‘Simpsons’ producer Matt Groening is confronted with controversies

Mats have grown out of grooving cartoonists’ lair – virtually the least.

The 67-year-old “The Simpsons” producer gave a rare interview to the BBC on Tuesday, where he openly discussed his personal findings about the show’s recent controversies concerning race and representation.

When the show debuted nearly 31 years ago, the legend was heavily criticized for its decision to feature white cast members into voice characters.

“Times change,” Groening told the BBC, “but I didn’t really have a problem the way we were doing. All our actors play dozens of characters, it was never designed to exclude anyone. Was. “

However, actor Hank Azaria, who voiced the Kwik-E-Mart shopkeeper since 1989, ventured into public outrage last year to make way for an as-yet-determined actor of South Asian descent. Earlier this week it was announced that Dr. once voiced by Harry Shearer. Hibbert was cast in the role of actor Kevin Michael Richardson (“Family Guy”).

Production was initially defensive, in 2018 Groening responded that he was “proud” of the show, and a “victim of a culture where people pretend to love that they’re offended.”

Actor Hank Azaria stepped into the role in 2020, voicing Appu, the shopkeeper of Quick-A-Mart since 1989.
Actor Hank Azaria stepped into the role in 2020, voicing Appu, the shopkeeper of Quick-A-Mart since 1989.
Getty Images / Everett Collection

Growing opinion has since softened in favor of a more inclusive stance.

“We are not going out of our way with great comfort,” he told the BBC. “On the other hand, if you make any kind of gesture and people feel weakness, you will be criticized.”

“I completely agree with this. And we are trying to improve it. “Bigotry and racism are still an incredible problem and it is good to go for more equality and representation in the end.”

The show announced in February that Dr. Harry Shearer once played the role of Dr.  Hibbert, actor Kevin Michael Richardson (
The show announced in February that Dr. Harry Shearer once played the role of Dr. Hibbert will be voiced by actor Kevin Michael Richardson (“Family Guy”).
Getty Images / Everett Collection

He also discusses an entirely different kind of controversy: his feud with the transport enthusiast organization The Monorail Society, which consists of 14,000 members around the world. its Having said Season 4’s “The Simpsons” episode 12, titled “Marge vs. the Monorail”, is why more townsfolk are not riding on the monorail. According to members of the Society, the iconic musical episode – in which Marge saw Springfield rescuing from a scorching monorail developer – would not take the monorail too seriously today.

“I don’t know what to say, excuse me,” he joked. “It is a by-product of our viciousness.”

The animator shows no signs of slowing down. His latest project, “Disillusionment,” Abby Jacobson, a comedy-fantasy cartoon starring Eric Andre and Nat Faxon, is in its third season on Netflix.

“The most enjoyable thing I’ve ever done. I get to work with some of the smartest people around and play with them and tell stories. It is just an explosion, ”he said.

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