Hank Azaria has broken his silence since the airing of “The Problem with Apu”, a documentary focusing on “The Simpsons”’ choice to voice iconic character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, an Indian store clerk, by Azaria, a white man.
Speaking to the Television Critics Association on Friday, Azaria addressed the controversy: “As far as what’s going to happen with the character going forward, it’s really not just up to me.”
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“I know that ‘The Simpsons’ guys are doing that too, they’re giving it a lot of thought and we’ve discussed a little bit,” he continued. “They will definitely address, maybe publicly, certainly creatively within the context of the show what they want to do, if anything, with the character.”
Azaria, who has voiced the character for almost three decades, said: “I think it’s really important when people express themselves about racial issues — what they feel is unfair or upsetting or distressing, what makes them angry — the most important thing to do is listen, try to understand, try to sympathize. Which is what I’m doing.”
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Adding, “The intent was to make people laugh and to bring joy. So to cause any kind of pain or suffering in any way is disturbing, actually.”
He noted, “There’s often a fine line between what’s funny and what’s offensive.”
