Brilliant comedian and social critic Hari Kondabolu‘s The Problem with Apu premieres on TruTV on November 19 at 10pm ET. But before that Kondabolu is out promoting — and defending — his documentary. Many critics agree with CNN’s S. Mitra Kalita, who says “The Problem With Apu is excellent. About so much more than The Simpsons and a racist accent — but the need to dialogue and tell authentic stories.” But others are apparently pissing Kondabolu off by calling his film “politically correct.” And Kondabolu is angry, make no mistake — his enraged response on Twitter employs a Trumpian ALL CAPS style. (And something tells us Kondabolu is not a Trump sort of guy.)
To all the people who are calling my #TheProblemWithApu documentary “Politically Correct” & calling me a SJW: NO ONE IS MAKING YOU WATCH IT, YOU SNOWFLAKES. YOU CAN’T MAKE ANYTHING WITHOUT TROLL SNOWFLAKES CRYING ABOUT IT. THIS IS AMERICA, YOU DON’T LIKE HOW IT WORKS…GET OUT!
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) November 12, 2017
“Snowflakes”, as Kondabolu uses the term, means a “hypersensitive, irrational person who can’t stand to have their world views challenged.” Of course, those who fit that definition will be bothered by The Problem with Apu — which challenges the status quo in all sorts of ways, and forces an examination of casual racism and much else. The essence of the film is distilled here:
You know damn well if a Brown comic was on stage & their whole act was just Indian accents, people would call them “an ethnic hack.” But when a white dude does the voice & a show makes the same corny jokes for 30 years… we’re good? #TheProblemWithApu
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) November 14, 2017
Whoopi Goldberg of The View was impressed with Kondalu’s movie — and him — at the NYC docfest (see tweet below). Kondabolu guests on The View at 11am ET on Wednesday, November 15. Goldberg digs deep. Hari Kondabolu is an entertainer first, then perhaps an educator. He knows it’s hard to get a big important message across without a little sugar. Here Kondabolu explains that The Problem With Apu is filled with FAMOUS PEOPLE:
Why should you watch #TheProblemWithApu? @harikondabolu explains. Hint: faces you know and facts you don’t. Sunday at 10/9c on truTV. pic.twitter.com/dKIJVAuu0R
— truTV (@truTV) November 15, 2017
The Problem With Apu is excellent. About so much more than the Simpsons and a racist accent — but the need to dialogue and tell authentic stories. Represent, @harikondabolu and @truTV. pic.twitter.com/0r2hnxRJFk
— S. Mitra Kalita (@mitrakalita) November 15, 2017
If you’ve taught Whoopi Goldberg something new, then you’ve done your job.
Congratulations on #TheProblemWithApu, @harikondabolu! pic.twitter.com/BlJPpaoBFw
— Nicholai Joaquin (@nicholaisays) November 15, 2017
