After almost 30 years, “The Simpsons” still knows how to make headlines. As you may already know, the animated sitcom has been under fire recently for its portrayal of Indian character Apu. For a while, the cast and crew of the series didn’t really talk about the character. Until last week. We talked about the most recent episode earlier this week, which mentioned how there’s really nothing they can do about political correctness and hinted strongly that maybe nothing would change with the series’ portrayal of Apu.
Well, as you might imagine, that sort of response to the criticism didn’t sit well on Twitter, where fans and other Hollywood types bashed the series for side-stepping the issue. In response to this outrage on social media, “The Simpsons” showrunner Al Jean has voiced his opinion.
Jean tweeted, “I truly appreciate all responses pro and con. Will continue to try to find an answer that is popular & more important right.”
What that means for the longest-running scripted series in television history remains to be seen. There are fans on both sides of the debate, and one glance at Jean’s Twitter feed proves it. The 20-year showrunner has spent the last couple days making sure that he shared all the positive responses to the episode.
Jean, also, can’t claim to be caught off guard by the response on social media. Before last week’s controversial episode, he tweeted, “New Simpsons in five minutes. Twitter explosion in act three.” He definitely knew that the series was going to skirt around some dangerous issues, and fully expected the headlines.
Now, we’ll have to wait and see what the “popular” and “right” answers are for what seems like a pretty serious issue. One thing is for sure, people are talking about “The Simpsons” like it’s 1995, and Jean, as well as the rest of the crew, has to be loving it.
https://twitter.com/AlJean/status/984835025882370048
https://twitter.com/AlJean/status/983131607954472960
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Good for him for not falling over himself for the race baiting, PC obsessive faction on Twitter. When are they not outraged. This is the polar opposite of Tipper Gore/Christian Right morons of the 80s. Irony is probably lost on millennials who don’t care for anything that happened before we were graced with their presence. Most people “offended” are wannabe/independent actors, directors and screenwriters who are trying to virtue their way to an Angelina Jolie type. Gross
Crybabies gonna cry, baby.
https://youtu.be/ugLbotr1RuQ
“…skirt around some dangerous issues”
Dangerous? This?!?
Mr Barfield, you are a laughably hyperbolic twat.
“The Simpsons” showrunner Al Jean has voiced his opinion: “We’re the longest-running scripted series in television history!!! Don’t f*ckin’ watch if youre so offended!!!”
??????