It's 2017, and cultural appropriation is a hotbutton discussion had by many across the land. Comedian Hari Kondabolu, whose never been afraid to discuss such issues, is on a quest to break down issues with a TV character, Apu. That's right, the animated Kwik-E-Mart owner from the long-running cartoon, The Simpsons. A show that's been on the air for decades and one that, according to Kondabolu helps perpetuate a stereotype for Indian people. Particularly since he's voiced by a non-Indian person, and the impact a show like The Simpsons has had on pop culture.
In this new truTV documentary, the comedian tries to unpack what exactly is offensive about the character by talking to peers, actors, and other comedians to get to the heart of the problem with Apu. Look for the documentary to air on truTV this fall.