People feel let down by 'The Simpsons' response to Apu stereotyping

"The Simpsons response tonight is not a jab at me, but at what many of us consider progress."
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The Simpsons has responded to the Apu stereotyping controversy, and not everyone is down with how it was handled.

In the fifteenth episode of Season 29, "No Good Read Goes Unpunished," Marge reads Lisa "her favourite book ever," The Princess in the Garden, which has troubling stereotypes of Irishmen and South Americans.

Aghast at the depictions she didn't recognise as a youngster, Marge edits the book to make it ostensibly less offensive for this day and age. The book's lead character Clara is now a "cisgender girl," who releases wild horses and fights net neutrality.

Lisa dismisses the story as having "no point" because the character is already well-developed, leading to a discussion that indirectly references the Apu controversy.

"Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?" Lisa said. It follows with a shot of a framed picture of Apu.

"Some things will be dealt with a later date," Marge replied. "If at all," Lisa said, before the pair look into the camera.

Last year, comedian Hari Kondabolu was behind the documentary The Problem With Apu. It unpacked The Simpsons' damaging South Asian caricature, Apu, and how people had to grapple with the troubling stereotype of a convenience store clerk with an exaggerated, fake Indian accent since the show's existence.

Actor Hank Azaria, who voiced Apu, said earlier in the year that the show's writers would "definitely address" the criticism, but in light of Sunday's episode, it appears they don't care.

Kondabolu said on Twitter on Sunday the show's response was a jab against "what many of us consider progress."

There were also many people who weren't cool with the show's writers using Lisa, the show's most socially progressive character, to be the voice of the response.

Topics The Simpsons

Mashable Image
Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Seth Meyers has strong words for the Trump admin's response to ICE shooting
A man sits behind a talk show desk. In the top left is an image of the president.

Stephen Colbert calls 'BS' on Trump administration's response to ICE killing
A man in a suit gestures on a talk show stage.


Jimmy Kimmel ridicules Trump response to ICE shooting: 'How stupid do you think we are?'
Jimmy Kimmel on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live.'

'The Daily Show' reacts to Trump's ICE shooting response
Ronny Chieng presents "The Daily Show."

More in Entertainment
The Earth is glowing in new Artemis II pictures of home
One half of the Earth is seen floating in space through the open door of the Orion spacecraft.

Doomsday Clock now closest to midnight ever
A photograph of the Doomsday Clock, stating "It is 85 seconds to midnight."

Hurricane Erin: See spaghetti models and track the storm’s path online
A map showing the predicted path of Tropical Storm Erin.

Tropical Storm Erin: Spaghetti models track the storm’s path
A prediction cone for Tropical Storm Erin.

NASA to build a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030, report states
The lunar surface.

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone


What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!