Apu Will Be Cut From 'The Simpsons' Following Controversy

According to NME, the character of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon will be cut from future episodes of the series The Simpsons, following complaints that the character promotes racist stereotypes.

Apu first appeared in THE SIMPSONS episode 'The Telltale Head' in 1990, voiced by white actor Hank Azaria.

The show's producer Adi Shankar said that he had previously tried to rework the script to solve the problem, but ended up scrapping the character altogether.

"I've verified from multiple sources now: They're going to drop the Apu character altogether," he said. "They aren't going to make a big deal out of it, or anything like that, but they'll drop him altogether just to avoid the controversy."

However, he does not agree with the decision, saying, "If you are a show about cultural commentary and you are too afraid to comment on the culture, especially when it's a component of the culture you had a hand in creating, then you are a show about cowardice."

Azaria had previously said that he would step aside, should the character be removed.

Read more on NME.

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