THE APU THAT I KNOW - Brain Dump 

Quote directly from Apu himself: "But I learned long ago, Lisa, to tolerate others rather than forcing my own beliefs on them" How ironic

If Goofball isn’t voiced by a real ghost I’d be so pissed right now.

All of my Indian friends hate that Apu was removed, it was their favourite character- it was MY favourite character too, and I'm European. He's one of the smartest characters in the whole show, and often serves to show just how DUMB American culture can be, and how he has to dumb himself down to fit in. I feel like people who think that Apu was a negative racial stereotype weren't really paying attention, at all. Same kinda people who see mini-skirts in star-trek and think it's sexist, when in reality it was feminism and at the time, so progressive it nearly got them canceled.

Came for a straight white man meme, ended up with a really deep look into cultural representation in a cartoon. I dig it.

*please do not offer my god a peanut*

Objective: Be straight Obstacle: Apu

As a gay man, Smithers never offended me, not even the joke about gay guys liking barbie dolls. In fact, he was always my favorite character.

I wish we could have more actual Brain Dump episodes like this. Not to say that the newer "clickbait subversion of expectations" format can't be fun, I just have my preferences is all.

Oh my god! A Indian man, who grew up in India, has a INDIAN ACCENT?!

This is like the power puff girls saying that Ms.Bellum isn’t sending the right message, *Shes the smartest female character*

Like dude, this is a full on University Level essay i would see in my textbooks. Not argumentative, just informative. One of my more favorite youtube videos.

Tbh I never really understood how apu could be a harmful stereotype. When he’s one of the only characters that’s not dumb in the show.

You don't look racist You look like the edgy dad I never had

Apu was also the only playable non Simpson family member in the greatest Simpson game

When I was a kid growing up in an extremely diverse suburb, I often heard people either picking on or friendly razzing their Indian friends by calling them Gandhi. I highly doubt any of those kids grew up wishing to erase Gandhi from history

Looking back, I absolutely adore the modern episodes that have zero to do with the thumbnail. I think they're the best episodes. Yet, I also really really love this episode and it's masterfully made. I think it's proof that Max can do both. I can't believe how skilled he is as a writer and an artist.

my man has just dropped a content cop

"He's like a member of the family." Well he was the only Non-Simpson playable in Hit and Run.

i feel like its also very easy to draw parallels from apu to chef from south park. chef is a large black man, who randomly bursts into r&b song when giving advice, is a sex magnet, and essentially falls into most stereotypes of a black man (albeit, the ones that are percieved as positive, but they are still stereotypes.) however, he is one of the most well rounded people in south park. when he was in the show he was always the only truly levelheaded person in town, and stan, kyle, kenny and cartman almost always went to him when they needed advice. he was never the butt of the joke, either, it was always someone else, usually a white person, making an absolute fool of themselves through racism directed at chef. stereotypes in satirical comedies have always been a thing. they are usually, in my opinion, some of the most enjoyable characters to watch, too. excellent video, man.

I always love coming back to this video. Even after the controversy has passed there's just a lot of wisdom on life and art packed into this. Plus the popeyes chicken joke is always a huge hit

As a black man I can confirm we do dream about Menthol Cigarettes

As an Indian, I personally don't care about how Apu's shown. He's just a damn cartoon character. edit: zamn, there's an arguement below

4 years later and I still agree with this entire video.

37:27 has aged like fine wine

Remember when Cartoon Network stopped airing Speedy Gonzales because he was a harmful stereotype? Remember when Mexicans (like myself) complained about it because we actually love the character? When will the social justice movement stop demonizing cartoon characters just because they are superficially stereotypical?

I'm Scottish, and the only thing that ever offended me on the Simpsons was when Homer went to Scotland, saw a Loch Ness Monster statue that said *"Aberdeen sucks"* written on it, and Homer responded with *"No way, Aberdeen rules!"* I'm from Aberdeen. It does suck.

I’m just happy Apu got a Lego Minifigure before he got “cancelled”

this is a great example of how great your videos can be if goofball isn’t present for most of the episode.

The fact that this man can switch easily from being obscene, grotesque, and downright offensive to a politically correct, genuine person makes me love him THAT much more.

I’m so glad Futurama ended before they could remove Hermes for being a stereotypical Jamaican.

Man so doing a binge watch of the entire series so far and decided to rewatch this video. It’s really sad to see that they basically axed Apu, but managed to get new VAs for Carl, Lou, and Dr. Hibbert that fit the roles really well. If anything despite this whole thing being a response to “Making sure minorities are better represented” the lack of Apu just comes off as “Your group is not important enough for us to bring Apu back despite every one loving this character”.

Yknow max talking about bart in such a way makes me think hes been holding these emotions about bart for a long time.

Max, you're a perfect example of don't judge a book by their cover. People should look past the multiple piercings, giant gut and skinheadness and see a compassionate, funny and kind person.

As a brown dude who is slightly older than Hari but grew up with the same shit and being called Apu... I 100% agree with this video. Hari is butthurt, the whole point of Apu was to shed light on a minority which never gets any screen time.

Apu has always come on the other side of a parody character, he is not flawed, he is hyper compentent. Problem is, he is stuck at a dead end job because his programing skills are useless even by the time the episode that showed he had a degree on programing on Punch Card Computers aired.

Don’t get me wrong Max, I love your brain dump videos and I love the jokes you put in them. But I love this episode in particular because YOU made an episode that was about something that YOU wanted to talk about, which ultimately made an episode that was an incredibly well made documentary

> Demolishes Hari's documentary in less than 8 minutes .... > 37 more minutes to go *Stop! Stop! He's already dead!*

My god, this must have taken you AGES. Over half of this video is original animation. I applaud you, sir.

Here again after The Real Jim's video. Your's is the best on the subject.

This is aging well.

Funny how these supposed "racially sensitive" people are only capable of seeing Apu for his race and accent

Reasons why this is the best episode of Brain Dump so far: Max makes good points Barely any goofball (sorry but he really gets in the way a lot) Sick Burns 🔥 Max sees both sides of the argument

Another great example of a character played by a voice actor pit of their race is Kratos. Kratos is white (not just in skin tone, he's Greek) and he's had two voice actors, both are black. And both do an incredible job

Revisiting this 4 years later. This was all so concise. So hard to disagree with. I love you

I am an Indian and honestly, I got so pumped up whenever Apu appeared on the show. I wanted to thank the writers for putting so much effort into creating such a wholesome, lovable character that I could identify myself with. Never saw him as an insult to my culture.

I really gotta state the blatantly obvious here, Mr. Kondabolu really made this to cash in on social justice movement, and Apu is really just an easy target.

People call a Indian stereotype racist but don’t care that there’s a hillbilly whose wife is both his sister daughter and mother all at the same time

This is still my favourite video from you that you've ever made, and it remains true to this day.

>"VAs should match the character's ethnicity." Anime dub companies: *Sweats profusely*

i missed being yelled at by you

Im Hispanic, and there's lots of hispanic jokes in Simpsons. But I can also see some love, like they have that bumblebee guy in a suit. And it makes me happy to see him cause he's a reference to a show my dad always watched.

37:26 bro unleashed his diggedy demon 💀

Bald Man Talks About His Crush On A Simpsons Character For 45 Minutes

Two days ago I was thinking, "What happened to Brain Dump?" Now I know.

Props to Max for animating a full length movie

37:13 this is when the straight white man clip starts

my dad is italian and i've caught him saying "mama mia" multiple times, it was a magical moment the first time i heard him say it.

I'm Scottish. I've never met anyone who sounds like Willie. I've also never heard anyone complain about Willie. Most people here find him funny, because he is.

THANK YOU. You are so much better than a bunch of other commentary channels. You have perspective and understanding. YOU can understand that people with different views or conflicting views aren't stupid or wrong unlike a certain Brett cooper.

I've never met a single person who hates Apu. I think Apu his one of the best characters on the show, not to mention he has the cutest children ever. Literally every character on the show is a stereotype of something or other. Also, love those stylised depictions of other characters, you should do them all.

As an Indian, I think Apu has never been some harmful stereotype. Hes just been a cool funny character

*Stereo typical Italian character exist* My Italian mom: *don’t give a damn* *Speedy Gonzales exist* Me a Latino: *Loves the character*

Apu isn't a stereotype, he's a real person. I'm a canadian, the amount of indians working at corner stores is actually insane.

28:11 I'm Jewish, and I have to say this is my favorite joke about Jewish people I've ever heard. Laughed out loud. Love this video!

This video was so well made. Excellent job Max, you really knocked this one out of the park!

Hari: Apu is racist because his voice is stereotypical Also Hari: *Bashes white people constantly on Twitter*

Holy crap, a brain dump episode that completely talks about the subject!

This is probably my favorite video on the internet, and I never even watched the Simpson’s. I always find myself coming by to this video just because of how immaculately formulated Maxs arguments are. Bravo.

AND SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ISN'T VOICED BY AN ACTUAL HEDGEHOG. I AM IN OUTRAGE.

whats funny is that Mario, an Italian stereotype, belongs to a... Japanese... company...

I love how much your content has grown, just 8 or 9 years ago, I was a 6 yr old child secretly watching your satirical mlp skits.

How can there be a problem with Apu, when he’s the sexiest character in all of Springfield.

You have met the minimum requirements for this video to be considered a movie, and I love it.

I'm German and I've never seen a prominent German character who isn't wearing lederhosen and yodeling. I've never seen that back in Germany but it's all I see outside.

Did y’all notice that goofball never interrupted him in this episode?

Back four years later and I'm amazed by the positive reception. Zero dislikes!

The absolute biggest example of voice actors not needing to match their character is when you realize the BUFF ass pillar and icon of sheer masculinity that is Goku is voice acted by a little old Japanese woman.

"He's a bait and switch, and some people aren't seeing the switch" This is so accurate. As a lifelong Indian and lifelong Simpsons fan, Apu was one of my favourite characters, I'd go so far as to say a positive influence on Indian stereotypes. Apu is portrayed as just stereotypical enough that viewers aren't alienated, except from when the focus is on him which is when he goes above and beyond. We'll miss you, sweet prince.

This is my favorite out of your whole channel. Apu's been a favorite of mine since forever really. I adore how positive this is. You're doing great things & I'm proud of ya, buddy. I LOVE the joke with Milhouse. It's 100% my style & I can't help laughing each time I watch this. I would watch a documentary in which they discuss the actual negative stereotypes of this cartoon, such as Cletus's family. It sounds like a more engaging viewing experience than "I don't like this cartoon because I can't take a joke."

I remembered this video after watchin a scene with apu and watched to rewatch it but for a second i couldnt find it and i was worried you deleted this brilliant case, im glad to see that its still here. I feel you killed it in the argument and i feel you did it perfectly.

As an Indian, I find appu funny, and in India, people may find him inaccurate but will not say that he is offensive, but I can't speak in behalf of American Indian, because I don't live there and how people treat Indian people there some are treated good and some may be treated not so well and even bullied by it, and when you get bullied you will hate for the thing that you are getting bullied for and how many pros may appu have it will get sided by their hate, and it must be lonely for American Indian by getting this jokes time over time, so its not the problem of this cartoon its how people treat you. sorry for my bad English

The whole show is meant to be a ridiculous stereotype of America. That's why we don't know what state Springfield is in.

37:25 a legend was born that day.

The turns this video take were 💯 not only making solid points but the writing the bait and switch were so good. That's talent

Hey man I know this is random but my college professor just had me do a reading that critiqued Apu's stereotype, and I just wanted to say that the author of the article specifically mentioned your name and alluded to your video as a counter argument to the racial bias around Apu. Goddamn amazing

"He's a cartoon character, they're supposed to be goofy. Because the real world is goofy... And the cartoon characters exist to show us how damn goofy we are. Lest we forget and accidentally take ourselves too seriously." That there is a powerful statement about the portrayal of the things we show any frame of emotion for in this world, cartoons or otherwise.

This man is defending my comfort character. I’m subbing

This is still one of the best videos on RU-vid, hands down.

I'm german and the scene in The Simpsons where the germans are in hell and are going "What have we done to deserve this? Oh! Right..." is super hilarious to me.

It's been 3,000 years...

I weirdly unironically enjoyed listening to your take on this, I know it's old and this has kinda became it's own show, but I kinda hope we get some non canon brain dump episodes where you get to gab on about a subject. Its really enjoyable.

Coming back to this video five years later and it still largely holds up! For the most part. My one note is that replacing voice actors with ethnic ones that match the ethnicity of the character on screen can be a good thing. I’m making this comment only about 16 minutes into the video, so I feel it necessary to claim that I’m unsure of Max’s stance on the matter circa 2018 and certainly in 2024. Regardless, I’ve found that ethnic voice actors often create rapport between their voice directors. Prolific, pre-established foreign voice actors (foreign media translations exist, wow!) will very regularly bring their linguistics knowledge with them, and that could range from regional dialects to better written dialog in different languages. TLDR: Language is a very complex thing, and when we write characters that might not speak the same language or have the same background as us it helps to have help from people with lived experiences from said cultures (or even cultures that inspired whatever fictional culture that’s being written about so long as it’s applicable. I.E: Xing from FMA:B isn’t called China but it’s still pretty much China)

Listen, I'm not racist, but if one more Indian comes into America and builds furniture just to ask me where it can be placed into a room, I swear...

As a Christian, I personally think Ned Flanders is hilarious and in many cases, accurate. In fact, almost any representation of Christians in media, despite almost always being negative, I like. Any group of people that has flaws should be in someway, made aware of it. God bless you, Max, RU-vid needs more creators like you.

For anyone who sorted the comments by new and is reading these, Max is potentially bi-curious now

I love how this video has more views than most of the trailers for the documentary combined 😂

Plot twist: This video started being made mid-2017

I'll have you know that I constantly dream about fried rice.

i saw a tik tok that made a similar point. it only really seems like people who aren't in a specific minority are the ones who get most offended with the depictions of minorities. in the video, a white guy went around dressed in a pancho, sombrero, and a fake mustache, the most common stereotype for mexicans. he interviewed people asking them if they thought his costume was offensive, and everyone who said "yes it is offensive" were people who were NOT mexican or of hispanic decent. then, he interviewed actual mexicans and asked them the same question, and they all said no, it's not offensive. hell, a lot of them thought it was funny and said they liked his costume!!! as someone who is mexican and comes from a mexican family, i can tell you from personal experience that we don't really care about people who use that stereotype, and we actually find it funny. that's what comedy is!!! exaggeration and making people laugh!!! the only time it really becomes a problem is when the stereotype is used specifically to harm or disrespect someone. wearing a sombrero and mustache while speaking in a fake mexican accent to be goofy and make people laugh isn't harmful, UNLESS you are doing it solely out of malice to harm and disrespect us. we have to understand that people can feel differently about certain things, we're all entitled to our own opinions, and we shouldn't push that onto others. if you find sombreros and fake mustaches offensive, i can't change your opinion. that's how you feel, and i appreciate you for showing your concern for my culture! you just need to understand that sometimes, it really isn't THAT deep. of course that's just me. everyone has very different experiences with culture appropriation, and it's not up to me to dictate whether you're being "overly sensitive" or not.

this feels like the only Brain Dump episode that stays on topic for most of the video