Simpsons to no longer have white VAs for nonwhite characters

[Alyce: Old Media Enthusiast]

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The Simpsons is finally, officially, seeking to end the controversy over Apu.

“Moving forward, The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters," the producers said in a statement Friday.

Hank Azaria, who is white and voices Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, said earlier this year that he was saying goodbye to the character from the long-running animated Fox comedy. “What they’re going to do with the character is their call,” Azaria said. “It’s up to them and they haven’t sorted it out yet. All we’ve agreed on is I won’t do the voice anymore.… We all feel like it’s the right thing and good about it.”

This is a developing story…

This is definitely gonna be divisive, but I'm fine with it. Hell, Kevin Michael Richardson's been a part of the cast for a long time that he could be fine for roles like Dr. Hibbert.

[chrom]

So long Carl, Dr. Hibbert, Lou, Jenny, Bumblebee Man, Dr. Nick, and many more

[Alyce: Old Media Enthusiast]

Jun 26, 2020 17:57:12 GMT -5 chrom said:

So long Carl, Dr. Hibbert, Lou, Jenny, Bumblebee Man, Dr. Nick, and many more

Kevin Michael Richardson (a black man) has been doing voice work for the show for almost a decade.

There are hispanic, indian, and many other voice actors of different races and nationalties in the industry.

Stop that "goodbye" nonsense. Azaria is fine with this. Shearer and the rest of the cast appears to be fine with this. It's at least worth a shot.

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Glad they are going this direction having acted like total assholes about it in the writing of the show.

Everybody loves being rebellious until they become the establishment.

[jagilki]

but.... non of them are white.... they're yellow.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Remember when actors acted like someone they were not? I think they called it acting?

[Dub H]

While I definitely agree you should hire VA of the characters' nationality or race, I can see it bothering people to change iconic voices.

[Dub H]

Jun 26, 2020 18:19:05 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

Remember when actors acted like someone they were not? I think they called it acting?

I mean...you get a white person playing a black person in acting..it wont end well.

[Alyce: Old Media Enthusiast]

Jun 26, 2020 18:18:33 GMT -5 jagilki said:

but.... non of them are white.... they're yellow.

[britishbulldog]

Absolutely moronic and unnecessary

[chrom]

Jun 26, 2020 18:19:37 GMT -5 Dub H said:

While I definitely agree you should hire VA of the characters' nationality or race, I can see it bothering people to change iconic voices.

If we're prohibiting people from voicing characters because of race or nationality, thousands of VAs are going to be out of work because of it and limitations being put on them.

Steve Blum for example, his most well known role is Canadian and he's from California.

[Mr PONYMANIA Mr Jenzie]

barts voice finally gonna break?

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Jun 26, 2020 18:41:42 GMT -5 chrom said:

Jun 26, 2020 18:19:37 GMT -5 Dub H said:

While I definitely agree you should hire VA of the characters' nationality or race, I can see it bothering people to change iconic voices.

If we're prohibiting people from voicing characters because of race or nationality, thousands of VAs are going to be out of work because of it and limitations being put on them.

Steve Blum for example, his most well known role is Canadian and he's from California.

There’s plenty of Canadian VO actors that could take that role.

[DrBackflipsHoffman]

Jun 26, 2020 18:41:42 GMT -5 chrom said:

Jun 26, 2020 18:19:37 GMT -5 Dub H said:

While I definitely agree you should hire VA of the characters' nationality or race, I can see it bothering people to change iconic voices.

If we're prohibiting people from voicing characters because of race or nationality, thousands of VAs are going to be out of work because of it and limitations being put on them.

Steve Blum for example, his most well known role is Canadian and he's from California.

This is hall of fame quality

[jimmyjackezekiel]

Am I the only one who thinks it's hypocritical to do this, when no one seems to have any problem with Phil Lamar as Samurai Jack in either the new season or the upcoming video game?

What a white man can voice a non-white and it's a big deal, but Phil can do vocal yellowface and it's okay?

[chrom]

Jun 26, 2020 18:52:27 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

Jun 26, 2020 18:41:42 GMT -5 chrom said:

If we're prohibiting people from voicing characters because of race or nationality, thousands of VAs are going to be out of work because of it and limitations being put on them.

Steve Blum for example, his most well known role is Canadian and he's from California.

There’s plenty of Canadian VO actors that could take that role.

You know why VAs voice hundreds of characters and often do 3-4 on the same show? Because Voice Acting pay sucks and they need all the money they can get, plus its far easier to have a person adjust his voice or accent to fit the character than it is to get a person to who fits the nationality. There's a reason why Mel Blanc was known as the man of 1000 voices.

[Malcolm]

I said it before and I'll say it again:

I bet they picked these ham-fisted, pants on head stupid decision, just so they can play victim.

Why? Because they didn't even need to do this.

[Display Name]

Oof. It’s VOICE ACTING! As a Mexican-American, I could give two shits if a white, black, yellow or green person voiced a Latino in an animated show/movie.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Jun 26, 2020 19:08:44 GMT -5 chrom said:

Jun 26, 2020 18:52:27 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

There’s plenty of Canadian VO actors that could take that role.

You know why VAs voice hundreds of characters and often do 3-4 on the same show? Because Voice Acting pay sucks and they need all the money they can get, plus its far easier to have a person adjust his voice or accent to fit the character than it is to get a person to who fits the nationality. There's a reason why Mel Blanc was known as the man of 1000 voices.

Sarcasm travels poorly in the written word, my man.

[Cela]

Well, the credits are going to get a hell of a lot longer.