How do you solve Apu? ~ Comedy, Controversial Casting, Reboots - (A·B·C·D) Podcast Episode 17

Don't you just love how certain beloved characters from childhood can influence our cultural identities? Let's discuss Apu from The Simpsons and how this character shaped us. We take you through our journey of growing up with Apu, addressing issues, controversies and sharing some personal anecdotes about navigating through racist situations. We also introduce a fresh new segment, 'Spin Off, Rewrite, Cancel' and discuss how some actors have depicted characters in brownface.
We're not done yet! We pick up our conversation from where we left off, examining Apu's character traits that make him so appealing and considering the potential implications of casting a Pakistani actor for the role. We face the uncomfortable complexities of offensive comedy, sharing stories about racism and how we learned to confront it. As we dissect the most offensive parts of a recent documentary on Apu, we share our honest feelings towards it.
Hang on, there's more! We switch gears to scrutinize controversial casting choices and problematic characters like Fisher Stevens from Short Circuit, Max Mangel from The Social Network, and Benedict Cumberbatch from Star Trek into the Darkness. We discuss which characters deserve a spin-off, reboot, or cancellation and also bring up characters in video games. And lastly, we show our love for comedy production and the intricate task of crafting new, intriguing stories while still honoring the characters' original narratives. Join us as we take a fascinating journey exploring our cultural identities and experiences through the lens of media characters.

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