Apu from "The Simpsons"

[Sirona]

Watched a rerun of an age-old Simpsons episode in which Apu loses the Quickie Mart because he gets caught selling meat that has been kept past its use-by date, and sausages that fell on the floor. If they “did that” to a Jewish character, there probably would be an outcry. Buddhism gets treated quite decently in The Simpsons, as Lisa is portrayed as sophisticated and moral; she even meets Richard Gere at a Buddhist temple. Apu’s religion is mentioned in the episode where, out of laziness, Homer refuses to go to church service on Sundays. When seeing Apu at the Quickie Mart on a Sunday, Homer at first thinks Apu isn’t attending church services out of laziness, too, but then Apu shows him a Ganesh statue, to which Homer jokingly offers a peanut. Why do you think there’s such a difference in the portrayal of Hinduism and Buddhism in “The Simpsons”, given that both religions have a common origin?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Lisa is a major character. Apu is a minor character.
But they really aren't portrayed differently, just not as much screen time.

 

[Nimos]

Watched a rerun of an age-old Simpsons episode in which Apu loses the Quickie Mart because he gets caught selling meat that has been kept past its use-by date, and sausages that fell on the floor. If they “did that” to a Jewish character, there probably would be an outcry. Buddhism gets treated quite decently in The Simpsons, as Lisa is portrayed as sophisticated and moral; she even meets Richard Gere at a Buddhist temple. Apu’s religion is mentioned in the episode where, out of laziness, Homer refuses to go to church service on Sundays. When seeing Apu at the Quickie Mart on a Sunday, Homer at first thinks Apu isn’t attending church services out of laziness, too, but then Apu shows him a Ganesh statue, to which Homer jokingly offers a peanut. Why do you think there’s such a difference in the portrayal of Hinduism and Buddhism in “The Simpsons”, given that both religions have a common origin?

For fun, to be honest. I bet you can find lots of movies that portray Buddhism in a fun way. Look at how they portray Christianity with Flanders. Not exactly how they are either.

 

[Revoltingest]

Watched a rerun of an age-old Simpsons episode in which Apu loses the Quickie Mart because he gets caught selling meat that has been kept past its use-by date, and sausages that fell on the floor. If they “did that” to a Jewish character, there probably would be an outcry.

They're just as tough on Krusty The Clown, a Jew (whose
father is a rabbi).
Just look at his Kamp Krusty, where he hires bullies as counselors,
& they serve Krusty Brand Imitation Gruel....

More Krusty the Clown food horror...

 

[Revoltingest]

....Homer at first thinks Apu isn’t attending church services out of laziness, too, but then Apu shows him a Ganesh statue, to which Homer jokingly offers a peanut. Why do you think there’s such a difference in the portrayal of Hinduism and Buddhism in “The Simpsons”, given that both religions have a common origin?

But The Simpsons reserves its greatest mockery for Christianity.

 

[Nakosis]

Watched a rerun of an age-old Simpsons episode in which Apu loses the Quickie Mart because he gets caught selling meat that has been kept past its use-by date, and sausages that fell on the floor. If they “did that” to a Jewish character, there probably would be an outcry. Buddhism gets treated quite decently in The Simpsons, as Lisa is portrayed as sophisticated and moral; she even meets Richard Gere at a Buddhist temple. Apu’s religion is mentioned in the episode where, out of laziness, Homer refuses to go to church service on Sundays. When seeing Apu at the Quickie Mart on a Sunday, Homer at first thinks Apu isn’t attending church services out of laziness, too, but then Apu shows him a Ganesh statue, to which Homer jokingly offers a peanut. Why do you think there’s such a difference in the portrayal of Hinduism and Buddhism in “The Simpsons”, given that both religions have a common origin?

Bias of the writers.

 

[Valjean]

The peanut is more a joke on Homer than on Ganesha.

 

[Revoltingest]

Just look at how the Irish & Scots are portrayed...

And the Germans, ugh....

 

[sun rise]

Which religion gets more abuse is something perfect for us to discuss here. This is not abysmally awful just typical Homer.

 

[Subduction Zone]

The Simpsons is an equal opportunity offender. That is one of the reasons it is still on the air. That reminds me of another FOX comedy. Married With Children was the same way. They would perpetrate jokes against all races, sexes, and genders. I was able to show one very liberal woman that it was the least sexist comedy on the tube at the time. In all others men were almost always the butt of the joke. On MWC both men and women were laughed at.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

The Simpsons is an equal opportunity offender.

That is one thing that makes it great. It makes caricatures and stereotypes into characters and jokes. Like Krusty (a Jew). The Texan guy shooting his guns. The Evangelical Flanders.Comic Book Guy. The evil billionaire Burns. A Kennedy-esque mayor. The several old people characters like Abe. The Scottish and Irish. Jazz players. The list does go on for a while.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Just look at how the Irish & Scots are portrayed...

I thought he was Austrian?

 

[Revoltingest]

I thought he was Austrian?

Arnold was.
McBain is just generic germanic.
But I was thinking of his bandleader being very naziesuqe.

 

[Revoltingest]

Alas, I'm watching last nite's Simpsons episode,
"Poorhouse Rock"....it sux. It's really gone downhill
with uninspired writing, eg, re-hashing of old jokes,
formerly great characters either gone (Lionel Hutz, Apu)
or wrongly voiced by politically correct replacements
(Dr Hibbard).

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Alas, I'm watching last nite's Simpsons episode,
"Poorhouse Rock"....it sux. It's really gone downhill
with uninspired writing, eg, re-hashing of old jokes,
formerly great characters either gone (Lionel Hutz, Apu)
or wrongly voiced by politically correct replacements
(Dr Hibbard).

They really need to bring Apu back.

 

[Twilight Hue]

They really need to bring Apu back.

Cancel culture.

 

[Revoltingest]

 

[Revoltingest]

Cancel culture.

Apparently, only India & Hinduism aren't fair game for
funny stereotypes. All others are mercilessly mocked
on The Simpsons & Family Guy.
One of these days they'll ban the episodes with Apu, eh.
No longer broadcast are Betty Boop, Amos 'n' Andy, &
Speedy Gonzoles cuz some people are triggered.

 

[Valjean]

Inasmuch as The Simpsons is an equal opportunity mocker, I was fine with Apu's character.
The demographic with the most cause for complaint are the working and lower middle classes such as the Simpson family itself.

 

[rosends]

If they “did that” to a Jewish character, there probably would be an outcry.

HAHAHAHA!

It's like you don't even watch the show (or maybe, because you aren't Jewish you don't see the shots that the show takes at Jews). Of course, Family Guy takes more shots, but Simpsons, with a Jew in entertainment being cheap and having abandoned his faith paved the way. And we Jews think he's hilarious.