Simpsons bans white actors from black roles
AS CATCHPHRASES go, it is as much a part of The Simpsons as Bart saying ‘Eat my shorts’ or Homer exclaiming ‘D’oh!’
But fans will no longer hear Indian convenience store owner Apu waving off departing locals with his customary ‘Thank you, come again’ – or at least not in the cheery tones we all recognise.
For producers have said that the hit series is to stop using white voice actors to play ethnic characters. The move follows years of controversy surrounding Apu, who has been voiced by Hank Azaria since 1990.
After Azaria revealed earlier this year that he would stop playing the part, the show’s creators have now said The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voicing non-white characters.
Apu’s first appearance came in a season one episode called The Telltale Head, in which the now-famous catchphrase also made its debut.
In 2017 comedian Hari Kondabolu argued in a documentary called The Problem With Apu that the character presented a negative stereotype of people from South Asia.
Azaria has also voiced The Simpsons’ black police officer Lou and MexicanAmerican Bumblebee Man. The white actor Harry Shearer has also voiced the role Dr Hibbert, who is black. There is no indication from the producers whether Apu will remain in the show.
Other white actors, including Mike Henry of animated series Family Guy, have also said they will no longer voice ethnic characters.