
I was thinking about the controversy...

On one hand, I really liked Apu when I USED TO WATCH the Simpsons. Not because he was a stereotype, but just because he seemed to be one of the coolest characters on the show.

On the other hand, if I were to practice what I preach, then I'd have to say that if he does indeed offend someone (a large group of someones), then something should be done I suppose. Since I don't watch the show anymore, I have an easy out, I wouldn't miss him - or any of the characters if the eliminated him.

But after thinking about it a little more, I have this question.

Isn't just about every character on the show a stereotype?
  • Ned Flanders - A bible beater who annoys his neighbor.
  • Miss Crabbapple - A stereotype of a spinster teacher or librarian?
  • Diamond Jim Quimby - A corrupt politician.
  • Nelson Muntz - A low class bully who takes his frustrations about his station in life on everyone else?
  • The Bowling Team: The Stereotypes
    • Luigi Risotto - The Italian pizza maker
    • The Sea Captain - Never have met one, but I am sure he is a parody
    • Cletus Spuckler - A hick
    • Groundskeeper Willie - A very stereotypical Scotsman?[/indent]
  • Fat Tony and his henchmen - All Italian Mobsters
  • Bleeding Gums Murphy - The Black Jazzman
  • Krusty - Hits almost every Jewish stereotype there is

I could go on. Aren't almost all of the Simpson's characters defined by stereotypical prototypes? What makes Apu special enough to be singled out for protest? Maybe I have not paid close enough attention, but I think it is overblown when you consider the entire show is made up of offensive but likable characters.
I didn't realize there was a controversy, and I haven't watched The Simpsons for years, but now that you mention it, I think that in a way, the show is sort of like South Park Lite - there's something for almost everyone to get mad about, if they are so inclined.
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Old 08-02-2018, 09:20 PM
 
Location: CO/UT/AZ/NM Catch me if you can!
6,926 posts, read 6,911,081 times
Reputation: 16507
Jeez, are people STILL going on about Apu? I haven't watched the Simpsons in ages, but it is what it is - a cartoon show that makes fun of everyone - they don't let anyone off the hook. Some folks need to get a life already.
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Old 08-02-2018, 09:29 PM
 
Location: Japan
15,292 posts, read 7,731,377 times
Reputation: 10006
Quote:
Originally Posted by blktoptrvl View Post
I was thinking about the controversy...
Seems like you've had a bit of a revelation - people, including yourself, enjoy stereotypes, and there's not necessarily anything wrong with that. Stereotypes help us make sense of the world, and some of the best comedy and most endearing fictional characters are based on them.
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Old 08-02-2018, 11:43 PM
 
6,835 posts, read 2,386,353 times
Reputation: 2727
Isn't The Simpsons more family-friendly compared to shows like Family Guy and South Park?
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Old 08-03-2018, 12:11 AM
 
Location: Staten Island, NY
3,614 posts, read 1,726,928 times
Reputation: 2740
Quote:
Originally Posted by RubyTwo View Post
Of course its a show of stereotypes.

I will never understand how this was a thing. Actually its 2018, and everything is offensive to someone these days. It makes perfect sense.

The real outrage is that arguably the best show in tv history for its first 9 seasons has been kept on life support for 20 plus years of absolute mediocrity. That's the real crime.
This is an old story by today's standards. What drove me crazy was Hank Azaria basically groveling for forgiveness. This is the same Hank Azaria who has a show on FX who's character, Brockmeier is a drug taking, alcoholic womanizing pro-abortion douchebag. But, since he isn't offending Muslims, Mexicans, or militant blacks it's ok.
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Old 08-03-2018, 12:29 AM
 
Location: Pacific Beach/San Diego
4,750 posts, read 3,555,080 times
Reputation: 4614
Quote:
Originally Posted by blktoptrvl View Post
[*]Diamond Jim Quimby - A corrupt politician.
A corrupt Irish-Catholic Kennedy-esque politician.

Quote:
On the other hand, if I were to practice what I preach, then I'd have to say that if he does indeed offend someone (a large group of someones), then something should be done I suppose.
Do we know if this is a large group of someones? Or is this like Native Americans with teams called the Fighting Sioux or Seminoles where the numbers who are offended by it are very small in the population?
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Old 08-03-2018, 02:14 AM
 
4,655 posts, read 4,100,091 times
Reputation: 9012
Quote:
Originally Posted by blktoptrvl View Post
I was thinking about the controversy...

On one hand, I really liked Apu when I USED TO WATCH the Simpsons. Not because he was a stereotype, but just because he seemed to be one of the coolest characters on the show.

On the other hand, if I were to practice what I preach, then I'd have to say that if he does indeed offend someone (a large group of someones), then something should be done I suppose. Since I don't watch the show anymore, I have an easy out, I wouldn't miss him - or any of the characters if the eliminated him.

But after thinking about it a little more, I have this question.

Isn't just about every character on the show a stereotype?
  • Ned Flanders - A bible beater who annoys his neighbor.
  • Miss Crabbapple - A stereotype of a spinster teacher or librarian?
  • Diamond Jim Quimby - A corrupt politician.
  • Nelson Muntz - A low class bully who takes his frustrations about his station in life on everyone else?
  • The Bowling Team: The Stereotypes
    • Luigi Risotto - The Italian pizza maker
    • The Sea Captain - Never have met one, but I am sure he is a parody
    • Cletus Spuckler - A hick
    • Groundskeeper Willie - A very stereotypical Scotsman?
  • Fat Tony and his henchmen - All Italian Mobsters
  • Bleeding Gums Murphy - The Black Jazzman
  • Krusty - Hits almost every Jewish stereotype there is
I could go on. Aren't almost all of the Simpson's characters defined by stereotypical prototypes? What makes Apu special enough to be singled out for protest? Maybe I have not paid close enough attention, but I think it is overblown when you consider the entire show is made up of offensive but likable characters.
Bumble Bee Guy? Nerdy Scientist? Where is Mr. Burns on your list?

An Indian fellow did a piece a few months about talking about how he loves Apu and thinks he is the coolest guy on the show. And he is. PHD. Ladies man. Hard worker. Pithy speaker. Husband and father. Patriot.

In any event, no one has a right not to be offended, so if you find the Simpsons to be too much for you, you should probably just tune out. Find something better to do with your life than crying.
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Old 08-03-2018, 02:34 AM
 
33,387 posts, read 34,731,171 times
Reputation: 20030
look at any cartoon, futurama, family guy, king of the hill, etc. heck look at any mel brooks movie, blazing saddles being the most prominent, even the old cartoons, bugs bunny, daffy duck, scrooged mcduck, mickey mouse, and many other cartoon characters. these characters were all designed first to entertain, and second, in most cases, to end bias and prejudice.



mel brooks made fun of just about everything in life to show how ridiculous some of the things we hold on to really are, like racism for instance.
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