Is the removal of Apu from Simpsons enshrined into law?

One decision from one channel. How could it be anything else? However, it does probably reflect a continuing cultural trend.

Hank Azaria did the voice of Apu and many others.
“Henry Albert Azaria… is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He is known for voicing many characters in the animated sitcom The Simpsons (1989–present), most notably Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Snake Jailbird, and formerly Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Lou, Carl Carlson, and Bumblebee Man, among others.

~Will having a dedicated Hindu actor doing Apu’s voice add to the production cost? Or will the Hindu actor also do all the other voices?

@LuckyGuy I’m sure Azaria, or whomever is doing the other voices now, will continue to do so. The point is not to have a white guy doing an Indian accent.

Did he do Krusty the Clown? I think jackie Mason actually did Krusty’s father the Rabbi when he was on.

I really don’t see the big deal with a “white guy” doing the voice of a character of another race. I think some would say this is crazy run-a-way political correctness I think it’s just crazy. Besides I don’t watch that show anyway.

—omg I love Hank Azaria!! I remember him from The Birdcage and he was hilarious! Remember him scratching the “a” off of the aspirin that he gave to Albert so Albert believed he was getting a tranquilizer called “Spirin”?

From jewishbusinessnews.com:

In the wake of Black Lives Matter and “Cancel Culture,” The Simpsons’ producers decided that it was no longer appropriate for a white Jewish man to play ethnic characters. It was previously announced that Hank Azaria would no longer play the voice of the Indian Kwiki Mart owner Apu. And now it has been revealed that a new actor will also be playing Homer Simpsons black friend and co-worker Carl Carlson.

Hank Azaria’s Jewish co-star Harry Shearer, who has voiced black character Dr. Hibert for 30 years, is not happy with the changes. In an interview he said, “I have a very simple belief about acting. The job of the actor is to play someone who they’re not. That’s the gig. That’s the job description.”

Not one station although the only thing one station could do anyway is not show The Simpsons!

It’s a done deal and it’s just silly.

@RayaHope When you use theorem “political correctness” consider replacing it with “showing a modicum of respect”.

The only people who use the term “politically correct” are those who wish to be able to disrespect other people.

@smudges Do you remember Hank Azaria as Nate, Murray’s dog walker, in “Mad About You”? Adorable!

As for the main question, it’s one I can see both sides of.

^^ oh yes, now that you mention it!!

I think the issue now is that there are a lot of actors and voice actors from so many backgrounds, all over the world, that major studios could hire, but when they just toss the ethnic roles to the same white actors, who will necessarily be doing something of a reduction or parody, it comes off as uncool. Opportunity hoarding, at the least.

I’ll miss the character I knew as Apu. Though he was a stereotype, it was a digestible one for a culture just warming up to the idea of Indian immigrants. That moment has passed, however. Just as Sammy Davis Jr is kind of an Uncle Tom now, whereas he was once a fearless black pioneer, society has moved past the need to understand that particular culture through those particular stereotypes. Expect the Chinese and Japanese stereotypes to continue for a while, though.