The Simpsons writer Al Jean vows to find 'right' answer to Apu furor

A Simpsons writer has spoken out, vowing to find a solution to the Apu furor. Photo / Getty Images

The Simpsons executive producer, Al Jean, has broken his silence on the furor surrounding beloved character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.

Taking to Twitter on Friday, Jean thanked fans and commentators for their responses to the controversial episode in which the Fox series addressed claims that the character of Apu — voiced by Hank Azaria — focuses on negative racial stereotypes toward the South Asian community.

Jean tweeted, "I truly appreciate all responses pro and con. Will continue to try to find an answer that is popular & more important right".

.@TheSimpsons I truly appreciate all responses pro and con. Will continue to try to find an answer that is popular & more important right

— Al Jean (@AlJean) April 13, 2018

The episode in question had Marge reading Lisa a book that had been changed from the original version to something less controversial.

"Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?," says Lisa. The show then panned to a picture of Apu.

Shortly after the episode aired, social media went into overdrive, with many saying it was a weak response to the serious accusations of racism and a 'slap in the face'.

In particular, one person who wasn't pleased was comedian Hari Kondabolu.

Kondabolu was one of the first people to properly raise the issue in his documentary The Promblem with Apu in which he used Apu and the racially stereotypical treatment of him by the show as a springboard to explore broader problems of representation in the entertainment industry.

Wow. “Politically Incorrect?” That’s the takeaway from my movie & the discussion it sparked? Man, I really loved this show. This is sad. https://t.co/lYFH5LguEJ

— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018

In “The Problem with Apu,” I used Apu & The Simpsons as an entry point into a larger conversation about the representation of marginalized groups & why this is important. The Simpsons response tonight is not a jab at me, but at what many of us consider progress.

— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018

Jean's tweet is the first time the showrunner has properly engaged with the criticism, having flippantly tweeted out things such as, "Can't wait to see what's on my twitter account today!" following the episode airing.

Until now, he had refused to respond to the criticism, saying instead that the producers would prefer the episode "speak for itself".

We'll have to wait to see what Jean considers to be a "right" way to respond, but it'll no doubt prompt further discussion.