‘The Simpsons’ Creator Brushes Off Apu Criticism: ‘People Love to Pretend They’re Offended’

“I’m proud of what we do on the show,” Matt Groening tells USA Today

Matt Groening
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“The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening doesn’t have much to say in response to criticism of the show’s Indian character, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.

“I’m proud of what we do on the show,” Groening said in an interview with USA Today. “And I think it’s a time in our culture where people love to pretend they’re offended.”

The character has been criticized as a stereotypical portrayal of Indian immigrants, and because it is voiced by a white actor. The debate was reignited earlier this month when the show seemed to disregard the matter in a recent episode.

Set up as a response to comedian Hari Kondabolu’s documentary “The Problem with Apu,” the episode seemed to shrug at the entire debate.

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