Post 10 (or, ethnic stereotypes on The Simpsons)

I love The Simpsons. It is a series that is on its 26th season and over 26 seasons it is easy to assume that maybe, possibly, some of the characters are not quite as sophisticated as Homer and are based on ethnic stereotypes. Although stereotypes are common on television and generally take on a negative connotation, they can be used to establish tone, mood, atmosphere, or familiarity with a subject. I will not cover redeeming characteristics because although racial and ethnic stereotypes abound, many of the characters are three dimensional beings who are not merely caricatures.

I will start with the most obvious: Apu Nahasapeemapetilon. At a glance, Apu is a stereotypical convenience store who works days-long shifts (because he loves it so much), has 8 kids (alluding to India's population), had an arranged marriage, and has a PhD in engineering. Furthermore, Apu's accent and trademark phrase, "thank you, come again" are some of his most noticeable characteristics but he is voiced by Hank Azaria who is clearly a Jewish man from New York. The series has also explored other well-known Indian stereotypes such as the accursed technical call center wherein people named "Steve" and "Jack" attempt to help us Westerners with our problems.


Cletus Spuckler, most commonly known as "Cletus the slack-jawed yokel" embodies the stereotype of Southern Americans with his thick accent, lack of education, and many children. Cletus is an extreme example of Southern hillbillies whereas Richard O'Hara, better known as The Rich Texan, is a stereotype of gun-toting Texans. Richard plays off of the stereotype that Texans love guns, wears a stetson hat and cowboy boots, and speaks with a Texan accent. Furthermore, he is known for firing his revolvers in the air and yelling "yee-haw!" at the top of his lungs.

Other ethnic stereotypes encountered include a few Italians, mainly Fat Tony and his gang, and Luigi. In Tony's case, he embodies the Italian mobster stereotype. His speech roughly mimics that of Marlon Brando's Vito Corleone and Luigi, an Italian immigrant and owner of a restaurant speaks with a stereotypical Italian accent and phrases.