Simpsons Mysteries - Apu's Future

I made this video because I am frustrated at the outcome of the Apu discussion... That we are in this permanent state of limbo where the show just doesn't officially talk about it or make a final decision on the character. A bunch of stuff happened and Apu may or may not exist going forward. Who knows? The Simpsons certainly won't talk about it. It's like they fumbled the ball on the last two times they addressed it, and it feels like the show just wants to run away. So we're stuck in this vague unsatisfying outcome. I also wanted to approach this from the perspective of a Simpsons fan, since that's who I am. I didn't really want to make a video summarizing all of Hari's arguments because that is what the doc is for and he doesn't need me speaking for him. Go watch the doc, I promise it is not that scary. I walked away from the doc kinda confused why some Simpsons fans took the criticism so personally. Or maybe not "personally" but were that mad about his criticism toward the show. So I kinda wanted to explore that a little. I'm sure I misunderstood some stuff in this vid or didn't clarify points properly (this is waaaaay not my expertise) so let me know where I might have goofed up. 👍

"We've tried nothing and we're all out of ideas!" - Simpsons staff on the Apu problem.

For maximum irony, I went to school with a second gen Indian student with the name Kent Brockman. Born the same year as Simpsons premier.

By removing Apu, Simpsons effectively got rid of the most prominent coloured character on the show.

"Apu died going back to his home planet" here, problem solved

I thought it was kinda cool that Apu was playable in Hit n Run game as a non Simpsons family member but essentially a main character

Apu was overall one of the most well rounded people in Springfield. From his origins as just a convenience store clerk to becoming a full fledged character with more backstory than most of the regulars on the show that wasn't the Simpsons themselves.

I think the knock-on effect of losing Apu is that it highlights how much worldbuilding was contingent on these secondary characters. We saw that back in the Scully era with what was lost with the removal of Hutz and Troy, and in the last 10 years we've seen the impacts of losing Edna and Apu, along with the increasing scaling back of Harry Shearer's characters to cover for his declining voice (he's in his 80s now). It makes the world of Springfield feel oddly empty.

"What does the future hold for Apu? Heh heh, let's just say we've got a few ideas up our sleeve." "Like what?" "Um...I'd rather not get into it right now." "Why not?" "All right. We don't have any ideas for the future. We've got nothing. Happy?" "No."

I always felt like it would have been far better that Apu became Bart's new 4th grade teacher rather than the canon soppy Flanders teacher arc of which nothing came of it

As an Indian person, I have always liked Apu. My family would sometimes talk about how relatable he was to their own life experiences. It's weird but their generation didn't feel that he was offensive. When I was growing up, it didn't occur to me that he was like that.

Anyone else click on this expecting a video about Apu's appearences in the flash-forward episodes that take place in the future of the Simpsons characters?

"I have to go now, my planet needs me." - Apu Nahasapeemapetilon

I think it's funny how the writers solution was "you don't like him? okay you'll never see him again!"

Considering how Krusty's role as Springfield's congressman is not touched upon since he won Springfield's congressional district I would love to see Apu defeat Krusty and Apu becomes Springfield's new congressman.

Genuinely can’t believe the whole problem with Apu fiasco was over half a decade ago 😑

"Where Apu becomes a successful businessman" Apu IS a successful business owner in Springfield.

Come on. Apu may or may not have been known as “The Fifth Beatle.” Let’s give him a break.

my favorite part of Hari's documentary is when he tries to get his parents to hate on Apu and they earnestly don't seem to care or be offended in any way.

The reason Simpsons fans hate the documentary is not because they felt it criticized them. It is because once mainstream media started talking about it, it was obvious Apu being scrubbed from the show would be the end result.