Kondabolu's 2017 TruTV documentary helped raise awareness of how the Apu character's stereotypes hurt Indian-Americans, especially when it was their only representation on screen. "All it took was 30 years, a documentary, more relevant shows doing it first & a conversation about racism spurred by police brutality & murder," tweeted Kondabolu in reaction to Friday's announcement, adding: "Going off social media now until next wave of death threats pass." Additionally, Kondabolu tweeted that "The Simpsons is still the most cutting-edge show of the 90s." Kondabolu also retweeted Twitter user Neha Shah, who tweeted: "Hey remember when @harikondabolu made a doc about this and instead of making the change they joked about it in an episode? The only reason they are making the change now is because Family Guy did. This is not something to celebrate. Shame on the Simpsons it took them 31 seasons." CNN's W. Kamau Bell, who worked with Kondabolu on FX's Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, tweeted: "I couldn't be more proud of my friend @harikondabolu. His documentary The Problem w/ Apu jumpstarted a conversation & a cultural shift that had been a looooooong time coming. He's my brother. I have his back FOR-EVER!"
TOPICS: The Simpsons, FOX, The Problem With Apu, George Floyd, Hank Azaria, Hari Kondabolu, Harry Shearer, W. Kamau Bell, African Americans and TV, Black Lives Matter, Indian-Americans and TV